A Day in the Life of a Hot Wheels Designer

Meet retired Hot Wheels designer Larry Wood who created such classic toys as “Purple Passion,” a chop-top ’49 Mercury, and “The Boneshaker,” a hot rod with a skull for a grille.

Hot Rod Unlimited, take a look back at Wood’s illustrious career at Hot Wheels and see the amazing real-life toys (cars) he’s built in his garage since.

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 Matt Jones aka Lunartik

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 Germany based Matt Jones aka Lunartik JOnes who is an Artist, Designer, Sculpter, Customiser of Toys and Owner of Lunartik.

Matt Jones has been customising for some time winning prizes for his work and has been a regular feature in countless exhibitions around the world but you know when you've made when your own designer toy becomes a sort after figure for the collection or to customize yourself. Matt is about to embark on his latest exhibition this weekend with the Mini Tea Tour at Raygun Comic Store in London and has a competition running for all you customizers out there.

With all this experience in customising, producing and exhibiting we thought it appropriate to get Matt to answer today's Tic Top 5:

1. How did you start in the industry of creating & customizing? I was drawing charecters for a long time, I was show the door to the deisgner toy industry by Phil Corbett in around 2004. I started on a good foot by winning a TOY2R competition with a qee bear (pictured above), I did a few custom pieces using existing toys and soon became bored of the shapes and found it a good use of my time to make my own shape which happend to be "Lunartik in a Cup of Tea" I used a mix of my love for Tea and Toys to make this design, I hid the legs inside the cup to add mystery and give him his own distintive look.
   Since 2005 when he was first created. I have customised many Tea Cups and come up with all sorts of new designs for him.
   
   I've dabbled in custom shows, and have put out some limited edition pieces, and have have a sensession of major toy releases and recently I've been commissioned to make the Doctor Who figures for the BBC/Titan Merchandise.
   
2. What was the first toy or item you customized or created? The first toy i customised was a Qee Knuckles bear in the shape of a frog, I named it Hophop and gave it a back story! It was a fun piece to do, I wasn't concerend about re-shaping the piece but more about how the paint alone can re-shape the piece for the on looker. I did the same with my "QT Qee".
   
3. What influences you?
   It's a tough question as I get this a lot and my answers change all the time. Currently I'm going through a patch of non-influences. I've been changing direction in my head so many times, and I dont have time to be influenced by stuff currently. I will have to come back to you one day in the future and answer this one.
   
4. What are your weapons of choice?
   These days my weapons of choice are pen, pad, paint brush and computer. I've stopped customising for a bit as I have to concentrate on my artwork and my manufacturing assignments these days with Lunartik in a Cup of Tea.
   
5. If you could collaborate with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?
   I think its best to see what comes up, chance meetings are normally best for everyone.

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

• Website: Lunartik

• Store: Lunartik

• Facebook: Lunartik JOnes

• Twitter: @Lunartik

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. 

It's Mayhem for The Demon Fett

Josh Mayhem revealed his custom Lego Clock / Lego Hero Factory mashup called 'The Demon Fett' made from 100% Lego Toys today and it looks amazing. The detail is fantastic and the color sublime. 

The Demon Fett is for the Designing Outside The Lines group show opening April 26 at 1AM Gallery which mention in a previos post. To be part of the preview contact maya@1AMSF.com.

1AM Gallery Designs Outside the Lines with Lego

For those of us who played with Lego as a child we have never stopped and for the artists in “Designing Outside The Lines” a premier Lego-inspired show at 1AM Gallery haven't either. 

"Expect to see customizations of Lego pieces, the Lego Torch lamp and Lego Men, digital prints, original paintings and more. The exhibition will feature 1920s silent movie characters, lit Lego Men, mini mecha, maps, guns and wasps- to name a few! Whether they are using record breaking amounts of Lego pieces, introducing new materials to Lego customization, combining simple minifigs with complex machinery, or anonymously installing ginormous Lego men on public beaches- they are definitely some of the most imaginative artists out there." - Maya, 1AM Gallery

1AM Gallery, curator James Brown has invited the most prominent Lego and toy designers  of Ego Leonard, Legolize It Man, Bart de Dobbelaer, Brickthing, Bill Hewitt, Carson Catlin, Ian Ziobrowski, Josh Mayhem, Crestone, Dee Ten, One-Eyed-Girl, Michael Napolitan,MeSmithy, Citizen Brick and Mike Mendez who's styles and imaginations span from the US to the Netherlands. Designing Outside The Lines will run from April 26th until May 25th.

Bigfoot Has Been Found by Giant Robot

The legend of the Sasquatch has been proven to be real! In vinyl form that is.

Bigfoot - The Forest Warlord vinyl figure stands at a huge 11″ tall, has articulated arms and is available in four colors of Black, Brown, Green and Purple. 

Each Bigfoot limited in number so hurry over to Giant Robot, before he becomes a myth again.

MAp-MAp has a Two Headed Beast

Hot off the heals of Toy Con UK is MAp-MAp creator Matthew Plater's 'Liath'. 

Liath is a the two faced beast who will look deep within your soul with a friendly, goofy smile.while the the other will swoop down and chomp a chunk out of which ever limb it can get.

Each Liath is a 3" tall resin cast models, each painted with unique details. MAp-MAp's latest crretion is only limited to 26 pieces so swoop down here and grab Liath before she grabs you.

Luke Chueh and Scott Tolleson get Bartholomew Punchyface with each other

Bartholomew Punchyface is the collaborative efforts of artists Luke Chueh and Scott Tolleson. Chueh's cynical narratives combined with Tolleson's nerd chic culminate into a character anyone who's had a hard time in school can empathise with. This limited edition plush bear is produced by the always progressive 3DRetro and A little Stranger

The quality of Bartholomew Punchyface is amazing with the sleeves and knee patches are doubled up in true nerd fashion. Bartholomew also sports pants that are actually cords held up with a real belt and back butt area that’s loose enough so you can give him a wedgie! Bartholomew also wears the Tolleson print with pride and will be available in three different colors.

Bartholomew Punchyface is the most pathetic nerd bear you'll ever meet but also the cutest.  You will soon be able to purchase him from 3DRetro to bully him or save him from the
other bullies out there. 

Astronaut Skull Star Necklace is about to Take Off

Not only can you know collect an awesome designer figure but also wear it. Dum English is the limited edition collaboration between famed artist Ron English and Chris Brown. This new 3" Astronaut Skull Star comes complete in 3 different color ways of Gold Dum,  Turquoise Dum and Pink Dum, along with a beautiful gold chain and a removable rocket cloud that quite cleverly doubles as a pedestal.

These have sold out before so get the Astronaut Skull Star while they're still available
from De Korner

Rock On with Megaseth

For those you about to rock, prepare to salute Megaseth. This ToyCon UK exclusive is the collaboration of Lisa Rae Hansen aka I Break Toys & Fugi.me. Megaseth has been released in 2 hand painted colour-ways, Snake and Spades editions. The detail is simple yet affective and his character could be mistaken as one of the band members of Spinal Tap.

MegaSeth comes blind-boxed in a presentation box, along with special MegaSeth Rock Memorabilia of Gig Ticket, Mini Print, Real Plectrums, and Badges. There are only 10 pieces of each colour, making in total only 20 pieces so rock onto the Fugi.me site to secure yours now.

Be My Toys Festival

Only 4 days until the Be My Toys festival in France starts. With Twenty Designers and Toy Customisers, Twenty Artists, Workshops, Concerts, DJs from around the world it's definitely something to put on the to do list in France if you're their April 14-21. 
For more details go to http://bemytoys.com/