March 2012

Custom Elizabeths & Stingy Jacks from KO & BP for Monsters & Misfits II

After documenting much of the M&MII progress via their Instagram account, Kathie surprised fans on Flickr with two beautiful shots of custom Elizabeth and Stingy Jack sculpts that are getting ready for their long trek to Japan. The vintage-style wash against the rich colors is striking. I also thought it clever that the duo used a similar palette on all of Brandt’s Stingy Jacks: the heads on these figures are interchangeable and it plays to that well.

Monsters & Misfits II kicks off April 13th and runs through April 30th at the Kusakabe Folk Museum in Takayama, Japan.

What Happens When You Steal a Bubblegut’s Ice Cream

You have to hand it to Chris Ryniak for his mastery of the tragicomical. I mean, this is ridiculous: this guy’s pout is so deep that his chin and forehead probably hurt, while for us it’s our guts from laughing. This is the freestanding Bubblegut we first glimpsed a few weeks back, and what’s funny is that his gut was so big that Chris had to shave some of it off. Poor little beast … I wonder when he last saw his toes. Anyway, we’ll see this fella with all of his friends at Monsters & Misfits II in Japan. Exhibition kicks off April 13th!

The Maker Wins Audience Award @ SXSW Poster Competition

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Huge congratulations to Zealous Creative and our own Amanda Louise Spayd for winning the Audience Award at the SXSW poster competition for The Maker! While there were many strong entries, the striking peculiarity and charm of Amanda’s ‘Maker’ puppet (and beautiful, embroidered logo) were enough to sway the judges and secure the short film a triumphant win. Attending SXSW this weekend? The final screening is TONIGHT (!!) at the Alamo Lamar C from 7:15 to 8:48pm. SXSW is on until Sunday.

A Murder of Misfits are Ready to Ship

We’ve got a new batch of Instagram goodness compliments of Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters at CP HQ. Looks like everything here is finished up and ready for shipping to Japan. That rabbit totem and bird cage Elizabeth really are something else. Everything here is, actually — mutation has always been a predominant theme for this exhibition but I’m particularly thrilled with all of hand-sculpted elements added to some of CP’s classics. Last year’s mash-ups where a hell of a trip and did incredibly well, but there’s something more fetching about a figure that’s evolved from a new batch of clay. For me, it better showcases an artist’s talents and where they’re at stylistically. It’s what I connect to personally — to each their own — and I’m loving what I’ve seen from all of the artists this year.

(The zombie reindeer and rabid Crumbeater are pretty freaky though, haha!)

Amanda Louise Spayd Wraps Up Monsters & Misfits II

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With the shipping deadline right around the corner, Amanda Louise Spayd is putting the finishing touches on her pieces for Monsters & Misfits II. After all the sewing, sculpting, painting and spraying, it’s just a matter of sticking cute little clay faces on cute little dumpy bodies. From what I’ve heard, she’ll have about 7 pieces at the show, ranging from her little sack dudes to Skelves to a custom Lizzie. Oh, and lots of candy. Sounds like a whole lot to squee over, I reckon!

Monsters & Misfits II opens April 13th and runs through the 26th at the Kusakabe Folk Museum in Takayama, Japan. Amanda, Chris Ryniak, Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters will be in attendance.

A Mysterious Box of Bots Lands in Japan …

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Tomenosuke’s Shinji Nakako recently received a most exciting box of bots from Doktor A for the fast-approaching Monsters & Misfits II exhibition. Thankfully, it appears everything arrived safe and sound after a roundabout trip from the UK to London, Paris, Mumbai and then China, before finally settling in Japan. Hopefully they were able to take in some of the sights!

A whole whack of sweet (literally) and retrobotic goodness awaits you below! Loving the collision of mad scientist and mystical whimsy of these pieces. Thanks for the teasers, Shinji!

Chris Ryniak’s ‘Dainty Nibbler’ Hams it up for the Camera

Just a disclaimer: this is my favorite sculpture ever from Chris Ryniak, so the paragraph to follow will be nothing more than me fighting to translate my drool into words. Even the twisted lollipop is freaking genius. We first met the Dainty Nibbler as a sketch back in December. Two months later, his dopey grin was the first of many sculpts for Monsters & Misfits II in Japan.

And now here he is in all his glory. The palette, the expression, the impeccable attention to detail, his gleaming eyes … I’m honestly beside myself, over here. The level of quality we’ve seen in this show is nothing short of awesome . And so as to not be rude, the guy in the background is also looking charming as ever as he gnaws away on his cantler. Forget swooning, I’ve damn well fallen over.

Monsters & Misfits II is a CP group exhibition featuring new works from CMR, Amanda Louise Spayd, Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas and Doktor A. The show opens April 13th at the Kusakabe Folk Museum in Takayama, Japan.