I'm Scared: The Movie! Screening, Print Release, Raffles and Stair Monsta Toy release

Just in time for Halloween, Greg "Craola" Simkins & C4Toons is going to have the first public screening of I'm Scared: The Movie! at 3D Retro. On October 15th, 3D Retro will also play host for the official release of the Midnight colorway for the Stair Monsta figure, a figure initially created as part of the Kickstarter campaign that helped fund the creation of I'm Scared: The Movie!. This black version of the Stair Monsta figure complements the Halloween theme, while the character played a part in the movie. In addition to the movie being premiered and the figure release, Craola is going to be raffling off an original painting, as well as releasing a limited edition print. Raffle tickets are only available at the event and the winner must be present, since they have to take it home after the event is over. The print release will be a 7"x10" Giclee on canvas titled "Join Me". Priced at $80, each print is signed and numbered, with an edition size of 31. This is looking like it's going to be a fantastic event with Craola and Kevin Pasko on hand for the signing of the "Stair Monsta" figure. For those in the area, be sure to head on down to 3D Retro and show some support, while also taking in a fun movie.

Join Me - Limited edition giclee on canvas print by Greg "Craola" Simkins, ed. of 31

Crandle Returns - 9"x13", Acrylic on a coffin panel - Greg "Craola" Simkins

- Mark-Anthony

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Still I'm Grateful - Craola x Prints on Wood

Greg "Craola" Simkins is releasing an amazing print titled "Still I'm Grateful" through Prints On Wood. The print is 6" x 9", printed on 3/4" sustainable birch, with a natural gloss finish. Priced at $68 plus shipping, this print will be available during a timed released which occurs from 12pm PST 10/20/14 to 12pm PST 10/24/14. So, the edition size will be dependent on how many people make a purchase. Be sure to sign up for the Prints On Wood newsletter to keep up with all the upcoming releases from amazing artists.

- Mark-Anthony

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I'M SCARED Ralf Figure - Shadow Edition by Craola x 3D Retro

With a successful Kickstarter last year to get I'M SCARED the movie created and into production, 3D Retro and Greg "Craola" Simkins were able to debut the Shadow Edition Ralf Figure at SDCC 2014. This figure is the first public released figure of Ralf, which is the main character of I'M SCARED the movie and a product of the successful Kickstarter campaign. The figure came out amazing, with more colorways to follow.

Greg "Craola" Simkins at the 3D Retro booth during SDCC 2014 - photo from 3D Retro Instagram

Craola was on hand at the 3D Retro booth for a signing during SDCC. All the remaining Shadow Ralf figures are available through the 3D Retro website, or store. Retailing for $70 each, plus shipping (and tax for CA), this edition of Ralf is limited to just 150 pieces. This black Ralf features GID eyes and comes in a stunning box. Get these fast and start the Ralf colorway collection.

  - Mark-Anthony

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Ralf - A New Greg "Craola" Simkins 6" Vinyl Toy

Greg "Craola" Simkins is teaming up with the folks over at 3DRetro to bring Ralf, the White Knight, to vinyl life. Ralf is the main character in Craola's future stop motion animation, which he and C4toons is currently running a Kickstarter for, in order to raise the base funding for the project. Craola is not new to the vinyl toy world, with his work appearing on several production toys, including a line of his own characters. From the very beginning of the Kickstarter launch and even with the teaser pics posted by Craola, collectors have been hoping for the chance at the possibility of a vinyl toy of one or more characters set to appear in the Mook(term coined for this project to mean Movie and accompanying book). It appears that Ralf(and hopefully more characters) is going to be a vinyl toy which everyone will be able to have and adore in the future. Even as a rough concept, the implications of what the final product will look like is fantastic. This could be the first in a line of characters from the future "I'm Scared" movie.

Creating something like Ralf the vinyl toy is a huge undertaking, especially from a drawn concept, which was created for a project that is still in it's early stages. For many, the assumption is that the process to create a toy from concept to final product is something simple and the prices should reflect that. What many people should understand, is that in order to make most toys viable and affordable, multiple colorways is something that will always be discussed. Having a single colorway edition of 1200 for any vinyl toy is something that is not always the best option, especially when it comes to designer toys and the small niche it represents in the grand scheme of all things considered art and toys.

