Splurrt ; Apex predator Evolved Beast Diggler WIP
Rumble Monster @ Refreshment & PopSoda booth #523 D-Con
Rumble Monster @ Refreshment & PopSoda booth #523 D-Con.
Atom A Amaresura @ Refreshment & PopSoda booth #523 D-Con
Atom A Amaresura @ Refreshment & PopSoda booth #523 D-Con.
Frenzy toys @ Refreshment & PopSoda booth #523 D-Con
TAG @ DCON: Signings and Exclusives Info
TAG is located at Booth #400 at this year’s Designercon and we’ve got a
bevy of signings and exclusive releases for toy art collectors of all
tastes. Check out our available releases:
Galaxy People Exclusive Edition
Pollen Kaiser and Luftkaiser Editions by Paul Kaiju
4 in. MyGuys from Meredith Dittmar
Deathshead White Edition by David Flores
Edition of Metallic Rainbow Uamous by Uamou
Strife and Sire Black Edition by Nathan Hamill
Waodog One-offs from Waotoyz
and more!
We also have 3 signings throughout the day starting at 12 PM. Here’s the line-up:
David Flores – 12-12:30
Nathan Hamill – 1-1:30
Paul Kaiju – 2-2:30
Check out designercon.com for directions to Designercon and for more info!
Galaxy People Exclusive Edition
Pollen Kaiser and Luftkaiser Editions by Paul Kaiju
4 in. MyGuys from Meredith Dittmar
Deathshead White Edition by David Flores
Edition of Metallic Rainbow Uamous by Uamou
Strife and Sire Black Edition by Nathan Hamill
Waodog One-offs from Waotoyz
and more!
We also have 3 signings throughout the day starting at 12 PM. Here’s the line-up:
David Flores – 12-12:30
Nathan Hamill – 1-1:30
Paul Kaiju – 2-2:30
Designercon 2012 is this
Saturday, Nov. 3rd from 9am to 6pm. Come say hello at Booth #400 and get
a sneak peak at our TAG Lifesize Figure Series and shop our large
selection of toys!
Interview + Studio visit: Todd Robertson aka Mechavirus, Toy customizer and creator of Ammonaito
Kaijumonster's first Studio visit is a fact! My second (NYCC rehab) week in the US took place in Boston where I and GUUMON met up with Todd Robertson aka Mechavirus.
After a great dinner in one of Todd's favorite places we went to his new place where he showed us his home and multi functional toy room!
After showing us his many toys we sat down and I asked him a few questions.
+info:
Todd Robertson (mechavirus) on Twitter
Todd Robertson | Facebook
Todd, would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself?
Todd: Hello! My name is Todd Robertson aka Mechavirus. I am 33 years old and currently reside in Boston. I have been making and customizing toys since 2008.
Could you talk about an average day in your life?
Todd: I get up everyday at around 5:30 AM, I work at local cafe for about 4 hrs in the morning. After that I'm usually in my studio by 11:30 AM and work there untill about 8:00 or 9:00 PM. Throughout my day I work on customs, painting and sculpting.
When designing and sculpting toys, where do you draw your inspiration from?
Todd: My biggest inspiration is everyday life.
Do you do all your own sculpts?
Todd: I do all my own sculpts and also many collaborations with other makers.
What does your studio look like?
Todd: I have a very simple setup in my apartment. It has a large desk area for building customs and sculpting, a paint booth in one area for handling spraying. There is another small area for assembling and fine painting.
Do you have any formal arts training?
Todd: I dont have any formal art training, completely self taught, much trial and error.
When people hear "Mechavirus", what do you want them to think?
Todd: I would like people to associate "Mechavirus" with finely built hybrid monster/robotic customs.
I know you have some special projects currently in the works. Is there any possibility you can share anything with us today? Hints? Anything?!
Todd: I have numerous upcoming shows and projects. I will be working with Bob Conge on a limited run of Molezillas, doing a few one off customs with BlobPus, a run of resin customs with ButcherBrand, a couple small runs of customs with Rampage Toys, a run of mecha waniphants with Hints and Spices, and a custom painted Daigomi run with Guumon.
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| Custom GUUMON Daigomi |
I'm very excited and honored to be doing a show with Mark Nagata in Tokyo in Febuary. The show will be called "WATASHI NO iJITTA NEGORA TEN" and will be at One Up(akihabara). It is going to be an all Negora show featuring fan art as well as customs by Mark and myself.
I will also be part of a group show at Lot F Gallery(Boston) in Decemeber, an all robot themed group show at FOE Gallery(Northampton) in Febuary, and the monthly Pandemonium shows at One Up(Akihabara).
Mecha Eyezon for this months Pandemonium Show at One Up
What other artistic mediums do you dabble in?
Todd: In addition to making toys I also work on the occasional canvas painting and other types of sculpture, although as of late my primary focus has been toy making.
What do you collect now a days? Could we see a shot of your collection?
Todd: I have a pretty small collection of mostly Japanese sofubi. I like to collect pieces that inspire me or that I have some personal connection to.
How will toy creating, buying, and selling evolve over the next few years?
Todd: I see more toys being produced and more artists getting involved in toy making. I think this will help get more people involved and hopefully help the industry grow and expand As far as evolution I think some production element, ie. digital sculpting, will slowly change but more over believe things will stay on a similar track.
Who are your favorite artists?
Todd: There are too many to list but I would have to say the top three artists that have inspired me to become the maker I am today are BlobPus, Bob Conge, Mark Nagata and Guumon. My friend Will Long, who builds amazing robot sculptures, is also someone who really inspires me and helps from time to time with my creative process.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming toy artists?
