For me, 3D design is such an interesting way of expressing not only form but function. These are some of my top 3D Design and Production Projects. If you are in need of 3D re-creation or general 3D modeling work, please reach out to me here.

---

The Glove Theater Cartouche Re-Creation

The Glove Theater is a prominent theater in Gloversville NY., with an extensive local history. The theater is currently undergoing restoration and renovation to bring the theater back to its former glory. In 2022, I was approached by the building committee of the Glove Theater to re-create some missing cartouche ornaments that originally hung on the balcony of the theater. Below you can see the original photo that was found of the cartouche and the view of the balcony from the stage. The only remnant of the cartouches remaining was an outline on the wall. I was able to take a tracing of the outline in order to obtain the true size. With my background in antique restoration, these ornament shapes are very familiar to me as I have seen many of them before. Still wanting to be as accurate as possible, I studied original theater ornaments and other original architectural decorations. Using subdivision surface modeling and other standard 3D modeling practices, I was able to re-create the cartouche and the attached swags at each side of the cartouche. When the budget passes, these cartouches will be 3D printed full size, painted and hung in the theater where they originally hung.

---

The Beverly Machine Co. – Standard Grip Tester

Wanting to expand my skillset in 3D modeling, I decided to re-create the Beverly strength tester, which is an ultra rare arcade strength testing machine originally built in 1896, one of the oldest arcade machines ever. The user inserts a penny into the slot in the shoulder, grips the handle bars at the hips of the figure and turns them toward themself. With spring resistance, the user must use their grip strength to rotate the bar until they cant anymore. To indicate how well the user does, a metal tongue comes out of the figures mouth with a strength register along the outside of the tongue. Each part of the machine was re-created digitally in 3D and eventually 3D printed, roughly 6% larger to account for shrinking during the casting process. After the 3D parts were sanded smooth, they were cast in iron, which was then cleaned up and assembled to make the machine. Three of these replicas were made and all aged to look old, but notated that it was a re-creation.

After everything was printed and fitted I found a few small parts that needed to be added on the inside to make it actually work if I were to actually cast this. Then I had to decide if I was actually going to cast one in iron. Ultimately I decided it was too much work to do in plastic to not actually make one in iron. I had to find a new foundry because the iron foundry my dad and I used to use closed down. Luckily I found one pretty close by and brought them all the parts, and 8 weeks later got the iron back and they came out better then excellent. I was very happy with how the iron looked in its raw state and it really pushed me to finish the project. Assembly took a few months and I borrowed some help from one of my dads mechanics in the shop. Today I’m happy to say it’s finished and in the arcade with the rest of my dad’s re-creations. The inside is labeled with a note that states that it’s a re-creation so there isn’t ever any confusion. However I did want to give it very authentic original looking patina/paint. I had a lot of fun with every aspect of this project but I am glad it’s finally done and working.

---

The Steeplechase Funny Face

A popular character, seen all around Coney Island, Tillie — or a version of him — first appeared in the city around the turn of the 20th century, when George C. Tilyou, a showman who owned Steeplechase Park in Coney Island, expanded to Asbury Park and Atlantic City, said Don Stine, president of the Asbury Park Historical Society.

Tilyou used a portrait of a “funny face” as the park’s logo. And it was painted on the Asbury Park location on the corner of Ocean and Second avenues, just north of where the Stone Pony stands today.

These heads were originally made of plaster and were used to decorate the amusement building of Steeplechase Park in Coney Island New York.

Sometime in the 1960’s, the building where these originally hung was torn down. Fred Fried, a well known and now deceased collector from New York City was able to save some of the originals, but from what I was able to gather, a few of them were destroyed in a barn fire so we don’t know how many originals remain today. Those that do are heavily restored.

Using pictures of the original, I digitally sculpted a re-creation of this piece as close as I could to the original. The digital sculpt took about 35 hours to complete. When the digital sculpture was finished, I was able to produce a limited run of 360 funny faces, offered in Blue, Red or Green.

---

Active Ingredient Brewing Company Tap Handle

I was asked by Active Ingredient Brewing Company in Malta NY to not only design but also source and produce their beer tap handles. Below is the 3D Design that was produced to fit their requirements, including a section on the back for chalk markups.

---

Umbral Geometry Series