Spotlight On: Custom Artist Fershozombie

WDWNT on May 23, 2011


This piece is awesome. I love the use of 3D additions to create a very unique profile. All the details and colors are very well done. I love all the spots in the green skin, and the nicely painted RF on the shirt.

We got a chance to interview the artist. Here’s what they said.
MC: Tell us a little about yourself.
Fershozombie: My name is Fernando but I go by the alias fershozombie. I am an illustrator from Mexico. I work designing merchandise for bands, skateboard companies, and clothing brands.
MC: What got you into art?
FZ: Ever since I can remember I love drawing, I used to draw the characters from the cartoons I used to watch. That was my first connection with art.

MC: That’s cool. What’s your artistic background, training/education?
FZ: I am currently studying the graphic design career, but I’ve been in the business for around three years.

MC: How long have you been creating custom Vinylmation?
FZ: The Rat Fink was my first time customizing a vinylmation piece, but I am currently working on a second one that I am sure some people will like.

MC: How many other custom vinyl pieces have you made?
FZ: I mostly work with Japanese vinyl and Kidrobot’s Munny toys. I’ve been working with them for some time, but I would say I have done more than 20.

MC: What’s your favorite piece you’ve made?
FZ: I really like all the pieces I do, but I am really stoked about the one I am currently working on. I will be producing a resin toy from one of my eyeball characters.
MC: Do you collect the Vinylmation created by Disney artists?
FZ: I haven’t really had the pleasure to get one, I only have a small collection of blanks that I plan to work on.

MC: Well, from what you have seen out there, what is your favorite Disney Vinylmation design?
FZ: I really like the eyeball one from the jr. series and also the Oogie Boogie one.
MC: How did you come up with the idea of the Rat Fink piece?
FZ: I have always been a fan of Ed Roth’s art, you can tell if you see my portfolio. So I wanted to do some kind of tribute to his work, and the vinylmation was the perfect platform for it.

MC: Can you describe this figure? The inspiration. What detail went into it?
FZ: The inspiration came from the rat fink character. I tried to put as much detail as I could into it so that everyone that see it can recognize the figure.
MC: What is your favorite aspect of it?
FZ: I would say color, I love that neon green I used on it. That’s a color I use in most of my art.

MC: What was the hardest part in creating this figure? Clearly it’s just more then paint, how do you get the 3-D effect?
FZ: It wasn’t really hard. I see every piece as a new challenge. In this case, I used polymer clay to sculpt the face.

MC: Well it looks really good. Thank you for talking to us. One last question: In your words where can people go to find out more about your pieces and see your work?
FZ: You can check more of my work at my flickr and tumblr profiles:

flickr.com/photos/fershozombie/

fershozombie.tumblr.com/

Also if anyone is interested in getting this piece, it is currently up for auction on ebay:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300558094296&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_500wt_1156

MC: Well, thanks again! Keep up the good work, and let us know when you finish the any new pieces!

Ed Roth Rat Fink pic from ratfink.com

Star Wars Weekends #1

WDWNT on May 22, 2011

Hope you are enjoying Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The first of four action-packed weekends just wrapped up and there is a lot to recap. 
First, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had it’s grand opening on Friday, May 20. I had the chance to preview the attraction earlier in the week. It is already one of my favorite rides at Walt Disney World. It is a really fun time, truly immersing you into the Star Wars universe from queue line right through the ride. Check out my review here.
Disney CEO Bob Iger with Darth Vader and George Lucas (photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog)
Just like any Disney attraction opening, the opening of Star Tours: The Adventures Continue was a grand affair. Check out the highlight video from the Disney Parks Blog:
This is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World each year. Star Wars characters walk the park to meet and greet guests…
Disney characters also come out for the weekends. Meet Jedi Mickey, R2-MK, Goofy Vader, Storm Trooper Donald, Princess Leia Minnie and more!
There was a lot of buzz about the new R2-D2 Popcorn buckets. $15.50 for delicious Disney popcorn and a great looking souvenir.
Guests can also pick up R2 Mickey Ears for $14.95.
This weekend also marked the re-release of Star Wars Vinylmation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can purchase them for $11.95 per blind box at Tatooine Traders near the ride or Jabba’s Hut next to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster. They will be re-released at Disneyland on June 4th. Check out the set here.
Have you been on Star Tours or to Star Wars weekend yet this year?

Two New Additions This Summer For World of Color

WDWNT on May 22, 2011

Last night, Disney rolled out some new additions to World of Color, or World of Color 1.5 as some are calling it now. New additions include an updated Pirates segment with scenes from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and a quick appearance from Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Tangled during “So Close.” Also, the extended Pirates segment did replace the “Night on Bald Mountain” segment with the hellfire and Chernabog. Instead, the fire is now included in the pirates segment and does way more than just wiggle around for 30 seconds. See for you self…

 

UPDATE: At about 7:35, I noticed some new lasers on California Screamin’ during the finale that were originally used for the Tron-core.

Blackbeard Joins the Crew of Pirates of the Caribbean

WDWNT on May 21, 2011

On May 20th, Star Tours wasn’t the only new addition to Walt Disney World. Blackbeard, from the latest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, has temporarily replaced Davy Jones in the waterfall sequence of Pirates of the Caribbean and we have a short video of this new addition to share with you:

Blackbeard has also replaced Davy Jones in the exit ramp, giving guests a word of warning before they disembark from the attraction.

40th Anniversary Cast Trader Found!

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


Update: 5/21/11 According to Disney, the WDW Cast Traders at at the warehouse awaiting pick up by the various stores are the WDW resort. They will be available any day now in all 4 parks and at Downtown Disney trading locations. Have a magical search!

At the trade show tonight, DV reporter Ryan got this out of the Disney Mystery Box. It’s one of the two variants to the WDW 40th Anniversary set. This piece (and its counterpart 71 piece) will only be available by trading in a mystery box at the WDW resort. Ryan will have more info on numbers and such from the show later, but it’s nice to know these are finally here! (And they should be one of the first truly exclusive WDW pieces ever! Congrats to everyone who got one! We saw quite a few floating out there.

First look at the B&W Set

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


Last week we heard a rumor about a LE set of 2000 called Black and White. The set was said to be by Sarah Matthews, and oddly enough, you are linked to the Disney Store page when you search for “Sarah Matthews disney artist” in Google! Sarah also runs “Orange Blossom Ink” with a fellow Disney Artist, Lisa Badeen. There was much speculation about this set (because the Disney Store page does not have a picture). It turns out that the set won’t be old B&W characters, but a 6 piece set of interesting design patterns in black and white.

What do you think about this set?

VinylKonrad’s Mystery Trading Box

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


Our buddy @VinylKonrad will be at the trading event tonight at WDW. He’s bringing with him a mystery trading box of his own. Make sure you stop by his table and check it out. Also check out our table with lots of trade options. We too are planing a mystery box, but it’s not nearly as cool as Konrad’s!!

The 9″ Urban 6 are Online!

WDWNT on May 20, 2011


This morning four of the 9″ Urban 6 Vinylmaiton were released in D-Streets and online at the disneystore.com. The Viking, Stars, Light Meter, and Love are all $39.95. All are LE of 800 except for Stars which is LE 600.

As of 11:20 AM (EST) all four were still available online.

For more info on the 9″s from Urban 6 check out this post: