I’ve known about Illustrator George Mackay’s eejits for some time now, but it wasn’t until George sent me a customized Toe Fluff that looked like an one of his eejits that I had to ask him, “What exactly are eejits?” But rather than just ask him one question, I figure we may as well go the whole hog and do a proper interview! So, here goes!
Steve Rack (SR):
What are eejits?
George:
‘eejits’ are (as my tagline goes): a curious collection o’ creatures. Cartoon critters and creations that often have a life of their own. My job is to scour the Highlands of Scotland for them (luckily I don’t have far to go as there are many eejits around me) and put them on show for the world to see. They come in all shapes and sizes, colours and textures. Each one is as unique (and as stupid) as the last.
If you visit the site, you’ll notice that they don’t really have names. There’s not many called Dave or Mark, in fact there’s none. So to identify them , I’ve been tagging them with their species classification: eejitus whatevertheylooklikius (or similar). They never really tell me if they are happy with the classifications I give them…..
SR:
How long have you been creating eejits, and how many are there?!
I have been ‘capturing’ eejits for many a year now, some have been easier than others to put on show. I’ve been dragging them, kicking and screaming in some cases, onto the interweb for the last 5 years, on and off. There are nearly 300 eejits on my website now. A few more are lurking in the shadowy corners of my house waiting anxiously for their turn to be shown to the world. I usually tease them out with biscuits…..
SR:
Do you have an imaginary world where they all exist?
The only world they have at the moment is the one that is stuck in my head. I imagine that they’d all like to live in a peaceful, secluded glen in the Highlands somewhere. A place where they could run free and get up to all the stupid things they like to do when no-one is watching.
SR:
Do you have any future plans for eejits?
George:
Hell yeah! I’m currently working on the first eejits book where I’ll be taking some of the eejits captured on the website plus a heap o’ new & unseen creatures and (hopefully) developing their characters a bit more within the pages. Notes on their characteristics, that sort of thing. I’ve just only started it and am concentrating on getting as many interesting creatures as I can ready to be included in the book.
I’d also love to create a new website to house the burgeoning collection o’ creatures. They’re not getting any smaller or any less! Past attempts to create something that is functional but still massages yer peepers have failed miserably. I may have to bite the bullet and get someone to help me out.
Other than that I’d love to create a range o’ plush eejits for everyone to share, squeeze and love, but first things first, I want to finish the book and get it into people’s hands.
SR:
Other than eejits, what other stuff do you like drawing?
George:
Not much else at the moment. It’s all about the eejits just now. I tend to be a one project guy (well just now anyway), although I have dabbled in logo designs for a few local companies.
Before I started eejits, I tried my hand at a webcomic which was entitled ‘The Mis-Adventures of FEEK’. It was a fun ride that lasted about a year but I found that trying to write gag-a-day strips (or in my case gag-a-week) featuring my silly creature/humanoids was really hard and started to take the fun outta it. It died a death. It was probably for the best!
SR:
Which artists are you really enjoying right now?
George:
I really enjoy the work of a number of artists out there, especially guys/girls who produce interesting and eye-catching characters designs and am always open to seeing new artists work (or at least new to me). Twitter has been an amazing resource for finding great artists from all over the world and I follow quite a few from all types of character art; webcomics, cartoons, animation, computer games, the vinyl toys scene, etc.
Artists I really like just now are Bobby Chiu (imaginism/schoolism), Andrew Bell (creatures in my head), Dave Kellett (Sheldon webcomic), Lorne Lanning and the guys and gals at Oddworld Inhabitants as well as Dave and Greg from CreatureBox to name but a select few.
Of course, I really admire all the work the guys over at Pixar do, but then who doesn’t?!?
Does anyone remember Eric Schwartz?!? He did some amazing animations (featuring Amy the Squirrel, Flip the Frog, etc.) on the Amiga many years ago and he was a great influence on my style when I was a lad and still influences the way I draw now. Wonder what happened to him?!? (I heard he went off to draw porn!)
SR:
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
George:
I’d love to actually sit down, face to face, with Bobby Chiu and draw with him for a whole day, creating creatures and critters. The energy and enthusiasm that guy has for creating art is just staggering. Just to be in his presence for a wee while would be enough, but to actually have him draw with me and even teach me a few (or more than likely; a lot of) things, would be utterly, fantastically flabbergasting!
SR:
Finally. where can I get my hands on eejits goodies?
George:
At the moment, you can buy eejit prints, stickers and a couple o’ mouse mat designs from my own store. I’ve also been known to sell one or two commissions where people have either come up with their own idea for a creature they’d like to see in my style or themselves or a friend turned into an eejit. Some of them don’t even take that much work! All kidding aside though, these are great fun and challenging to do.
Thanks for taking the time out to ask me these questions Steve, it’s been a blast! Good luck with Toe Fluff exhibition. It’s simply amazing what you’ve achieved.
Thanks George!
Go visit the eejits official site over at www.eejits-online.co.uk.
Jess Bradley is one of many talented character artists that I have been fortunate enough to meet via the internet, and she has been a regular contributor to I Like Characters.com. I always enjoy seeing new work by Jess. Recently she sent me an e-mail – telling me all about her new website: www.milk-town.com At first glance I could tell that Milk Town is a fun and colourful place filled with cheeky characters and colourful narratives. In order to delve a little deeper into Jess’s imagined world, I asked her if she would like to be interviewed for I Like Characters.com.
Steve Rack (SR):
I love the Milk Town website! What’s it all about?
Jess:
I spend most of my time creating characters and for the most part, they kind of just float about not doing much. I thought it would be cool to create a whole environment for them to live in and interact and so Milk Town was born! I wanted to make something quirky and fun for my characters to exist in as well as being able to create something that could expand when new characters pop up. I also love making stuff like stickers, badges and stationary, so having a specific “brand” to focus on means I can just go crazy with the characters and produce cool things!
SR:
Do you have any main characters that you focus on?
Jess:
The main characters in Milk Town are The Mayor (green panda dude with the crown) who runs the place, The Dentist, Officer Pennywhistle, Stinky Thief, Deli Koala, Muggy Fighter and That Guy. There will be a lot of comics centred on these guys and they’re kind of like the main “gang” of Milk Town. I’m constantly doodling characters I think would work well in Milk Town though, so the character base could start getting pretty big!
SR:
What are you drawing / painting right now?
Jess:
I’m doing a lot of greetings cards for the licensing company I’m with at the moment which is really fun. I’m designing stuff I know I’d want to get on my birthday so there’s a lot of angry bears, pandas, robots and general oddness going on! People seem to be really liking them so hopefully I can get them off the ground. I’m also doing a lot of original paintings of video game, film and comic characters in my own style to sell at a comic con I’m attending at the end of May. Expect to see Transformers, Watchmen, Final Fantasy characters and Master Chiefs all looking cuter than they ever have before!
SR:
What inspires you?
Jess:
Egads, do you have a few hours? Video games like Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, Silent Hill, We Heart Katamari; I love films too and buy a few too many DVDs a month than I should. I love Japanese character design and continue to be influenced by anything by San-X – a huge character design empire over there! I’m still very much obsessed with my childhood loves such as Ulysses 31, Stoppit and Tidy-Up, Dungeons and Dragons and Terrahawks. I think it’s fair to say that anything I enjoy inspires me! I keep a sketchbook on me at all times just in case something gives me an idea. I recently started to draw a daily comic which has been great as it’s kind of forced me to think of something every day to draw about, whether it be a Nintendo DS game I’m playing or how much I like cheese.
SR:
Who are your favourite artists right now?
Jess:
I’m a huge fan of David Horvath, Mike Mignola, Junji Ito, James Kochalka, Tom Gauld, Lucy Knisley, Michael Kupperman, Wes Anderson (not quite an artist but big influence!), Satoshi Kon – the list really does go on! I used to work in a comic shop so my list of artists I love went through the roof. Anything by Guy Davis, Jeffrey Brown, Jason and Brian Lee O’Malley pretty much makes me dribble.
SR:
Any exciting plans for the future?
