Home of the Moody - Designer Vinyl Art Toy

Cuckooland Series by Bovinyl

2011-04-14T14:08:00.018-06:00

The Cuckooland Series by Bovinyl is a huge departure from the custom work and shows involving the Moody platform art toy. This new project is something that I have wanted to do for some time. The idea for this series originated in something that most people experience ... recognizing a familiar thing that may appear in a cloud, texture, piece of wood or sometimes even in a stain on a sidewalk. It could be an animal, face, object ... just about anything, even a fantastical creature, can emerge if you use your imagination.

The first Cuckooland creature, Starborn, emerged from a still-life photograph of a flower arrangement that I took at a wedding a number of years ago. The creature appeared in that photo and from that moment on, I couldn't look at it without seeing the Starborn figure. The starfish dreadlocks that sit on the creatures head morphed out of one of the arrangements uniquely shaped flowers.

Seewatt, the second creature, was discovered in a shape that emerged from a piece of granite tile on the shower wall at a hotel my wife and I stayed in during a trip to Zihautanejo Mexico. During my morning showers, my eye was drawn to this unique, horse-like creature pattern. I couldn't wait to get home to my studio to begin sculpting it. The idea for the colorful fruit plants that grow in the world that Seewatt inhabits were inspired by water drops that form shapes on the steamed up walls of a shower. Yikes ... I think I'm spending too much time taking showers!

My latest sculpt, Bunny Man, emerged out of a photo I took of a waterfall during a trip to the Caribbean island of Dominica. Again, after the ghostly image of a human figure with long ears and bunny-like arms emerged, the photograph could no longer be viewed as a beautiful waterfall ... it was now the mysterious image of the Bunny Man. There's an urban myth that has sprung up about the Bunny Man. Google the name if you are interested in grizzly murders involving a killer dressed up in a bunny costume. In contrast, my Bunny Man is a gentle, nurturing-type who protects and looks after all of the innocent forest dwelling creatures that inhabit Cuckooland.

Nephelococcygia (cloud watching) - The term that is used when people hunt for objects in clouds is Nephelococcygia. The word was first coined in the play The Birds written in 414 B.C. by the Greek comic Aristophanes. Aristophanes wrote in the style known as Old Comedy, a farcical and free stylethat permitted him to ridicule public figures and institutions. The Birds is considered his best work. The play takes place around two Athenians, Pisthetaerus and Eulpides. Fed up with the corruption that seems to govern their city, they find a solution in leaving for a better future in a better place by turning into birds and immediately begin planning a city they decide to call 'Nephelococcygia.' In their quest for a perfect city they join forces with their once human friend Tereus, the Epops, 'who is a bird, without being born of one'. Terus is convinced by Pisthetaerus and Eulpides and other birds of their right to reign the skies, and together they create an ideal, flawless city nestled in the clouds: Nephelococcygia. Rebelling against humankind and the gods alike: they fight and are the victors. Eventually Pisthetaerus marries Zeus' lover. The menu of their wedding banquet includes roasted birds, to wit, those who opposed the new rulers.

While their city never really comes into being, by capitalizing the word it refers to their imaginary city. One of the characters tells them they are crazy for seeing shapes in the clouds. So literally speaking the term nephelococcygia means cloud cuckooland or 'Cloudcuckoosville.' By today's usage the essence of the word has come to mean nonsensical cloud watching; to look for changing shapes and transformation in the cloud forms.

'Ragin' Bull' artwork for Shuffle Up & Deal 2

2011-03-18T18:34:00.005-06:00

Bovinyl partnered up with graphic wizard Aaron Keeling on the card artwork for the Shuffle Up & Deal 2 fundraiser for the Royal Canadian Legion. We narrowed it down to three designs and finally settled on the traditional playing card image (top image).

55 local artists will be designing the cards that will be transformed into a standard playing card deck (including the Jokers and the back of the cards). The original card art will be auctioned off at the 'Shuffle Up & Deal 2' fundraising event. Last year's fundraiser was a huge success with all proceeds from the sale of decks and artwork going towards programming at the Bowman Arts Centre.

Thanks again to Aaron for lending his talents to another Bovinyl art project.

Ragin' Bull Moody custom by Bovinyl

2011-03-16T16:15:00.006-06:00

Bovinyl was asked to design one of the playing cards for the 'Shuffle Up and Deal Two' fundraiser for the Royal Canadian Legion. 55 local artists will be designing the cards that will be transformed into a standard playing card deck (including the Jokers and the back of the card). The original card art will be auctioned off at the 'Shuffle Up and Deal Two' fundraising event. Last year's fundraiser was a huge success with all proceeds from the sale of decks and artwork going towards programs at the Bowman Arts Centre.

The theme for this year's set is military aircraft nose art. Nose art started as a way to identify planes, however it soon developed into a true art form. It pushed the limits of military conformity and provided a unique way of connecting troops to their lives at home. The art was inspired by memories of peacetime life and acted as a type of psychological protection against the stresses associated with war. Nose art was not officially approved by the military, however the regulations that would have seen the art removed from aircraft was never enforced.

The Ragin' Bull custom was inspired by the menacing shark mouth art that appeared on a number of different war planes such as the Spitfire and P-40 Warhawk during WWII. Ragin' Bull features a camo paint job and a working propeller.

'Headhunter Moody' custom by Ryan Fuchs (Canada)

2011-03-08T10:26:00.010-07:00

We were very impressed with the 'Headhunter Moody' custom created by talented Edmonton based artist, Ryan Fuchs. This was the first time that Ryan has customized a platform toy and we hope that it won't be his last. Ryan is a professional graphic artist and photographer with a great eye for detail.

The 'Headhunter Moody' comes complete with head-dress, spear, shrunken head and other 'equipment' ... the 'headhunters' bubble butt and twig & berries definitely brought a smile to our faces. The only things missing from this piece are a drum beat and some chanting ... "ouga chaka ouga chaka ...". Ahhh ... National Geographic would be proud of these uncensored images. Excellent job Ryan! We can't wait to see what you'll come up with next.

