Spotlight On: Vinylmation Custom Artist Aaralyn

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Recently we received some cool looking art from a custom artist named Aaralyn. We tracked her down and asked her a few questions about her vinylmation artwork.DV: Fantasia has so much material to draw from, yet we have seen very little in the way of Disney Vinylmation. What drew you to the Spring Sprite from Fantasia 2000?
Aaralyn: In addition to my love of Disney, ever since middle school I also enjoyed the art of anime. The Spring Sprite’s artwork is a great blend of the art of Disney and the art of anime. I was most drawn to her beautiful eyes and very detailed hair. As far as art goes, it was love at first sight.

DV: The detail is amazing and it looks so true to the film. What was the hardest part of the figure to get just right?
A: Thank you! The lines were definitely the hardest part of the Spring Sprite figure. I spent hours trying to get the lines as straight as possible. It took over 30 hours of drawing and painting time to complete her.

DV: Was the plan always to put her on a 9″?
A: Yes, I love the 9” form because I have the space to add intricate details. I loved the details in her artwork and wanted to be able to capture all those details on my custom.


DV: That is a really fun design for Beast. What went into the design and did you have any challenges applying it to the 3D form?
A: My main goal for the cutie-pie series is for people to look at the custom and get warm fuzzy feelings. I always loved Beauty and the Beast, so I decided to make the Beast look less menacing. I started by sketching out the design on paper. After I got most of the design kinks out on paper, I then drew the design on the 3” form. I think my main challenge was once again the lines. I had to use a very small brush to get them straight. He was a lot of fun to create; he’s my favorite 3” I have created at the moment.

DV: What other characters might we see in your “cutie-pie” series down the road?
A: I have a huge list of cutie-pie custom candidates. I don’t want to give away too much, but some of them are main characters, while others, like the Spring Sprite, are supporting characters that I love.

DV: Is your work for sale?
A: Yes, I have a store on my website where anyone can view the customs I currently have available. I also take commission work as well.

DV: I see you also accept trades for Disney figures you want as well?
A: Yes, my vinylmation want list can be found under my about page on my website. Since I just started collecting and customizing vinylmations recently in December of 2011, my collection is quite small and I would love to add some of my favorite pieces to it.

DV: Where can people go to view your work and contact you?
A: My work can be viewed on my Facebook Fanpage as well as my website:
www.facebook.com/customsbyaaralyn
www.customsbyaaralyn.com
I can also be contacted by email at: customsbyaaralyn@aol.com

DV: Thank you. Your work is amazing and we look forward to seeing your next round of customs.

A: Thanks so much for featuring my customs!

Cry Me an Alice

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Today we finally get a sneak peak at the Thomas Scott designed Alice LE set that includes a 9″ Crying Alice and 3 Jr figures that will be released on April 13.

It is limited to 2500 figures and will retail for $74.95. I think the proportions for Alice are perfect on the 9″ figure. Everything seems to fit much better here than on the Animation 1 3″ design. Even though that 3″ was one of my favorites, this one just knocks it out of the park. Here, we also get another very detailed Jr human figure. Alice, as with Snow, the Dwarfs and Aurora, looks wonderful on the small canvas.

I like the price too. 75 bucks keeps this one relatively priced with previous releases. We were all a bit worried after some other price increases. Does this LE set make it into your collection? What are your thoughts on the design? For more on Alice LE sets, check out our explained page.

I’m Ready For My Close Up Mr. Mouse

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

Evilos just tweeted us this picture.

It is the Walt Disney Studios Director Mickey. As far as we understand it, only available to Cast Members of the Burbank Studio at the store on the lot.

25% Off Disney Store Sale

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

I’ve never seen a store make so much of a 25th anniversary. You’d have to live under a rock, or not be a Disney fan, to not know the Disney Store is celebrating 25 years tomorrow. Honestly, as I’ve said before, I don’t really celebrate any store’s birthday. But there is reason to care about this one.

Use promo code HAPPY25 to get the discount online. Print the coupon at this link to get the discount in the store. Let us know what you get! Also, the first 250 people in line at each store will receive these:

A Hauntingly Good Time

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

A special thing happened to me while hanging around the Haunted Mansion today, but first, the Disney Vinylmation Blog has finally given us a release date for the Haunted Mansion pocket watch. On Friday, April 13th you may purchase this Caley Hicks designed masterpiece in the following locations: Both D-Street, World of Disney (WDW and DLR), Uptown Jewelers (MK) and New Century Jewelers (DLR).

This timepiece to me is a nice tribute to a classic attraction. The pocket watch itself is the highlight for me. A really unique design that screams Haunted Mansion. With this news, I also want to share with you a Magical Moment I had today at the Magic Kingdom. Austin and myself were taking pictures of the Nightmare figures by the Haunted Mansion. We also had the Park 5 Haunted Mansion Clock with us for a picture. While setting up a shot, we were approached by a Cast Member who had talked with us a few minutes before about our collections. He asked if we wanted to take a picture in a place not everyone gets to see. We of course said sure and followed him backstage. We entered the Servants Quarters. There we saw a board on one wall full of keys. These, he said, were the room keys for the mansion. On the opposite wall were numerous bells hanging off the wall all attached to a wire that went into the wall. These bells would ring when the master in that room had summoned a servant. One of the bells read “Uncle Davis’ Sleeping Salon”, a nod to the legendary Imagineer Marc Davis who created many of the gags you see around WDW attractions, including this mansion. The Cast Member prompted us to pose our vinyl figure for a photo with this unique off-stage prop.

It was a great experience and I appreciate kindness and willingness to make a guest’s day by this Cast Member.

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist John Ward

WDWNT on June 22, 2012

We have featured John Ward before, and he just sent us some pictures of his latest work. Seeing that we have had so many stories on the Haunted Mansion turning 40 lately, we thought it perfect to share these with you now. We think the pictures tell the whole story…. or is your computer screen actually stretching?

My User Had Me Upload These TRON Photos

WDWNT on June 13, 2012

The other day, Austin and I were recording the latest episode of YesterEARS on location at Disney Quest. Half way through the show, I took a break to play some old arcade games when I stumbled upon some interesting photos that fell behind one of the cabinets. Take a look…

It appears that Kevin and Sam Flynn visited this place at one point too.
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And what’s this? The entire gang playing some old school TRON? Also, next to the photos was this old poster all rolled up against the wall.
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Episode 2 of Once Upon a Pin

WDWNT on June 13, 2012

We just released episode 2 of the new Once Upon a Pin podcast today. If you are a pin collector, check it out for all all the latest news, release dates and reviews with a fun Disney magic twist. 

This week we preview the Disney’s California Adventure and the Gear Up For Adventure pins. We cover all the release dates for WDW, DLR and around the globe. And also review the Confectioneries and WDW train sets. Check it out on iTunes or at www.OnceUponAPin.com.

Episode 076 Nemo Submarine

WDWNT on June 13, 2012

Ep. 076 Nemo Submarine

This show focuses on all the Disneyland figures recently announced. Zoe joins us to give a west coast perspective on all of them. she also got a preview of the new Cars Land and Buena Vista Street at DCA and tells us all about it… including a ride on the new Radiator Springs Racers attraction. We also team up with Austin to review the So Tasty series and run down the Park 10 line up.

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