What can only be described as a carnivorous tree, fascinates observers as it lowers its head and turns to flash its canines at whoever stops to see it. It is called Biolanttee, a creation of Hector Arce and Ernest Galvez, whose other works are being displayed in the breeze way in front of the art building.

Arce and Galvez got into the sculpting program two years ago and progressed from there.

“At the time I had some other students that were really good and they were looking at the case of what those students had done and were asking, Hector in particular said, ‘do you think I could ever do anything this good,’ and I said ‘of course you just have to work hard at it, it’s really about the skills.’ Now of course they are much better than the people they were looking at in the case,” sculpting professor, Russ McMillin said.

Both of the young artists got into sculpting because they originally liked to draw.

“Luckily I took Russ’s class and it happened to be doing stuff that I was into, like our first semester we made Halloween masks and sculpted super heroes.” Arce, 23, said.

Arce and Galvez are science fiction enthusiasts which is conveyed in their sculptures of super heroes, monsters, and characters from films and videotapes. One example of this is their work together on Biolanttee. They are also working on a short film in admiration of movies like the original King Kong which featured miniature animation.

Arce and Galvez pay great attention to detail in their sculpture and is one of the reasons why they stand out in their sculpting classes, McMillin says.

“We have freckles, warts, or whatever, dimples, and they will notice those kinds of things and they will put them in and that really sells it. They are just that much more aware, conscious, and focused,” McMillin said.

The two artists acknowledge that the process is long and tedious.

“You may spend up to 100 hours or few hundred hours on a piece,” Galvez, 23, said.

Arce has worked on some pieces for a commission and has an internet link to his art at www.fritofrito.deviantart.com.

Arce’s post on the website says: “If you’re anything like me then you’ve probably always had a particular scene in a comic book, or pose of your favorite super hero that you would just love to have in your room on a shelf, but could never find. Well, what I want to do is take that image and make it into a full 3d sculpture and fully paint it for you.”

Galvez has also had correspondence with Weta workshop, where he hopes he can work some day. Weta workshop is based in New Zealand and is a film effects workshop best known for their work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong. They have won five academy awards.

“I would like to get into the movie studios to work on some prop designs or creature designs in the studios. As far as after EC, I want to try and maybe go to Art Center, because I know they’re really thought but they really give you the skills you need to function in that kind of environment. But mainly I really want to get to those studios, mainly Weta Workshop. Those guys really inspired me to have fun with it,” Galvez said.

On the other hand, Arce would like to spread his knowledge to others who want to tap into their creativity.

“I have a couple things I want to do. Either probably teaching, similar to what Russ is doing, like maybe teaching a sculpting class at some point. I’m thinking about opening up a business, like a toy company, like an action figure company. That’s why I mainly try to keep improving my skills,” said Arce.