Jess:
Hopefully, yes! I’ve just designed a couple of t-shirts for an American horror convention; I’m in the process of starting a potentially exciting character design project for a company in America and continue to design t-shirts for Genki Gear. I’m also starting to develop a series of children’s books to pitch to publishers on another character brand I’ve had kicking about for a while. That’s a whole ‘nother interview though! 
SR:
Which character in Milk Town are you most like?
Jess:
I’d say The Mayor, mostly because I wish I had a crown that just floated over my head, but also because he looks quite manically happy all the time!
Thanks Jess! Hope you guys enjoyed the interview! Now, go visit Milk Town!
Filed under: Art, Interview, Toys | Tags: Crazy Label, Droplet, Gavin Strange, Jam Factory
Hmmm. Now what could possibly be in Gavin Strange’s rather suspect looking package?
I for one happen to know that this particular box traveled all the way from Hong Kong; containing a custom Droplet toy by friend and fellow artist, Bubi Au Yeung. Bubi is one of many talented artists from around the world that have designed a custom Droplet – and they will all be revealed in a blaze of glory at the launch night of Droplet Series 2.
So, what are Droplets, you might ask? Well Droplets are these amazingly cute and curious little characters designed by the super-creative powerhouse that is Gavin Strange AKA Jam Factory (not to mention, senior online designer for Aardman Animations), and this week, no doubt, Gavin will be counting down the days with great anticipation and excitement to the launch of the Droplet Series 2 this Saturday (details below).
If Droplets were edible I would eat them nice and slow, savoring every single ounce of super-sick sweetness.
So, because I know that lots of you that read this blog are really into your designer toys (including me), I was super excited when Gavin agreed to a little pre-Droplet launch interview for I Like Characters.com!
Let the questioning commence.
Steve Rack (SR)
For those that don’t know, who is Gavin Strange and why do some people refer to you as Jam Factory?
Gavin:
Gavin Strange is a short human being who resides in Bristol, UK, and he spends his day making stuff out of pixels at the magical fun house that is Aardman Animations. At night he goes home to his secret lair, the Jam Factory, where he creates a plethora of pixels in the form of illustrations to characters to dabbling with photography and making films.
SR:
So, you’ve created this awesome character called Droplet that has been turned into a toy by the amazing Crazy Label! That must have been so cool to see your character brought to life. What was it like holding your first ever Droplet toy?
Gavin:
It was nothing short of amazing! I remember that day the postman delivered me the first prototypes from Crazy Label, it was such a fantastic feeling – having something real and tangible to hold from months of work is the greatest reward!
SR:
I see on your blog that the Droplet series 2 launch party for is on the 6th of at FiftyFifty in Bristol. Will you be there?
Gavin:
Oh yes most definitely! I’m organizing the whole thing (I get up early before work and spend all evening on it) and will be there on the night to make sure everything runs smoothly. I’ll be the one running around like a headless chicken but grinning like a mad man!
SR:
From the pics I’ve seen on your blog of the new Droplets, I have to say my favourite is the one with the crown. Which is your favourite, or do you love them all equally?
Gavin:
Someone asked me that yesterday and I don’t know if I can pick a favourite. I love them all equally, but I think i’m especially fond of the King Droplet because of his gold finish and crown accessory!
SR:
It is great to see that the Droplet series has really kicked off. What is it that you think makes a great character design?
Gavin:
Ermm, you know what, I’m not sure! I think the magic ingredient is heart and soul really, taking that doodle from your sketchbook and giving it life with your own enthusiasm, then it can’t fail to make a great character!
SR:
Which artists are you digging right now?
Gavin:
I always change really; forever adding to my big list of inspiration, but my current favourites are: Benny Gold, Godmachine, Jambonbon and Ollie Munden, to name but a few!
SR:
Any more tricks up your sleeve for 2010?
Gavin:
Indeed! Droplet isn’t my only vinyl venture for 2010. I’ll be doing a new series of talks at Apple Stores in the UK and I hope to finish my fixed gear bike film this year too!
SR:
If you could be any character in the world for one day, who would you be?
Gavin:
Iron Man! I watched the film again last night and I just love that suit and all of Stark’s technology! Either that or Totoro!
Thanks Gavin! See you at the launch.
Links:
JamFactory.com
JamFactory.com/Droplet
CrazyLabel.com
FiftyFifty
Aardman Animations
Filed under: Art, Interview | Tags: Boys Who Draw, character art, My Last Star, Simon Corry
Good friend and fellow Boys Who Draw member Simon Corry has a passion for imagination, and beyond his award winning typography, graphic design credentials and super-detailed illustrations, there lies a land of intrigue, magic and adventure just waiting to be discovered. Enter: My Last Star.
Steve Rack (SR):
When was My Last Star born?
Simon Corry (SC):
My Last Star was born in 1985 around the same time that I was, but it wasn’t until around 2004 that the work began to bare the name.
SR:
What is My Last Star?
SC:
a long time ago, in a remote system far beyond the simple imagination…
…stood a planet of such great magnitude and beauty; the likes of which is seldom seen for light years around, even by the most weathered of travelers.
The planet’s name was “Vet-tu”, translated this reads: “Chasing the Sun”. Vet-tu is for the most part made up of “Hungaria”, these creatures nest on the planets service slowly absorbing its natural life source. The Hungaria spawn their offspring as a result of the energy obtained from the planet’s resources.
Baby Hungaria are born a lot smaller then their respective parens, but are packed with just as much energy, due to this fact the babies will tend to float into the sky propelled by the massive life source contained within. As time goes by, the baby Hungaria begins to grow, and it starts to use up more energy. Eventually the energy contained inside depletes and it is unable to sustain the Hungaria’s new dimensions. The Hungaria then begins to float back to the planets surface where it will start to absorb the life source energy and grow into an adult.
Perhaps the most curious inhabitant of all Vet-tu’s creatures is “The Trog”.
The Trog is a short yet extremely intellectual being and is from far more humble beginnings then might have been expected. The Trog race have co-existed with the Hungaria for thousands of years even using the babies as giant floating forms of transport. The level of technology reached is almost unsurpassed throughout the galaxy. Energy is gathered through a process of extraction from the great adult Hungaria. The great adults can be identified by their more varied outer colour shells. The Trogs choose to live in modest homesteads that are built on and around the Hungaria.
Once every 10,000 years a great adult Hungaria will pass away leaving a giant empty shell in its wake, these shells are used by the Trog’s to form massive housing and storage facilities. But do not be fooled by their rather simple and cute appearance. The Trogs have managed to develop a vast and deadly arsenal of weaponry and they boast a very large military presence.
Despite this rather impressive show of force, the Trogs themselves have managed to enjoy thousands of years of peace and prosperity.
They have been unchallenged and unscathed despite the series of intergalactic wars that have raged around them for many years.
Things are, however, about to change…
SR:
So where do you find inspiration?
SC:
I tend to gather ideas for my work from just about every conceivable place. I suppose looking back; the things that stick out are: computer consoles/games (Never underestimate the power of a good computer game. I’m 24 years old now and still swear by them. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that if your an illustrator their a must have.), and animation/cartoons. This probably stems back to my childhood and being sat every Saturday morning on the floor of my best mate’s house watching cartoon’s like Double Dragon and Sonic the Hedgehog. Later in my life I became a big fan of Japanese anime such as the ‘Studio Ghibli’ collection: Metropolis, Ghost in a Shell, Akira and Appleseed. TV, Films, books, magazines, internet. They all have their influential place. Currently, I recommend Mattias Adolfsson and Ingunn Dybendal if you haven’t already seen their work then prepare to be blown away.
SR:
So, as an artist, what would you say is your most memorable achievement so far?
SC:
I think so far winning the Type Directors Club Award this year has been the real highlight. Having achieved such critical acclaim has been a real milestone, and I’m looking forward to what happens next.
SR:
So what’s in the future for My Last Star and/or yourself as an artist/designer?
SC:
I’m looking at the possibility of working in the US. Specifically, New York. So if your an agency from the US and your interested in my work or believe you might know someone who would be interested, please get in touch. I would also love to work for in no particular order: Lego, Sony, Nintendo, Orange, Studio Ghibli, The New Yorker, The Guardian, Green Peace, Innocent Smoothies. I’d also really love to do collaborations with Mattias Adolfsson, Jon Burgerman, Rex Crowle and Jermeyville. So if your reading this, pretty please!
