Tic Top 5: Interview with Luke Cheuh

Welcome to Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist or specialist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays artist is LA based Luke Chueh: Illustrator, Designer, Sculpter, Painter and Exhibitionist.

Starting out as a Graphic Designer but producing his own zine (E.X.P) it wasn't until Chueh moved to LA that his focus shifted to painting due to low job prospects. It was Cannibal Flower an underground artshow that his talents were recognised as an artist of individualistic quality.

"Employing minimal color schemes, simple animal characters, and a seemingly endless list of ill-fated situations, Chueh stylistically balances cute with brute, walking the fine line between comedy and tragedy." - Luke Chueh

His talent for painting his signature White Bear brought the attention to create the now famous front cover for Fall Out Boys "Folie à Deux". Now Chueh has had his Paintings, Drawing and even Vinyl Toys featured around the world.

Chueh's work is more than just paint on a canvas or sculpted pieces, they emote strong feelings (positive or negative) without warrant which is a rear quality in modern art. We know Luke Chueh is busy but grateful for taking the time to answer the Tic Top 5:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   I started making toys in 2006. I guess my paintings simply lend them to becoming toys. I discovered toy customizing when the qeedrophonic book came out. It featured custom qee's (by Toy2R) from everyone like Frank Kozik to Shepard Fairey. I wanted to be a bad ass like these guys, so I started creating my own customs.
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   The first toy I ever customized was a qee.
3. What influences you?
   My influences come from everywhere. But I'd say my art is most influences by my life experiences and the work of my colleagues.
4. What are your weapons of choice?
   My weapon/medium of choice is acrylic paint. And I'd need a pencil too.
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?
   I don't really play well with others, so I can't say there is an artist I yearn to collaborate with. Maybe Yoshitomo Nara.

If you'd like to know more about the awesome Luke Chueh's body of work here's his links:
Website: Luke Chueh
Blog: IGNEUS GERO
Facebook: Official Page
Twitter: @lukechueh
Google +: Official Page

Who's next in the Tic Top 5 hot seat?

Tic Top 5: Interview with Ryan Hall aka Dougy74 Design

Welcome to Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist or specialist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays artist is U.K. based Ryan Hall aka Dougy74 Design who's an Illustrator, Creator and Exhibitionist of Paper Toys.

From an early age Ryan has had a love for creating especial with paper but it wasn't until university that he found his true calling as a Paper Toy Maker. Influenced by his childhood pop-culture love such as Masters of the Universe, Doctor Who and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has seen his work on exhibition and seen in print and online media over the last 4 years:

2013

The Bad Robot Experience Art Show, Gallery 1988, CA, USASave & Destroy Art Show, Galerie Maurer, Zurich ,SwitzerlandSNL / Is this thing on? Art Show, Gallery 1988 , CA, USA The Doctor Who Exhibition, Artboy Gallery, Melbourne, Australia

     

2012

The Old School Video Game Art Show, Gallery 1988, Santa Monica, CASave  and Destroy Art show, Ficzone edition, Granada, SpainStar Wars Celebration VI, (part of the Rancho ObiWan display)  Orlando Urban Paper 2012 Art show and workshop, Arnsberger Kunstsommer GermanySave and Destroy Art show, Animacomic, Malaga, SpainMay the 4th Star Wars, The Hang Gang Art Show, Leeds
Made in Wales Exibition, The Cardiff Story Museum, Cardiff (Solo show)Rancho ObiWan, The Star Wars Museum, California (Permanant display)
Toy Break Online Show

2011

Mr Freeze takes over Christmas, Orbital Comics, London ( Solo show )Gallery under the Stairs, Scala Cinema , Prestatyn ( Various work )Adventures in Time, Space and Paper, Rhyl Gallery, Rhyl ( Solo show) Oriel Scala Gallery, Prestatyn (Various work)Rhyl Pavilion Arts and Craft Show, Rhyl ( various work )

2010

Glwndwr end of year degree Art show, North Wales School of Art and Design, 
Wrexham Publications/PressStar Wars Insider magazine October 2012North Wales Journal January 2012Attitude Magazine June 2011

