Chris Ryniak

Ryniak and Spayd collaborate for twice the trouble

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As if the bevy of beautiful snaggle toothed, lumpy, wide eyed beasts scheduled to fill Stranger Factory this Friday weren’t enough to make our hearts pound in anticipation, your daring reporter has just laid eyes on what is certain to be the crowning glory on Migration – a collaborative piece between Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd. Please revive me, because my heart has stopped. It is only out of duty to you, dear blog readers, that my fingers continue to type.

Chris and Amanda met in 2006, when they were both working as designers for a major greeting card corporation. They’ve been friends since then, and it has been delightful to see both of their artistic endeavours blossom alongside one another.

We’re saving the full reveal for the online preview(fear not, it’s only a day away), but we can’t help but cruelly tease you with these wonderful little detail shots.

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CP: How did you decide on and work on this collaborative piece together?
Chris and Mandi: Chris had done a drawing of his character – just a little sketch. We had really wanted to do a collaboration for the show, but once we saw his sketch, knew exactly what it would be. A really natural pairing of our characters, as journeying companions. In terms of actually making it, we each constructed our respective parts of the sculpture, then both cooperated on the aesthetic and technical aspects of how to join them into one cohesive concept.

Amanda: But I did all the really hard stuff.

Chris: But just because it was hard does not mean it looks any good.

Chris and Amanda: You can leave this out, we were just being assholes.

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CP: What is the best thing about collaborating with each other, both on this piece, and on these 2-person shows?
Chris and Amanda: We think so much alike, it makes collaborating very easy. We share a similar passion for textures, colors, and expression, so we know that whatever we each come up with has a really good chance of resonating with the other. Another aspect that I think makes us work well together is that we trust each other professionally, and have a lot of confidence in the skills of the other.

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Another Dollop from Chris Ryniak

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We showcased a couple of the Dumpy Dollops by Chris Ryniak a few days ago, and it is about time we saw another one of these glorious dumpy, lumpy creatures. This time, we’re meeting the endearing Mullop Custerfugl. Mr. Mullop is one of the six Dollops slated for the Migration opening this weekend at Stranger Factory along with a whole lot of other wonderful creatures in 2D and 3D form from Chris. The other three Dumpy Dollops we’re keeping a secret for the preview this Thursday – and oh, what a grand preview it will be!

It looks as if  Mullop here is about give Atreyu directions…or just ate his beef jerky and pretending he didn’t.

MIGRATION, the latest collaborative exhibit by Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd opens on Friday, March 1st from 6 PM – 9 PM Stranger Factory.

Pretty Ms. Ginger is on the way!

Happy Monday! Shinji at Tomenosuke just let us know that this pretty pink lady is on the way, and we can’t wait to show her off to you.

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The painted Pickled Ginger will be an edition of 120, divided equally between Tomenosuke (international customers) and Stranger Factory (North American customers)! In line with the other sofubi offerings from CP+Tomenosuke, it will retail at $89.

If all goes well, these little sofubi grumpy-pants will be appearing exclusively in store at Stranger Factory during Chris’ and Amanda’s show this coming Friday. This is an exclusive release and will be available in-store only, limited to one per person!

The remainder will go on sale for North American customers(US and Canada) in the Circus Posterus Store on Wednesday, March 6th, at 12 noon PST. The Tomenosuke batch for international customers will be on sale the following day, March 7th, at 12 noon JST.

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Circus Folk: The Fans of Chris Ryniak

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It is so rewarding to see the palpable joy and sense of achievement from all the Chris Ryniak collectors out there! Chris has had many years of creating amazing monsters, and his devoted fans have resoundingly applauded his unique, expressive and detailed style.

Like we did for Amanda Louise Spayd, we would like to showcase the CMR collections of his many numerous devoted fans out there. We have cooked up a shimmery, wide eyed, melting pot of Ryniak collections to get you all excited for Migration next week, so clear off your desk, prop your feet up, and gaze at the wonderful world of Chris Ryniak.

