art

Brandt’s Black Cat Suits Up for the Carnival

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Ladies and gents, there’s a new cat in town! Since our first teaser of this frisky feline last month, Brandt’s infamous Black Cat has since earned his orange jumper and is ready to paint Paris red! Given that this is the first we’ve seen of the sculpt, it’s hard to say whether the colourway we’re looking at is a one-off or of an edition, but as always, time will tell.

Loving the vibe of this little devil — his cheshire grin and slight cock of his head makes him look like he’s about to hop on stage with a cane and do a little number for us. I mean, he has a read-made audience with those Phantom Zombambies, so why not?

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens Sept. 13 through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France.

Doktor A & FERG Suck It Up @ DCon!

DesignerCon is only three months away. Can you freaking believe that?! This year is just zooming by and already the Con exclusives are starting to trickle in. Kicking things off is none other than DCon’s favourite personality, The Sucklord, who’s hosting The Super Suck Up!, a custom show of sorts at the DKE Booth.

A handful of artists were selected to each customize 50 of the Sucklord’s figures and CP’s own Doktor A and FERG have answered the challenge with some finely shaped ‘staches and an uber-sick Flame BUD hybrid, respectively. Dok says that his figures will all be the same and affordable (which will probably be the case with all the artists), so be sure to pop by the DKE booth to scope out the goods.

Check out the postcard below for the full bill of artists getting their suck on! DesignerCon kicks off Sat. Nov. 3rd for one day only at the Pasadena Convention Center in Cali. We will see you there! Get ready!

More Spookies from CMR for Le Carnaval, 9.13

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Let’s keep the Carnaval caravan rolling, shall we? Next up: two ghostly little guys from Chris Ryniak — an original sculpt up top (this one KILLS me, SO cute) and a grey Bubblegut perched in a cubby below. I’m not sure if it’s the Instagram filter or the paint Chris used, but Bubblegut’s eyes seem to have a gorgeous, black/silver pearlescence to them, which really pops against his flat grey body (I’m not sure if the figure is done, mind you).

Both of these pieces will be up for ogling at Le Carnaval des Spectres at Artoyz Paris, opening Sept. 13th. Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Travis Louie, Amanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu will also be exhibiting new works.

Ultra Squid Girl Makes Her Resin Debut @ Le Carnaval, 9.13

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Oh hot damn, remember these two?! Kathie and Brandt’s Ultra Squid Girl figure made its debut as a prototype at the Super7 booth during SDCC 2011.

Now, this probably goes without saying, but this is a very complicated sculpt and production on the vinyl edition is still up in the air, but the GOOD NEWS is that resin versions of the sculpt EXIST. What you see above is the first hand painted set to be revealed (we’ve also seen a lone Squid Skull), and is part of Le Carnaval des Spectres in Paris this September. Unlike the vinyl edition, these figures cannot be stacked (originally the Squid Girl on the left was intended to slip over the Skull), but I don’t think I’d want to conceal the sheer awesomeness of that irradiated invertebrate, anyway! We’re talking handpaints, people! Just when you thought this figure couldn’t get sexier … ;)

Plenty more pics and info to come; this is startin’ to get good!

 

Mandi’s Critters Prepare for the Carnaval

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For Le Carnaval des Spectres, Amanda Louise Spayd will have an assortment of her signature dumpy dudes, likely of various sizes, shapes and smiles. She’s kept mum over progress pics so far, but recently dropped these two hypnotic little faces. Totally digging the soul-sucking eyes.

One of the perks of Mandi recently acquiring an iPhone is that she’s on Instagram (@amandalouisespayd). Instagram means delicious, visual stimuli: we get a daily dose of Mandi’s discerning, rustic-antiquey-freaky taste, and also further insight into her artistic process, which we rarely, if ever, see. Look, Ma! It’s Easy-Bake!

The below image has got to be one of my favourite progress pics from her. And not because it reminds me of cut Pillsbury cookies from the tube, but I had no idea that this is how it all starts. They’re so … flat! Ya learn something new every day.

More eye candy to come!

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens Sept. 13 through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France.

Orange Triple Crown Monster Dropping this Weekend @ Triple Crown of YoYo Chicago!

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The annual Triple Crown of YoYo is blowing through the windy city this weekend and in celebration of the event, TCY, in collaboration with Rotofugi and Squibbles Ink., will debut the first painted colourway of the event’s handsome mascot, the Triple Crown Monster, this Saturday, July 28th!