Todd: My best advice would be to work hard and not to let any boundaries hold back your creativity.
What can the Kaijumonster readers expect from Mechavirus in 2012 and 2013?
Todd: My main goal over the next is to shift from "Mechavirus" artist to "Mechavirus" brand. I also hope to be able to have some pieces put into production.
Thank you Martijn for visiting my studio and this opportunity to talk to your readers.
Some more pictures after the Jump.
GOCCODO X RealHead “BEAROSMAN”
Lamour supreme for D-Con! Painted Mixed parts Bootleg.
Lamour supreme for D-Con! Painted Mixed parts Bootleg, Edition of 9.
MVH, Frenzy Brothers & Siccaluna - Vivid Lucid Dream @ TAG
Vivid Lucid Dreams
Opening: Saturday October 27th 2012 (7 – 10 PM)
Toy Art Gallery
7571 Melrose Ave.
Hollywood, CA 9006
877.910.toys (8697)
Tag's photo coverage can be found here, photos!
Show pictures after the jump!
Shamrock Arrow Lamour Supreme "MOTUKO"
Available for Japanese customers and Tenso Users right now, here!
Mighty Jaxx x Sup - The Hell Lotus Art Show
Mighty Jaxx’s Hell Lotus figure will be touching the graces of 42 local and international artists for its very own art show! Taking place at Sup Clothing in Singapore, the Hell Lotus Art show will feature custom Hell Lotus figures and inspired renditions of the design. Participating artists include: Antz, Arkiv, Artmymind, Arttech, Ben Qwek, Bony, Brent Nolasco, Cable, Chauskoskis, Clogtwo, Daniel Yu, Dave Pressler, Dem, Eeshaun, Hydro74, Inkten, Jaxx, MAD, JXL, Kristal Melson, M.Stik, Mamafaka, Mark Nagata, McBess, Meggs, Monster Gallery, OneTwoDelta, Phu!, Luke Chueh, Quiccs, Rage, Ratking, Sheep, Sklo, Spaz, Speak Cryptic, Orkibal, Nataliette, The Yellow Dino, Tiramisuzi, Wanton Doodle, and Zero. There will be live graffiti by Clogtwo, where the piece will be auctioned off for charity. The big show takes place on Saturday, November 3rd at 8PM.
SUP 34 Haji Lane, S189227
Signapore
Brent Nolasco's work in progress below:
Cometdebris - 2012 Halloween Unlucky Bags
Cometdebris 2012 Halloween Unlucky Bags. In these blind bags, you will find some custom painted figures, on some rare unreleased vinyl. There are three options to choose from, Small (Sametan) $75, Medium (SOLD OUT) (Kappa Shonen) $90, and Large (SOLD OUT) (Tokoji Seijin or Tokoichi Seiju) $135. Each of which are all hand painted and signed by Koji.
MVH x BLObPUS Sludge Demon DX's
MVH x BLObPUS Open order Sludge Demon DX's will drop very soon. Blobpus is man for painting GID vinyl with his signature metallics.
More pictures after the jump.
MVH x Skinner present Krawluss the 2 headed creature of DOOM
Fun fact, Scott from Shinbone creative Sculpted this figure digitally as oppose to sculpting it by hand.
I took Rich's (MVH) story on this from Skullbrain. Rich wrote this as his reaction/opinion to sculpting digital as opposed to sculpting by hand.
Rich - "This figure is indeed digitally sculpted , but not by a faceless robot. Scott put in many hours working on this just like any other sculptor working their craft. It just so happens his medium is digital. Every other process in this toy is identical to the way all other toys are done.
The Ollie figure has a more smoother surface style, and I can tell you from holding the proto that its a close match. I will say yes, digital at this point can't get the super fine details or imperfection charm a human hand can add, but its close.
As for other figures, he made the Mad Battle Man for Sutfin, as well as the Secret Base produced Toy Punk for the Toy Punk guys. And trust me many others are starting to use this sculpting style as well.
I definitely won't ever fully switch over to digital as I love hand sculpting the majority of my own stuff. But I look at this as another tool I can use to build a toy. I'm not going to limit myself to any particular way of getting a toy made because of "traditions". At the end of the day, as long as it hits the mark of what I going for and makes a toy I enjoy I will use everything I can to obtain it.
The heart and soul that goes into everything I make is definitely in this. It was all created by artist who love the art of making toys and just because one aspect happens to be digital it's not lost.
As well I wanted a third party to take mine and Skinners drawings and translate them as close as possible with out the sculptor adding their own style to it. I feel Scott took our concept and stayed true to the illustration. He was a blast to work with and if given the opportunity I will do it again.
Trust me when I say this, I believe many artist who traditionally hand sculpt toys appreciate this method of sculpting. And I also believe going forward you will see more of it. As long as it stays true to the heart of the craft I don't see an issue with it."
Thanks for clarifying this Rich! There is nothing wrong with trying something different every once in a while. I can understand the want for a hand sculpted toy, if it's a talented sculptor he or she can capture more then just the toy in there sculpture. Yes digitally sculpting might result in loosing an actual fingerprint on the vinyl. But this doesn't mean Scott didn't leave his digital fingerprint on Krawluss!
Actually seeing Krawluss in person made me want it bad! Krawluss is just SICK!! Its huge, has 2 heads, Skinner vibe, MVH vibe, Shinbone vibe!! I look forward to the future!
Not only do I look forward to seeing Krawluss painted. I look forward to seeing how this digitally sculpting technique will evolve over the next couple of years.
Sculpted by Scott Wetterschneider at Shinbone Creative - www.shinbonecreative.com.
Scott is the mastermind behind so many great digital toysculpts!
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