Apr 8, 2016 | By Tess
Paul Mahoney, the recipient of 3Doodler’s 2015 Mixed Media Award, has made some truly impressive and inspiring pieces of art using the popular 3D printing pen. From animal sculptures, to colorful mandalas, and even a large mixed media ship model, Mahoney is demonstrating the creative possibilities of additive manufacturing technologies. In fact, he has even coined a new term for his artistic medium: Plastigraphy.
The Calgary, Alberta-based artist, who is relatively new to using 3D printing pens, has been impressing the 3Doodling community as of late with his decorative and fun creations. Despite his fast learned talent with the 3D printing pen, Mahoney did initially struggle with the device, making some simple and “scraggly” pieces before getting the hang of the 3Doodler. Even now, Mahoney explains that every time he makes a new piece he discovers a new technique of using the pen which requires him to practice and hone the skill.
For those still in the early stages of 3Doodling, Mahoney offers some tips and tricks he has used to overcome some of his own challenges with the 3D printing pen. As users of the 3Doodler will surely know, it can be difficult to have a shape remain exactly as-is as the plastic filament tends to mildly warp, twist, and shrink after it is extruded. For flat planed pieces, Mahoney explains that he has used warmed tiles as presses to keep the plane flat, but for three-dimensional creations, he suggests thinking of the plastic’s changing qualities as a virtue, working with the changes rather than against them.
In making his ship, for instance, he explains that until he had added enough layers of plastic to it, the boat’s shape and size was constantly in flux. He says, “I didn't even know if it would have 1, 2, or 3 masts until the hull was stabilized. And rigging was heavily influenced by learning to stay away from melting the other lines.” The ship itself took Mahoney a few weeks to create.
Another one of his most notable pieces is a jungle cat wireframe sculpture, which was reportedly quite straightforward to make. Using a model of Skeletor’s BattleCat as a base, Mahoney simply drew over parts of it with the 3Doodler pen, going with the natural motion of the device to get the amazing chain-like texture, and assembled the pieces together, also using the 3Doodler pen. Having seen the success of this method, Mahoney explains that he is now excited to 3Doodle over any fun objects in his house.
In discussing the actual art of 3Doodling, Mahoney wants to make a distinction between 3D printing and the 3D printing pen. He explains, “We don't print; we write and draw in plastic. In a sense, we are creating the illuminated manuscripts of a new era. There's certainly more to it than just painting in plastic. Once upon a time, calligraphy raised the printed symbol to a previously unknown level of artistry. That is what is happening today, done in plastic. I'm calling it Plastigraphy (like making a plastic 3d photograph). The play of line and shadows growing into previously unknown depths.”
After having won 3Doodler’s 2015 Mixed Media Award for his stunning ship, and after receiving Legendary Doodler status, Mahoney plans to keep working with the 3D printing pen, innovating and creating more amazing pieces. We can’t wait to see what he 3Doodles next!
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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