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
SC:
Imagination.
SR:
And the last question: Pluto or Goofy?
SC:
Neither. To be truthful I have never really been a fan of any traditional Disney or contemporary for that matter I think the characters are uninspired and dry. But, hey, thats just my opinion.
SR:
Thanks Simon for taking time out to do this!
Links:
www.SimonCorry.com
www.MyLastStar.com
www.BoysWhoDraw.com
Filed under: Art, Interview, Video | Tags: Bryony, character art, lizzlizz.com, Meet Mr Product, Paperlilies, Stickam, Worth1000.com, YouTube
Cute, cute and even cuter. These are images that stick in your head like a fun, catchy song. This is the art of Paperlilies (AKA Bryony).
Paperlilies is also best known for her YouTube videos: the kind that get over 1 million hits! And if anyone knows a thing or two about using the net as a successful tool for self-promotion, Paperlilies does!
After having flicked through her artwork via her Flickr galleries, I wanted to find out more about Paperlilies, the artist.
Steve Rack (SR):
Why do you draw characters?
Paperlilies:
I draw characters because it’s fun and I find it quite easy to do.
SR:
Do you have any favorite character designs (as in your own), or do you love them all equally?
Paperlilies:
I like some more than others, usually it depends on how happy I am with their expressions. Sometimes when I am trying to draw or paint something and find it very hard to get right, I’ll end up hating it, but if I manage to get it exactly how I want it, I’ll love it more because of the extra work.
SR:
I see you have created a cute and intriguing race of characters called Blobs. When you create these sorts of characters, do you imagine where they live, their personalities etc?
Paperlilies:
I don’t really. They are usually extremely one dimensional. I think that’s why they are just blobs, they don’t have much personality beyond whatever it is they are doing, though I usually imagine them as fairly amiable characters rather than malicious in any way. I think it would be hard to make them more ’rounded’ in terms of their personalities as then I’d have to include more details on their faces, which would kind of ruin their simplicity.
SR:
How has the internet affected your creative journey as an artist?
Paperlilies:
I hadn’t really considered trying to sell art before I made a video on my YouTube channel showing me painting a blob guy, sped up. I put it on eBay and it sold! It was more likely because of the audience I already had on YouTube that it had any interest, so if it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would have moved forward with painting as I have done. Since then I’ve had a few ‘Stickam painting’ days, where I’ve gone live on Stickam for a whole day and painted whatever the audience asked me to, subsequently selling the paintings and prints of the paintings. I love working in this way because I find painting very relaxing, and it’s a great way to interact with people and generate ideas.
SR:
Where do you find your inspiration for all your wonderful characters?
Paperlilies:
Aside from the Stickam days, I sometimes will just sit and start to draw and see what comes out. I find that I draw better when I don’t have a fixed idea in my mind that I want to put on the page. When I am stuck for ideas, I often refer to the book ‘Meet Mr Product‘, which is lots of images of old product spokescharacters (think the Green Giant, Tony The Tiger, etc). I love the old style of printing that restricted colour and printing techniques and meant that artists had to be more sparing and thus more ingenious with their design.
SR:
Who are your favorite artists right now?
Paperlilies:
I love Lizzlizz, who I am fortunate enough to call a friend. She does amazing comics that are hilarious, and I love Wirrow‘s work, but then I am biased, seeing as he’s my boyfriend. I also love Apak! They’re my favourites of the moment.
SR:
What advice might you give to an aspiring artist wanting to get their work ‘out there’, but lacks the self-esteem or self-motivation to do so?
Paperlilies:
I think networking is quite important. Sites like Flickr and DeviantArt are great to get things online, and are great ways to interact with other people who are into the same things as you. Something I think is worthwhile is going in for competitions online, as they not only have a prize and may get your name and work in front of other people, but it spurs you on to create, instead of just thinking about what you ought to do next. Also, it hones your skills. When I used to work in an office, I would do Worth1000.com competitions in my spare time so my Photoshop skills didn’t get rusty.
SR:
What do you think makes a great character design?
Paperlilies:
I think the expression is 80% of it for me. If a character looks amazing but has a rubbish face, I’m unlikely to love it. I like things with whimsy and cuteness mostly rather than dark, brooding characters.
SR:
If you could be any character in the world (just for one day), who would you be?
Paperlilies:
Anything that could fly.
SR:
What’s in the future for Bryony?
Paperlilies:
I’m working towards doing more stickam days, more YouTube stuff, maybe a new TV show of some kind, finishing the zombie movie I’m working on, producing more work for the Thing zine fair in March 2010, and hopefully a trip to New York sometime in the Spring. I also want to get into prop making and special effects makeup, but I think that’s all a long way off. I have a lot of irons in the fire!
SR:
Where can I buy your artwork?
Paperlilies:
Whenever I have Stickam days (and subsequent eBay auctions) I announce it on twitter, my blog, and on YouTube, and also I have recently opened a shop where you can buy postcards, badges and my zine.
SR:
And finally, what do you want for Christmas?
Paperlilies:
A bunch of new canvasses, ceramcoat paint (which I can never find in the UK!), a hair curling iron and some good whiskey.
Links:
blog http://misslilies.blogspot.com/
shop http://paperliliesmart.blogspot.com/
youtube http://www.youtube.com/paperlilies
twitter http://twitter.com/TheEnglishRose
Filed under: Art, Interview | Tags: Blood Sweat Vector collective, Society6, Stephen Chan, Thunder Chuncky
Etched with slick vector lines, his chaotic characters and cinematic scenery bring to us infectious imagery that is hard to resist.
This month Liverpool (UK) based illustrator Stephen Chan gets grilled by ILikeCharacters.com. This is Stephen’s very first interview feature, and in it Stephen tells us about his creative journey so far, including his winning image for a Don’t Panic competition, his (now) not so top secret paper toy plans and his desire to grow more arms!
Steve Rack (SR):
Who is Stephen Chan?
Chan:
Stephen Chan is a lazy boy with no direction; still confused about this big bad world of art and design. Well, with maybe slightly more direction now, I think, hmmmm…maybe.
I graduated from Product Design in 2006, but I wasn’t very good at it, and I didn’t really like all the technical stuff. I decided I should design other things, so I started doing several placements to gain experience in order to see what I enjoy most. Working is a large part of your life. Doing something you hate is pretty stupid. This period lasted around a good, large half of the year; doing mostly graphic design, branding, websites and illustration. This lead to a job in graphic / web design, igniting my passion, appreciation and admiration for illustrators and character design. I slowly developed my own illustration style in my personal time, (which is an on going process) and now I am freelancing, new and inexperienced, but hopefully, I’ll make it somehow (fingers crossed).
SR:
I see that you have been involved with 2 of the hottest paper toy projects in the world right now: Nani Bird and Speakerdog. If you were to make your very own paper toy what would it look like?
Chan:
Actually, it’s strange that you’ve asked me this, as I am designing my own paper toy template. It was meant to be top secret, but now that you’ve asked I guess I can reveal a tiny little bit about it, haha. Well, it’s inspired greatly by Asian culture and mythology. I want it to be quite different from what’s out there right now, yet keeping it simple and easy to customise. It’s a long way from being finished, but I would like to get it finalised before the end of the year.
SR:
Do you think the internet has played a very important part to your role as an artist?
Chan:
Yes… absolutely! Without the internet I would not be here answering these questions. I wouldn’t even be an illustrator, possibly. I entered quite a few competitions online during the early part of 2007, but lost most of them. This was until I entered the ‘Don’t Panic’ poster competition, sponsored by Sony Playstation, and a part of the Manchester International Festival 2007. This was the first time I tried out the illustration style that I’m using now. I got shortlisted, which was further than I have ever gotten, so I was pretty happy already. I later got an email saying that I won 1st place, and it was judged by Peter Saville too, so I must be doing something right.
I carried on with this style, and won a few more competitions, and got in a few interesting projects, all of them through the internet. So, without the internet, I don’t think I’d be here right now, and no one would know about me.
