PREVIEW NEW CUSTOM Mini Qee Custom
This week, prepare to meet some new customs. Letterman the Hound and two new custom mini-qees. Who and what are they?! Stay tuned!
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Showing posts with label toy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toy. Show all posts
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Albert Art Custom Chicken Little Vinyl Toy
C.Lil' Custom Chicken Little.
Meet C.Lil', my latest custom vinyl toy using the Walt Disney, Chicken Little platform. It's a cross between the Black Eyed Peas, Larry King, Shaun of the Dead, and "D-Fens" from the film, Falling Down. I purchased this toy in LA over the Xmas holiday from my favorite book store in Torrance. Originally, I had no idea that Disney had produced vinyl toys based on Chicken Little, so when I saw it, I knew I wanted one, and knew I wanted to give it some new paint. (I believe the Chicken Little is a Limited Edition toy.)
"MONDAY MORNING AT THE OFFICE" is basically the story of C.Lil', a disgruntled employee who works at a boring office job. One Monday morning he decides he's had enough with cubicles, his boss, and his co-workers. He goes to work with a baseball bat, without the intention of playing any sports. The rest is up to your imagination.
In the simple child-like design of Chicken Little, I found inspiration to create an alternate version of the nerdy kid from the 2005 animated film, one that could be viewed as radically different, and racially different from the original.
Animated animal characters in films typically don't have an ethnic background that is identifiable, or obvious, because well, they're animals, (though racial features can be applied to cartoon, caricatured versions of the actors doing the voice over), yet there simply aren't enough chocolate brown cartoon characters out there! So why not take the beloved Chicken Little from the house of Disney, and make him well... not "white."
The toy stands about the same height as a regular Munny, painted with acrylic, it was quite easy to handle. The bat accessory was included with the toy. It took me about a week to create this toy. Overall, I think it turned out nicely.
HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!
As seen on: TOYSREVIL.BLOGSPOT.COM
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Jan Calleja Filipino Art Toy Customizer Philippines
Artist Jan Calleja - Philippines.
More than just a new paint job, Jan Calleja does a full overhaul of an existing toy platform, creating unique and wonderful custom toys.
Sure, when people think urban vinyl art toys, places like Tokyo, Hong Kong, San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles, come to mind. But a real gem that most people don't really think about is the Philippines. The designer art scene is alive with many talented artists. One of the shining stars being, Calleja.
ToyPusher recently did an interview with Jan Celleja, a seriously talented customizer from the Philippine Islands.
Check out some video from an art show in the Philippines. 'Mangled, Manipulated, Modified' custom toy exhibit @ The Collective (vinyl on vinyl)
Jab Celleja Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/30677525@N07/
If you're interested in seeing more about the Filipino art scene, check out these pics from Tara McPherson's trip the Manila.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
SKELANIMALS x TOY2R QEE 2010 ALBERT ART
THIS SUMMER...
The artist lineup for the 2010 Skelanimals x Toy2R Qee Collaboration has been ANNOUNCED, and I'm happy to say that Albert Art is among the list of talented artists!
Toy2R proudly announces the line up of talented artists participating in the upcoming collaboration between Skelanimals and Qee. This series will be released in multiple assortments featuring all new 3" Qee Figures based on the popular Skelanimals Characters. Each will included the Qee Keychain attachment to carry your Skelanimal Qee everywhere you go!
The designs were inspired by the Skelanimals brand but 100% original to each artist. This has been a labor of love where each artist was given full freedom to create their own idea representing their vision of Skelanimals.
This series includes designs from Jon Paul Kaiser, Julie West, Jim Koch, Pocket Wookie, Mshrobot, PO!, Voltaire, Rotobox, Nick Z, Albert Art, Jason Freeny, Lunabee, Reactor 88, Frank Mysterio, Chauskoskis and William Walison. Not to mention variants and chase figures randomly mixed in!
Be prepared to be amazed as Toy2R releases the Skelanimals Qees this summer!
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Mikes Transformers Toy Collection 2010 Update
TRANSFORMERS
It's been several years since I first filmed Mike's collection (back in 2007), so being that it's 2010, I figured, it would be a good time to get an update from him.