For more information on the talented Ryan Fuchs, visit www.fuchscreative.ca.

Lefty Moody Custom by Bovinyl

2010-08-18T12:43:00.017-06:00

Meet Lefty, the demolition expert. Well, at least he thinks he's an expert. His dented and scarred body tell a much different story. Constructed out of metal and held together by rivets, this veteran of intergalactic mining, has seen better days. Lefty is now a 'righty' after holding onto a stick of dynamite a bit too long ... he blowed himself up reeeeal good.

We love putting these faux metal customs together. We used a rust patina solution that can be picked up at most craft stores. It usually takes multiple applications to get the look, however the final product definitely makes the Moody platform appear to be constructed out of rusted metal rather than vinyl. The rivets were created using upholstery pins. The hat and dynamite were constructed out of Super Sculpey.

Moody Platform Takes Flight

2010-07-09T09:58:00.007-06:00

Bovinyl is currently working on its next platform, 'Winged Moody'. We've talked about creating a flying bovine for quite some time and finally got around to working on our first prototype. The 'Winged Moody' provides the artist with a wider range of customizing options. We think that the wings definitely add a totally new dimension to the Moody platform.

For more information on the Moody platform toy, visit www.bovinyl.ca.

Moody inspired stencil art by Jason Trotter

2010-05-05T15:49:00.011-06:00

Stencil artist, Jason Trotter, sent us images of a Moody/cosmonaut inspired art that he recently completed. The image has been stenciled onto an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of Garnet 60-grit sandpaper. The unique application of black ink over the speckled, grainy surface of the sandpaper is very effective. He's hoping to transfer the same image, only much larger, onto a brick wall sometime soon.

Jason has been producing large format stencils for the past decade. He draws his inspiration from other contemporary stencil artists such as Banksy and Shepard Fairey. He recently completed a number of commission pieces for the municipality of Lethbridge. The pieces were stenciled on expanded metal sheets and were installed on the sides of historic buildings. The subject matter for his pieces ranges from historic iconic images to more contemporary images such as Lucha Libre.

His latest stencil project, large-scale postage stamp forms on wood, is currently on display at the Penny Coffee House gallery in downtown Lethbridge.

Moody by Cuban Artist, Manuel, Arrives in Canada

2010-04-27T14:08:00.010-06:00

Well-known Cuban artist, Manuel, has completed work on his Moody custom for our 'around the world with Moody' group show that will take place at the Art Gallery of Calgary (AGC).

We were very excited to see the completed custom when it arrived from Cuba via Fredericton, NB.

To date, artists from 14 countries have completed customs for shows in both Canada and the United States. The project will culminate with the AGC show in the Spring of 2011.

Cuban artists are unfamiliar with the designer vinyl art toy movement, however Manuel has shown that a blank platform art toy can provide an opportunity for brilliant and colorful artistic expression.

Many thanks go out to Manuel who found time in his hectic schedule to apply his talents to a Moody platform. His unique and colorful style translated perfectly to the Moody canvas. As well, many thanks to his manager, Guillermo, for putting everything together and for his ongoing communication over the past year and a half.

Manuel works in a variety of media - printmaking, painting, ceramics, murals, etc. I've included one of his colorful prints as a backdrop to the Moody custom.

Check out the way Manuel incorporates a bird figure (a Moody horn becomes a beak) between the horns in the top version image.

Manuel Hernandez Valdes was born in Cuba in 1943. He has been a participating artist in many major events in Havana. His paintings have also been shown in Belgium, Mexico, Germany and Spain.

In addition to his reputation as a painter, he is also known as a cartoonist, ceramist, illustrator and humorist.

He has been honored with the Pablo Picasso Medal of UNESCO and the Journalism Prize - National Jose Marti.

His works are found in important private collections such as:

- Danielle Mitterrand Foundation
- Geraldine Chaplin Collection
- Mario Benedetti Collection

His paintings are very representative of the Cuban art that idealizes the human body and integrates nature - planting sugar cane, banana, tobacco etc. His characters reflect the gentleness and happiness of the Cuban rural-living environment.

Moody Custom by Michael Canich

2010-02-24T12:27:00.007-07:00

Twilight Moody Master Altar of Death

Another amazing Moody custom created by the talented Michael Canich. Michael has applied his skills to a number of platforms over the years and we were very pleased that he decided to work on a Moody. Michael would be the first to admit that he struggles with applying his unique style to 3D forms, however he definitely succeeded with our platform. We love this piece! For the most part, Michael works in a restricted palette (black on white), however in this case, the purple background creates an eerie, Burtonesque, feel. We'd love to see his characters translated into art toys. Make sure to check out more of his art at www.uselessweaponry.blogspot.com. Michael is always pushing the boundaries with his art and we can't wait to see more from him.

GelaSkins design by Aaron Keeling for Bovinyl

2010-02-24T11:57:00.003-07:00

Aaron Keeling created this cool 'Ghost Moody' GelaSkins design for Bovinyl. GelaSkins are removable covers for customizing and protecting portable devices such as this one for an HTC Hero android phone. The 'skin' is made out of a 3M adhesive that make GelaSkins easy to apply with no residue left behind. The adhesive allows you to reposition the skin so you can easily get a perfect fit. The GelaSkins material contains patented micro-channels that prevent air bubbles from forming which translates into easy application. For more information about GelaSkins, visit www.gelaskins.com.

LEGO Moody by Elliot Cooke (Canada)

2009-12-09T11:57:00.003-07:00

Elliot did a masterful job of creating this piece entitled 'The Brickmaster'. Our Christmas wish at Bovinyl is to see an 8 ft. high LEGO Moody ... what do you think Ellliot?

