Stranger Factory

Mikee’s Mail Day: Splurrt Usir!

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Hello CP fans! For those who don’t know, my name is Mikee and I work behind the counter at Stranger Factory. It’s an amazing job and to be honest I got it because of my one true love … Toys! Some would say I have a problem, others would exploit that problem for their entertainment! So in honor of the latter, we bring you Mikee’s Mail Day! I get a lot of packages and we are gonna start showing off some of the fun goodies I collect and why I collect them.

This week being the first, I opened a great package. Today I got in my Splurrt Usir. Usir is the third vinyl character release from rebel toy company Splurrt. Following in the footsteps of his prior releases, while still departing for a slightly different tone, the Usir is just plain evil! Not going to lie, Splurrt is one of my all time favorite toy companies and this is a prime piece of Sofubi to use as an example why. The Usir is a new head mold but the body is actually from a previous Splurrt release called the Diggler. This type of adaption through simplicity is why Kaiju and Sofubi are so amazing! Granted Mattel does this with He Man parts but it’s not because they have to and more because they prefer to cut cost. We Toy Rebels live and thrive on a budget, so finding ways to make something new out of something existing is what this is all about.

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

‘Symbols & Concepts’ Workshop with Joel Nakamura @ Stranger Factory 9.9

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In conjunction with his Kaiju vs. Yokai exhibition opening next month at Stranger Factory, celebrated folk- and neo-primitive artist Joel Nakamura is hosting a small-group rendering workshop at the gallery on Sunday, Sept. 9th at 3pm.

The one-hour class will apply basic drawing skills and introduce students to working on concepting (idea creation) and visual communication through symbols/icons and rough-form short-hand sketching. Design students, this class is for you!

The cost of the workshop is $25 ($20 w/ valid student ID), including supplies. Space is limited to only a dozen spots. A pre-paid deposit is required (non-refundable) in advance to reserve your spot in the class. To RSVP, stop by or call the gallery at (505) 508-3049, or Paypal to kathieolivas@msn.com (make sure to add ‘Joel Nakamura Workshop’ as the subject line).

** 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 a master of tribal art and mythology in an up-close and intimate setting!

Stranger Factory Presents: The Pit of Unease, Anomie, Mystic Visions & Kaiju Vs. Yokai, 9.7

Stranger Factory is proud to present four solo exhibitions opening next month that explore the magic and mystery of otherworldly creatures.

Join Travis Lampe in The Pit of Unease, a new collection of 2D works that chronicles his descent into the bowels of the earth. Ready your tights and ridiculous hats, for you are about to encounter some of the most dangerous and improbable creatures ever painted! From pugnacious owls to wacky wizards and other silly, elbowless characters, strange things are afoot in The Pit of Unease!

Read More »Stranger Factory Presents: The Pit of Unease, Anomie, Mystic Visions & Kaiju Vs. Yokai, 9.7

Travis Louie x Circus Posterus ‘Ecto-Stan’ Bust Revealed at SPIRITS, 8.3

Travis Louie’s utterly awesome Spirits exhibition opened this past weekend at Stranger Factory and hidden among the paintings and drawings was his Ecto Stan bust, a surprise, 20-piece edition from Travis and Circus Posterus. Standing 7 inches tall and retailing for $250 per, the hand painted resin busts are a brand new platform from CP and it’ll be really exciting to see what they have planned for these, given this strong debut. We’ve had a taster of what can be done with giant Elizabeth and Skelve busts, so there’s no doubt that these smaller platforms should yield all kinds of toytastic magic — editioned and custom pieces alike!

Spirits is on display until Sept. 3 at the Factory and the exhibition is also live right here. For those hankering for more 3D goodness, be sure to check out Travis’ exclusive Uncle Six Eyes, and his Ghostly Stan Skelve, as well!

 

 

 

Startling Art! A Conversation with Dennis Larkins

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I’d be willing to bet that most of you know Dennis Larkins’ work and don’t even know it. Despite his expansive, 40-year-plus art career as a 3D painter and being one of the major players in LA’s Lowbrow movement in the ’80s and ’90s, Larkins is probably best known for his rock art, having created some of the Grateful Dead’s most famous gig posters for their now legendary stints at the Warfield in San Fran and NYC’s Radio City Music Hall in October 1980.

Like many artists, Larkins was well accustomed to having parallel careers, working as a scenic artist, set designer and rock n’ roll art director, while still actively pursuing his own artistic exploits. In the late ’80s, he went from Dead artist to Disney Imagineer, designing exhibits and attractions for Disneyland and Disney World.

But then there was the other side of Larkins’ work: the sci-fi nerdery, the dark humor, the sculpted dimensional relief … this is where it gets particularly interesting, at least from a designer toy standpoint.

Let me put it this way: the whole premise behind the toy movement was to redefine the canvas; to take characters from a 2 dimensional world and reimagine them in 3D. To make them tangible, ‘real’, and in a form that is more interactive for the collector. Well, Larkins had a similar idea about 30 years prior, but did it without abandoning the canvas. Instead, he started building upon it. Using foam, rubber and various plastics, Larkins pioneered a whole new chapter of conceptual realism. By applying a combination of low- and high-relief sculpture right onto the canvas, he’s able to create the illusion of an entire scene popping out at us. Some paintings have many layers, some only a few, but even his ‘deepest’, most complex pieces never exceed five inches. This was entirely new to the art scene in the 70s and transformed the canvas’ expressivity.

I recently caught up with Larkins to discuss his work, his plans with Stranger Factory and his move back to Santa Fe, NM, from LA after a 20 year absence.

Read More »Startling Art! A Conversation with Dennis Larkins

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!

Stranger Factory Presents: Travis Louie’s ‘SPIRITS’ 8.3


Travis Louie has always been a dreamer. Through the tiny, hyper-realistic drawings and notes in his journals, he’s painted a world inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings and otherworldly characters, all rooted in Victorian and Edwardian times and set to the tune of film noir and German expressionist cinematography.

And next month, they’re headed to Albuquerque.

Opening August 3rd is Spirits, a collection of new two- and three-dimensional works inspired by early American Spiritualism. But Travis Louie style. So expect the haunting apparitions, suited skeletons and stylish Cyclops.

An opening reception will be held at Stranger Factory from 6pm to 9pm Friday. Travis will be there! Join us as we delve into the realm of the supernatural and indulge in our curiosity of the dead…

** A rendering workshop will also be held in conjunction with the event; details to come!

Travis Louie was born in Queens, NY, about a mile from the site of the 1964 World’s Fair. His early childhood was spent drawing and watching “Atomic Age” sci-fi and horror movies. His paintings spawn from tiny drawings and notes in his journals, where he’s created his own imaginary world rooted in Victorian and Edwardian times and influenced by Film Noir and German Expressionist cinematography. A world inhabited by human oddities, mythical beings, and otherworldly characters, Travis’ subjects appear to have had their formal portraits taken to mark their existence and place in society.

The underlining thread that connects all these characters is the unusual circumstances that shape who they were and how they lived. Some of their origins are a complete mystery while others leave subtle cues: a man is cursed by a goat; a strange, furry being is discovered sleeping in a hedge; an engine driver can’t stop vibrating in his sleep, and so forth. Using inventive techniques of painting with acrylic washes and simple textures on smooth boards, Travis creates portraits from an alternate universe that seemingly may or may not have existed.

Coming Soon: KO & BP’s Blue Mist Kuma & Grieving Greeter

So last week was a bit of a brain melter, no? All is chill and quiet on the CP front as they prepare for Paris, KO prepares for AFA, etc., when out of nowhere you pick up your phone and it’s like WHAMHAIINSTRAGRAMFACEMELTLOOKATMEI’MBEAUTIFUL!

And not once, but TWICE! And within DAYS of each other! How delightfully cruel.

It all started with the Blue Mist Kuma, above. 9.75″ tall. Blue fade. Embedded GID Lucky Skull. The first embedded edition that CP has ever done.

Yes! **Edition!!!** (Music to our ears!)

66 of these beauties will be made and will likely release in small blasts throughout the rest of the year. It will make its official debut this fall during a certain European hoedown, but — an important but! — CP members actually have a shot at preordering one right now via the CP forums. So pop over there for the full scoop from KO.

And then there’s the ever-morose Grieving Greeter, who will also be making his debut very soon. The edition size is limited to 30 pieces at $225 a grin. It’s hard to tell from the filter (my fault), but his cloak is a smoke grey, with the usual antiquing. Looks quite sharp, if I do say so m’self. More info about all this goodness as we grow nearer to showtime!

Stranger Factory Presents: Phil Noto’s ‘A Certain Splendor’ 7.6

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It’s all in the details: the way he holds his jacket over his shoulder; the purse of her lips when aroused and wanting more. It’s a glint in the eyes or a crossing of arms. Comic book artist and painter Phil Noto is a master of subtlety; of revealing a subject’s true character through minute detail and candid expression.

Opening this Friday at Stranger Factory is Noto’s newest body of work, A Certain Splendor: a collection of paintings highlighting the aesthetic of the 1960s and ’70s. From casual moments, to vintage pinups, to images of things to come, these paintings feature beautiful women, handsome men, hard-boiled characters and the upper-class of a bygone era.

A Certain Splendor opens July 6th with an opening reception with the artist from 6pm to 9pm.

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Phil Noto is an American comic book artist and painter whose work has been featured in and on the covers of numerous DC, Marvel and Dark Horse titles including Avengers, Batman, Batgirl, Jonah Hex and X-Men Origins. His fine art has been exhibited throughout the US.

 

(Sickeningly) Cute Charms and Pendants from Amanda Louise Spayd + A Secret Project …

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Is this not the sweetest thing on the planet?! We’re talkin’ instant toothache as soon as you set eyes on it. Brand new from Ms. Amanda Louise Spayd is a series of acrylic critter charms and pendants that will be available via her webstore very soon. For all you ABQ locals, you can also grab them at Stranger Factory.

The pendants are yet to be revealed, but the Bee charms (above) are double-sided and have a 1-inch wingspan. They’re a run of 100, price to be announced!

And who’s this little lady? Mandi tweeted her yesterday, with a promise of ‘more info soon.’ I have no idea what she’s for, but stylistically she’s right in line with the charms and Mandi’s recent antique pendants (which sold out in like 5 minutes).

Then there’s this little blue beaut, who’s destined to be a collaboration with A Little Stranger for a certain special something. ALS x ALS? Don’t mind if I do!

And special something? Why, that sounds vaguely familiar … hmm ;)

Updates to come, as always!