Designer Toys

Now Showing:Vanessa Ramirez’ “Reclusively Yours”

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Vanessa Ramirez’ Reclusively Yours

Vanessa Ramirez: Reclusively Yours is a reflection on isolation and the passage of time in the life of solitary monsters. Whether talking to an invisible friend, learning new skills, or indulging in activities like no one is watching (because no one is). These monster find the good and bad in time spent alone.
See all the work now here

In person viewings for “New Works 2021” by Phil Noto // “Phantasmenagerie” by Brandt Peters

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Greetings from Stranger Factory!
We’re proud to present two new exhibitions in our new gallery space in Algodones, NM. 
 
We will begin in person appointments starting next weekend, March 20& 21, please contact the gallery in you would like to make an appointment at strangerfactorysales@gmail.com
Starting March 27, we will be scheduling regular gallery hours Saturday and Sunday, 10-5pm.
*We require masks and social distancing and ask to limit families/ groups to 4.
 
 
Brandt Peters- Phantsmenagerie
 
Pop Surrealist painter and contemporary toy maker, Brandt Peters, presents a collection of new multi-media works born of a year of isolation, reflection, and wonder. Dozens of odd characters inspired by the parallel storylines of depression era animated characters combined with the growing  anxiety of an uncertain future in an uncertain world. He combines vintage found objects with timeless avatars into hand made “toys” and assemblages that tell stories of resilience and optimism. 
Brandt Peters emerged from the entertainment industry into an internationally recognized and accomplished fine artist, designer, and producer. Often known for his award winning toy designs, Peters is also a mixed media painter and story-teller who centers his work on character design and visual development. His work hearkens back to the earliest days of comics and animation, with a seeming simplicity that hides layers of intricate back story rooted in humor and a strong, empowering narrative voice. He is one of original founders of Circus Posterus and Stranger Factory gallery and pre-pandemic, worked as an Art Director for Meow Wolf.

Phil Noto- Phil Noto New works 2021

Contemporary narrative artist, Phil Noto, presents new acrylic paintings of his favorite subject matter, the female muse. Strong, confident  faces encouraging the viewer to enjoy life’s pleasures in bold, striking colors and minimalist text that serve as mysterious mantras and secrets soon to be revealed.

Phil Noto is an Eisner nominated American painter, comic book/ concept artist who is known for his work on such titles as Black WidowJonah HexUncanny X-Force,and most recently Star Wars (Chewbacca and Shattered Empire). After a 10 year career at Disney Feature Animation, he started to work full-time as an artist for Marvel, DC, Image Comics and Dark Horse, and as well, time in gaming working on such blockbuster hits such as Bioshock. Phil Noto has been a prominent featured artist at Stranger Factory since its opening in 2011.

Out NOW:Cherry Moon Garden mini series Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters

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Happy New Year, Friends! 
Greetings from lock-down; we hope you are all safe and healthy and optimistic for a new year full of possibilities.
We’re really excited to announce the arrival of our newest mini series, Cherry Moon Garden. This is the first collaborative series with our new toy partners, 1983.

ONLINE NOW
Cherry Moon Garden mini series
Kathie Olivas & Brandt Peters
Produced by 1983 x Circus Posterus
Full case of 10 (complete series) $125
Includes a signed “Trumpet Tea” archival mini print
Individual boxes $13 (blind box)

 

NEW GLOW IN THE DARK SKELVE RELEASE

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Circus Posterus’ 20th Anniversary PANDEMIC PINK,
GLOW IN THE DARK SKELVE

In collaboration with Mana, will include mini sketch from Kathie Olivas OR Brandt Peters.
Edition of 33 – $125
*free domestic shipping on orders of $100 and more until end of the year*
Available online here

October shows and releases

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Now Showing:
Bewitching X, Johnpaul Gutierrez, Defective Pudding, & Lana Crooks.

Bewitching X, Stranger Factory’s 10th Annual Fall Group Exhibition
features works by Genevieve Greer, Anna Tillett, Ally Burke, Jeremy
Cross, Amy Earles, Fika Art, Vannesa Ramirez, Defective Pudding,
Kaitlin Zeismer, Stephanie Eichelberger, Caitlin McCarthy, Kathie
Olivas, & Brandt Peters.