Moody Platform in Nakanari Collection

2009-10-08T16:20:00.006-06:00

Nakanari was born in South Taiwan and started collecting and designing toys from a very early age. What started out as a hobby has grown into a successful career. Unlike a lot of toy designers, Nakanari takes his ideas directly to the sculpting stage. Using polymer clay, he adds new features as he develops his unique characters.

His distinctive designer toys are infused with oriental style and a colorful mixture of innocence and cuteness. The 'Misfits of Nakanari' was the first toy line he created. He used two different characters to show the contrast between good and evil.

In 2004, B.B.birdy (premiere toy designer and first to launch Taiwanese designer toys) picked up his 'Misfits of Nakanari' design for his Funny Club series. That year he also began working on the Funny Club Show. He worked with over 150 international artists, travelling all over the United States and Asia.

Nakanari has exhibited with other well-known artists like Emmy Award-winning 'Teacher’s Pet' creator Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, graffiti legend SEEN, Cameron Tiede, popular toy designer MAD, Sket One, Frank Kozik, Jada Toy Crew, X-Concept designer Chito, and Mattel’s Hot Wheel head-designer MIQ WILLMOTT.

His work has been exhibited and collected around the world. For more on Nakanari, visit his blog at www.nakanari.blogspot.com. Check earlier Bovinyl posts for his Moody custom.

Blue Diablo Moody by Reddprime (South Africa)

2009-08-05T12:51:00.006-06:00

Bovinyl was pleased to receive this nicely executed Moody custom from our friend from the 'dark continent' - Mitchell Horn a.k.a. Reddprime. We're huge fans of Mitchell's work. He's a talented artist with a varied and vibrant imagination. He always puts everything he has into his art and is keen to experiment with new techniques and materials.

Mitchell has been drawing ever since the day he could grasp a pencil. As he grew, so did his passion for art and urban toys. He took a serious approach to art during his studies at Goldfields FET College in his native country of South Africa. While honing his skills at art school, he started to develop and create a wide range of characters (a sampling above) ... each with a unique flair that was inspired by his love for Japanese Anime.

Mitchell recently took part in a very successful group show in Germany - Bigwood Berlin Exhibition.

He finds inspiration in the work of Gus Fink, Antz81 and Nevermore.

Check out more of Mitchell's work on Flickr.

Moody Custom for SAAG Art Auction

2009-07-22T15:55:00.005-06:00

This Moody custom was created for the upcoming art auction at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG). Moody customs have been included in the past three auctions. This year will mark the gallery's 17th annual auction.

It's always an enjoyable evening, filled with great art, food and music.

The SAAG fosters the work of contemporary artists who challenge the boundaries, encourages broad public engagement and promotes awareness and exploration of artistic expression. The SAAG's work extends to the local community, the national realm and the international sphere.

Check out more about the SAAG at www.saag.ca.

IWG Customs Available at Big Cartel!

2009-05-20T12:44:00.006-06:00

There are still a number of amazing IWG customs available at BIG CARTEL. Check it out!

The customs were created for the 'Humans Beware' show that is taking place at Rocketworld in San Francisco until June 6.

'I.W.G. is in da House' Custom for Humans Beware Show

2009-03-24T12:05:00.017-06:00

Bovinyl is participating in the upcoming 'Humans Beware' custom show at Rocketworld in San Francisco.

The completed custom, 'I.W.G. is in da House', also utilizes the Obama platform by Jailbreak Toys.

Medium: acrylic paint, polymer clay, mixed media.

The idea: The immediate goal for the I.W.G. (Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo) was to resist human destruction and domination of their ‘natural’ habitat. They accomplish this through a variety of means, including the use of weaponry and combat. With the emergence of Barack Obama, the I.W.G. sought out the new President in an attempt to create change through political means. The headline in the San Francisco Chronicle reads “Obama Appoints I.W.G. to U.S. Fish and Wildlife”. The insurgents hope to stop the destructive human ways from inside ‘da House’.

Show opens on Friday, April 10, 2009 (6-10 p.m.) and runs until June 6, 2009. Opening reception with snacks and drinks.

Venue - Rocketworld (660 - 22nd Street, San Franciso)

For more information about the show, visit - http://www.blue77gallery.com/shows/iwg/.

Creator of the I.W.G. Series and owner of Rocketworld, Patrick Ma, is working alongside artist/customizer DrilOne. Their goal is to put on one heck of a custom show.

The platform being used will be various blank I.W.G. figures, which includes bears, rhinos, rhinos on vespas, bears on vespas, and many more. This show features over 70+ artists, including: Angry Woebots, Apina, Betso, Brent Nolasco, Cris Rose, Ckawkees, El Maz, D-Lux, FAS, Jeremiah Ketner, Jim Koch, Keith Poon, Leecifer, Lou Pimental, Motorbot, Okedoki, Paulkaiju, PhuEk, Reactor 88, Toybotstudios and many, many more.

Part of the proceeds from purchases made at Rocketworld are donated to a variety of non-profit groups and organizations such as the Gorilla Foundation, International Rhino Foundation, Zoo Conservation Outreach Group, Friends of the Sea Otter and the World Wildlife Fund. When time permits, Patrick spends time in the field with wildlife groups.

To read more about Patrick and Rocketworld, visit www.rocketworld.org.

I.C.U. Moody Featured in YouTube Video

2009-03-13T10:37:00.002-06:00

I.C.U. Moody Lands In Chicago

2009-03-05T15:49:00.025-07:00

The designer vinyl art toy movement is alive and well in the 'Windy City'. Urban art toy destination, Rotofugi, is leading the way with featured artists and designers. Rotofugi has definitely paved the way for other designer vinyl stores in the area. I.C.U. felt right at home amongst the incredible selection of toys, art, fashion and customs.

