Real big. And with quite a few of his pieces, actually. Unfortunately, Chris’ camera skills still need a bit of work and his hand got in the frame. Or maybe the critter wouldn’t hold still (I can only imagine the ruckus in his studio when he brings home a box of doughnuts). I guess a full reveal will have to wait … but I’m digging the candy stripes!
Monsters & Misfits opens April 13th!
Yeah, so like I was saying: Scott Radke doesn’t waste any time. Following last week’s teasers of his second totem commission for actress/producer Nathalie Rheims, comes the next (and final) creatures for the piece, which look to be a rabbit and goddess. I love the movement of this piece and the liveliness of these creatures despite the totem being a static sculpture. The hunch of the raccoon from all of the weight, the goddess teetering on top … just incredible. Very excited to see it all painted up. More photos to come!
Ten inch legs. One and a half inch diameter eyes. Thirty inches tall. And in-freaking-sane. Amanda Louise Spayd appears to be the next queen of Lizzie customs. She made waves with her first Lizzie and Junior for Dragon*Con two years ago and we’ve all been waiting with baited breath for her to revisit the platform. Suffice to say, ‘I Brought Dessert’ is a knockout and the Kusakabe Folk Museum has yet another breathtaking piece on its way to them for Monsters & Misfits II. Less than a month till opening night!
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.
Amanda Louise Spayd recently revealed a new critter for her Forgotten Finery solo exhibition at Rivet Gallery, opening April 7th. This icy-eyed beastlie is still awaiting a name, but based on this playful video Amanda whipped up, Dizzy may be an appropriate fit. Show runs through the 30th!
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!
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.
Wow. A week after Scott Radke shipped out his enormous animal totem commission to Morgan Spurlock, he gets right to work on another, this one for actress/producer Nathalie Rheims. Kicking it off with a snail base and raccoon rider, I’m super curious as to what other creatures this second totem will produce. More soon!
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!)
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.
