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Stranger Factory Presents: Gary Ham’s “Dead Wood” 10.5

Just when you thought the barnburner that is Bewitching II couldn’t get any better, Gary Ham comes along and joins next month’s hoedown at Stranger Factory with Dead Wood, a mini side showcase of new works utilizing a whole range of mediums including wood, plush and vinyl.

Inspired by his love for Halloween (and alleged fear of scary trees), Dead Wood will feature fresh incarnations of some of our favorite characters from the Arizona-based illustrator, along with a pair of highly-anticipated debut releases: his vinyl Monster Toytem, first seen as a wooden custom at Stranger Factory’s 2011 Winter Salon, as well as a brand-new Wooper Looper! Limited to just 33 pieces and sporting Stranger Factory’s signature black and orange, the toy will ONLY be available through the gallery. More info on that to come!

Dead Wood and Bewitching II open Oct. 5 through Nov. 4th. An opening reception will be held Oct. 5th from 6pm to 9pm.

New Teasers from KO for “Haunted” at AFA NYC 10.20

The in-progress goodness continues to trickle out from CP HQ as Kathie Olivas puts the finishing touches on her upcoming solo exhibition, Haunted, at AFA NYC next month. Loving all the hand sculpted elements of these pieces above … and if you think the Vishnu-esque arms of the one lady is impressive, wait till you see the gams that go with the gal on the left!

Haunted opens Oct. 20th at AFA in New York, NY. Reception with the artist will be held opening night from 7pm to 9pm.

 

Countdown to the Carnival: A Sneak Peek at the Killer Customs

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BP –  “Madcap Stingy Jack”,  “Baxter” & “Slimon”

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens in just two days and what better way for us spirit-attenders to celebrate than by gawking at some of the glorious eye candy for tomorrow’s opening?

All of what you see here are originals, but fret not as there will be future incarnations of Brandt’s Black Cat (above center), Ooze Skull (above right), and the new Skelve busts. There’s also a whole whack of 2D art, some of which is sampled here.

Hit the jump and enjoy!

Read More »Countdown to the Carnival: A Sneak Peek at the Killer Customs

Countdown to the Carnival: Grieving Greeter from KO & BP

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The opening of Le Carnaval des Spectres is just around the corner as we speed along into Day 5, spotlighting Grieving Greeter, the newest production run of this sculpt since Kathie’s Sweet & Sorrow solo exhibition in July 2011.

Sporting a slate grey cloak and candy corn-ish nose, this moody beauty is a natural addition to any Halloween display and would look seriously menacing if encircled by candles. Eeep!

Like the Purple edition before him, the Grieving Greeter is a run of 30 pieces and will retail for $250. Five will be on exhibit — watch the Sideshow for a chance to snag the leftovers!

Countdown to the Carnival: KO & BP’s Blue Mist Kuma

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This figure is so gorgeous you have see it to believe it and anyone who’s been fortunate to nab one early can attest that this is one impressive chunk of resin.

Kathie and Brandt’s Blue Mist Kuma makes its official debut as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres, but lucky for us, at a full edition of 66 pieces (five will be at the show), many of us will have the opportunity to add one of these aquamarine beauties to our shelves. And with that embedded GID Lucky Skull, you’ll be enjoying him in both darkness and light. Blue Mist retails for $300.

Stranger Factory Presents: “Bewitching II” Group Exhibition, 10.5

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Stranger Factory‘s annual Halloween group hoedown, Bewitching II, is back for another season of chills and thrills!

The traditions, folklore, costumes and nostalgia associated with All Hallow’s Eve are all strands that unite the Circus Posterus collective and Brandt and Kathie have called upon nearly 40 of their friends and peers — established and emerging, local and as far off as Japan — to interpret Halloween in their style. Andrew Bell, Lana CrooksDoktor A, FERGGris Grimly, Charlie Immer, Yohei KanekoJason Limon, Rhode MontijoRagnar, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise SpaydShigeta Tanaka and Chet Zar are just a tasty sampling of the talent, and the prices are suited to fit any collector’s budget.