I.C.U. Moody took the opportunity to check out the sites in 'Chi-town'. The highlights during the brief stay were Rotofugi, Millenium Park, Sears Tower, The Art Institute of Chicago, Palmer House Hotel and, 'oh yeah', the incredible deep-dish pizza . The Palmer House is a hidden gem and is a must see. It has been restored ($150 million investment) to its orginal character and charm.

We'll be transforming the 'I.C.U. Chicago' images into a new YouTube video. Watch for it!

Bovinyl/Ted Stilson Participating in the 'Humans Beware' I.W.G. Custom Show in San Francisco

2009-02-18T12:08:00.002-07:00

I will be participating in the upcoming I.W.G. (Insurgents Wilderness Gruppo) custom show at Rocketworld in San Francisco.

I'm a huge fan of Rocketworld and can't wait to start working on one of their platform toys.

Creator of the I.W.G. Series and owner of Rocketworld, Patrick Ma, is working alongside artist/customizer DrilOne. Their goal is to put on one heck of a custom show.

The platform being used will be various blank I.W.G. figures, which includes bears, rhinos, rhinos on vespas, bears on vespas, and many more. This show features over 60 artists, including: Angry Woebots, Apina, Betso, Brent Nolasco, Cris Rose, Ckawkees, El Maz, D-Lux, FAS, Jeremiah Ketner, Jim Koch, Keith Poon, Leecifer, Lou Pimental, Motorbot, Okedoki, Paulkaiju, PhuEk, Reactor 88, Toybotstudios and many, many more.

The army of I.W.G. figures will definitely dampen some diapers.

Opening reception starts on April 10th at Rocketworld in San Francisco.

Part of the proceeds from purchases made at Rocketworld are donated to a variety of non-profit groups and organizations such as the Gorilla Foundation, International Rhino Foundation, Zoo Conservation Outreach Group, Friends of the Sea Otter and the World Wildlife Fund. When time permits, Patrick spends time in the field with wildlife groups.

To read more about Patrick and Rocketworld, visit www.rocketworld.org.

Cuban Artist, Manuel, Working on Moody Custom

2009-02-12T11:28:00.000-07:00

Well-known Cuban artist, Manuel, has started working on his Moody custom for an upcoming group show in Canada. Although Cuban artists are unfamiliar with the designer vinyl art toy movement, Manuel has shown that even 3D blank canvases can provide an opportunity for artistic expression.

We are very excited to see the completed custom and are very thankful that Manuel has made time to fit this custom into his hectic schedule. His unique and colorful style are quite evident in this piece.

Manuel's 'gatto' has definitely taken a curious liking to this unfamiliar object that has found its way into the studio.

Manuel Hernandez Valdes was born in Cuba in 1943. He has been a participating artist in many major events in Havana. His paintings have also been shown in Belgium, Mexico, Germany and Spain.

In addition to his reputation as a painter, he is also known as a cartoonist, ceramist, illustrator and humorist.

He has been honored with the Pablo Picasso Medal of UNESCO and the Journalism Prize - National Jose Marti.

His works are found in important private collections such as:

- Danielle Mitterrand Foundation
- Geraldine Chaplin Collection
- Mario Benedetti Collection

Moody Does Cuba!

2009-02-03T11:43:00.002-07:00

Once again, Moody escaped the harsh winter weather - this time travelling to the warm, lush and colorful island of Cuba.

It is a beautiful country and the people are passionate and full of life. They express their diverse culture through dance, music and art.

Cuba is a unique country and visitors are treated to a way of life that is a blend of old and new. At times you feel as if you have taken a step back in time - old cars, horse carts, crumbling architecture and no cell phones. It is an extremely interesting place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.

Although we had some fun with Moody, we also took the time to visit a number of galleries and meet some talented artists. One of those artists, 'Manuel', has agreed to work on a Moody for one of our upcoming group shows.

Manuel Hernandez Valdes was born in Cuba in 1943. He has been a participating artist in many major events in Havana. His paintings have also been shown in Belgium, Mexico, Germany and Spain.

In addition to his reputation as a painter, he is also known as a cartoonist, ceramist, illustrator and humorist.

He has been honored with the Pablo Picasso Medal of UNESCO and the Journalism Prize - National Jose Marti.His works are found in important private collections such as:
- Danielle Mitterrand Foundation - Geraldine Chaplin Collection - Mario Benedetti Collection

VIVA CUBA ... Moody Takes a Vacation!

2009-02-03T11:10:00.001-07:00

Huichol (wee-chol) Moody Custom

2009-01-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

A blank Moody took the long journey from Canada to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and came back adorned in colorful beadwork applied by a Huichol Indian by the name of Roberto.

To create bead art, the Huichol Indians place a thin layer of beeswax with pine resin onto a hollowed out gourd or other form. Small, colorful beads made from glass are then picked up with a long needle and pressed into the wax. Using complex designs and symbols, the result is stunning.

Each piece tells a unique story about the legacy of their tribe, while each symbol is a representation of the many facets of their 'animism' religion.

Huichol beadwork originated as an art form long before the Spaniards set foot in Mexico. Bone, clay, coral, jade, pyrite, shell, stone turquoise and seeds colored with insect and vegetable dyes were utilized instead of the glass seed beads used today. The seed beads are finer and smaller and, as a result, more detailed work is being created. These beads are very similar to those that were brought to the mountains of Mexico by missionaries in the 18 century.

You can find Huichol bead work done in both traditional and contemporary designs. Because of the small number of artists and the individual creativity, no two pieces of bead art are alike.
Although some of the Huichol Indians create bead art for pleasure, most use the art to help generate income for the tribes.

Today, you can find a few Huichol Indians willing and eager to embrace modern life but most prefer to remain tucked away in their remote mountains where they work by hand with natural materials to create some of the most amazing pieces of art found in the world.