Paper Craft isn't just gluing pieces of colored paper together but an art form in it's own right. Ryan's work invokes happy childhood memories of Saturday Morning Cartoons and Toy Play. The characters themselves that he creates breath personality and a style like no else. This is why we thought Ryan would be great to answer the Tic Top 5 for today:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   When I was a kid hahaha, I just didn’t see a cardboard box, I saw Castle Greyskull or the Planet Hoth and would just construct my own playsets for my toys. But it was my time doing my illustration degree at university that really started me off doing my paper sculpt work, for some of the briefs we had to take a more 3D route with creating the characters that you could actually see and touch, and from there I just enjoyed taking this flat piece of card and transforming it into a toy. With such a simple medium you get some amazing pieces of toy art, from there it all developed in to something I really wanted to carry on doing, so then I just worked hard in getting my work out there to build up a following.
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   I remember as a kid just making my own life size K-9 from Doctor Who, which was just lots of boxes and tin foil. To anybody else that’s basicly what it looked like but to me it was the tin dog.
   
   
3. What influences you?
   Creative people! To be around other creatives and seeing what they do and there opinons is something I couldn’t do without. Kids! I do workshops with children and to just see there imaginations come to life and enjoy making something is just amazing to see.
   
   
4. What are your weapons of choice?
   As a paper toy maker, my scalpel and blades. Even just my scissors to be honest, without those im pretty much lost. My sketch book also for just ideas or rough sketching.
   
   
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?The illustrator Amanda Visell, her work is just amazing and the way her illustrations just work from 2D to 3D models is just awe inspiringly brillant. I would very much give my right arm to collaborate with her to see how my paper sculpts and her illustrations would look together.

If you'd like to get in touch or know more about the awesome Ryan Hall here's his links:

• Website: Dougy74 Design
• Facebook: Dougy74 Design
• Twitter: @Dougy74Design

Who's next in the Tic Top 5 hot seat?

Tic Top 5: Interview with Tanin Tumth

Welcome to Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist or specialist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays artist is Thailand based Tanin Tumth who is an Art Director, Sculpter and Owner of Ministry of Kongz.

Not starting out like most sculptors and owners of their own toy company, Tanin was an Architect but his love for Thai Mythical Creatures and Japanese Kaiju Monsters turned him to creating creatures that are usual a combination of object, mythical creatures and pop-culture monsters.

Known for his most recognised creation in the Kaiju community 'Kruzilla', we thought it fitting to asked Tanin to answer the Tic Top 5 for today:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   I  love King Kong and Godzilla since I was a kid, also to the ultra kaiju monsters. I grew up till One day I walking around night market in Bangkok seeking for secondhand rubber toys… I just thought that "How about King Kong or Godzilla if they rebirth in Bangkok?" The Idea waked me up to start making Monster Toy.
   
   
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   My first monster is called "KOBZILLA"; hybridized between Godzilla and Frog ("KOB" in Thai), by clay sculpt and resin casting.
3. What influences you?
   The legendary toys like King Kong, Godzilla, and Ultra Kaiju monsters, both reals and bootlegs, so much inspired and waked my childhood up forever.
   
   
4. What are your weapons of choice?
   My Sketch Books, recording everything in my head.
   
   
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?Mr.Toriyama Akira, the man who created Dr.Slump.

If you'd like to get in touch or know more about the Tanin Tumth here's his links:

• Business: MOZ: Ministry of Kongz
• Store: MOK: Ministry of Kongz
• Facebook: Ministry of Kongz
• Twitter: @MinistryofKongz
• Instagram: ministryofkongz

Coming back tomorrow to see who's next in the Tic Top 5 hot seat. 

Tic Top 5: Interview with Charles Marsh

Welcome to Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist or specialist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays artist is U.S. based Charles Marsh who is an Artist, Designer, Sculpter, Customiser of Toys and Owner of Monsterforge.

