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Court of the Dead

May 7, 2013

Battle Tails! - A Kickstarter Campaign by Huck Gee

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Huck Gee is a man of many talents and he is trying to add a video game to his long list of accomplishments, that is with your help, through Kickstarter. Huck Gee has recently launched a Kickstarter project to help fund his Strategic Defense Game called "Battle Tails". A lot of time and effort has already been put towards the creation of the game. Now, with help from the community, Battle Tails can become reality.

Here is a snippet of info from the Kickstarter Page:
Building this game and this universe isn't cheap. High quality art and animation takes time and resources. Multiplayer means more fun, but also more support infrastructure, hardware, and code. More funding helps us support more artists and animators who will help bring the Battle Tails world to life.
So, please check out the details below for rewards, freebies and more ways you can be a part of Battle Tails History. Help me bring this world to life.
- Huck

With over 20% of the total goal already funded in the beginning hours of the Kickstarter Campaign, head on over, select a reward and make a pledge. With everything from a simple in game starter pack for the Battle Tails game, to a 20" Mega Battle Tails custom, there is a reward level for everyone. So, take some time to head on over to the Battle Tails Kickstarter page and if you can, make a pledge.



Camilla d'Errico New Fonzo Gaia For FonzoLovesTheUK

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It's coming up- it's happening! A fantastic lineup of talented artists from both North America and the UK have been gearing up for Freakstore's Fonzo Loves The UK exhibition at Sho Gallery opening this Saturday May 11.
 
Fine Artist Camilla d'Errico returns after a smashingly successful showing at Fonzo Love NY- her first Fonzo, "Rainbow In My Eyes", sold on preview. Camilla's new contribution is titled "Gaia" and her beauty is sure to ensnare you (figuratively speaking) in her beautiful flowing locks. 
 
"Gaia" will be available through the Sho Gallery, and if you're quick enough on preview, through freakstore@rocketmail.com for 280£. This is a good opportunity for fans both new and diehard to add an original oil painting of Camilla's to their collection.
 
 
 
 
 
 


Spanky Stokes Stroll Shirt by Outsmart Originals

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 outsmART originals is stoked! Stoked to be working with SpankyStokes.com, awarded DTA's 2012 Best Blog, for the next t-shirt release.

The design is based on the SpankyStokes.com Stroll Mascot, where a few months ago on Instagram, numerous artists began drawing and submitting their concepts of the 'Stroll' character. Many versions were submitted from artists across the globe and each a unique and fresh take on the character. Jake Gillispie at Grindhouse submitted this design as a work in progress added additional updates as the design progressed. Since then, the design has been recreated as prints and stickers and now, as this unique collaboration, it will be released as an EPIC outsmART originals t-shirt! http://nvy.gd/ZCkWL9

Capturing the full detail of the design, the ultra cotton t-shirt will be produced as a vintage transfer release creating the highest quality possible for this intricate artwork. The shirt will also include the SpankyStokes / Grindhouse logo on the back. Available for both men and women with sizes up to 5XL, preorders are now being accepted for this limited edition t-shirt and are guaranteed to ship on or before June 3rd - just in time for all of the summer conventions.

As an incentive, SpankyStokes.com will award one randomly chosen customer a Grand Stroll Prize Set that will include: a limited edition Stroll iPhone 5 Case, a Jake Gillispie Stroll Sticker from Grindhouse, a limited edition print of the Stroll by Jake and one original OMG Series 1 custom Stroll figure! Reserve your Stroll t-shirt today for a chance to win!

AND remember, its MY-TEE-MAY-NIA which means during the month of May you can BUY 3 T-SHIRTS AND GET THE 4TH ONE FREE - now that's a deal (or is it a steal?)! No discount code needed and the offer is good on all in stock and preorder t-shirts (discount will be applied for equal or lesser value of shirts purchased).



Blindbox... Paintings?! Artist Series From Piedmont Artists United

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Jeff Beck of Menace Inc Studios has put together a local North Carolina artists collective called Piedmont Artists United, and they're out of the gates with an interesting new idea.
 
Each artist created a 4x4" painting on canvas interpreting the theme Monsters, and these paintings have been packaged Blindbox style for sale here. Pick a Blind Monstrosity... if you dare!
 
 


Yoru Tsubasa by Artmymind

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My favorite Fonzo till now, totally amazed by this piece...

We present you "Yoru Tsubasa", and this is what happen when you get Artmymind creatively frustrated for too long. A liberating finger in the face to all the issues we've been through for the last few months. 


