Vanishing Tracks, handmade paper mache mask

Snow leopards have been my favorite animal since I was nine years old. The book “Vanishing Tracks” by Darla Hillard had just come out then. I was captivated by the story, the beauty of these cats, and what Darla conveyed about their elusive lives.

Years later I got to meet snow leopards in real life at a big cat conservation facility. A dream come true. They were just as majestic as I had imagined.

This mask is about a love for cats, big and small, and a respect for wild animals whose world we touch through sprawl, industrialization, and environment decisions. Not getting preachy here – its just a paper mache mask – but I do feel a sobering, solemn spirit when I wear this one.

The mask is handcrafted from scratch, using paper mache, upcycled cardboard, plastic, and guitar strings for the whiskers. It is painted first with acrylic and then with oil paint. You can see through the eyes (the holes are in the pupils), and breathe through the leopard’s nostrils.

All solemnity aside, I love making masks and want to make custom ones for people. Is there an animal that has been meaningful to you? Let’s dream up a gorgeous mask that embodies their spirit.