(above, Wil Holder’s collection)

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Will Holder has an extensive Muscamoot and Ryniak glow in the dark collection! We assume he’ll be adding some of Chris’ new glowy 8″ Dunnies to the collection soon!

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Ethan Gould has recently added Chris’ ghosts from last year’s Les Carnaval Des Spectres to his collection! These original sculptures are absolutely beautiful.

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DIY Mini Crumbeaters and Bubbleguts

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Do you know what we like to do with already adorable sculpts? We make them even adorabler. You may already have seen some of our orange and green DIY mini Crumbeaters at DesignerCon, or in store at Stranger Factory.

Now, we’ve also shrunken our favourite pastry hoarder, Bubblegut, into a slightly miniaturized 4″ DIY version. Although – we’re pretty sure that that belly of his is still bigger on the inside.

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We’re happy to tell you that both our resin DIY mini Bubbleguts and DIY mini Crumbeaters will be available for Migration at Stranger Factory on March 1st, and any that remain will make it to the online store in mid March! The details really shine on these scaled down guys, and we cannot wait to see what our creative followers cook up on this charming platform. We will be updating y’all with the price shortly.

Both Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd will both be on hand for the opening, so if you’re coming to the show, don’t forget to tuck a Sharpie in your pocket! As per Stranger Factory opening night tradition, some Rebel Donuts will likely be on hand, but due to the recent influx of these fat critters, we cannot promise that they’ll be many left for you.

(Below, a Ryniak-enhanced Mini Crumbeater, and Meltdown Dunny, from DrilOne’s Flickr photostream, acquired at Designercon)

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Chris Ryniak’s herd of Dumpy Dollops for “Migration”

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Imagine hiking in the woods and turning a corner to find Grumblup Vungermirk (above) or Gullop Ficktermucker (below) staring at you. I think most of us would plop ourselves down right there and say “awwwwwwww” as it grins or makes rankled sounds at us.

Well, welcome to the world of Chris Ryniak’s Dumpy Dollups!

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Only 6 of these adorable and expressive creatures with extremely long names have made their way to Migration. Ranging in size from the runts at 4 inches to the aspiring NBA players at 6 inches, these stubby critters made of acrylic, epoxy, and large, soulful glass eyes, are ready for the great Migration to a new home (and away from Chris’ karaoke singing). Speaking of our songbird Chris, we got a chance to ask him some questions about these wonderful lumps –

CP: These Dumpy Dollops are amazing. What corner of your brain do these come from? 
CMR: Does the brain have corners?  I figured it was more of a round-ish thing…well, at least that’s how it looks in the science books.

The Dumpy Dollops are kind of like milestones, they dot the edges of trails along migratory routes of more evolved creatures.  Since they can’t really move under their own power due to grossly underdeveloped limbs, they just sit there and encourage travelers, or just grumble at them.

CP: How should a potential owner keep these little dudes happy?
CMR: Never look directly in their eyes!  Or was it ALWAYS look directly in their eyes?  I can’t remember…

CP: The expressiveness of your sculptures has been really increasing – is that a direction you’ve been enjoying(we love it)?
CMR: I find that the more expressive the character, either through action, facial expression, posture or a combination of all of them, the more I can relate to them.  It’s not enough that they are just monsters; it’s important to me that they connect in some way to the human world.

(ed. note: Chris’ ability to render expressions is unparalleled by most, but he’ll be dropping a whole bunch of tips on how to draw them in his Stranger Factory workshop: Creating Expressive Characters)

CP: Can we expect to see more of these lumpy, expressive critters from you, both for Migration, and in the future?
CMR: The answers are yes and yes!  There is one critter who has the biggest grin you’ve ever seen…and he happens to be my favorite piece in the show.  I have lots of plans for happy little dudes for upcoming shows.

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(maybe it’s this guy?)

To see the rest of the Dumpy Dollops, and the rest of Chris’ happy, grumpy, lumpy menagerie, be sure to sign up for the mailing list on Stranger Factory’s homepage to be on the preview list.

Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd’s “Migration” opens March 1st through the 31st at Stranger Factory (109 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106).