My timing couldn't have been more perfect. He recently moved in to his own place, (away from his parents), finally giving him a chance to take out all those Transformers to display around his new home. While unpacking boxes and boxes of Transformers, I took the opportunity to film him with my trusty Panasonic HVX. So, much better than that crappy Powershot video I took years ago.
Mike opened up about being a collector, as well, I got some cool shots of the toys, which he estimates at being numbered over 900+ individual toy figures.
He is definitely one of the rare few who manages to continue building on his collection, and is most likely one of a few major collectors in Vancouver.
If you compare both collections from 2007, up until now, it'll give you a good idea of how many Transformers he actually has.
The original 2007 posting and videos can be viewed via the following links:
2007 BLOG POST - http://rez2cool.blogspot.com/2007_06_03_archive.html
2007 Collection - PT.1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0DT4U92YsM
PT.2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X2i2ohI2h0
The 2010 video interview can be seen on my vimeo page, as well as http://youtube.com/albertartTV
Saturday, October 03, 2009
BOB, GREMLIN FROM HELL MUNNY VINYL TOY
"Keep Bob away, from your mechanical devices!!!"
My first custom toy, in several months. I've been quite busy working on a short-film, I wrote/directed/produced, which is currently nearing the end of post production. (More on that in a later post.)
To kick off the month of October -- as Halloween and Dias De Muertos are fast approaching -- I will be unveiling some new 'themed' custom toys during the next few weeks. The first is Bob, Gremlin Mechanic from Hell.
Bob is a terrible Mechanic. Mostly because his hair. It flops over his eyes, and he can't see what he's doing. He is also a Gremlin, and well, likes to stir up trouble.
This is your standard sized Kidrobot MUNNY, hand-painted, with the wrench accessory sprayed with a chrome silver. Didn't do anything with Sculpey this time, since I had no time. Not as great as my previous custom toys, but it was a quickie and a fun idea to roll with.
(Please excuse the photo quality. I shot these with the iphone.)
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Albert Art Custom Holiday Toy2r Qee vinyl toy
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Well, here it is, my last 2 custom toys of the year, and just in time for the Holidays. Last December I ended the year with the wonderfully difficult Bomberman custom Kidrobot munny, a toy which has since imploded on itself, unfortunately. This year I'm more in line with the season, working on the Toy2r platform, 2.5, and 8 inch Qee. The funny thing is I got the 2.5 Qee as a Christmas present last year, and only recently have decided to do something with it -- A quirky moody Santa, and a happy little Elf, a little too happy.
I made these hand-painted Christmas themed toys without even knowing Kidrobot had done something similar with their Holiday Munny, featuring accessories such as a bottle, and Santa hat. Having discovered that well along the production of my own custom toy, I was a bit bummed, but stuck with the bottle idea. I guess everyone thinks Christmas characters should have a bottle of liquor in hand. Who am I to disagree. And being I'm not too thrilled with what Toy2r released as their Holiday 2008, 8 inch Qee, I went ahead, and customized my own. What do you think? Hot or not?
The colors on both the Santa, and Elf, were inspired by ketchup believe it or not, darker than the usual red and green seen on your average holiday characters. I think it was Heinz that released a green and darker red ketchup. Mixing the paints to get the right color took some time, but I like how it ended up.
The blue highlight hair was something I carried over from the Halloween toys I did.
The chocolate liquor bottles were a bitch to find. I literally searched all over Vancouver to find them, and in the end I didn't find them, a friend had found them for me. I searched all sorts of souvenir shops, even drove to the airport to scope out the stores, but in the end it was at London Drugs, a place I completely overlooked.
The Rug, I got off ebay shipped from Ontario. The Santa hat (not pictured), I got from Zellers, and the tree from Canadian Tire. I definitely go all out to find the right items to add to the custom toy. That's the fun of customizing!
Too bad these are one-of-a-kind toys, and not mass produced. I'd love to give them as gifts, but alas I'm holding on to them. But that doesn't mean you can't see these toys up close.
Start Time: Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 7:00pm End Time: Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 3:00am
Location: The Sweatshop Street: 1945 East Hastings City/Town: Vancouver, BC
This is a show you don't want to miss, not only because of my toys, but because of the other artists in attendance, DJ's, and overall party atmosphere. I will be posting pictures form the event, so be sure to check back.
