Critter Zen

Wow- two entries in less than 24 hours!

Recently, some of the critters have been residing at Zen Artspace, in the Houston Galleria.  We have been part of the Artists in Wonderland and Superhero group shows so far, and we are looking forward to Apocalypse, coming up this July.  It's a great place to be, with a variety of interesting work from several Houston artists.

I'm a huge fan of the plushie fashion created by Zen Art Director, Kyle Fu.  Kyle is an amazing origami artist as well.

Here's my zombie Yoda peeking out the window...

Manbearpig, Werebub, Xiong Mao, and Yao Guai enjoy hanging out with our friend Kristen's awesome jewelry...

Wondering who'll be there next?  Here's a hint...

Dunnys @ Domy

Yesterday was the official release date for the newest Dunny series from Kidrobot. There were trading parties and celebrations all over the world from the morning into the late evening hours. I decided to attend the party at Domy Books, and I convinced the fabulous Kristen to come along, since she truly LOVES the allure of blind box toys.

Most of you probably know what a blind box toy is but just in case... Usually, there are a set amount of different versions of a blind-boxed toy, with some extremely rare versions (called a chase), that make up a whole case. The toys are then sealed in opaque foil bags and then boxed with no way of knowing which toy you will get. Sometimes, if you purchase an entire case, you are guaranteed to get at least one of each design, and the chase. Sometimes not... It's always a gamble. Luckily, if you don't get the version you were hoping for, there is always eBay and some of the online toy shops who sell them "open-boxed" a few months after the initial debut... I tend toward wanting specific toys in each series (so surprising!), and often wait for these "open-boxed" sales.

It was very exciting watching everyone tear into their new Dunnys last night! Also, some of the collectors brought Dunnys from other series and some other blind-boxed toys to trade. Luckily, I got the Dunny design I'd been wanting (Dirty Donny) and Kristen was very happy with hers (Dril One). Domy is a fun place to hang out, and they are well-stocked with very tempting designer vinyl toys and great books...

Last night was also the end of the Cast in Plastic Show. Marie Ung curated a fantastic selection of custom vinyl toys, and Manbearpig was proud to be amongst them! I brought him home last night and he's all ready for the next show...

Our new 2011 Dunnys:

Here they are admiring Yetibub

Posing with Mr. Den's Spartan from the Cast in Plastic Show:

The Dunny 2011 box:

This year, each Dunny comes with an extra "body part," and if you manage to collect them all, you will be rewarded with this cool Glow-in-the-Dark Dunny:

Some stickers we recognized outside Domy from Ack, Bryan Cope and J.T. Theriot:

Have a great weekend everyone!

Cast in Plastic: Art from the Designer Toy Revolution

(Photo credits: Cast in Plastic artists, Valerie G, TOYSREVIL)

(Credit: Abe Lincoln, Jr.)



Cast in Plastic opened this past Saturday night @ Domy Books. Marie Ung curated an amazing show with a packed house- finally, a custom vinyl toy show in Houston! Several pieces were sold opening night, and it would appear that many Houstonians bought their very first designer vinyl toys on Saturday as well. It was all very exciting! Hopefully the peeps around here will understand my custom vinyl critters a bit more now...

Marie, Anville and I were interviewed by the Houston Press:
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2011/05/cast_in_plastic.php

Marie was also interviewed by Andy, of TOYSREVIL: http://toysrevil.blogspot.com/2011/05/event-images-for-cast-in-plastic-domy.html

I've included just a few photos of my favorites:
(Photo credits: Valerie G)

Cast in Plastic
Artist: Ack!

Abe Jr.'s Pal, Nooka Olsen
Artist: Abe Lincoln, Jr.

Hill Monster
Artist: EvokerOne

Gears
Artist: Squink!

Prepare for Glory
Artist: Mr. Den

Monkey Bao Bear
Artist: Martin Hsu

Don Diablo
Artist: Chauskoskis

Rabbit in Respite
Artist: Andrew Shondrick

Claude
Artist: Ack!

Hynobot
Artist: Fried Gold Productions

ty-po dunny ex. 8ab - bold future
Artist: Ryan The Wheelbarrow

And of course... Manbearpig! He looks quite happy...

If you missed the opening, be sure to stop by and visit Manbearpig and his new friends- Cast in Plastic runs through 23 June 2011.

It's Manbearpig!

I bet that you have all guessed that by now... especially since this lil' guy is not my first Manbearpig-type critter. However, he is my first vinyl version of the furry South Park "hybrid" that we've all come to know and love!

Manbearpig was created using a 7" vinyl Munny, over 1000 pompoms (!!), Sculpey, acrylic paint, glass eyes, poly fur, leather, varnish, and found objects.

Here he is admiring the spring flowers:

Enjoying the sun amongst the greenery:

It was a windy day today!

On his "woodsy" display base with his TV (watching South Park, of course!), and box of Cheesy Poofs:

I hope you all like him! Manbearpig is looking forward to meeting lots of new Houston peeps- please stop by Saturday night and say hi to him:

Cast in Plastic: Art from the Designer Toy Revolution:

Opening Night
Saturday, 14 May 2011
7-10 pm

Domy Books
1709 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77098

Cast in Plastic runs through 23 June 2011