Chris Ryniak’s Mini Zombieguts for “Migration”

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Only a few Mini Zombieguts are still roaming in Albuquerque from the zombiecake apocalypse, and these mostly harmless creatures are ready to be adopted at Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd’s exhibit Migration at Stranger Factory March 1st.

Making their first dead-eyed appearance at Designer Con this past fall, Ryniak’s Zombieguts are an edition of 33, and only a small handful were released at the convention. The remaining glazed eyed ‘guts will be available at the Migration opening. If they’re not all snapped up by new owners by then, they might make it to the show preview – so sign up to our mailing list for updates!

Don’t worry, these guys aren’t too hungry these days. Unless you’re a brain shaped cupcake.

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Stranger Factory is excited to play host to MIGRATION, the latest collaborative exhibit by Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd. The opening reception is at Stranger Factory on Friday, March 1st from 6 PM – 9 PM.

Have Backpack, Will Travel for Ryniak’s “Migration”

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I think Chris Ryniak was channeling Alexander Supertramp with some of the creations he has in store for us at “Migration“. (editor note: with much less awful death by starvation, because these guys are very unlikely to forgo food for very long).

Keeping with the theme of the show, a bevy of Bubbleguts, small and large, are adorned with overflowing backpacks full of candy and smores, and paired with hatchets and brightly coloured sleeping bags as they waddle onward on their journey. The detail and model making skill in these sculpts are downright impressive – tiny riveted leather straps, hand-wrapped twine, miniature wood bundles…Chris is knocking this show out of the park, and we cannot wait to see these little hikers unveiled!

Train hopping, camping, the wilderness, and beyond are no match for these hiking potbellies – as long as they got a good knapsack and tools on their back, they are ready for whatever the trail has ahead.


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Stranger Factory is excited to play host to MIGRATION, the latest collaborative exhibit by Chris Ryniak and Amanda Louise Spayd. The opening reception is at Stranger Factory on Friday, March 1st from 6 PM – 9 PM.

Chris Ryniak’s Pickled Ginger Sofubi from Circus Posterus x Tomenosuke

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Start practicing your best snarl face because the latest “Ginger” sofubi by Chris Ryniak from Circus Posterus x Tomenosuke is getting ready to go into production! The last incarnation of Miss Ginger was the raw “Stinky Ginger” at Designer Con 2012, and we have all been waiting to hear about the second course in colorways! Well, that time is almost upon us because “Pickled Ginger” is about to be harvested.

The colors this time around feature an opaque spray of pink paint on translucent vinyl with carefully painted details. You can see this pretty little lass’ pearly white chompers in that lovely little grimace! The details and character with this version really pop – but don’t tell her that because she doesn’t take compliments well.

Pickled Ginger will be an edition of 120, divided equally between Tomenosuke (international customers) and Stranger Factory (North American customers)! In line with the other sofubi offerings from CP+Tomenosuke, it will retail at $89. Be on the lookout for release information very soon.

If you can’t wait to read more about the Ginger family, our pal Andy at Kaiju Korner has penned an amazing review of the Raw Stinky Ginger .

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Chris Ryniak prepares some relief wall hangings for “Migration”

Wallhanging 3The wait is almost over, because  opening night for Chris Ryniak and Amanda Spayd’s “Migration“ at Stranger Factory is just a few weeks away! We have a deluge of information from the dynamic duo to sort through, but putting all the clues and puzzle pieces together is what we are here for!

Have you noticed the one creature Chris has made with the huge grin on his face? The one that seems to be pointing at its bellybutton? Well, it is part of the pile of 6″ x 9″ relief wall hangings that Chris has coming to the show. Burning the midnight oil for months, Chris has been hand molding and casting an assortment of this yet nameless creature himself! The progress shots do not do this fella justice in our opinion, and we can’t wait to see it in person.

Currently planned are casts in bronze, nickel, copper, glow in the dark, and maybe a few surprises. There is no word yet on how many of each will be done, but we can only hope that neither the mold nor Chris’ fingers bite the dust before a small army is completed.

Click More to see several progress shots of the development of this piece.

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