Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist John Ward

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

interview conducted by DV reporter Lee

Destination Vinylmation: What got you started with wanting to put your own style onto a Vinylmation Canvas?

John Ward: I started creating vinyls as soon as I saw that Disney was selling Create Your Own figures. I’ve always been creative and have loved Disney for as long as I can remember, so buying some blanks and making my own Vinylmation figures was a no-brainer for me.

DV: When you are creating a Vinylmation, what do you like to incorporate in the designs?

John: I enjoy the Vinylmation figures that Disney creates; however, I feel they could do more with the backs of the figures. With the pieces I create, I try to make the back of the figure just as interesting to look at as the front. I also like to try to create a story in my vinyls.

DV: Tell us the story of your first custom!

John Ward: I created my very first custom, which was The Adventures of Ichabod. The front of the piece has the Headless Horseman having already thrown his pumpkin head; the reverse has Ichabod and his horse, Gunpowder, looking very scared with the moon on the ear.



DV: One of my favorite pieces that I saw at your table during the Florida Project was your Ratatouille custom! The detail work on it is awesome!

John Ward: Ratatouille is one of my favorite Pixar movies and I wanted to create a vinyl for the movie, but I had to think of how to make both side of the vinyl interesting! Almost immediately I thought how Remy “puppets” Linguini through his recipes. So you have Linguini on the front, cooking away, and on the reverse in the silhouette of Remy under his hat, along with Gusteau at the bottom.



DV: Such an awesome design! I love the storyboards that play out on your work! How long does it take for your artwork to come to life?

John Ward: It usually takes me around a week to complete them. I also do commissioned pieces.

DV: I think I may have a job for you already!! Where can we go to see more of your work?

John Ward: My website is www.siberianarts.com and it has all my Vinylmation customs that I’ve done so far, along with some concept art of ones I plan on creating. I also have displayed other pieces of art that I’ve done. All of my Vinylmation customs are for sale and can be made to order. I also have a Facebook Page: Siberian Vinylmation Customs, be sure to “like” it; I put my new customs up there first!

DV: Absolutely! Consider yourself “liked”! I am very excited to see what you will do next!

On John’s 9″ Dr. Facilier, a black light reveals a different face!


Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist John Ward

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

We spotlighted John Ward last year with some of his great 9″ customs and he is back to share a couple villains and a non-Disney set as well.

Destination Vinylmation: Why all the villains?
John: The villains are some of my favorite characters in Disney movies, so naturally I enjoy creating customs of them.

DV: What is the first custom you’d like to share?
John: First up is my 9″ Gaston, from Beauty and the Beast. I sculpted a rifle for him to hold and also a quiver, with a couple arrows, for his back. This was the second time I sculpted something from the reverse of a Vinylmation figure, which made things easier since I knew what not to do.

DV: What was one challenge you had with this figure and how did you overcome it?
John: I had a hard time deciding what to put on his ears, but finally decided on making it a stormy night, like when he confronts the Beast towards the end of the movie.

DV: Your next custom is Judge Frollo, from Hunchback of Notre Dame. What are some of the features of this character?
John: I must be honest, I still haven’t seen this movie, although I really want to. I just never got around to watching it, but I will one day.

 I knew that with Frollo I needed to sculpt his hat, it was a must because the figure wouldn’t look right without it. I also wanted to sculpt his rings. I felt they would also add something to the piece. The hat is the largest sculpted piece I’ve done to date, which was a challenge in itself.

I also added the cloth red part. I was thinking of sculpting that too, but decided that using cloth would make it look much nicer. Also, if you remove the hat, you can see I added a couple arches on the ears.

DV: One of our favorite TV shows is The Big Bang Theory. So your next set really excites us. Tell us about these figures.
John: I don’t normally work with 3″ pieces, I’ve only created 2 so far, and both were commissioned pieces. However, I felt that for this set, 3″ would work better.

The set is the main characters from the show. I enjoyed creating them more than I thought I would. My number one concern was if I’d be able to get the detail I wanted to achieve on a much smaller work area than I’m used to. In the end though I was able to through using the small brushes and lots and lots of patience.

DV: Can you give us some hints on what your working on right now?
John: Currently I’m working on several projects. A piece for a charity event here in Jacksonville, some 3″ pieces for Evilos’ Blind Bag Series coming out later this year, and also I’m re-working one of my earlier customs, Jafar. I have a couple ideas on how to improve him and make it a better custom piece, along with adding something to him that I haven’t tried before.

DV: If readers would like to inquire about purchasing your work, how can they do that?
John: All of my current customs are for sale on my website; www.siberianarts.com along with all my other artwork. Any questions about my pieces can be sent to siberianarts@gmail.com
You can also see my latest projects and updates on my Facebook page; Siberian Vinylmation Customs.

Join Us for our 100th Episode!

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

This weekend we will be recording our 100th episode. To celebrate we’d like to include our listeners! Just call 209 28 MOUSE and leave a message that we’ll play during the episode. Thanks for listening to the first 100, here’s to the next 100!

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Brian Shapiro

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

We see many custom Vinylmation. Many are Disney related, many are not. But every once in a while a custom that is completely unique comes along that stops me in my tracks. Brian Shapiro recently sent us pictures of one such custom. Take a look.

