Sushi Series Photoshoot
Park 13: Another Tower of Terror Figure Revealed
Is it just me, or is Tower of Terror becoming the new Yeti? We are getting a lot of them. The Disney Parks Blog teased readers with a look at our first known figure from Park 13.
It is a Cast Member from the Tower of Terror. I’d love to see this in color, but it looks like he has a cap drawn onto one ear and the rustic inside of the hotel look drawn onto the ears as well. Do you like this more than the Tower of Terror Chaser figure?
Spotlight On: Craig Larson’s Mickey Jrs
It took a little bit of time, but we finally got to see the final, full series, of Craig Larson’s Mickey Jrs. This is an amazing series, perfectly executed. Check it out…
DV: What inspired you to do this series?
Craig Larson: There are a large number of vinyls I’d love for my collection, but A) I have limited display space; and B) many of my favorite designs are out of my price range. Plus, I really want to challenge myself to work on small scale to see how much detail I could get done while still maintain it’s core design. I had a few spare Jr vinylmations and thought “well, if other artists can blow up a 3” design onto a 9” (or 9” down to a 3”), why can’t I go smaller?” Since I wanted them to have a theme, why not choose from various Mickey designs, as there are a plethora of options/designs from artists I greatly admire. I started with Paint Drip Mickey (PDM) and was so happy with the way it turned out, I did Oopsy and then thought why not do a trio? Turns out, I didn’t want to stop at just three, so I kept going. There are so many options, I already have plans to do a 2nd series, but after I take a break — holding a Jr to paint can REALLY start to hurt after a while, so I will be working on a few other things while I narrow my list down for Series 2.
DV: Which was your favorite?
While I like all of them for different reasons, I absolutely love PDM, Oopsy, and 25th Anniversary Mickey (complete with glitter).
DV: Which was the hardest to do?
CL: The Spectacle of Lights Mickey proved difficult purely based on figuring out how to show the original design. I actually did two versions of this one; one with larger dots and one with smaller dots. The Poncho Mickey took longer than expected as getting the proportion of the Mickey logo on the back took about 4 tries before I was happy with the size and shape. Runaway Brain Mickey had some issues, but that was mostly because I had some setbacks with his teeth/eyes looking right.
DV: Which one do you think looks better on a Jr?
Romantic Treats Mickey looks like a piece of candy.
Romantic Treats Mickey looks like a piece of candy.
DV: Are you selling these or how can people pick them up, if at all?
There are some designs that I won’t repeat as they take too much time to redo (Runaway, Poncho, Spectacle of Lights), but I’d be up to trade for Mickey (or other characters) 3” ones that I don’t have or other customs. Just reach out to me on my Facebook page and we’ll see if we can work a trade.
There are some designs that I won’t repeat as they take too much time to redo (Runaway, Poncho, Spectacle of Lights), but I’d be up to trade for Mickey (or other characters) 3” ones that I don’t have or other customs. Just reach out to me on my Facebook page and we’ll see if we can work a trade.
DV: How can people contact you?
facebook.com/CustomVinylmationsbycrglrsn
facebook.com/CustomVinylmationsbycrglrsn
As a special bonus, here is a look at several of Craig’s pieces next to their 3″ originals.
Spotlight On: Celeste’s Disney Afternoon Villains Series 1
We have followed Celeste’s work for a long time now, and she is debuting a brand new custom series this weekend that we wanted to take a closer look at. Celeste sent us a few words about her latest creations.
“Growing up as a kid of the 90’s I personally have always been a huge fan of The Disney Afternoon. Especially villains and creating a counterpart set was an idea I wanted to do since the release of the very first afternoon set by Disney.”
“The Villains of the Afternoon series, features some of the most iconic Disney Afternoon villains ranging from Gummi Bears to Talespin. The set includes a total of 16 figures with 1 mystery chaser. For the set I wanted to incorporate a wide cast of characters and personalities including some I thought who deserved their own vinyl. At first it was a bit difficult to choose who would be included in the set since there are so many great characters out there to choose from but ultimately I wanted a diverse set fans might enjoy.”
The set will be available for purchase this Saturday July 27 at 8pm PST at her online store. (price TBD) http://celestescustomarttoys.bigcartel.com/products
You can always check out more of my work and more info about the set on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/celestecustomvinylmations
Episode 128 Space Mountain Paris
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Ep. 128 Space Mountain Paris This week we talk about the SDCC release of Behind the Masks 2 that was produced using Disney characters. We also discuss the release of the second series of Disney Afternoon and why it may or may not be a success. Robots, Ear Hat Ornaments and customs are also brought up. And Nick makes a big non-vinyl related announcement. |
Park Starz vs Uni-Minis!
Earlier this year, Universal Studios introduced a themed vinyl collectible of their own called Uni-Minis. While they are similar to the idea of Park Starz, there are many differences that actually equate them more to Funko’s Pop Vinyl. Uni-Minis are sold in open window boxes for $12.95, so you know what you are going to get. The soft vinyl they are made from is also much closer to Funko Pop than to the higher quality Park Starz figures. Each Uni-Mini is about 3″ tall and instead of being pulled from characters made for the parks, they are pulled from cartoons and movies. That being said, most of Universal’s park characters are from the screen and all of the figures in this first series can be found in the parks.