To further the excitement, coinciding with Bewitching is the opening of Dead Wood, a mini-exhibition of new works from Arizona-based illustrator and toy designer Gary Ham. The show also marks the release of an exclusive colorway of Gary’s popular “Wooper Looper” vinyl toy; more on that soon!

Bewitching II and Dead Wood open Oct. 5th with a reception from 6pm to 9pm. Both exhibitions will be on view through Nov. 5th.

Mikee’s Mail Day: Monster Kolor!!

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Well another week has passed over here at Stranger Factory, and admittedly, it was a little slow for me mail-wise. That said, I did get one package I feel like geeking out over:

This week’s mail day is brought to us by the amazing, unstoppable beast known as Monster Kolor! Monster Kolor is a company that lives to make the best paint they can for toy customizing, be it vinyl, resin, PVC … whatever your little twisted heart desires. Recently I picked up some Monster Kolor for my airbrush gun so I could do a little recreational custom work. I’m getting the hand sharp for some projects in the works and have to be able to do “gruesome” just right! Don’t think it’s all airbrush though; they also carry brush and aerosol paints to help give your creature just the right finish or feel.

When it came in Brandt and Kathie made me promise not to sit in the house and spray it. Also they said I have to wear a mask while I do it from now on … safety first kids!

Until next time, live that 24/7 Toy Life!

Stingy Jack, An Anatomy: An Afterword by Brandt Peters

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After years of designing characters and toys brands for Slap-Happy!,The Serv-O-Matics, Dead Bunny, The Carnies, Big Sal, and other odds and ends with almost every toy company out there, I went back to the drawing board to really consider what I was trying to accomplish and say with my characters. The public only gets to see the final result in the stores or online, but each of the above projects were months and years of my time developing and it takes a lot out of me. In order to stoke and keep the creative fire going strong, I had to reach even deeper and closer to mine and my creations’ raison d’etre.

Following a month or so of scribbling, note taking, researching, talking to my colleagues and friends, reading the industry – I reached in and figured exactly what my inspirations are, who I am and precisely what I want to leave, as far as a mark on the planet and this toy world. Stingy Jack is the first project (of many in development) that hits closest to home. I guess as a growing artist, my tastes change, I get more honest with myself, I hone in closer and closer to what makes me tick and Vintage Halloween has always thrilled me… just as much as all of my other toy subject matter: Ancient Aliens (Big Sal), Coney Island and Depression era ephemera (most of my toy designs to date).

Read More »Stingy Jack, An Anatomy: An Afterword by Brandt Peters

Countdown to the Carnival: Teodoru Badiu x CP’s “Dark Wippo”

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Barrelling right along with our Carnival countdown, Day 3 brings a long awaited treat: Dark Wippo from Teodoru Badiu and Circus Posterus. Yes, the wait is finally over: this colorway will debut at Le Carnaval des Spectres next week! Conceived by Teo and produced/painted by the CP gang, Dark Wippo is 4- to 5-inches of solid resin (the weight will surprise you), and an edition of 30 pieces. Five will be on hand at the exhibition, with the rest releasing later (eyes on the forum … you know the drill!). This undeniable cuteness retails for $135.

Travis Louie’s Brady Bunch of Stan Customs for Le Carnaval, 9.13

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 A few days ago, Travis Louie gave us a taster of a couple Stan Skelves that he was working on for Le Carnaval des Spectres, opening next Thursday at Artoyz Paris. Well, damn, when Travis promises Stans, we get Stans: a whole Brady Bunch of ’em! Each of these dapper gents are one-of-a-kind and handpainted by Travis. They’ll retail for $950 each.

Funny: I wonder how many little slippers and moustaches Travis has littered about his studio; this batch is goin’ bare foot and that’s one freshly-shaved pickle if I ever saw one. (Travis refuses to eat pickles that have moustaches, by the way. But he’s perfectly OK with eyeballs.)

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens Sept. 13 through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France. The exhibition marks CP’s first group exhibition on European soil and features a collection of new two- and three-dimensional works from Kathie OlivasBrandt PetersTravis LouieChris RyniakAmanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu.