Ok....I think everyone or perhaps most have seen the ubiquitous scene from The Sound of Music, The Lonely Goatherd.  Have you often wondered like myself, "Where are the puppets now?"  Or to be more politically correct, "Where are the MARIONETTES now?"

Thankfully with the internet, searches are so easy.  Turns out they reside in Iowa of all places.  I don't know why in my head I would think they were in a chateau in some European mountain.  No, they are in IOWA! lol  I didn't think I would ever have the need to visit such a foreign land such as Iowa but I feel the need to do so now upon learning of their wooden residents.  Living in Singapore, that may be awhile before I get the chance to venture there but in the meantime, I have the trusty internet to make me feel closer.

Here is the link to the museum that houses this wonderful collection:
http://www.macniderart.org/baird.html

And if you have been living under a rock and hadn't seen the scene mentioned in the beginning of this post, let me enlighten you with a trip to Youtube:


So if you are wondering, "Why in the blue moon is Nikole bringing this up anyways?"  Well, I am about to venture on a presumptuous task of recreating the entire show including stage and all puppets/marionettes.  I have no time line so who knows how long this will take...that's a lie...I have three years.  I'll take it one puppet at a time.  This was THE biggest influence of puppetry on me that made me say at a very young age...."Hey, I want to do that."  So much so that while in college, I sang this song as my final piece in my vocal class.  You can rest assure that if this project comes to a happy ending, I will share video with you all.  My hope is to have this ready as my first performance in my brick and mortar theater.

I'm moving into a new art studio in the beginning of next month and will start a blog on this new adventure or I might just keep up with my public profile page on facebook.  And as if my plate isn't already full, I will continue to do my complimentary shows for my son's school and local library.  It's what keeps me sane and happy.  Plus, you can never gain enough experience. :D

My hands are just itching to get back to work.  I'm counting down the days....21 to be exact until I can unpack my lovelies and get back to work!  Until then, here is yet again the link to my facebook puppet page.  I probably won't update it until my move.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Puppets-By-Nikole/204181585029?ref=ts

xoxo,
Nikole

Hey what's wrong with Iowa!! I have driven through Mason City, Iowa where the Baird collection is - but have not ever stopped to see it how bad is that! I only live about 3 hours from there!

Lucky dog!  You should totally go sometime and report back to us. :D  Nah, there's nothing wrong with Iowa....I just never envisioned myself needing to go there.  But I feel compelled to go now knowing that the marionettes are being housed there.

xoxo

I will try to add it to my list of things to do! And I will report!! However if you do decide to visit Iowa to see the Baird collection you need to come stay with us (the Laird's). You'd think that with a name that rhymes with Baird I would have gone sooner!!

Awwwwwwww YOU BET!  And vice versa should you ever make it out to Singapore!!! :D

I like that....Laird...Baird.  Again...LUCKY DOG! lol