SR:
You have recently had your work featured in the likes of Computer Arts Magazine, Ammo Magazine and New Sugar Magazine. What advice do you have for aspiring artists hoping to grace the pages of their favorite magazines?
Chan:
Not quite sure really, luck maybe? Ummm, I think natural talent and / or hardwork will get you anywhere, eventually. Creating a strong, distinct style is a must if you want to become a great illustrator. Like I mentioned in the last question, having a style and creating familiarity, entering many competitions and highly rated design projects, spreading your name around as much as you can. Then people will start approaching you, asking if you would like to participate in their projects.
SR:
I really like your Cinemascope Prints: King Kong Vs Godzilla. Are these available to buy as prints?
Chan:
Thanks Steve. Yes. They were created especially for the Cinemascope exhibition and can be purchased through Boxbird here .
I also have some ‘Power in Numbers’ screenprints being sold through Cure Studio here.
Other than that, I currently don’t have that many products on sale, but I am planning to release some prints through Society6. There might even be some over there now, because your reading this in the future!
Oh, we do have a few bits and bobs over at Thunder Chunky too, if you have a few quid spare.
SR:
So, you are a member of Thunder Chunky. What exactly is Thunder Chunky and what do they do?
Chan:
Well firstly, I should quote the Thunder Chunky about page. Thunder Chunky has been around since 2003 and is a bit of a hybrid-mix of interviews and articles. Our simple aim is to keep all you people out there amused and interested for as long as we can before you find something genuinely important to do with your day.
We know how hard it is and the amount of time it takes to start off, so we use Thunder Chunky as a platform for a lot of up and coming creatives. We help spread good design as much as we can, and as far as we can, exposing creatives from every part of the world.
SR:
Who are your favourite artists right now?
There are many artists. The illustration scene is booming right now. Artists like James Jean, Nathan Jurevicius, Vault 49, Autumn Whitehurst, Aya Kato, influenced me a lot when I first got interested in illustration, and I guess they kind of inspire me indirectly, creatively.
Then there’s J3Concepts, Niark1, 123 Klan and the whole of the talented Blood Sweat Vector collective, Mcbess, Ben the Illustrator, Mcfaul, Gemma Correl, C86, Bubi Au Yeung, Graphic Airlines and of course Steve Rack.
SR:
Thanks! OK. So, who would you most like to work with (or for), and why?
Chan:
All the people I just mentioned would be amazing. I want to improve and spread my illustration through a variety of media too, so working with animators, vinyl toy makers, plush makers like Felt Mistress, would be fun. I want to create new trends and never before seen styles that can only be achieved through collaboration.
SR:
What’s in the future for Stephen Chan?
Chan:
Hmmm, let me take out my tarot cards, ok, just give me a second… ah, yes, I’m gonna be world famous soon-ish, hopefully. Ben the Illustrator says so, and he’s always right. Apart from that, I will be in the Blood Sweat Vector group exhibition at the West Berlin Gallery in November, which is pretty exciting, and it should be an amazingly good show.
SR:
What do you think makes a great character design?
Chan:
A great character needs great character. It needs to have a strong, alluring charm and personality to not just grab peoples attention, but to stamp itself on to the viewers brain, and come to life. It needs to stand out, and not become something that is forgotten easily. I hope I can create such characters too.
SR:
What do you want for Christmas?
Chan:
World peace please, and maybe a few extra arms, but that might scare people?!? ummm. Some extra time would be good too, because it seems the time I take to do 1 illustration, everyone else has already done 10.
SR:
Is there anything else you want to say?
Chan:
If you have gotten this far, then I’m seriously surprised. You have actually read the whole interview, but you could be just reading the end. Either way, if you have read everything, then I thank you for your time, and hope that it was in some way enjoyable, and maybe slightly inspiring? That would be awesome, that’s all I want to say really…oh, and I’m very very grateful for this interview, my 1st interview.. does this mean I’m famous-ish now?
Links:
Stephen Chan’s Blog
Stephen Chan’s Society6
Thunder Chunky
Filed under: Art, Contest, Exhibitions, Interview, Stickers, Street Art | Tags: Abe Lincoln Jr., Anera, Artsprojeckt, Buy Chucks Get Art, Cabashm, Celso, Char, character art, Chuck Taylors, Dark Clouds, DJ McBoing Boing, Endless Love Crew, Fugue State Records, Infinity, Kosbe, Last Exit, Matt Siren, Overconsume, Royce Bannon, Street Art Characters, The Menu Tree, Wooster Collective, www.girlsbike.com
New York street artist Abe Lincoln JR is best known for his iconic, witty and thought provoking street stickers. Most of you will recognise his iconic pooping bird (below) that made him famous.
But it doesn’t just stop at a pooping bird; Abe has exhibited work in galleries all over the USA and the world! His work has featured on designer toys, skate decks, jewelery, clothing and the list could go on!
Lucky for us, Abe has taken time out to answer some questions for us. Plus, one lucky person will win a one-off pair of custom Converse shoes by Abe Lincoln JR! Read on. At the very bottom is the contest link.
Steve Rack (SR):
Who is Abe Lincoln JR and why does he draw a pooping bird?
Abe:
I am Abe Lincoln Jr. I live in Brooklyn NY and I make the arts and stuff. Char was my first character, I started putting up in the street in 2003. Char is an homage to a restaurant called the Menu Tree from when I was a kid. IT was a Space-Age Batchelor Pad food court that was decked out in a mid-century aviary motif. The place was filled with giant paper mache birds that were behind wrought iron cages. Char is my take on those early memories.
SR:
So, you’ve had work shown in galleries across America and around the world. Your work can be seen in books, on skatedecks, on shoes, on vinyl toys – the list could go on.
When did you first realize your creative streak, and why did you turn to the streets of Downtown New York with your art?
Abe:
I started drawing when I was 3 up until I was in my 20′s. Then I flew into an artistic hissy fit full of the appropriate amount of self loathing that is required of a young person living in a gnarly neighborhood in order to distance themselves from their suburban upbringing. I quit art for about 10 years. Char (the pooping bird) was my “comeback”. I took up street art because i identified with it in a way I don’t identify with say… the Tate Modern. There’s a lot of bullshittery going on in the fancy art world I don’t like. I grew up in the early days of the Hardcore Scene in the Bay Area where stickering stenciling and wheatpasting were a part and parcel of what we did so I immediately identified with that when I saw Wooster Collective for the first time in 2003. It just seemed to have been “cleaned up” since the punk rock days and was far more inclusive, which I think is what made it interesting at the time.
SR:
What was it like turning into a household name within the designer toy community after the shock release of your much anticipated Dunny design for Kid Robot, which is, as you put it, ‘…a dead abe lincoln’?
Abe:
I dunno, a lot of what I do is delivered electronically through the magic of the internet and the discussion of my Dunny I heard took place on message boards or whatever. I am glad that it provoked some conversation when it came out though. Some people were all, “I’m horrified by such poor taste!”, and others took it in the spirit that it was intended and love it. Kid Robot liked it enough to put it into their exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt in 2006, so that blew me away, but I didn’t hear about it until the exhibition almost closed (laughs).
SR:
What’s with all the postal sticker characters that are suddenly taking over your blog?
Abe:
I took a hiatus from Street Art around 2005 as it got saturated and to be honest a lot of it wasn’t very good, so the things I liked about it weren’t there for me. I’ve been working on lots of projects that have been taking a long time to get off the ground. I did a few platform type toys. I’ve been shopping around, and my project Fugue State Records is hobbling along to it’s first release. So to be able to draw these stickers on the train to work and put them up at lunch is a lot of fun and its been getting me back to my fighting weight as well as stretching my character design muscles again.
SR:
When we last spoke you mentioned a new show in Brooklyn, ‘Weeky Special’. When is it? Where is it? What’s it about? Tell me more!
Abe:
Weekly Specials is a new art show that is opening Oct. 22nd at Last Exit bar on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn NY. Ive been collecting these giant weekly special posters at my local grocery store for the past few months. I’ve amassed quite a few of them and I’m giving them out to a bunch of my artist friends and were going to collaborate on them. Should be fun and interesting to say the least! DJ McBoing Boing is going to be spinning too so it should be a great time.