JOIN the facebook group to RSVP. Come by and say hi this Saturday!
I'm also focusing more on maintaining my myspace page myspace.com/albertart. It's a great way to stay connected to other artists. Add me up!
2008 was a ridiculous year for me. Life changing in fact since losing my brother back in June. The Holiday's will never really be the same for my family and I after that. I'd always bounce ideas off him, and he'd give me his honest opinion and some creative feedback to get me all excited and enthusiastic about whatever it was I working on at the time. Now my big bro is gone. I guess I'll really have to drink my sorrows away this Christmas, like the Qee.
2009 I hope to continue making quirky characters, and to showcase them in different venues. (I'd love to show my toys outside Vancouver one day.) Hope you can keep tuning in to find out what happens with this artist!
Happy Holidays!
****Update!!! Check out the the pictures and video I took at the Artist Perspective art show.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Custom Bax Bear The Surgeon and Buck Bear go Artshow
More coverage for my toy.
More coverage for my toy.
I'm happy to announce that my latest toys, (the custom Bax bear ones) will be on display at the PVC Custom toy show here in Vancouver at the Third Store Gallery on 434 Homer St this Saturday at 7:30pm. Admission is free, and there will be drinks, live painting, and music. Come on by and say hi!
I'm not on the show poster because I was a late addition. Even the other artists participating don't know I've been added. HA!
Here are links to some nice online coverage for my toys.
Morscata12.wordpress - I was mentioned in a post alongside Gama-Go's Yeti!
I will be updating AlbertAlbert.net, at some point with the latest images, and links soon. Stay tuned.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Albert Art Custom Bax Bear Vinyl Toy Halloween 2008
Happy Halloween!
New art from AlbertArt.netFinally I'm able to present to you all my latest custom vinyl toys, fresh out of my ghetto workshop (aka my apartment), and just in time for Halloween too.
I haven't made a custom since my brother passed away back in June of this year, so I'm definitely ready to get back into it, and to make more toys before the year is up.
I finished these toys in just under two weeks. I started working on them a couple of days after I got back from my trip to Tokyo. Inspired, and ready to get creative on some customs, I had brought back a bunch of toys with me but the problem was I already had toys piling up sitting around at home. So I decided to work on those older DIY toys gathering dust to make space for the new stuff I picked up in Japan. More on that at a later time.
First things first, which toy was being neglected the longest?
Despite how uninspired, and boring the Bax Bear toy is, I just had to do something with them. Does anyone even remember Bax Bear? I bought a pair of these DIY toys a long time ago, and didn't really know what to do with them. The odd placement of the nose, and the shape of the head really annoy me and I think it limits what can be done with the toy. These toys have been criticized by artists as being Toy2r Qee bastardized ripoffs, and I can't blame people for thinking that way. They kinda are. Though, a canvas is a canvas, and a toy is a toy, making even the shittiest DIY toy look good, that's the job of the artist right?!
I sketched out several ideas, but I kept coming back to the first one I drew. From there I did a mock up painting with canvas and acrylic paint, to get the mood of the toys.
"Buck Bear meets The Surgeon," custom Bax Bear vinyl toy.
In comes 'The Surgeon'. A sadistic, cannibalistic bear who's handy with tools (Chainsaw and Hammer), but can't really see straight because his hair flops down over his eyes. On his back is a modified Medical Field symbol, made demonic to fit the toys evil nature.
His victim the cowardly bucktoothed 'Buck Bear', yells for help.
Hand-painted, with the Surgeons accessories found at a flea market, I also used some super sculpey in the handles of the hammer and chainsaw to add some thickness, so that they would fit the hands snuggly. Together these toys stand atop an 8x8 wood stage I painted.
These toys including this painting are for sale, and can be seen up close and on display at the Artist Perspective Art Show in November here in Vancouver, of which I am a featured artist. Details about the show will be posted, as the plans get finalized. Be sure to check back often.
I also contributed some stickynote Halloween art to the Stickynote-theatre. Using Japanese stationery I picked up on my trip, these stickynotes are oddly shaped, but still cool. Hope you like the art!
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Dunny Series 5 debuts at Voltage Vancouver
Dunny Series 5
Vancouver's Voltage, the popular local vinyl toy and clothing store hosted a party for the early release of Kidrobot's Dunny series 5. The event also doubled as a trading opportunity for those interested in trading older Dunnys, as well as new ones purchased in cases, which retailed for around $178.