Matt Doughty from Onell Design Launches his Govurom Spaceship Moody for the Pravus Gallery Show

2008-04-30T14:33:00.000-06:00

Matt Doughty definitely pushed the outer limits with this brilliant Govurom spaceship Moody custom. The character that accompanies the Moody custom is Onell Design's newest toy, Govurom, which will make its debut at the opening of 'Don't Cry Over Spilt VINYL' on May 2 at the Pravus Gallery in downtown Phoenix. Matt's custom will definitely be a huge hit with attendees.

Matt and his partners at Onell Design http://www.onelldesign.com/ have gained a strong following within the toy collector world. Their expertly crafted and highly articulated toys are in huge demand. If you haven't seen one of their toys up close, I urge you to visit their online store and pick up a Pheyden or some of the other amazing characters from the Glyos System Series.
Here is an excerpt from their local newspaper, the Beacon, that will provide you with a glimpse into the man behind Onell Design.

In the first room, a massive collection of action figures stand their posts on a network of shelves or hang from the walls, like sentries guarding the entrance to the second room, Doughty’s workshop.

Like the first room, nearly every square inch of this inner sanctum is dedicated to action figures. Walking through the room requires carefully maneuvering between a few bare patches of carpet. There are action figures hanging from the walls and overflowing from plastic bins on the floor.
In the corner is the desk where Doughty, an Acton resident, first crafted Pheyden, the hallmark of Onell Design, an independent toy and comic book manufacturer based in Acton. Doughty, 34, and his wife Michelle started four and a half years ago. Doughty decided to go ahead with his dream after spending seven years working for his wife’s family’s generator company, Buxton Service.

Pheyden and Doughty’s other figure, Exellis, stand 2.75 inches tall and hark back to the durable, affordable, small-scale action figures of the 1980s, bucking the trend of the independent toy movement, which is largely built around elaborate vinyl figures intended mainly for collectors. Doughty is more than happy to demonstrate Pheyden’s durability by hurling him against the floor and popping his arms and legs off only to reassemble them, tactics he often uses when presenting the figure at comic book conventions.

Check out more information about Onell Design at http://onelldesign.blogspot.com/.

'Mad Cowboy' Moody by Dr. Bao/NVC Crew

2008-04-30T14:28:00.000-06:00

This stunning custom was well worth the wait. Dr. Bao and Spive put their hearts and souls into this custom. 'Mad Cowboy' is vintage NVC Crew ... excellent concept, attention to detail, brilliant execution. Check out more about 'Mad Cowboy' at Toysrevil - http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2008/04/about-that-madcowboy-moody-custom-by.html - 'Mad Cowboy' is on its way to Phoenix for the 'Don't Cry Over Spilt VINYL' show. Arizona is cattle country and this custom is sure to be right at home at the Pravus Gallery. Bao and Spive put the finishing touches on their custom after returning from a successful trip to NYCC, where they unveiled their first production toy - Ishikawa 'The Roller Warrior'. Every piece of the Ishikawa project, from concept to packaging, was built by Bao and Spive and the results are amazing. Read Andy's in-depth interview at Toysrevil - http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2008/04/nvc-crews-ishikawa-roller-warrior-nycc.html. A huge THANK-YOU to Bao and Spive from everyone at Bovinyl. You guys are true 'Custom Masters'. http://www.drbao-nvc.blogspot.com/

'Hugsy' Moody by Nick Louma (Canada)

2008-01-18T10:11:00.001-07:00

"I'M ONLY A MONSTER ON THE OUTSIDE"

Don't let Hugsy's fierce appearance fool you. Hugsy lives for only one purpose - to find, love and hug other creatures. The creatures that inhabit this strange, dark world, live in constant fear that they will be captured and taken back to Hugsy's cave. Much like Frankenstein's monster, it does not know its own strength. Hugsy's happiness is always short-lived because his new friends never wake up after he gives them their first hug. Hopefully, these cute, cuddly chicks will be able to escape before Hugsy decides to literally 'hug them to death'. "Peep, peep, SQUISH!" So sad : (

HULK Spiki x Moody by Nakanari (United States)

2008-01-18T09:58:00.000-07:00

Tony Shiau Nakanari was born 1979 in South Taiwan and from childhood began collecting and designing toys. It grew from one of Nakanari’s favorite hobbies to a career he wanted to pursue when he grew up. “Designing toys never started on paper for me, because I never really liked to draw. Instead, I would picture a design in my head and just start molding them out of Super Sculpey, adding new features as I went along.” Nakanari's distinct designer toys are infused with oriental style and a colorful mixture of innocence and cute characters. “The Misfits of Nakanari was the very first toy line I came up with. I used two different characters to show contrast, just like good vs. evil.” In 2004, B.B.birdyprmier toy designer and first to launch Taiwanese designer toys, picked up Nakanari’s “Misfits of Nakanari” design for his Funny Club series. That year Nakanari also began working on the Funny Club Show. “As show director for the 2004 Funny Club Show,” explains Nakanari, “the idea was to have a number of artists bring their talent from 2D to 3D artwork on blank canvas toys. This was the beginning of my dream of working with over 150 global artists, traveling the U.S. from the east to the west coast as well as exhibiting in Asia.”

Nakanari has exhibited with other well knows artists like Emmy award winning "Teacher’s Pet" creator Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, graffiti legend "Seen", Cameron Tiede, popular toy designer MAD, Sket One, Frank Kozik, Jada Toy Crew, x-concept designer Chito and Mattel’s Hot Wheels head designer MIQ WILLMOTT. Nakanari’s work has been exhibited and collected around the world.

For more information on the art of Tony Shiau Nakanari visit http://www.nakanari.blogspot.com/.

Moody Idols - the Urban Vinyl Toy Movement

2007-12-10T10:05:00.001-07:00

Moody Idols, featuring customs by local and international artists, opened on November 9 and runs until January 11, 2008 at the University of Lethbridge’s Helen Christou Gallery.