With all that said, the "I'm Scared" Kickstarter is going to be the only way for collectors to score the exclusive Kickstarter colorway. The "Rancid Ralf" pledge level has 100 available rewards with a pledge level set at $65 or more(which includes shipping within the US). The "Booogey Monstah" pledge level of $100, offers both the Vinyl Toy Ralf and the Mook, with only 50 available rewards. Both levels combined means that the Kickstarter edition of Ralf is currently set at 150 units. This Kickstarter opportunity is a great way for collectors to score what should be a rare piece, while also saving a bit of money and supporting a wonderful project. As of this blog post, only 11 days remain and the project is only at 69% funded of the total funding goal of $65,000. Hopefully, more people will pledge in the next few days, snagging up these newly added rewards.

If you haven't done so already, please make a pledge or just spread the word to everyone you know. Spreading the word is just as good as pledging. Let's all make "I'm Scared" the movie happen!

- Mark-Anthony

Pop Surreal Sculpture by Craola & Kevin Pasko

 

Instagram has got to be one of my favourite ways to discover things that amaze and excite me, in real time, on a daily basis. A short while ago Greg "Craola" Simkins shared some of what he's been working on sculpturally for exhibition with friend and studio-mate Kevin Pasko

 

Kevin works in 3D Modeling and Sculpture for industry clients in gaming, toys and car manufacturing, but is also skilled with more Fine Art and sculpture.

We can see Kevin pays meticulous attention to detail and cleanliness in sculpting Craola's wonderful and surreal designs. As well as a creative eye for filling in "Turnarounds"- sculpting dynamically in-the-round.

 

 

 

"Stuck Outside" - Craola

 

I can see where elements of Craola's captivating surreal compositions and characters are coming together in dynamic 3-Dimensional forms. The digital sculpt above emphasizes the beautiful craning posture of the figure's neck.

 

Greg "Craola" Simkins is regularly posting beautiful new works to is IG @Craola and website.

You can find more of Kevin Pasko's digital sculpting on Instagram@Kevinpasko, on Tumblr or by inquiring kevin_pasko@yahoo.com

  I'll be watching for more artful sculpting like these, which could become actualized as rapid-print prototypes in the future!

 

 

 

 

 

-Tasha Zimich



Ridiculously cool stuff from Strangeco

Strangeco usually sells to retailers at the wholesale level, but occasionally they sell some rare and cool vinyl directly to collectors. 

Here are 3 notable items they're selling that I think are worth passing on to you:

The "Listen to Metal" 3-inch chase figure from King Ken Series 1, only $9.99. Buy it here.

Greg Simkins' Keel Haul Clegg 7-inch vinyl figure in a rare red colorway (300 made). 

Buy it for $14.99 here. 

Regular colorway Keel Haul Clegg (black) & Cap'n Rotnclaw (red), as well as greyscale Cap'n Rotnclaw, are all reduced to $14.99 as well! If you're a Simkins fan, you can pick up all four 7-inch pieces for $60, and that's a helluva deal.

Finally, above is the very special custom Brine Edition Cap'n Rotnclaw, hand-painted by Dead Presidents. Limited to only 24 pieces and priced at $74.99. Buy it here.

From Mind to Matter: Nolasco & Nemo at ToyQube

Two extremely talented artists showed at ToyQube last night: Brent Nolasco and Nemo. Brent's customs have been gracing blogs, websites and shows all over the world. His signature colorful-yet-dark style can be recognized a mile away. Nemo is a NYC-based sculptor who works in a variety of mediums (media?). His sculpting is second-to-none. Check out the Joe Pesci & James Gandolfini sculpts. Amazing. Looks for his name to start popping up a lot more in the future.

(above) Brent Nolasco spent a few hours the night before the show throwing up sick painting on ToyQube's wall right by the front door. Talk about great advertising! Wonder how much that slab of wall is worth now?

(above) Brent talks shop!

(above & below) Brent Nolasco custom CRAOLA Captain Rotnclaw (which we sold to him)

(above) Please do not molest the valuable customs.

(above & below) Nolasco custom Hammerhead Sharky (a ToyQube product!)

(above) Nolasco custom Andrew Bell Giver

(above) 2 Nolasco customs

(above & below) 2 Brent Nolasco paintings

(above) Nemo customs

(above & below) 3 Nemo sculpts: Gandolfini, Pesci & a toy which is destined to have paint designed by Nolasco!

(above) 3 Nemo sculpts

(above) more Nemo sculpts: custom Statue of Liberties (originally sculpted by... you guessed it, Nemo! and now customized) plus 3 spray can which stack like a totem pole!

(above) Nemo sculpts Joe Pesci from Casino

(above & below) Nemo's Dust Mite paintings

(above) Nemo talks shop