GuitaRocket

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted on my blog. It’s been even longer since I had a commisioned piece. I created this toy for a coworker whose husband is a fan of designer toys. She was able to provide me with some photos of some of his guitars which I have encorporated into the design. I really enjoy the rockets as they hold ink and paint very well. Have a Happy New Year Peeps!

Let the Wild Rumpus Start!!!

I was a little late to the game when I was first introduced to Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild things are children’s book. Most kids have their parents read them this gem. Written in 1963, I was too old to discover it in my childhood. I learned about it in my children’s book illustration class at Buffalo State College in 1978. I was so taken by the book, it was a no brainer to name my first child Max. This toy was inspired by the character in the book. A mischievious boy in a monster outfit. Acrylic paint and pen and ink on vinyl.

Upsie Downsies

I try to get a lot done during vacation, but sometimes I can’t commit to all that I had planned. What you are viewing are the fruits of my one weeks labor. These guys are all drugged out with no place to go. Trying to capture the feelings of barbituates and amphetamines is not easy to capture in a toy. They are strange, I’ll admit, but given their narcotic nature, they need to be. Acrylic, pen and ink and polyurethane.       

Vinylmation Micky

I discovered that Disney was creating collector designer toys with a basic classic Micky Mouse figure. The Disney store sells them as individual units and sets, some are blind boxes, some not. I wanted to customize some Mickys so I stayed away from the blind boxes and tried to find the whitest looking figure. Yes, I had to prime it with white paint several times so I could lose the awful job that was on there originally. It was a character from the Nightmare befor Christmas series. I customized two, one for myself and one for sale. Simple and classic. This is now one of my favorite toys!!

Wot The Bot!

This is the first Pre colored toy I have customized. It was a little more challenging as I am accustomed to painting on a blank, white toy. The mouth portion was large enough that I could create a helmet like effect. This toy is influenced by the mech warrior genre in movies and games. Vinyl, acrylic paint and pen and ink.

Summer’s Eve OMI

At first I was gonna name this toy Eve, but as she evolved, I thought Summer’s Eve was more appropriate. With this OMI, I turned the mask upside down and evolved the horns into little legs. Her head is covered to hide her extreme beauty. Summer’s Eve is a cheeky look at a very old story. Vinyl, acrylic paint and pen and ink.

Three Way Red

I always enjoy both interactivity and surprises in a toy.  Three Way red allows both rotation of the head, as well as unique expressions on each side. Good luck figuring out the personality of this naughty toy. Multi layered personalities always lend themselves well to designer toys. Vinyl, acrylic paint and pen and ink  have brought this piece to life!

Grin and Bear OMI

All an artist needs is a little time to hanker down in a studio and contemplate filling those lucious blank canvases. This week the canvases were strictly vinyl. At first I thought I might try something different and create something unique and original, until I remembered that I usually do. The Grin and Bear OMI is another happy stroke toy. Made with love with acrylic paint and pen and ink.

Tink, I think

Here’ s another Tamo that I was asked to customize. The subject asked for was a Tinkerbell custom. Now, most of my vinyl is thick and chunky, but the Tamos are perfect for this most familiar fairy. She was kissed with acrylics and pen and ink and will soon be living in Alabama. If it’s Disney, it’s gotta be good!!!

Omi Fuzzy

Since I have such a small canvas to work on, I want to create as much detail as possible to fill out the space. This is achieved through pointillism and short cross-hatching strokes. This is a technique I learned a very long time ago from being an avid reader of underground comix from the 1970′s. Robert Crumb’s comic style now rendered in a 3D toy makes sense to me. I will try new things on the omi’s I have left to customize.