Designed by Chris Ryniak and sculpted by Shinbone Creative’s Scott Wetterscheider, the trophy/toy hybrid stands 7 inches tall and, with that solid gorilla stance, an impressive 8 inches wide. The orange beastlie will be available at the YoYo Expert table for $100 + tax. He’s a run of only 50 pieces.  Some will be reserved for the World YoYo contest in Orlando in August and any runaways will be sold by Triple Crown, so keep tabs on their news page.

Unpainted orange versions of the figure will also be offered at the YoYo Expert table for $80 + tax. Any leftovers of the naked mascot will be available via Rotofugi on Monday, July 30th.

ALSO! Be sure to pop by Rotofugi after the event Saturday for Triple Crown’s official after party from 6pm to 8pm. There will be snacks and drinks and a ton of YoYo fun with some of the country’s best players.

[via Rotofugi]

Scott Radke’s Brilliant ‘King Killian’ Commission

Jaw. On. The. Floor.

Scott Radke was recently commissioned by indie filmmaker Jim McKenzie to bring two of his characters to life, Roach and Fred the dog, from McKenzie’s fantasy-drama short, King Killian.

I could go on and on about how fabulous these sculpts are, but your time would be far better served watching the film. It’s the most powerful 2 minutes and 23 seconds you’ll experience today.

I know. Hits you right where it hurts the most. The Killian project was McKenzie’s labour of love for two years, working on it while attending college and then eventually finishing it as part of his degree. If you’re interested in the project, check out the King Killian blog for some insight into the process.

Zombambies & Skelve Masks from KO & BP for Paris 9.13

And the instagram teasers continue with two killer snaps from Brandt Peters and Kathie Olivas for Paris’ Le Carnaval des Spectres. First up: a herd of Phantom Zombambies! You all probably remember these debuting at Monsters & Misfits II as a series of three berry-rific customs. Well now the Zombs return in all their guts and g(l)ory as an edition. The first batch will drop at Le Carnaval, followed by the usual forum blitz and so on.

And check these out! The wall-mounted Skelve mask has seriously leveled up with the addition of niblet teeth, long noses, evil grins, etc. Some even have filled in eyes — take a look at the one in the second row, far right. It looks like metal pieces are embedded in the sockets with epoxy resin. Freaking crazy! … More to come from everyone soon!

Le Carnaval des Spectres is a Circus Posterus group exhibition featuring new works from Brandt Peters, Kathie Olivas, Travis Louie, Chris Ryniak, Amanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu.  The event kicks off Sept. 13th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France.

 

Doktor A’s ‘A Postcard from New Yorkshire’ Solo @ myplasticheart 10.12

Oooo, this oughta be good. It’s been a little over a year since Doktor A’s stellar UK solo exhibition, Mr. Whistlecraft’s Tarnished Daydreams, and he’s now tuning up for a retrobotic steampunk soiree at myplasticheart in NYC this October with A Postcard from New Yorkshire.

“I will have some more adventurous pieces on show,” Dok writes from his studio in the UK. “I have been pushing some boundaries and learning some new skills for this one. More involved and intricate constructions than I have undertaken in the past.”

The show will feature more original creations than custom toys, as well as a new series of ink drawings to complement the dimensional pieces. The Doktor also promises some surprises as he explores new avenues and territories that have been on his bucket list for some time.

A Postcard from New Yorkshire opens Oct. 12th with a reception from 7pm to 10pm. And yes, the Doktor will be in to visit!

Tonal Illustration Workshop with Travis Louie @ Stranger Factory 8.5

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As part of his Spirits exhibition opening next month at Stranger Factory, renowned fine artist Travis Louie is hosting a very special, small-group rendering workshop at the gallery on Sunday, Aug. 5th from 3pm to 6pm.

The class will introduce students to basic and intermediate multi-medium illustration techniques, as well as instruction in tonal rendering using graphite, liquid graphite, ink washes pastels and gouache on paper. The rendering of light and form will be explored, as well as drawing from a still life set up.

The cost of the workshop is $100 (supplies included) and space is limited to only a dozen spots. To RSVP, stop by or call the gallery at (505) 508-3049, or Paypal to kathieolivas@msn.com (make sure to add ‘Travis Louie Workshop’ as the subject line). A 50% deposit is required (non refundable).

** Bring a notebook if you want to take your own notes during the workshop. Photos and video must be approved by Stranger Factory staff in advance.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn direct from the master in an up-close and intimate setting!