The U of L is home to one of the most significant holdings of art in Canada with over 13,000 objects. The U of L Art Gallery maintains the collection, organizes on campus and touring exhibitions and provides access to the collection as part of the Faculty of Fine Arts.

The Helen Christou Gallery provides a significant increase in public access because it is located in a prominent location that is part of the main pedestrian route for visitors and students. Because of its unique location, Moody Idols will potentially be seen by over 9,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus.

The show was organized by guest curator/artist Ted Stilson and Bovinyl. Moody Idols was a year and a half in the making and includes a diverse group of 47 artists representing 10 countries.

The Moody Idols show not only showcases 53 custom Moody’s, it is also designed to educate students, faculty and the public about designer vinyl toy culture and the ‘low brow’ art movement. Over 100 toys, plush, original art, prints and publications, ranging from 3” Dunny’s to a pencil sketch by Scott Musgrove, have been included as part of the show. Two video monitors and headsets have also been installed which show a variety of stop-action videos and the recently released ‘Toys Are Us: A Revolution in Plastic’ documentary by XRay Films.

Cameron Tiede (United States); Victor ‘Marka27’ Quinonez (United States); Ayako ‘Uamou’ Takagi (Japan); PhuEK (Singapore); Aaron Keeling (Canada); Tyson Summers (United States); ‘The Fiend’ (UK); Tan-Ki (France); Brandon Sopinsky (United States); Shin Tanaka (Japan); Megumi Nogochi (Canada); Janice Rahn (Canada); Misha ‘Streetrock’ (Russia); Khayne Tan (Singapore); Miles Van Yperen (Canada); John Oreshik (Canada); Erwin Weber (The Netherlands); Nick Louma (Canada); Dan ‘Wavedog’ Fenelon (United States); Keeley Carrigan (United States); Jason Kochis (United States); Will Osler (Canada); Michael Campbell (Canada); Jenn Rourke (Canada); Jeff Orriss (Canada); Chris Ryniak (United States); Barbara Warren (Canada); Lana Ing Gabor (Canada); Brent Nolasco (United States); Ian Bickley (UK); David K. Rose (United States); Bil Betsovic (United States); Sol Nte ‘Figurepunk’ (UK); Bo Ye (China); Erin and Kelly Carty (Canada); Anna Puchalski ‘Angel Devil’ (United States); Darren Booth (Canada); Devon Bowman (Canada); Wendy June (Australia); Jennifer Kellogg (United States); Matt ‘Mother’ Connelly (United States); PlaysKewl (The Netherlands); Attila Adorjany (Canada); Troy Denning (United States); Leila Armstrong (Canada); Bunka (France); Ted Stilson (Canada).

Moody Custom by Tan-ki (France)

2007-08-22T16:13:00.000-06:00

Tan-ki is a talented graphic designer and the creator of the Kitoy DIY platform toy. I was honored when he decided to apply his amazing talents to a Moody platform. His whimsical, psychedelic patterned Moody is a feast for the eyes. Viewers of this colorful custom are definitely taken on a 'Magical Mystery Tour.' Tan-ki is not only a talented artist and designer, but is also one of the main promoters of custom vinyl through his comprehensive http://www.kitoy.fr/ site. I urge you to check it out ... you won't be disappointed.

'ICU' Moody Custom by Pyprdwn (Canada)

2007-08-22T15:58:00.000-06:00

"I opened my eye upon a strange and weird landscape. I knew that I was on Earth; not once did I question either my sanity or my wakefulness. I was not asleep, no need for pinching here; my inner consciousness told me as plainly that I was upon Earth as your conscious mind tells you that you are upon Mars. You do not question the fact; neither did I." - Adapted from A Princess on Mars (written in 1911, first published hardback in 1917):
Pyprdwn's cyclopean Moody custom blends perfectly into a backdrop of greenery.

More Digital Moody Images by Aaron Keeling

2007-03-12T15:44:00.000-06:00

Check out more incredible images created by Aaron at www.aaalke.spaces.live.com.

Moody Custom by Angel Devil (United States)

2007-02-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Angel Devil, a.k.a. AD Puchalski, is an amazingly talented artist. She is probably best known for her unique, handmade, one-of-a-kind creations. She has collaborated with Toy2R on a variety of projects including the popular Cheshire Cat series. You can discover more about this extremely creative artist at: www.angeldevilland.com or www.wootini.com.

Sneak Peek at Dr. Bao/NVC Crew Moody Custom

2007-02-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneak peek at the Moody that is being worked on by Dr. Bao and Spive. These images appeared in a recent post on the Toysrevil blog. This in-depth article provides readers with an interesting, behind-the-scenes look at the lives and art of these Canadian custom masters. Dr. Bao and Spive have quickly established themselves as two of the most creative, talented and respected artists within the designer vinyl toy movement. I can't wait to see the completed piece. Check out the post at: http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2007/02/kustom-kungfu-with-nvc-crew.html.

'Mr. Moody' Custom by Jennifer Kellogg (United States)

2007-02-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

When I decided to contact artists to participate in my Moody project, I thought that it would be interesting to invite people that weren't necessarily working within the designer vinyl art movement. Jennifer is one of those artists. Jennifer is a talented designer who has created her own line of jewelry that is currently being sold at a number of major retail locations across the United States. Her work has been featured in Maxim Magazine, US Weekly, German GQ, In-Style and many other publications. Her contemporary jewelry has even found its way into the collections of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and has been worn by cast members of the popular 'Sex and the City' TV series. Mr. Moody is one of two pieces she has created for my upcoming custom shows. Her next custom, 'Mooeep', is sure to spark fond childhood memories of Easter vacations. Here's a bit more about Jennifer and her thoughts about art and design - Jewelry, as an art form, has the power to create moods, provoke opinions and produce reactions. At her studio in downtown Manhattan, this is the design philosophy that New York based jewelry designer Jennifer Kellogg follows in creating and developing her own unique collection of jewelry. Although she uses precious metals and stones in her work, the design is of much greater importance to Jennifer than the intrinsic value of the materials she works with. Her ultimate goal is evoking humor, whimsy and rare imagination through the use of striking color and inventive design in each of her pieces, which is what gives Jennifer Kellogg her signature look. www.jenniferkellogg.com.