SR:
One lucky person is going to win a cool pair of converse shoes that you designed during a marathon drawing session at the Buy Chucks Get Art program at the JC Penney in Manhattan Mall. What was that like? It sounded like it was pretty mad.
Abe:
I had a blast at the Buy Chucks Get Art program. I had a table in the shoe section and a ton of paint pens and markers and drew on Chuck Taylors for 9 hours solid. My appearance was only supposed to be for 5 hours but there were kids waiting in line for 4 hours to get their shoes customized so I certainly couldn’t let them down. It was a great experience because it was mostly back to school kids and they were looking for someone to execute their ideas for them. Kids art is the best so it was an awesome experience all in all.
SR:
Everyone has there own creative outlet. So it turns out that yours was (is) the streets. What advice would you give to any budding artists out there?
Abe:
Do what thou will shall be the whole of the law. – Alestair Crowley
SR:
The whole street art scene is overflowing with fresh stuff. Who is your favourite artist at the moment?
Abe:
Its tied right now: My Street Art Collective, the Endless Love Crew, always is killing it. Royce Bannon, Celso, Infinity and Anera are on the team. As far as non team mates – Cabashm, Overconsume, Kosbe, Dark Clouds and Matt Siren rule it.
SR:
What’s in the future for Abe Lincoln Jr?
Abe:
I suppose I’ll get older and eventually die…
OK. For a less maudlin and a closer view of whats coming up art wise: I always have my hustle on – I’ve been doing a lot of designs for various companies. A series of toys I created is closer to getting made, but it’s too early to talk about it. I got on Artsprojeckt so I’m going to be releasing some skate decks through them. And as always I’m going to be participating in tons of Art shows. You can check my site - www.girlsbike.com – for updates.
SR:
What do you think makes a great character design?
Abe:
I guess it depends on what the creator is going for. I think capturing emotion in some way is really important. Char for instance actually has that “blank” Sanrio style expression and I think that void look is an expression in itself.
SR:
And finally, what do you want for Christmas?
Abe:
I’d like Santa to bring me lots of design work that pays handsomely and lets me take my work to the next level!
Contest: Win a pair of custom converse by Abe Lincoln JR! 100% genuine, rare, collectible, sick, ‘this will make your friends jealous’ awesomeness! Press HERE to go to the contest page!
Related links:
www.girlsbike.com (Abe’s main site)
Abe’s Flickr
Abe’s Blog
Abe’s Shop
Filed under: Art, Interview, Toys | Tags: character art, Hobbes, ivoteforart.com, Jim Bradshaw, Kokeshi Doll
Enter the land of Jim Bradshaw and you will find yourself lost in a sketchy sea of unusual, friendly and sometimes menacing characters.
Jim’s hectic characters recently made it to the small screen when Canadian teen channel VRAKtv featured his distinctive drawings in a recent ad campaign.
Lucky for us, Jim has managed to pull him self away from his sketchbook in order to answer a few questions for us at ILikeCharacters.com. Without further ado, let the questioning commence!
SteveRack (SR):
Why do you draw characters?
Jim:
I can’t stop. They pop into my head and demand to be drawn. Sometimes at three or four in the morning. They can be pushy little boogers. Ever since I was able to hold a pencil and watch my dad draw and doodle, I was hooked on the way I could create little worlds and characters to inhabit them.
SR:
Do you have any favorite character designs, or do you love them all equally?
Jim:
I am really fond of a little tree trunk guy that has been showing up in my moleskine doodles a lot lately. And there is this little bottle of hot sauce with boxing gloves, and many more. My characters are always recurring in my illustrations in different contexts, a lot like recurring dreams.
SR:
What is the most exciting project you’ve worked on so far?
Jim:
I just got done pitching a show for a major cartoon network. They contacted me based on seeing my stuff on Flickr. Although I just found out that they weren’t going for it because I had this outer space theme going and they were already in development with a space theme, but I still loved having the opportunity. They asked me to pitch again. I am now going to see what else I can do with those characters and maybe even the premise.
SR:
What’s in the future for Jim Bradshaw?
Jim:
I want to try all kinds of stuff. I need to get back to more regular freelance illustration. I’m really into the vinyl and plush toy market. I have 2 children’s books published and would like to do more with my updated style and my own writing this time. Maybe a zine or web comic. I want to market my characters and get into the whole license thing. More gallery work. And a host of other things as time allows.
SR:
Where do you find your inspiration?
Jim:
Everywhere. Nature, other artists, the internet, design mags, dreams, God, movies, music, Flickr, vintage cartoons, etc. The list could go on forever.
SR:
What do you think makes a great character design?
Jim:
I like it to be unique. It should be marketable. It needs to make people happy when they see it and make them feel like they just have to get their hands on it. Lots of personality should just drip out of it.
SR:
Who’s characters are you digging at the moment?
Jim:
64 Colors with their Marshall the marshmallow is hot! Lot’s of fun stuff happening in the urban toy market. Brian Taylor (Candykiller), Alberto Cerritino, Noferin (PecanPals) and Meomi are just a few of the many people doing great characters right now. And I will never stop digging George Herriman’s Krazy Kat and Ignatz mouse from way back in the day or Calvin & Hobbes. Pixar keeps knocking it out of the park. I’m hooked on most of the Nintendo characters. I love that little cleaning bot in WALL-E. Warning! Contaminant! Again, the list could go on forever.
SR:
Where can I buy your artwork?
Jim:
Right now the only place is ivoteforart.com but I plan on getting more active in making my stuff available for sale. Oh yeah, at this moment I have a bunch of original pieces that have been posted various times on my blog and Flickr, but they aren’t organized in a for sale section but maybe should be. I’ve been holding off on that until I create an online shop, but have been waiting for there to be other stuff to offer. Things like prints, tee shirts and much more.
SR:
If you could be any character in the world (just for one day), who would you be?
Jim:
Questions like these always make my brain go blank. Let’s go with Hobbes. He pretty much has my obnoxious sense of humor and personality, and gets to go on many insane little adventures.
Thanks Jim for a great interview! And good luck with all of your future projects. For more on Jim Bradshaw please check out the following links.
Links:
www.jbradshaw.net
jimbradshawillustration.blogspot.com
Jim Bradshaw’s Flickr
www.ivoteforart.com
Filed under: Art, Contest, Interview | Tags: ArtWhino.com, Bear and Bird, character art, Contest, Cute, Etsy, Jacabobs, Jacabunnies, Kit Lane, Mortal Plush, Stitch Wars, Toys, Wool
Cute just got cuter.
People all over are adopting Kit Lane’s adorable Jacabunnies and Jacabobs (above). As for me, I am just totally lost within her whimsical, woolen wonderland. And I’m not the only one!
Kit’s Jacabunnies and Jacabobs are literally flying off of her shelves! But lucky for us, Kit took time out of her hectic schedule of preparing for upcoming shows to talk about her Jacabunnies and Jacabobs, amongst other things!
And as I write this, Kit is weaving her magic: creating a Jacabob exclusively for ILikeCharacter’s July contest. Details are at the bottom of this interview!
Steve Rack (SR):
What came first, the Jacabobs or the Jacabunnies?
Kit Lane:
The Jacabobs came first, little creatures with their large ears trailing down behind their heads who as the story goes, live in the woods past the end of my garden made completely by the donations of wool from Bernice, Clarice and Evelynn, a trio of delightful sheep sisters who reside in a pasture down the lane. Jacabobs were born out of my need to make something with my hands, to get away from my computer. Nearly all my work at the dawning of the Jacabob age was digital, quite dark in its themes and could only be shared within the framework of a specific software.
I had never made anything “cute” nor crafted a single thing in all my days on the planet with the exception during a short stint with the Girl Scouts over 4 decades ago. (I liked the uniform in an odd twisted sort of way) We made pin cushions from pink felt covered recycled tuna cans and Christmas trees from thick folded Minneapolis phone books spray painted and glittered. I was underwhelmed to say the least.
SR:
What are Jacabunnies?