Attendees were treated with refreshments, candy, and the company of other enthusiastic toy collectors.
Congrats to Voltage for being one of only a handful of stores worldwide chosen to host an Official Release and Trading Party on Wednesday September 3rd.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Nightcrawler Custom Baby Qee Vinyl Toy by Albert Art
It's been a while since I did my last custom vinyl toy, so I figured it was about time for me to do another one. Being that I'm pretty busy these days (even moreso than usual), I wanted to do a custom that wasn't as intensive as an 8 inch toy. So I chose to go with the Baby Qee by Toy2r, I got for Christmas last year, which is small enough to do within a short amount of time, and that didn't require a lot of materials.
Marvel Comics Nightcrawler aka Kurt Wagner was the first character that came to mind when looking at the Devil Qee. I know I said I'd do original customs this year, but I figured, what the heck, Baby Qee Night Crawler would be pretty sweet. The pointy tail was perfect, all I had to do was create some ears with super sculpey. Like with all my customs, I mixed my own paint, and clear-coated it when the toy was deemed done.
Sure, Iron Man is currently all the rage, but that doesn't mean the blue freak can't get some love in toy form!
Hope you all like it!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Beyond Ultraman @ PMCA, Murakami @ MOCA
My trip to Los Angeles for the holidays wouldn't have been complete without attending two of the most intriguing exhibits on pop-culture currently in California; Beyond Ultraman, (Oct 10 - Jan 6), and Murakami (Oct 29 - Feb 11).
Beyond Ultraman exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of California Art featured 7 famous artists of vinyl toy culture. From the distinct styles of "Homies" creator David Gonzales, to "Gama-Go" Tim Biskup, Gary Baseman, Bossy Bear, and more, this was one of the best vinyl toy exhibits I have attended to date. Ultraman became the representative for the vinyl culture in this informative show, and gallery-goers were treated to a wide array of toy collections and paintings all in one space. It soon became clear that these artists -- whose creations have become synonymous with their Brand -- were influenced in one way or another by Japanese Monsters, seen on television shows like Ultraman.
POP CULTURE OVERLOAD, it made sense to checkout Murakami, after attending Beyond Ultraman, just not on the same day.
MURAKAMI
I almost wasn't able to make it to the MURAKAMI exhibit located in LA's Little Tokyo District, due to poor last minute planning and transportation issues, but thankfully I got my ass to the Museum of Contemporary Art. MOCA is definitely located in the perfect place, surrounded by noodle shops, electronics and everything else you'd find in Tokyo, the exhibit itself feels right at home.
To the untrained eye, Murakami's work may seem like that of any other ani-manga artists out there, featuring much of the same themes found throughout decades of manga and Japanese animation, but Murakami stands on his own as a master of the "super-flat" style and is a leader in pop-art. His artwork isn't all that unique, being most casual and hardcore anime viewers, have seen stuff like this before... art ranging from Adult-Content (transforming naked girls), to cutesy and kiddy cartoons, one might think of him as a "sexist pig", (as one woman put it) or just simply a pervert, or a genius.
He is a master of merchandising, from T-shirts to Louis Vuitton bags. He has been embraced by the western world as something hip, cool, and trendy, especially to the LA art scene, and to entertainers like Kanye West. Murakami's work plays to the stereotype we all think of, when thinking of Japanese artists -- Cute, yet sexual-- it's unfortunate, for someone with such a huge presence and influence, the art itself doesn't seem all too intellectually stimulating. But his work still remains "cool" to the majority of contemporary art lovers, and has inspired many artists to follow his style, and footsteps by turning "art" into a Brand..
One of the highlights of this amazing exhibit was not only an on going screening of the Kanye West music video "Good Morning", but the 3D cel-shaded animation "Kaikai & Kiki", a humorous duo, and the live-action "Inochi" about an adolescent boy and his crush on a school girl. As well Gallery-goers were also treated to a trailer of sorts to the live-action project "Dharma", which left most people wondering what the fuck it was they just saw.
For exclusive video and walkthrough tour with Murakami himself, be sure to visit the MOCA MURAKAMI site.
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