Destination Vinylmation: How did you come up with the idea for the Menorah?
Brian Shapiro: First off, for those who are unfamiliar, the Menorah is a candelabrum that holds nine candles.  One candle is usually more prominent and is called the shamash, and the remaining eight candles represent each of the eight days of Hanukkah.  Each night of Hanukkah the shamash is lit and then used to light each of the other candles from right to left up to the candle representing that particular night of Hanukkah.

Disney doesn’t release a whole lot of Hanukkah merchandise, so I came up with the idea of doing a Vinylmation menorah a few years ago.  I thought it would be cool to use the figures as candles.  Lighting the candles could be simulated by painting one side of each the heads with just a wick and the other with a flame.  By turning the heads 180 degrees, the candles could appear lit or unlit.  Unfortunately, using nine three-inch figures was not practical.  Once Vinylmation Jr’s came out, the idea became more feasible, but I never got around to it.  This year I was determined to get it done!

DV: Tell us about the features of this design?
Brian Shapiro: The Menorah was fabricated by gluing together assorted wooden shapes I bought at Michael’s Crafts.  Originally I was going to just paint it, but my good friend and fellow Disney collector, Alan Benaquista, suggested that I cover it in gold leaf.  I had never worked with gold leaf before, but I’m really happy with how it turned out.  The gold leaf really gives the Menorah a nice antique appearance.

When I painted the Vinylmation Jr’s I painted the heads to have a flame on one side and a wick on the other, as described before.  I had planned to just paint the bodies solid blue, but then I thought the arms and hands looked like wax dripping on the sides, so I painted these white.  I also painted wax drips along the fronts and backs of the bodies to add to the dripping wax effect.

The photographs show the Menorah as it will appear on day three and day eight.  It was a lot of fun and very rewarding to create, and I appreciate your spotlight of my work!

Artist Cesar Diaz Custom Vinylmation Giveaway

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

A message from artist Cesar Diaz:

GIVEAWAY TIME! This week I’m giving away Agent 626.

But as you can see on this picture 626 is missing a title for his next big adventure. Thats where you come in. To win this little guy you have to do the following…

1. You must like my Facebook page to be eligible for the giveaway
2. You must come up with a title name for 626 next adventure (one title name per person please. Once a title has been used, you cant use it again)

Not only will the random winner win Agent 626, but they will also win a mini poster with his/her’s title name printed on the poster. Giveaway starts now and will end next Saturday DEC. 8th at 10am PST. I will then use a random generator to pick one winner. Good luck!

www.facebook.com/mycustomations

Welcome Back Park Starz 1

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

So I was sitting in the audience awaiting the Vinylmation talk at Mickey’s Circus back in September. And all I could think of was Park Starz 2!!!! Well, we didn’t get much from the sequel, but we did find out the first series will make a reapearance in stores while we await the follow up next year. Today, unannounced, Park Starz 1 appeared online and at D-Street.

It’s so cute how they continue to call Pleasure Island Mr. Funmister a “mystery” chaser. It’s wrong on a few levels. In cased you missed this wonderful set, you now have a chance to pick it up. And in case you missed our Park Starz 1 photoshoot, check it out here.

Evilos Auctions a Custom Tribute to Veterans

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Flying Ace Mickey
“Pearl Harbor Tribute Piece”
9″ Custom by Evilos

There are all kinds of things that have inspired me as an artist, non so much as Aviation. With my family background in the subject its been a staple of my life. Both my grandfathers served in WW2 & I have made many tribute pieces in the past on the subject. Today being the 71th Anniversary of the event I have released this custom.

I’ve put a lot of detail into this one piece. Some of the items include, full bomber jacket with hat and goggles, miniature newspaper from December 7th 1941, replica WW2 sliver sweetheart pilots wings & vintage brass Army Air corps wings that are attached to the hat and pocket of jacket. Also using my airbrush to make customs skulls in the ears and back of the jacket. I’ve been studying under the master airbrush artist Gerald Mendez and hope to be using the airbrush in a more consistent level in 2013.

I hope all the fans can enjoy it. Its up for sale on the Facebook Group “Bid Wars”, the auction ends Monday December 10th.

Thank you to all the men and women who are in the service and to all the past veterans who have served.

Evilos

Bid Wars URL: (you must request to join the closed group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/V.E.BidWars/

Vinylmation Customations Offers Gifts Through Facebook Shop

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

We just checked in with Custom Vinylmation artist Heather Kattleman of Vinylmation Customations and she had some new treats for us to share with you. First, just in time for the New Fantasyland, is her Beauty and the Beast Stained Glass 9″ figure.

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She also has a brand new Star Wars Samuri.

And she of course has some Christmas themed figures, perfect for gifts.

Both Santa Mickey and Rudolph Pluto are available right now on her Facebook Store. Along with this cool 3″ custom figure.

Love it! Check it all out at the Vinylmation Customations Facebook Store here. Just click on the “Shop & Order Now” link.

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Mark Johnson

WDWNT on December 21, 2012

Artist Mark Johnson recently designed a couple new custom Vinylmation.

His 3″ Toy Story Little Green Men Claw Machine is a fantastic take on this classic Pixar scene. Great use of the bubble helmet.

Christmas Carol Gonzo was sold through Evilos’ blind bag series, but Mark can re create any of his figures or customize a completely new creation to order. Just stop by his Facebook page and drop him a message.