Exclusive Sekure D Interview, KidCoral and the Revealing of Final 3 Prints

We posted HERE earlier this week about Sekure D leaking the first 4 of his 7 print series for Oz Comic Con in Melbourne Australia. Now we've been lucky enough to get an exclusive interview from Sekure himself plus with the remaining 3 prints in question and a new custom figure. 

Tic Toc: What can we expect from your booth at this years Oz Comic Con? 

Sekure D: A whole range of things. Unlike last year there is for the first time prints as well as custom sneakers and vinyl toys plus some original art. I have tried to represent a variety of the things I do as well as have price points accessible to everyone who attends. 

Tic Toc: Prints are a new concept for you, is this something you've wanted to do prior? 

Sekure D: Absolutely, I am disappointed in myself that I did not do it sooner. After OzComicCon last year I said to myself that I needed more accessible items on my table than just original sneakers and toys which can alienate people due to the price point. Everyone can get involved and pick up a print and then maybe later down the track something a bit bigger. It’s just about spreading the word and trying something new really. 

Tic Toc: What inspired you to create the prints you have produced? 

Sekure D: A big part of what I am doing at the moment is putting my ‘Codename Unknown’ spin onto existing characters and that was the main focus with the prints that will be available at the con. There is some variety in the characters, mainly to assess how they would be received and help me refine the artwork for next year. My favourite piece is definitely the Simpsons sprawl canvas which is more my genuine style, it was a tonne of fun and if all things go well I will do a follow up with a Moes Tavern theme as well as another with secondary characters. 

Tic Toc: What's influencing your creativity with your new custom pieces especially KidCoral? 

Secure D: This is a hard one as I am never really sure, I am trying to push what I do with colors as well as take my existing patterns to a new level at the moment, which really is the focus. 

Tic Toc: Will you be doing any live customs or signings at Oz Comic Con? 

Sekure D: With 1 trestle table of space and so much to display and exhibit I do not think I will be able to do any live painting this year, if this con goes as well as I hope it will then I will probably get two spaces next year and use one exclusively for painting live. 

Tic Toc: What's your thoughts on the designer toy & sneaker industry in Australia. 

Sekure D: It is confusing to me, there is a core of passionate collectors which I have met over the years but what I think we need to work on and foster is the sense of community. This is what helps establish the scene and push it to the next level. I know we have some galleries and stores which already display and or sell custom pieces but I hope it will soon go to the next level and become similar to the great sneaker and in general art scene here. I am very much looking forward to that day myself.

Don't forget you catch Sekure D July 6 -7 at Oz Comic Con in Melbourne. Sekure D will also have a few giveaways that he'll release information on via his Instagram and Facebook Page in coming days.

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?