With a passion for Fantasy and Science Fiction, Charles' work always bends the boundaries of the imagination like those genres. His work has a specific style yet no two works look the same which is a refreshing change. Not only is Charles an accomplished customizer of toys with his recent flash sellout of Teenage Mutant Ninja Kawaiiju's and Custom MOTU's but also designed and or sculpted characters that were voted to be part of OMFG (Outlandish Mini Figure Guys) Series 1: Multiskull, Series 2: Grimm Gourd, and Series 3: Barbarianaut from October Toys 

As you can see by his extensive experience as to why we asked Charles to answer the Tic Top 5 for today:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   I started making custom action figures back when I was a kid, but I actually started selling my work in 1996. I spent a lot of years doing the whole eBay grind-- making stuff and selling it without really having any following. A few years ago I got involved in the October Toys Forum, and folks seemed to really like my stuff. From there a sort of following developed. Facebook has also been a great format for showcasing my work and allowing interaction with people who like it.
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   I think it was a Fisher Price Adventure People figure I repainted to be Luke in his pilot gear. I couldn't find the actual Kenner figure anywhere, so I just made my own!
3. What influences you?
   Kids. I always think back to what it was like to be a kid, and the rest just kind of falls in place. I know that some of the most awesome things I have seen since making the Multiskull are pictures my friends have sent me of their kids playing with the figures. If you can make a kid smile with something you have made then you have done your job correctly!
   
   
4. What are your weapons of choice?
   As a sculptor I'd like to say that it's a certain blade or gouge or wrasp that is my weapon of choice, but I have to admit that it's really just a pencil and some paper. I always have to have pencil and paper with me wherever I go... it helps to pass the time, and it's a great way to capture stray creative thoughts before they are totally gone.
   
   
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?Without a doubt it would be Matt Doughty of Onell Design. He's such a nice guy with an amazing ability to create whole worlds in his mind. We've hinted around working together several times in the past, but time has never really allowed it. Matt is truly a one-of-a-kind type of guy, and it would be an honor to work with him.

If you'd like to get in touch or know more about the very cool Charles Marsh here's his links:

• Business: Monsterforge
• Store: Monsterforge
• Facebook: Monsterforge
• Twitter: @monsterforge
• deviantArt: monsterforge

Coming back tomorrow to see who's next in the Tic Top 5 hot seat. 

Tic Top 5: Interview with Jon-Paul Kaiser (JPK)

Welcome to Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist or specialist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays artist is U.K. based Jon-Paul Kaiser (JPK), Illustrator, Designer, Customiser of Designer Toys and Store Owner of Rhyme Square.

Working as a designer and illustrator, JPK’s career path took him through a variety of jobs, projects and trends until he was introduced to designer toys by his friend Porlzilla. Together they created their own original resin-cast limited edition art toys and sold them through their website. 

After working with Porlzilla, Jon-Paul decided to go it alone concentrating at first on the toy customization scene, building up a name and strong reputation for himself with his stark Black & White custom style, influenced by comic book art, film noir & Ukiyo-e prints. As his reputation grew, he was also invited to participate in more and higher profile art exhibitions such as Show Me The (mini) Munny, Art Strikes Back and Sketchbot Custom Show V2; just to name a few.

JPK's body of work is extensive producing both original pieces like his fantastic "Captain Sturnbrau" among others and loads of world renowned custom figures which you can see here. With all this experience we would be remiss not to ask Jon-Paul to answer the Tic Top 5 for today:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   I started out drawing Transformers when I was about 4 or 5 and never stopped really. I studied Model Making at University with the aim of creating Toys, characters and models and was eventually introduced to the Urban Vinyl/Art Toy scene by Porl of Porlzilla.
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   I used to make old Fisher Price cars into battle-wagons when I was young, does that count? 
3. What influences you?
   I'm inspired by all kinds of things; Walks in the woods, conversations with friends, films, travelling, nature, fine art, my wife and daydreaming.
   
   
4. What are your weapons of choice?
   A decent paint bush!
   
   
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?Hmm... There's several! Kurt Schwitters, The Chapman Brothers, Angry Woebots, Yoskay Yamamoto, Murakami, Ralph McQuarrie, Mark Boudreaux, Picasso, Francis Bacon, Mark Landwehr, there's too many to name.