Kit:
A not so short but most delicately put answer…
Winters are long on the tundra and often times folks including myself are in their hovels and wigwams days and days at a time hunkered down in semi-hibernation against the inhospitable and dangerous climate here in the cultural wasteland of West Central Minnesota. The same is true for the woodland creatures who inhabit the trees and fields beyond my weedy patch I call home. Poor dears. Jacabobs and bunnies nestled snugly, one on top of the other in their burrows while swirly white snow storms rage outside dumping blankets of heavy fluffage that muffle the sounds of the world. Jacabobs, being a rather friendly and gregarious lot and bunnies who are quite accommodating in nature, coupled with spotty TV reception and the pure boredom of living indoors for 9 months of the year inspired the wee creatures to create a bit of their own fun. The result a few spring times ago was unsurprisingly the birth of the Jacabunnies who look much like both sides of the family with the sweet smiles of Jacabobs and upward ears of the Bunnies.
SR:
I’d love to know more about where they live!
Kit:
Answer #1:
It’s quite lovely really. Idyllic with a preponderance of woolly wee Jacabobs and bunnies who make their homes in the woods over the path at the end of my garden; the sheep sisters in a nearby pasture, the migrating Pods and of course the Nurblets and Burbles. Oh, and we can’t forget the Feezles.
Answer #2:
It’s a bustling summer in the garden where the woolly creatures spend their days. The Jacabobs, Bunnies and Nurbletts have awoken from their long snugly snow blanketed winter naps and are busying themselves tending their new giggling progeny. The green nomadic Pods have arrived from the South and are occupied doing what Pods do. They skitter about in the warm twilight, weary from their journey North in the sweltering heat of summer and foraging for the best places to take root for the season.
I too am occupied doing what my species does and knowing for the most part that the creatures on this side of the river often do quite well without my meddling in their affairs. I, on occasion, peek out the window of my wee abode mostly to make sure that Larry the Goat from the pasture across the glen hasn’t wandered in for a munch, a most dangerous situation for the Jacabobs and Pods, especially the green ones. Even more mortifying for Larry but I’ll leave that story for another day.
Bernice, Evelynn and Clarice the sheep sisters who contribute most of their wool to my cause are shaved naked and out to a much deserved vacation on the grassy hills just down the lane. They scamper like school girls with the rest of their ilk, a nudist colony of four legged pink beasties.
I was sipping coffee clad in my bathrobe with my hair standing sideways in a frazzled mess from the secret night-coiffure in front of the magic white slotted box braced for the startling moment when it would fling out two hot pieces of toasty bread in a direction that never can be calculated with any accuracy. I glanced out the window while I waited and saw an unusual movement at the end of the path. Squinting a bit more than my common morning squint, I looked again to observe a growing gathering of small creatures out in the garden who seemed to be organizing themselves into a cheerful mob. Collecting my toast, one slice from the dish drainer and the other from the far edge of the counter, I slipped into my Wellies (the ones that match my bathrobe as I’m awake by now) and headed out the back door and down the path to get a closer look.
Generally I avoid gatherings like this in the glen for a number of reasons, one being that while I’m rather stumpy for my species, I’m a towering giant among the natives of the wooded garden. The Jacabobs don’t mean to, but often stare, especially the young ones. I’m sure its my height but I’ve heard rumors that it might be the bathrobe or the fact that I get whacked by the ugly-stick every night without fail. I have digressed…
There was a hush over the crowd as everyone took their place along the edge of the path. Then could be heard a tiny melody that wafted in the breeze from downwind. The furry crowd lifted up a cheer. As I turned to see, a wee procession was starting up the path and I knelt to have a better view and listen, careful not to squish a critter with my knees or blanket a smaller one with my billowy robe.
Lumbering woodchucks came first, one by one and groomed to perfection soon followed by the hedgehogs with quills standing out proudly glistening in the morning sun. The Fez-clad golden squirrels like little Shriners did ornate tumbling tricks as they scampered after the hedgehogs much to the great amusement of the baby Jacabobs and Nurblets who stood next to me on the path struggling at times to let go of the hands of their parents in all their excitement. A glorious morning indeed and the tune in the air caught in my ear.
The music got louder as band of Jacabunnies thumped their bunny feet in unison to the melody they played lead by a Feezle all decked out in a top hat twirling a baton. The Jacabunnies played with their noses so they could still smile while tooting Ocarinas fashioned from the hollow tubes of last years dried Rhubarb stalks. The percussionists marched to the beat of thrumming on the lids of fresh plucked mushrooms, sometimes throwing them into the air only to catch them and thrum again in a decorous display of musical agility. The melody was helped along by humming Burbles clutching chubby green caterpillars under their arms, gently squeezling them to the rhythm until they purred. (making a caterpillar purr by gently applying pressure is fine art and lots of them were sadly lost in trying to perfect the technique last spring)
Giant black June Bugs came next marching four wide and ten deep all tethered and harnessed each with their six legs trotting in time with the June Bug next to them. They were the famous Regal Lipizzaner June Bugs known throughout the land for their tidy and tight toe stepping wonders. Their tank-like wings shined like rich black onyx and about their necks were strings of perfect just bloomed puffy yellow dandelions to add to their glory.
Tune in next week for the continuing saga. Does Kit Lane squish a little one by accident under her Wellies? Does she ever fix her toaster? Will the sheep form an anti-tail lopping union? Gripping stuff indeed.
SR:
Please describe at least one Jacabunny?
Kit:
Really? I’m fairly sure you shouldn’t risk giving me licence to prattle on much longer. Suffice to say that the majority of Jacabunnies enjoy dewy fresh mornings, a nice cup of chocolate accompanied by a wee smidgen of jam on a crumpet, the soft glow of a computer monitor and squeezles.
There have been a few who have a penchant for adventure, occasionally bringing home new friends. One early morning there was a kerfuffle at the far end of the garden, about the time the cows come home. Bernice and Evelyn the sheep gave a bleat as they were rudely awoken from a warm woolly snooze by a thumping kerplunk and a fizzle. A glowing orb had plopped into the grass nearby. The ball squeaked open and out wandered a wee green creature of most questionable DNA. He appeared to be quite like the Jacabobs from the woods down the lane both in features and disposition but the ball topped antennas said otherwise. Return of an ancient astronaut? The Jacabunnies found him quite agreeable and brought him home for tea.
SR:
The photos of your creations are fantastic and I can imagine them in picture book form. Have you thought about maybe putting a story book together, or perhaps even an animation?
Kit:
I can’t write for beans, couldn’t scribble my way out of a paper bag. I have entertained the idea though as you are not the first to ask. So I’m currently working on a bit of verbal fluffage that on occasion has to be rescued from the yard after being tossed quite forcefully out the window. We’ll see. An animation would send me right over the moon with joy but alas my skills in that area truly stink.
SR:
What inspires you?
Kit:
Finally, I eek along doing my own thing after years and years of doing someone else’s thing. Autonomy inspires me. I watch too with amazement the great flood of talent coming now from both the “Hand Made” movement and the acceptance by a broader public for Pop Surrealism and Low-Brow. Many who have trudged along in relative obscurity painting and crafting their passions are suddenly thrust into the light. I cheer for them. There are so many to mention that I fear I will leave some out, but it is they who light a fire under my heiney to perhaps someday share more openly some of my less publicly normal “not meant for small children” works.
SR:
Where can I buy your creations?
Kit:
www.kitlane.etsy.com: although often my little shop is quite bare. The little ones go as fast as they come! In July some of my work can be had at ArtWhino.com in DC for the show “Mortal Plush: I am not your toy.” and also at “Bear and Bird” for the Stitch Wars show. Soo Visual Art Center in Minneapolis has a collection as well as various other galleries here and abroad. The woolly creatures can also be seen at my Flickr.
I’m happy to entertain any questions or comments.
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
Kit:
Simplicity, transparency and readily identifiable from the rest.
SR:
And the last question: Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?
Kit:
Neither, sorry. Now on the other hand if you had asked “Angry Beavers or Rocko” I’d have said most definitely Angry Beavers.