Moody Custom by Erwin Weber (The Netherlands)

2007-01-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

This impressive, well-executed, custom comes from the creative mind of talented graphic designer Erwin Weber from the Netherlands. The 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Moody' custom is a tribute to Erwin's childhood heroes. Erwin's other work includes illustration, logo design, web design and, of course, vinyl toy customs. One of his designs, 'Trexi Racer', was selected by Play Imaginative for their Series 2 set of blind box, 3-inch toys. www.erwinweber.nl.

'Moobot' Moody Custom by Dan 'Wavedog' Fenelon (United States)

2007-01-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

The 'Wavedog' continues to push the boundaries with his unique, colorful and detailed customs. 'Moobot' is Dan's 3rd, and in my opinion, most impressive Moody custom. Although Dan works in a variety of mediums, his unique painting style is perfectly suited to platform toys. His art was featured in an in-depth article in the August Playtimes Magazine - http://www.wavedog.com/2news/platime.htm. Definitely check out his site to see more art from this prolific and talented artist. www.wavedog.com.

Moody Custom by Dan 'Wavedog' Fenelon (United States)

2007-01-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

'Monkey-Goat Moody' Custom by Jenn Rourke & Jeff Orriss (Canada)

2006-12-12T17:02:00.000-07:00

'Topiary Satellite Moody' Custom by Michael Campbell (Canada)

2006-12-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

'Sweet Art Moody' Custom by Erin and Kelly Carty (Canada)

2006-12-05T15:24:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by John Oresnik (Canada)

2006-12-05T12:06:00.000-07:00

'Moo-haha Moody' Custom by Attila Adorjany (Canada)

2006-12-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

Attila's Moody custom depicts the good and evil sides of his two-faced 'Moo-haha' character. The evil side is reminiscent of a Bali demon mask with the good side representing a slightly unhappy, benign, bovine. Attila is a master customizer whose work has met with rave reviews from fans of his art. His customs are in high demand, and as a result, Attila has participated in a number of group shows of late including the Munny Shot Show in Bristol, England and the Love of Munny Show at the Bear & Bird Boutique Gallery in South Florida. Expect big things from this emerging and talented Canadian artist. The following is Attila's bio from www.600poundgorilla.com. Attila Adorjany was born in Toronto Canada, Attila spent his formative teen years in Australia . He lives with his wife and daughter in Toronto . Early exposure to a combination of film, video games and comic books he developed a passion for visual art and art narratives. As a commercial artist his work has appeared in all areas of the print and entertainment industries with credits including Warner bros., EA Games, BBDO, MacLaren - McCann, Miramax and Warner Music Canada . Over the past few years his work has expanded to include music videos, motion typography, sculpture, designer toys and comicbooks.

Moody Custom by Ted Stilson (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:58:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jack at VinylPulse for putting together the first article to appear anywhere about the Moody Project. 'Ted Stilson's Moody', appeared on VP (October 2006) -

http://www.vinylpulse.com/2006/10/ted_stilsons_mo.html

Also, thanks to Toybot Studios for this post -

http://toybotstudios.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html

Toybot Studios is an online magazine featuring news, reviews, previews, photography and articles on Japanese toys, mecha, action figures, trading figures, designer toys, video games, anime and toy culture.

Moody Custom by Barbara Warren (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Ted Stilson (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom Group Photos ... smile for the camera!

2006-12-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

These photos were taken by Aaron Keeling in my makeshift kitchen studio on a bright Sunday morning. Not only is Aaron a talented graphic artist, he is also an amazing photographer. You can check out more of his work at www.aaalke.spaces.live.com.

Lucha Libre Moody's (Keeling vs. Stilson)

2006-12-01T15:29:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Amy Dodic (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:23:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Aaron Keeling (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

'Alien Viper Moody' Custom by Aaron Keeling (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:14:00.000-07:00

'Stab the Dragon Moody' Custom by Matthew Connelly (United States)

2006-12-01T15:11:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Shanell Papp (Canada)

2006-12-01T15:09:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by DKR (United States)

2006-11-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

'BSE Moody' Custom by Miles van Yperen (Canada)

2006-11-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

'Hero 36 Moody' Custom by Darren Booth (Canada)

2006-11-25T14:13:00.000-07:00

Check out a stop-action video created by Darren at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69AJ28VUmUA. Darren did an excellent job of bringing a Moody to life in this brilliant little flick. I definitely got a kick out of seeing it for the first time ... especially when 'Hero 36' waddles away.

Moody Custom by Khayne Tan (Singapore)

2006-11-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Ted Stilson (Canada)

2006-11-23T14:18:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Brent Nolasco (United States)

2006-11-23T14:09:00.002-07:00

Emerging artist Brent Nolasco is a name to be reckoned with in the art world. He has developed a unique style that translates perfectly to vinyl platforms. As you can see from this Moody custom, the attention to color, design and detail is brilliant. Brent held his first solo show, Mutation, last April at the Seams Gallery in Long Beach, California. Here's a bit of Brent's philosophy on his art. The development of my art involves constant evolution to new ideas and new forms. Progression and change are what I live for. My art gives me the opportunity to create different situations and environments from the landscapes in my mind. I like to break down and rebuild surfaces using various mixed media. Everything in my life and art intermingle into harmony for me. You can check out more of his work at www.brentjeromenolasco.30art.com.