If you'd like to get in touch or know more about the awesome Jon-Paul Kaiser here's his links:

• Business: Rhyme Square
• Website: Jon-Paul Kaiser
• Facebook: ImprobableCast
• Twitter: @rhymesquare
• Instagram: jonpaulkaiser

Coming back tomorrow to see who's next in the Tic Top 5 hot seat. 

Tic Top 5 Interview: Ahren Gauthier

Welcome to Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist or specialist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays specialist is U.S. based Ahren Gauthier who is a Molder, Caster, two time guest on the weekly online toy show Toy Break and Super Knowledgable on all things casting. 

Through his company ImprobableCast, Ahren produces soft tooling and resin castings as well as sculpting, prototyping, painting, 3D print finishing and production for a variety of industries. Being more of a behind the scenes kind of guy we thought it would be a great idea to get Ahren to answer the Tic Top 5 for today:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   I have been building models since I was a kid but the first time I ever got paid to do work like this was working for Games Workshop back in the early 2000s.
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   Probably one of those build your own robot kits. I used to think I wanted to go into robotics so I spent years monkeying around with them.
3. What influences you?
   Because a lot of what I do day to day is on the "technical" end of toys, I am constantly (my lady love would probably say incessantly) watching videos, reading tech bulletins about new materials and manufacturing processes.
4. What are your weapons of choice?These are the things I use almost every single day: Accurate gram scale - I literally could not do my work without one. Wax pen. Epoxy putty. Drill mixer. Nitrile gloves. Electrical tape.
   
   
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?Matt and Michelle Doughty from Onell Design are #1 with a bullet, Paul Kaiju, Dream Rocket, Mark Nagata, about a million other people. My wish list is loooooong!

If you'd like to get in touch with Ahren here's his links:

• Business: ImprobableCast
• Website: Ahrenheit
• Facebook: ImprobableCast
• Twitter: @improbablecast
• October Toys: Ask questions on the forum about casting here

Coming back tomorrow to see who's next in the Tic Top 5 hot seat. 

Tic Top 5 Interview: Darren Clegg

Welcome to the first of many Tic Top 5 where we ask an artist the hard hitting questions (not really they're actual quite easy). Todays artist is none other than UK based Graphic Designer turned Toy Artist, Darren Clegg. 

Whether it's his custom munny Army of Darkness series.

His ode to Monty Python with 'It's only a Flesh Wound'

The Green and Gold CyberPunk 'Mech Warrior #1'

Or the Beautiful Christophe and the Beast

Darren has a very distinctive style that sets him apart from most artists within the designer toy industry. We thought we'd ask Darren the Tic Top 5 questions that would give better insight into the mind of a talented artist such as himself.

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing?
   I have been friends with JPK (Jon Paul Kaiser) for a few years now and saw all his great work and every time we met up down the pub he kept telling me to give it a go, eventually i bought a mini munny and havent looked back since.
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created?
   Like i said it was a mini munny, I didnt really know how big and varied the custom toy world was at first and the mini munny seemed like a good starting point.
3. What influences you?
   I can get influenced by anything from a walk in the park to a complex 3d representation of some maths equation. Its important to keep your eyes open and soak up whats around you. Then when you come to do a new project all these ideas can filter out into something kinda cool hopefully.
4. What are your weapons of choice? The only tool I really need is my mind, i know that sounds cheesy but as long as I have an idea i can create with whatever is around me, that and a beer always help.
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?
   Would have loved to do a colab with Leonardo Da vinci, the guy was a genius at so many things, it would have been fascinating to spend some time in his studio as he was painting one minute, creating some mad machine the next and then dissecting some human remains to try and understand how it all worked. I imagine a colab could have gone so many different ways, it would have been pretty amazing.

Thanks Darren and if you'd like to see more or purchase some of Darren Clegg's awesome work, check out the Collect and Display store here, A lot of Darren's work goes on Instagram or alternatively hit him up via his Facebook email for future work here.