http://www.davekaleta.net/index daily 1.0 2025-07-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1453566643140-G6D854JMDC9E0NK7JQP1/IMG_1252.jpg Portfolio - Gordon Parks Arts Hall - 2015 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1650213012339-S5NEKY6XJ9DUSE203BMN/IMG_5107.jpg Portfolio - Ikea BYGGLEK Planter (2020) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1650214816377-1QC8YOQHWGGM2HF9B05A/image-asset.jpg Portfolio - Alphabet Starfighters (2020) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1650117422240-5OTVWAANBLO91VQOUX3A/IMG_4789.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1662685363538-7JBDRPP4GKQUH9NZM3D2/ABC_Poster_v06_PRINT.jpg Portfolio - Awesome Black Creativity (2022) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1650116450293-1CXWJTIZ0QM1LE52WSYP/Copy+of+Iconic+Eats+Mini+%28front%29.jpg Portfolio - Mini Iconic Eats (2021) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1688662371577-G8681BY9RS47EDI9NOV2/James_TGP_v01.jpg Portfolio - James And The Giant Peach (2023) Every year I read Roald Dahl’s story to my kindergarten class. I love the fantastical imagery, the sharp wit, and the moments of building friendships. I’ve often imagined what these creatures and environments would look like if they were made of LEGO. Seven years ago I created a few characters and one section of the peach, but it became clear that this would be a massive project so I put it on the shelf to gather dust. This past December I decided to revisit it. The first step was building the rest of the characters - small chunks would help build momentum so the 7 insects were quickly finished. Next I completed the other 5 sections of the giant Lowell sphere in light and dark bley plates. A light technic frame is used to hold the sphere together. The peach was “painted” with 1x1 plates in an exaggerated peach color palate. A hollow stem was added to accommodate the flex tube used for the seagulls. Each “string” is made up of 3 sections of flex tube connected with Apollo studs and then threaded with wire to add rigidity. The water was built with a layer on 1x2 trans tile atop two layers of 1x2 trans plate. This sheet of water allowed me to flex the water into an undular shape and then add lighting elements underneath. A cylinder was created to sit under and above the water and the peach gently rested upon this shape. I had to determine how many sharks were needed (20), and each one is unique. I left James for last. My 8 year old son suggested that James be relaxing in the leaf after accomplishing the task of lifting the peach out of the water. This is the biggest build I have done since LEGO Masters and I put all of the skills I learned about color, composition, story-telling, and technical ability to work. I was thrilled to be one of five nominees for “best pop-culture” at Brickworld. The display was purposefully dropped off the table on a custom made 18” box so that kids at Brickworld would be at eye level with the characters. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1650117397978-ZC8Q30OHGNC8MFJVUCG1/IMG_5032.jpg Portfolio - Jonathan Toews (2020) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1745869819421-F6G8QWVM4U0HSRPDAKTO/IMG_7538.jpg Portfolio - Sketch Models Built at half-size for proof of concept and to experiment with color combinations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1752791646123-PV1LR4ASF8FAB4GOC56C/IMG_8032.JPG Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1721314564565-CRFX1XO40RG7R09YQC2D/IMG_7387.JPG Portfolio - Time To Brush Teeth (2024) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/1436486046109-B7T8DX362FTYMWZ2R9WZ/16561014969_049e4deacb_o.jpg Portfolio - Soldier Field by Maxwell (age 6) http://www.davekaleta.net/about daily 0.75 2022-04-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51e73bd5e4b072b82b778636/8ef9a315-02a4-425a-bbff-586083ba6028/davekaleta.png About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.