Moody Custom by 'The Fiend' (UK)

2006-11-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Jason Kochis (United States)

2006-11-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Sol Nte - Figurepunk (UK)

2006-11-17T15:17:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already done so, I urge you to check out the Figurepunk website. Sol Nte is definitely 'doing his own thing.' He has created some very cool toys over the past few years. A Figurepunk toy made its way into the recently published book 'Dot Dot Dash.' When I started down the road with the creation of my own toy, the Figurepunk DIY section definitely provided me with some interesting ideas. Here's a bit of what Figurepunk is all about - Founded in 2004, Figurepunk is based in Stoke-on-Trent in the UK. It is an experiment in independent designing, sculpting and manufacturing avant-garde art toys. Figurepunk creates toys as limited edition art objects in deliberately small editions. There is no aim, no plan, some of the figures aren't even for sale ... it's a DIY thing, a creative freedom thing, a punk thing. As time goes on and we see ever greater monopoly of toy production by large companies, so it becomes more important for individual cultural workers to offer an alternative to shallow mass market products. Inspired by Asian independent toy artists Figurepunk makes toys with originality, individuality and character. We encourage others to do the same! www.figurepunk.com.

Digital Moody's by Aaron Keeling (Canada)

2006-11-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

Check out more of Aaron's images at www.aaalke.spaces.live.com.

Moody Custom by Devon Bowman (Canada)

2006-11-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

'Worship Me Moody' Custom by Tyson Summers (United States)

2006-11-17T15:04:00.000-07:00

Moody Plush by Wendy McLean (Australia)

2006-11-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Wendy McLean (Australia)

2006-11-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

'Lester the Devil Moody' Custom by Keeley Carrigan - Bloo Empire (United States)

2006-11-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Chris Ryniak (United States)

2006-11-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Dan 'Wavedog' Fenelon (United States)

2006-11-17T14:20:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Erwin Weber (The Netherlands)

2006-11-16T15:45:00.000-07:00

'Moodyeti Moody' Custom by Ayako Takagi (Japan)

2006-11-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

Moody Custom by Shin Tanaka (Japan)

2006-11-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Moody - A Toy Story

2006-11-16T15:05:00.002-07:00

The Moody toy started out as a simple idea that soon got way, way out-of-control. How can a simple doodle turn into a limited production run DIY vinyl toy? Well, I’ll tell you. It all started with a simple little pen and ink doodle of a cow/demon that turned into an ink and charcoal drawing and eventually into a primitive sculpt that stood about 5 inches high. The initial sculpt was fashioned out of a few multi-colored Super Sculpey bricks that had found their way into my studio soon after Christmas Day 2005.

The first sculpt, although crude, looked like it might have some potential. When the second sculpt was completed, it definitely looked at home amidst a number of the DIY toys that share my studio space with me. I soon ran afoul when I began to think that I could build a mold and make castings of hundreds of toys. Hmmm, I’ve always wanted to be a toymaker. I might even be able to get some of my artist friends to use it as a dimensional canvas for their doodles. Perhaps I could find a place that might be willing to do a Moody custom show. Oh, how easy, and cheap, it is to dream. Could Moody become the next hot DIY toy on the market? Hey, I can dream can’t I? Yes, the next Tristan Eaton is born! Huge pause as a silly dreamer snaps back into reality.

Although I still had some of my multi-colored Super Sculpey left over after the initial sculpt, I needed to invest in some additional bricks for my next piece. To further complicate things, I thought that articulation would definitely add a whole new dimension to the toy. Articulation was a natural progression, however it was easier said than done, especially for a novice toy designer. After disassembling a number of articulated toys from my collection for ideas, I settled on a very rudimentary peg and hole design. It was far from perfect, but I needed to start somewhere. After weeks of sanding, tooling and tinkering my second sculpt was beginning to look a lot more like a real toy.

After researching molding and casting techniques and getting advice from toy designers and all-round good guys such as Sol-Nte (Figurepunk) from England and Tyson Summers from the U.S., I decided that I would also investigate companies that do this for a living. I contacted a number of North American companies that basically were either too busy or were not interested in small toy projects – especially from an unknown artist. Who and the hell did I think I was anyway? Not to be defeated by rejection after rejection, I continued to pursue my goal and began to contact artists who might be willing to help steer me in the right direction.

Eventually, I came across a couple of talented artists by the names of Erin and Kelly Carty … a couple of fellow Canadians who had just completed work on their first toy, Twink. Prior to getting in touch with Erin and Kelly, I had purchased one of their amazing little Twink toys for my collection. They provided me with the name of a contact person, Lawrence, who works for a relatively small toy company in Shenzhen, China.

This is where the whole thing really got crazy. Yipes! … I was now communicating with a person half way around the world, who was assuring me that they would be able to produce 500 of my toys. This was substantially more toys than I needed for my art toy project, however it was the smallest production run they would do. He also assured me that his company had a great team of technicians that could figure out how best to make sure my toy had professionally constructed articulation points. Brilliant stuff! My extremely patient and supportive wife provided me with a gentle nudge and the rest is, well, not quite, history. Moody was born after 7 months of sweat, tears and much labor. Created in Canada … built in China. Ah, success … one little idea implemented!

The support from the artistic community has been overwhelming to say the least. I have been extremely fortunate to assemble a diverse and talented group of artists from around the world who have graciously agreed to participate in my little art toy project. The 35 Moody group artists come from Russia, China, England, Singapore, Australia, Japan, The Netherlands, United States and, of course, Canada. The artists will each customize a Moody and return them for shows that I am in the process of organizing. The first scheduled appearance of the Moody customs will take place at the Helen Christou Gallery at the University of Lethbridge in November 2007. I am also in the process of organizing other shows that will hopefully take place in advance of the U of L show.

Although my little art toy project has been extremely gratifying, the process was definitely not for the feint of heart. However, if you do have the desire and a pile of spare cash that is burning a hole in your pocket, I can definitely say that it has been one of the most rewarding things I have accomplished as an artist.

Now, if I could only find a home for the Moody army that currently resides in my basement. Forward, march! Hut, two, three, four!