Artists are invited to find inspiration in the season of Halloween.
To tricks, treats, ghouls, and of course, witches.
Brandt Peters Astrobats!
*Limited to one per household

Brandt, “Apparently I broke the internet by uploading my hand painted
vinyl sofubi for Bewitching X…it crashed our site. So this is what
we’re going to do…”

If you would like to be considered for random lottery drawing to
purchase a piece, please send your email and contact info to
strangerfactorysales@gmail.com from NOW until 12 noon PST Monday, the
4th.

A number will be assigned to your email and you will be emailed should
your number be drawn. We will contact you with further instructions
from there. Thank you all who were looking forward to your very own
Astrobat, we apologize for the difficulties earlier today. -Stranger
Factory Team

Dark Playgrounds by Johnpaul Gutierrez

Gutierrez developed the theme of Dark Playgrounds in response to the
growing uncertainty of our children’s future. Having two young
children himself has caused him to reflect on the upcoming
difficulties of navigating the rapidly, changing world. Witnessing the
constant chaos and unrest in the news as well as social media, has
created a nervous agitation about humanity’s immediate future and more
so for our littlest and most vulnerable humans. The need to express
this concern became prominent as playgrounds and schools were shut
down due to the pandemic.

Gutierrez creates a swirling mashup of slides, skulls, and symbolic
creatures emerging from the eyes and mouths of colorful faces. The
characters are the hidden voices that are constantly trying to dictate
a response; these monsters emerge yelling and suspicious while
inhabiting this dark playground.

Dark Playgrounds was created using acrylic paint, watercolor, and the
artist’s favorite medium, pen and pencil.

Bystander in My Tale of Luck by Defective Pudding

Self-taught illustrator and visual artist, Christa Dippel, works under
the artist name Defective Pudding. Her works are primarily created in
color pencil and graphite. Her pieces take on a nostalgic, sweet
appearance while also exploring melancholy subjects. She draws most of
her inspiration from vintage media, toys, and clothes, as well as
wildlife and nature.

Bystander in My Tale of Luck explores the daily experience of anxiety,
mental exhaustion, and a wide range of emotions that mute any attempt
at productivity. Defective Pudding puts emphasis on the emotions in
her creations by utilizing the artist’s feelings towards one’s daily
life. The feeling of an inexperienced gambler each morning, waking up
with no clue what to expect, and the feeling of losing more often than
not. Hope you enjoy this tale of luck.

Portland based artist, Lana Crooks will be having an ongoing solo
exhibition, Found Lost. Unlike other shows, this one is released as
small collections throughout the rest of the year. The next phase of
this series is coming soon.

See the entire show here
We will be rescheduling our upcoming exhibitions; check our website for updates!

Brandt Peters & Phil Noto coming this November! This will be a preview
show for a larger upcoming exhibit in February!

November at Stranger Factory: “Siren: 1990” by Phil Noto and Brandt Peters/ “Carry Me” from Sad Salesman

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SIREN: 1999 – A two-person show with Phil Noto and Brandt Peters / CARRY ME – A feature show of new works by Sad Salesman will run from
November 1st – December 1st, 2019

Opening Reception with the artists: Friday, November 1st from 6-8 PM

Siren: 1999 is an exhibition of new works by contemporary narrative artists, Brandt Peters and Phil Noto. Both artists explore strong female characters inspired by science fiction, music, mysteries, and rebellion set through an alternate universe in 1999.

Brandt Peters emerged from the entertainment industry into an internationally recognized and accomplished fine artist, designer, and producer. Often known for his award winning toy designs, Peters is also a mixed media painter and story-teller who centers his work on character design and visual development. His work hearkens back to the earliest days of comics and animation, with a seeming simplicity that hides layers of intricate back story rooted in humor and a strong, empowering narrative voice. He is one of original founders of Circus Posterus and Stranger Factory gallery and works as an Art Director for Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.

Phil Noto is an Eisner nominated American painter, comic book/ concept artist who is known for his work on such titles as Black Widow, Jonah Hex, Uncanny X-Force,and most recently Star Wars (Chewbacca and Shattered Empire). After a 10 year career at Disney Feature Animation, he started to work full-time as an artist for Marvel, DC, Image Comics and Dark Horse, and as well, time in gaming working on such blockbuster hits such as Bioshock. Phil Noto has been a prominent featured artist at Stranger Factory since its opening in 2011.