So, I thought it would be fun to compare the Uni-Mini, to what I saw as it’s corresponding Disney character from either Park Starz 1 or 2. All Uni-Mini photos are from the website Hollywood Gone Geek.
Minion from Despicable Me VS Figment
While there is technically only 1 of Figment, he can obviously become many as shown by the final scene of Journey Into Imagination. Figment also gets into trouble, as a Minion does. They both like using their imaginations and coming up with wild contraptions and both can be equally as annoying.
Woody Woodpecker VS Orange Bird
While they are both birds, there is quite a contrast of character here. Woody is fast and flamboyant. Orange Bird is more quiet and inviting. Woody has a loud, in your face laugh. Orange Bird has a soothing, catchy theme song.
SpongeBob SquarePants VS Jungle Cruise Elephant
I almost went with the Squid here, but decided on the Elephant for one simple reason… playfulness. SpongeBob is all about play. He just wants to have fun under the water. While the Elephant doesn’t live under the water, he sure likes to play in it. They both always have a cheerful smile on their face. But only one lives in a pineapple.
Betty Boop VS The Red Head
A pretty easy comparison here. Both are symbols of attractive women that are not real. While Betty Boop kept young boys glued to the screen many years ago, the Red Head has young boys wanting to revisit Pirates of the Caribbean over and over again. You didn’t really think it was for the pirates did you?
Chilly Willy VS Ice Gator
This match up was a no brainer. You have two animals that live in ice cold conditions. What makes this duo interesting is the fact that Chilly, a penguin, is always trying to get in from the cold. While Ice Gator, a gator, can’t get enough of the ice cold Blizzard Beach slopes.
E.T. VS Rex
Both of these characters come from space, but E.T. has the smarts. I never felt safe as a passenger in a space craft flown by Rex.
Urban 4 Photoshoot
Urban 4 holds a special place in my collection. It was the first Urban series that I completed a set of. I always loved these designs from top to bottom. It’s always challenging taking photos of the Urban series around Walt Disney World because you really have to search for the perfect photo op. I especially like the way Heartbroken came out. Take a look.
Mahna Smahna
(pic posted by Dean Rowland on facebook)
It looks like there is a variant for the Snowth figure in the newly released Muppets 3 set. It’s just a mouth change, but, it makes an awesome set of three with the main guy. I gotta have this!
What do you think of this variant?
Episode 129 WDW Road Sign
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Ep. 129 WDW Road Sign This week we review Muppets 3 and talk about all the D23 Expo Vinylmation news including a WDI series, the Blank web series and artist signings. We talk to Vinylmation Exchange about what’s hot in the hobby. And we begin a new segment with Matt from Vinylmation Kingdom to get his take on the latest news. |
Artist Annemarie’s First Official Disney Custom Debuts at WDW
It was a very special moment. Sure I have been a collector (and browser) of fine Disney collectibles for a few years now, but never has it felt like it did when I walked into the Art of Disney at Downtown Disney in Walt Disney World on Tuesday.
I had heard that Disney recently put a 9″ custom by the artist Annemarie up for sale. It was a completely under the radar release that was not attached to any event WDW was holding (unlike most Disney commissioned customs). This custom was created at the request of Annemarie to Disney to celebrate the 25th anniversary of a cartoon character she loves above all others… Roger Rabbit. So I just had to rush over and check it out.
Over the past few years, Annemarie has become a great friend, not only of Destination Vinylmation, but personally. The funny part is, although I consider her one of my closest friends, we have yet to ever meet face to face. A fact we plan to rectify when I head over to Anaheim for the D23 Expo in August.
This custom is beautiful. Roger Rabbit is painted onto the head of the custom as he and Benny crash through a brick wall. Roger wears his familiar smile as he bounces out of his seat… still grasping the steering wheel in his hands. The bricks break away from the wall in little shaded squares to help give depth and movement to the canvas. They also have a caroony, non linear style to them. Green Dip splatters through the ears and covers the arms.
Benny the Cab is drawn onto the body. His cartoony curves wonderfully match the animated character. Annemarie did a fantastic job capturing the style of the original animated characters and bringing them to life on the nine inch Mickey.
The back features a black silhouette of Roger and Benny as they break through the building. Note the hands up in the air and Roger still sitting in the cab. As opposed to the front position which denotes a period of time that has passed while they traveled through the building.
All artists have their strengths and unique styles. And to a degree, art is in the eye of the beholder. But Annemarie has brought me to a new appreciation of art. I look at things a different way now. And that is a great gift she has given to me. I think all art can be appreciated by different people in different ways, but some art just has something special that makes it aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. Ever read a book about Imagineering the Disney Parks? Nothing is by accident. Everything is planned to elicit a desired emotion in the viewer. That is great art.
When I walked into the Art of Disney and saw Annemarie’s custom displayed for sale among other Vinylmation… among other great pieces of art that adorn the walls of this store… I was proud. Proud of a friend who is talented, hardworking and deserves this recognition. I was happy. Happy because I know what seeing her name on placard in a Disney store next to all these other talented artists means to her. I was also excited. Excited that hopefully that gift she has given to me can now be shared with all the guests who view her work. Hopefully there are many more to come.