Follow ArtmyMind here:
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Store

May 6, 2013

I'll Take A Boxen Of Oxen - Creo Design New Release

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Chris Dobson & Creo Design Little Ox

Chris Dobson and Creo Design launched a collaborative Little Ox design at ToyCon UK this year, and have a websale to follow it up with!


For 'Boxen of Oxen', Little Ox are live in the alto webstore here. Priced at £25GBP each and available in four mix and match colourways, each in an edition of 10.

They also have a nice selection of custom Little Ox on their webstore. I particularly like this one by Mr. Lister.

 



Hot on the hooves of their debut release, alto and Creo Design would also like to take this opportunity to unveil their forthcoming release - emerging from the deep in Summer 2013, Octovox is coming to rule the (air)waves...
 
 


Featured Product - April 6, 2013

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Dudebox Super Amazing Spectacular Collection blind box


It's as good as it sounds! A collection of designs that are all bold and brilliant.

On Scratch, Jonny Wan brings us an alternative colourway and mini version of Crackal*, Andreas Krapf has created an octopus hunter (with his catch), Drunk Park shows us his Bong Jovi and Travis Price has created an x-ray with bit of a special touch (*hint: turn out the lights). Ted has been turned into M.I.L.K. Catbot by Attaboy and Japanese artist Junichi Tsuneoka delivers in his trademark style. The Dude gets the Suki Bamboo treatment with Frosty, Chauskoskis' Big Red Dude is someone you wouldn't want to mess with, The Yok turns his graffiti style in to vinyl, as does The Dude creator Mark Gmehling with Hip Hop Attitude.
Each of these pieces is blind boxed which means we do not know what you will get and neither do you. Start your collection today. Each blind box is $9.95 in the Tenacious Toys online store.

Hit the jump for some close ups of the individual pieces.


Review Bomb Hugger By Apologies To Banksy

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Today I have for you an examination and review of one of the recent Apologies To Banksy Bomb Hugger vinyl & PVC, available from Apologies To Banksy here.
 
The company stirs a bit of controversy, as it is not an official affiliate of Banksy- of whom is explicit in his attitude towards unauthorized reproductions of his work. Apologies to Banksy seem sorry about the capitalization on his name and artwork though; they named their company after their feelings towards it. And apologize profusely on their packages and website. But they don't seem sorry enough to not endeavor to interperate and sell his ideas.
 
 
My ambition was to let a review and some research change my opinion about the companies efforts, though it has been mixed results. I'm pro-inpiration, interpretation, trans-platform engineering- these can all be very good things. Lots of our favourite artists draw from existing creative properties we know and love/critique; from Ron English to Greg Simkins. So where does the line get drawn between when we love it, or don't? Here's what I found about Bomb Hugger.
 
It came out of the box a litle dirty, which was disappointing. On close inspection, the Quality Control in the figure itself had a bit of trouble with bubbling. This piece had a crater from a popped bubble on her nose- the last place any company wants QC issues would be the figure's face, I imagine. As observed in a previous review on Tomopop, this figure has a bit of an unpleasant seam in the back where right arm joins the body. The DIY figure does come with free paint and a brush, which is a thoughtful gesture, though artists paying 20GBP+Shipping for a designer blank would not be buying it on the merits of getting these paints.
 
This image darkened to highten the contrast in the facial features.
 
 
Sometimes a controvercial idea can win us over when the quality of the product is really outstanding. I'm not left feeling this way with Bomb Hugger- for about $50USD after shipping from the UK, she might arrive dirty, may have QC issues, and wide seams. The sculpting seemed a bit challenged to me; her left arm is twice as long as her right arm, and the bomb cradles akwardly, pulling away from what should have been contact points with her face and hands.
 
 
 
In Banksy's original street artwork, her features are feminine and she makes emotive contact with the bomb she embraces. These two hallmarks of the success of the image did not appear to translate effectively in the vinyl interpretation.
 
 
 
From a customizing perspective of looking at the piece as a DIY Blank, it doesn't seem very appealing. It is hyper-literal in its figuration, which can be difficult to work interperatively with and do anything more than make variations of colourways. The bomb is a very nice size to be able to custom in interesting ways, about 3" long, and removable. Her skirt is also a smooth and easily accessable canvas to work on.
 
And we know it's not true that extremely literal bases cannot be creatively re-imagined; this Ardabus Rubber custom Kozik bust stands out in my mind as an effective abstract interpretation on an extremely literal platform.
 