Carry Me is a show about love. As a parent of two (and soon to be three), Eric Althin, AKA Sad Salesman, has heard the phrase “Carry me!” more than his aging back would like. He has come to understand that it is not just about the literal act of carrying someone, it’s about what we do for those we love and the support we get in return. Everyone needs to be carried at some point in their life and this show helps us celebrate the act.

Sad Salesman, is a Brooklyn based artist and character designer. Eric has been customizing vinyl toys since 2004, and launched his own toy brand ‘Sad Salesman’ in 2017. Prior, he was the co-founder and curator at Bold Hype Gallery. He has also created numerous characters for mobile games and showcases his original sculptures in various exhibitions across the US. In 2018 Eric won the Designer Toy Award for breakthrough artist of the year.

***ALL STRANGER FACTORY EXHIBITIONS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Paul Kaiju returns to Stranger Factory on March 16th!

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Stranger factory is proud to present our March mid-month event with sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl) toy artist, Paul Kaiju. Paul is a designer, sculptor, and painter working away at his sofubi/kaiju creations in sunny San Diego, California. Known as much for his custom paint work as for his original toys such as Boss Carrion, Paul’s work is recognized as some of the best in the American Toy scene.

 Paul Kaiju will have a limited amount of hand-painted custom figures at this one-night opening reception. It is a very limited engagement and any available figures after the weekend, will be put up for online sale on Monday, March 18th by 12 PM noon (PST) in our online store on CircusPosterus.com.In person sales on Saturday will require a raffle wrist band that will be distributed on a first come first serve basis, starting Saturday, March 16th. Numbers will be randomly picked and called at 6PM. Must be present to participate in the lottery.

One item per person. No additional in person sales over weekend once a piece is purchased Saturday night.

No phone calls or emails will be accepted until the following Monday, if any pieces are still available.

 

Tara McPherson’s “Stella and Flux” 1st edition: Infrared releases 2.28.19

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STELLA and FLUX sofubi
First Edition: Infrared Edition
By Tara McPherson
Releasing this Thursday!

Produced by T+CP (Tomenosuke + Circus Posterus)Made in Japan
Sculpted by Mirock Toy (Japan)
Manufactured at Obitsu Plastic Manufacturing Co., ltd (Japan)
SRP: $175 (US$) / * Does not include shipping
Edition: 100 (50 N American / 50 International)

Sale: February 28th, 2019 (12 noon PST)
Ships by 2nd week in March

Figure Size: (Approximately)
Inches: 3” wide X 8.75” Tall x 6.25” deep
Millimeters: 76.2 mm wide x 222.25 mm tall x 158.75 mm deep
With 7 points of articulation

One of the most complex and involved sofubi projects to date for Tomenosuke+CP – 4 years in the making!!!

Physical anomalies, structural aberrations, the mental being manifested physically. Stella being a goddess of sorts, manifests her thoughts of protecting the world – including oceans and space – with the creation/manifestation of the seahorsicorn through her heart/chest, who has magical abilities as well. Together they are on a mission to save and protect the universe!

The sales of this figure will be broken down into two buying options for collectors:

If you live in the United States or Canada, please order through the North American portal CIRCUS POSTERUS: www.circusposterus.com

If you do not live in the United States or Canada: Please order through our International portal: Tomenosuke-syoten for all International orders: www.tomenosuke.com

www.taramcpherson.com
www.circusposterus.com
www.strangerfactory.com
www.tomenosuke.com

Clear Cyan Sofubi release!

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NEW CLEAR CYAN SOFUBI RELEASE✨
Tomenosuke + Circus Posterus are at it again and this time it is clear what they are up to!
Get ready for the release of new and classic sofubi in beautiful cyan clear!

The assortment of elegance and artistic grace include:
Tara McPherson’s “Stella & Flux”
Kathie Olivas’ “Calliope”, “Penelope”, and “Clementine”
and
Brandt Peters’ “Heathen Snake”, “Stingy Jack”, and “Otto”

Clear Cyan Sofubi releases this Wednesday, January 16th at 12pm PST!
When the time comes, you better hurry to http://www.circusposterus.com/product-category/sofubi/ to get your’s!

(North America sales only) *Limit one figure or set per household