Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist John Dela Cruz

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Graphic designer John Dela Cruz sent us a great take on the mystery chaser with his custom Vinylmation.

Destination Vinylmation: You created a great looking custom, but do you also collect Disney’s vinylmation?

John: I’m a new collector, bitten by the “chase” bug not too long ago. I found myself going back and forth into local Disney Stores saying “Okay, just one more box” or “Last one, this is the one” all in an effort to get the last figure I needed to complete my Have A Laugh set. I never understood the “thrill” of blind boxing that people talked about until I opened my first chaser. It took so many doubles and triples to get Conductor Pete, but the money didn’t matter at that point. It was the “chase” that mattered.

DV: Yep, that’s how we all get hooked. Now tell us about the inspiration of this custom figure that you named “All For The Chase!”.

John: This started out as a joke amongst my cousins who also collect. They said I should create this one because it’s the only one on the vinylmation packaging that nobody seems to ever get. I currently have it up for sale on ebay and can be searched using “ALL FOR THE CHASE – DISNEY VINYLMATION CUSTOM 3″ MICKEY”. The design is a no-brainer with obvious inspiration, but I plan on making more of these if the vinylmation collectors want it as well as a number of other custom pieces that are currently in the works.

DV: Thanks John, we look forward to seeing what comes next.

John: Thank you for your time and I hope to hear some thoughts on my custom.

Spotlight On: Custom Vinylmation Artist Chelsey Zhang

WDWNT on January 1, 1970

Destination Vinylmation: You were a featured artist at The Customation Project a few weeks ago and you came up with some astonishing figures.

Chelsey: As I mentioned, I want to take my custom to a next level. Well, here it is.

DV: Ok, this first one is California Adventure’s Grizzly River Run. Tell us all about it.

Chelsey: This piece is my favorite so far. I spent over 3 weeks to finish it. I sculpted the inner scene from the famous rush down on the ride. Then I made it light up from the vinyl’s head. I covered it with a cap (which is removable so that if the batteries runs out, it will be very easy to replace the batteries in the flash light).

Outside of the bear is realistic fur instead of paint. That’s one of my favorite rides in California Adventure. That’s why I really wanted to make it perfect. Hope you guys like it.

DV: Next up is Tom and Jerry. How did you decide on this custom combo?

Chelsey: I really loved to watch Tom and Jerry when I was young. I haven’t seen any artist make any customs on them. I decided to take a shot.

DV: That is a very inovative use of the 9″ Vinylmation. The third custom you are sharing with us today you call Dream castle. 

Chelsey: I wasn’t really impressed by the castle nine inches that have been produced (i.e. Hong Kong 9″ castle.) that’s why I decided to make my own version of it. I wanted to make it more 3D. That’s why i sculpted the balconies for the princesses.

DV: As always Chelsey, thank you for sharing your work with our readers.

Chelsey: I’ll send you the new 3″ ones later. Hope you guys enjoy. Again, thank you very much for helping post the info about The Customation Project.