Links:
www.kitlane.etsy.com
Kit Lane’s Flickr
ArtWhino.com
Stitch Wars
Soo Visual Art Center
Did you Know: Kit Lane recently created a Jabba the Hut for an upcoming show!
Contest: Press HERE for the contest! You can win a Jacabob called Tibble! Below is a picture of Tibble. He is preparing for his journey.
Filed under: Art, Contest, Interview | Tags: 64 Colors, blind box, character art, Contest, customs, Designer Toys, Interview, Marshall, Marshmallows, Rotofugi, Squibbles Ink
Michigan based Creative Duo 64 Colors create happy, infectious, eye-catching imagery. But is was their cute marshmallow brainchild Marshall that caught the eye of designer toy store Rotofugi! Laura and Eric of 64 Colors kindly took some time out to talk about their new character art masterpiece, and they also sent over an exclusive signed limited edition print (below) (number 2 of 50) for ILikeCharacters.com’s June contest!
SteveRack (SR):
When was Marshall born?
64:
Marshall was born in January of 2008. His first public appearance was on a letter press print.
SR:
What/Who is Marshall?
Marshall is and will always be a mischievous little boy who likes to get his way and doesn’t think or care about consequences.
Once upon a time, he was a real boy who’s favorite snack was… marshmallows. He lived in a dreary, colorless world spending the majority of his days eating and watching television. Nothing exciting ever happened and his parents paid little attention to him. He was essentially alone, lacking social skills and self confidence. His parents told Marshall, if he kept eating only marshmallows, he would eventually turn into one. Of course he ignored them—turned up the sound on the remote, and continued his binge. One night he stuffed himself with an entire bag of mucilaginous (jelly-like or gelatin) treats just before bedtime and then… fell asleep. As he slept, Marshall tossed and turned dreaming of a place filled with bright colors and strange, wondrous creatures. Things he had never seen before or even imagined. Exciting things, beauty, adventure and friendship. A place where he could live, learn and be loved. A world full of discovery and adventure. The creatures in the dream said come join us. You will always have friends here. Come join us and live life to the fullest.
So… the sun rose and birds began to chirp. Marshall slowly awakened from his slumber and as he opened his eyes and began to focus, he realized he wasn’t in his room anymore. He thought to himself—is this a dream or is this real? Little did he know this was very real. In the distance he saw a brilliant, blue pond and wandered over to splash water on his face. I need to wake up he thought to himself. So… Marshall knelt down, looked at his reflection in the water and was amazed! This was not the reflection of the little boy he knew. What he saw was a marshmallow-boy looking back at him. Amazing he thought! A transformation had taken place that night and nothing would ever be the same. This much he realized… and so the existence he knew had changed forever. This was just the beginning of something very new and wonderful.
SR:
Does Marshall have any friends?
64:
Marshall has friends in his new life like his dog Gumdrop. Gumdrop is actually a dog that is also… a gumdrop. There are others. Children who have crossed-over and become that which they desire or dream to be. 
SR:
What is Marshell ‘s proudest moment thus far?
64:
Marshall doesn’t care about achievements as he lives for the moment with no goals or ambition other than to enjoy life and live in the moment.
SR:
What’s in the future for Marshall?
Marshall the blind box vinyl figure will was released in late May. He will be in a show along with other 64 Colors art and characters at Rotofugi (Chicago, USA) on August 7th, 2009. There will be Marshall customs and he will also the subject of a book, prints, art work and some other projects we can’t mention just yet.
SR:
Where can I buy Marshall?
64:
You can buy Marshall (the vinyl figure) at Rotofugi or go to www.marshalltoys.com and click shop. There you will find a list of stores where you can purchase him in toy form. Also, check the 64 Colors store for additional Marshall toys and products: www.64colors.bigcartel.com. We have many characters in the works.
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
64:
Simplicity and the ability of the character to project a feeling, personality or a concept.
SR:
Picachu or Peanuts?
64:
Peanuts most definitely!
Links:
www.marshalltoys.com
www.64colors.com
www.64colors.bigcartel.com
www.Rotofugi.com
Did you Know: 64 Colors have a load of cool, super cute prints of Marshall and other characters available over at their shop, including Cookie Crumbles, Soda Poppy and more!
Contest: Press here for the contest!!!
Filed under: Interview | Tags: Badges, character art, Comic Strip, Interview, Ninja Bunny, Phillip Spence, Resonance FM, Ukiyo-e
Ninjas can be bunnies too, and London artist Philip Spence can prove it! He is the master behind the popular bi-weekly Ninja Bunny comic strip. I wanted to know a little more info about this energetic character, and Phillip took time out to satisfy my curiosity. Read on.
SteveRack (SR):
When was Ninja Bunny born?
Philip Spence:
Ninja Bunny has been around since 2005, originally starting on mySpace before getting it’s own website at the start of 2006.
SR:
Who is Ninja Bunny?
Spence:
Ninja Bunny is, well, all about a bunny who is a ninja. Originally the comic had no overarching story and it just showed one off exploits. Since the 300th comic strip the story has tied in with the printed comics. The story is set in an ancient Japan where bunnies are the ruling animals; most of whom are ninjas. The story follows Ninja Bunny on his quest to save his beloved princess from the clutches of the Skull Bunny.
SR:
Does NInja Bunny have an arch enemy?
Spence:
While he’s more commonly battling a variety of ninja animals: from other bunnies to cats and monkeys, his arch nemesis is the Skull Bunny. Who much like Bowser to Mario is always intent on stealing the princess.
SR:
What is Ninja Bunny’s favourite ninja move?
Spence:
My personal favourite in the Ninja Ultimate Death Stare, which appeared in the very first comic strip.
SR:
What is Ninja Bunny’s proudest moment thus far?
Spence:
It’s hard to say, since things are always getting better. My most recent achievements have been a radio interview for Resonance FM a month back. Other than that, the big achievement was the 300th comic strip, not only was the website completely redesigned, but the comic changed from a very simple black and white look to full colour resembling Ukiyo-e, a style of Japanese wood block printing.
SR:
What’s in the future for Ninja Bunny?
Spence:
There’s the fourth and final b/w printed comic, which will tie the storyline from the comics into the current web comic story. While the story progresses online I hope to have a few new pieces of merchandise for the store, a few more t-shirt designs and a plushy Ninja Bunny are on my wish list.
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
Spence:
Something simple and memorable.
SR:
And the last question: The Moomins or The Muppets?
Spence:
It has to be the Moomins. Oddly, I watched some of the old animated series a few weeks back. The stories are a little ‘out there’ but you get a real sense of the world they live in.
Links:
Ninja-Bunny.com
myspace.com/ninjabunnycomic
Did you know? You can buy Ninja Bunny badges HERE!
Filed under: Interview | Tags: Treeson, Bubi Au Yeung, Crazy Label, Tokyo Bunny, Hong Kong, Ren, Mimobots, Poketo
photo courtesy RobotScrapYard via Flickr’s Treeson Group
Hong Kong artist, Bubi Au Yeung has captivated the world with Treeson. What started out as a sketch soon resulted as a worldwide phenomenon within the designer toy industry. TokyoBunny perhaps sums up the secret of Bubi’s success with Treeson in a short testimonial left on Bubi’s Flickr profile: “I looove Bubi’s work! It makes me so happy!!!”
Bubi kindly took time away from a hectic schedule in Hong Kong to be interviewed by me. Bubi also sent me an original sketch for one of you lucky readers (below)! Read on.
SteveRack(SR):
When was Treeson born?
Bubi:
Treeson was born on 8th August 2005. I love to think on my way to work and whenever I have an idea, I write/draw on my sketchbook. A story idea to me from an article about deforestation I read at that time, and I was inspired to draw the story to bring out the message, so I created Treeson.
SR:
What/Who is Treeson?
Bubi:
Treeson is a kind creature raised by the trees in the forest. He was stabbed in the chest with a tree branch by the logger who was trying to cut down the tree that raised him. After being wounded, he met Ren, his only human friend, who played with him and became his best friend. Neither Treeson nor Ren were very popular with the local kids, but they kept each other company and tried to save the trees in the city from being cut down by humans that wanted to put up more buildings.
SR:
What is Treeson’s favourite food?
