The Octopus by Stephen Downie

[yachtexplorer]

I have been slowly developing a collection of Sea Creature pipes. Last spring I discussed a project with Stephen Downie to create an "Octopus" pipe. The idea was to make it a realistic rather than a more abstract or interpretive piece.
Stephen kept me posted with drawings and progress photos. We have had many conversations so conceptually it has been a highly collaborative process. We decided to use a dark tortoise celluloid for the stem to create the effect of the octopus squirting ink.
You can read Stephens comments and see additional photos on his web site: DOWNIE PIPES
Initial Drawing

Stem Material

Emerging from the block

Taking shape (with inpirational rubber octo)

Nearing completion

The Octopus is done. I am speechless.

 

[python]

That pipe is amazing!
Stephen does great and amazing work. I absolutely love his work. One of these days I will have enough money to be able to get one of his pipes.
Congrats on the new addition!

 

[yachtexplorer]

Sorry the link to Stephen Downie's web site was in error. Here is the link where you can see additional photos of the octopus and read Stephen's comments as well as see more of his amazing work. http://www.downiepipes.com/commissions.html

 

[bubbadreier]

Wow that pipe is amazing!! That is truly a work of art!

 

[patiobum]

What an amazing pipe. Stephen is an artist. 8)

 

[puffintuff]

Outstanding ! A true masterpiece !

 

[hauntedmyst]

That is a beautiful pipe and a great was of interpreting an octopus on to a pipe!

 

[hilojohnny]

Amazing...Stunning....I need more superlative adjectives to comment on your new pipe!....Wow... :worship:

 

[cortezattic]

Like Hauntedmyst, I think that's a brilliant example of rendering a tobacco pipe using a creature as the subject.

The intricate sanding and finishing truly amaze me.

 

[bhpdrew]

Nifty... and a little creepy... Neat in either case!

 

[surfmac211]

That is one of the coolest pipes I have seen. Very interesting, but beautiful piece.

 

[papipeguy]

Incredible! The stem work is sensational.

 

[duncan]

I am so amazed by that pipe! That is a true piece of artwork and I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

 

[thomc80]

That was awesome. Love the pipe.

 

[kcvet67]

That's a true work of art!

 

[krgulick]

A great looking pipe, what a fine job. Indeed it is a work of art.

 

[admin]

Great idea and flawless execution. Very cool.

 

[buckeye]

wow i got a ways to go. nice art. do you smoke pipes like that or just collect them.

 

[chlogeo3]

I would be too afraid to smoke it. :lol:

 

[pstlpkr]

I was hoping to see that drawing rendered into reality after seeing it in your slide show.

Beautiful work. Are the eyes amber?
Simply amazing pipe.