 
 
 
So what could have been done differently for Bomb Hugger?
 
Bomb Hugger may have been an effective bust, which would have allowed for more elegant sculpting in the face. This was explored also by Tomopop, who reviewed Bomb Hugger alongside Apologies to Banksy's figure Rude Copper. I think there's truth in the conclusion we both arrived at though; what Bomb Hugger gained by being a full-body figure with a nicely detailed base does not seem to outweigh some of the other aesthetic challenges with working in that scale.
 
I do appreciate it takes a great deal of work to actualize and produce a figure like this. And Apologies To Banksy are trying hard to share what they feel strongly about doing; they're attending Expos and putting on a Custom Exhibition. They're even putting on a design competition where entrants have a chance to have their custom made into a production run of 250 pieces and sold. An undisclosed proceeds percentage is intended for donation an undisclosed charity. No compensation to the artist is offered, though having a design produced is pretty cool, many would say.
 
If you're a fan of Banksy's work, it might just be a really cool thing to have in your collection. It's a great invitation to submit to show custom work in London in their upcoming Exhibition. They're a young company with ambition, and deserve acknowledgement for that. And they did mention they're sorry, right?
 
 

May 5, 2013

IDDQD

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Symbiote Studios just turned GOD MODE with it's upcoming release.  Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the game's release, a 3" Symbiote space marine figure with helmet and BFG!



(Would have been really cool if this was a blindbox series with the various faces denoting health levels.)

Pre-order now here and save $5



Dia de Los Muertos Mariachi Hello Kitty custom by Matt Perez

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"Dia de los Muertos/Mariachi Hello Kitty".

The piece includes hand sculpted roses, mariachi dress details, and paint. To keep up with Obscure's work, you can friend him on Facebook (Matt Obscure Perez), follow him on Instagram (obscureakg), or contact him at Matthew@angrykoalagear.com for questions and commissions. For all of your pop culture news, including comics, toys, art, and all things geek, you can check out his website at www.angrykoalagear.com



May 4, 2013

Design a Lovely Cup of Tea

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Design a lovely “Mini Custom Cup of Tea” and have the chance of winning some tasty Lunartik treats!
The Rules:
You have until the 31st July 2013 to get an image of your perfect cuppa over to us viacompetitions@lunartik.com
You have many ways in which to enter, you can submit a drawing, painting, digital CAD drawing, a photo of a custom cuppa.
1. Download the PDF Entry Form – Download Now
2. Download the Lunartik Design Template – Download Now
3. The Deadline is the 31st July 2013
The Prizes:
There are 3 prizes up for grabs.
The winner will receive a full tray of Mini Series 2, that’s 16 Mini Teas and some signed goodies from Matt JOnes.
2 runners up will each receive a pair of signed Mini Teas of their choice.
The Judges: Matt JOnes & Doktor A
We’re looking for everything and anything, all submissions will be taken into account.
Good Luck Tea Drinkers!


Welcome to Lunartik’s Mini-Tea Tour

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An exhibition featuring over 70+ custom works of art based on Matt JOnes’ platform art toys
‘Lunartik in a Cup of Tea’. These artistic interpretations have been brewed to perfection by a fine
selection of World Artists.

Mini-Tea Tour Dates: 2013

Venue 8:
Raygun Comic Store
Opening Party: The 4th May 2013 with Matt JOnes in the house!
Date: 4th May – 30th June 2013
Address: 26 Red Lion Street, Richmond, London, TW9 1RW, United Kingdom.
Raygun Comic Store

Mini-Tea Tour History 2011/2012

Venue 1:
The Mini-Tea Tour debuted on the 6th April 2011, as part of the Pictoplasma character walk in Berlin.
It was a true success and a much loved exhibition.
Venue 2:
The tour continued on its travels around Europe and eventually arrived in the wonderful city of Vienna, where it was proudly displayed in the fashion boutique “Sixxa Store” for the entirety of
May 2011. There was a tea party and artists signing on the opening night.
Venue 3:
The Tour traveled to the UK and was featured in London’s Forbidden Planet Mega Store in August. Where we all had cake!
Venue 4:
Cambridge Art Salon – Cambridge.
Venue 5:
Forbidden Planet Store – Cambridge.
Venue 6:
Fat Buddha Store – Glasgow.
Venue 7:
The SHO Gallery & Shop – Cardiff.


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