Bubi:
Treeson loves green food, such as vegetable, grass, leaf, fruits and dessert.
SR:
What are Treeson’s hopes and ideals?
Bubi:
Treeson hopes to tell the world the importance of protecting our nature and to spread love among us.
SR:
What is Treesons proudest moment thus far?
Bubi:
Treeson proudest moment is having his first exhibition with many great talented illustrators from all over the world on his 2 years old birthday.
SR:
What’s in the future for Treeson?
Bubi:
There will be different versions of Treeson vinyl figures coming out and also his friends such as newspaper boy, circleboy, Ren, etc. are to be produced as vinyl figures. Besides that, there may be tee, bag. etc. with Treeson printed on it.
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
Bubi:
The uniqueness. The unique characteristics of the character which give a special impression to other, and i think the tree branch stem out from the heart of Treeson and the fluffy outlook make Treeson a unique character.
Story background. This is something i insist to develop a story and background for my character, coz the story and background help to tell people the personality of the character.
Message or mission. It would be great if your character has a mission or message behind its story and background, it let people who share the same thought and make use of the character to help spread the message, such as the green message by treeson.
Special element. Use Treeson as an example, he always with a warm smile on his face but when u look at his chest where a tree branch stem out from his heart, u would feel for him, and have a question in mind, “What happen to him?”, this arouse the curiosity of those who want to know more about him.
SR:
Picachu or Peanuts?
Bubi:
Peanuts for sure
Links:
Milkjar.com
CrazyLabel
Treeson’s Flickr Page
Did you know: You can get a Treeson USB Flash Drive by Mimobot (below)!? I did a search, and I discovered that you can still buy them at Poketo!
Contest: Win a very special original piece of art featuring Treeson by Bubi Au Yeung. Press here!!
Filed under: Interview | Tags: Ben and Fi, Ben the Illustrator, Make More Pictures, Matt Mattus, Paper Toys, Shin Tanaka, Speakerdog, Tokyo
I want to live in the land of Ben the Illustrator. Who wouldn’t?
Amongst Ben the Illustrator’s vibrant, happy landscape there resides a very likable character called Speakerdog. People from all corners of the world have adopted Speakerdog in their own unique way.
I wanted to find out more, and the unstoppable double act, Ben anf Fi, whom both make up Ben the Illustrator, were able to take time out to be interviewed. They also sent me a really happy Speakerdog poster (below) for one lucky reader: signed and doodled! Read on.
SteveRack (SR):
When was Speakerdog born?
Ben:
I doodled him one day, while sitting in a design studio in my old job sometime in 2004. We were going to use him for a commission we were working on, but actually discarded him. He looked a little different, he didn’t have ears, more speaker, less dog. Speakerdog was drawn as a pet to another character I was playing around with, a barrel-shaped owner character who had speech bubbles full of question marks (?!?) the premise was that Speakerdog had all the answers! Then, separate to work, I started playing with him on canvasses and people started liking him and it rolled on from there. When I left that job to go solo as an illustrator, Speakerdog came with me!
SR:
What/Who is Speakerdog?
Ben:
Speakerdog is a mascot for the environment, a spokesperson for good times, a world lovin’ smile inducin’ bundle of fun on the run! Born in a land of optimism, he’s part speaker, part dog, all heart and soul. He cares about the world, and all he wants is for people to get on and be super! He does cross paths with other characters, smiley face flowers, cute and kitchy pine cones, birds, squirrels, deer and the occasional merry mountain! We’ve taken him all over and we all get to do hundreds of different things together. Nowadays, he is mostly the character on the posters, which we love producing, and the centre of one of the biggest paper toy projects in existence! His paper toy has now been customized by around 180 artists, with 200 designs available online. Speakerdog has become a real labour of love for the both of us, as fast as I can illustrate a new piece of artwork, Fi can be getting the posters printed up and sold on around the world. For every art project I submit a new Speakerdog creation for, Fi is bringing in a bunch of new artists to work on the paper toys, it all just keeps on rolling!
SR:
What is Speakerdog’s favourite past time?
Ben:
Traveling by any means necessary! Gliding and riding on the magic carpet ride of life!
SR:
What are Speakerdog’s hopes and ideals?
Ben:
Environmental care, nurturing nature, looking after the planet so it can look after us.
SR:
What is Speakerdog’s proudest moment thus far?
Ben:
Hmmmm, that’s a toughie! It’s either when the great Shin Tanaka first customized the paper toy, or having a Speakerdog illustration being featured in Matt Mattus’ “Beyond Trend” design book, or the ‘Greatest Hits’ Speakerdog paper toy exhibition in Tokyo… Yes, it’s all three of those!
SR:
What’s in the future for Speakerdog?
Ben:
Our biggie this year is our new ‘Make More Pictures’ range of Speakerdog stuff! We’ve just launched a super new poster, one of our favourites ever (now available on www.buybentheillustrator.com) and we’re about to go into production on a couple more secret products, all hush hush for now! One thing we can say is that the newies, along with the poster, spread the message of Make More Pictures! Get out there with your paints and your pencils, your mouse and your markers and go create! It’s the ‘Make Do And Mend’ of the 21st Century! He’s also off to a couple of London exhibitions this year, a super paper toy show in LA and he’ll be busy spreading a whole lot more messages of love, peace and cheeriness to all!
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
Simplicity, it’s being able to add moods, personality and heart with ease, with the stroke of a line, the splash of a paintbrush or the dot of a pen, from Charlie Brown to Bloo (Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends), pretty much all of our favourite characters retain simplicity and yet burst with heart.
SR:
Tom or Jerry?
Ben:
Jerry! (Because Toms a schmuck)
Links:
BenTheIllustrator.com
Speakerdog
BuyBentheIllustrator.com
Did you Know: You can get your free custom paper Speakerdogs here!
Contest: Win a really happy poster signed and doodled on by Ben the Illustrator. Press here!!
Welcome to Dan Goodsell’s friendly world of Mr Toast. Who knew that toast could be so charismatic? Mr Toast’s popularity is global. I wanted to find out more about this A-list slice of character genius. Dan Goodsell kindly agreed to an interview with me. Dan also sent me a signed limited Edition print (below) for one of you lucky readers. Read on.
SteveRack (SR):
When was Mr Toast born?
Dan:
I created Mr Toast when I was in college in the 1980′s. At first he was just a floating piece of toast with a face but then he became Mr Toast with the addition of arms and legs. Initially he was a secondary character to other characters I was doing in some puppet shows. I kind of got out of art for a few years and when I got back into it, Mr Toast became the primary character once I started doing web comics in 2002. Since then I have done plush toys, cards, books and even little animations of him.
SR:
What/Who is Mr Toast?
Dan:
I have thought about back story occasionally but have thrown it out. I like to think of Mr Toast more in terms of a classic cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse. He adapts to the story/situation. One day his story is about suburban living and the next he is on an adventure to the South Pole. This adds to flexibility in what I am doing.
SR:
What is Mr Toast’s favourite past time?
Dan:
Mr Toast loves flying kites and eating pie. He is all about life’s simple pleasures.
SR:
Will there ever be a Mrs Toast?
Dan:
Probably not. I sometimes think of it like the Little Rascals where the kids are all friends and doing stuff. I tend to avoid more “adult” situations like dating.
SR:
What is Mr Toast’s proudest moment thus far?
Dan:
I think the thing that amazes me the most is when people interact with me and they know the characters names. When you create stuff and it goes out in the world, people take it and make it their own. They have a relationship with what the artist does and it is amazing to see that in action.
Mr Toast in Anorak Magazine #8
SR:
What’s in the future for Mr. Toast?
Dan:
Lots more dolls, a book about Superheroes, more art shows, and hopefully someday a themed miniature golf course.
SR:
What do YOU think makes a great character design?
Dan:
I think a character needs to connect with the audience and to be even stronger tell a story.
SR:
Scooby or Scrappy Doo?
Dan:
Scooby.
Links:
The World of Mr Toast
Did you know: Mr Toast likes to cloud gaze as seen on this YouTube clip.
Contest:
Win a signed limited edition print of Mr Toast by Dan Goodsell. Press here!
