Festival of the Masters 2011: Artist Marjorie Pesek

WDWNT on November 12, 2011

The 36th annual Festival of the Masters kicked off at Downtown Disney Orlando today. There was a chill in the air, but I won’t complain… it was a beautiful Central Florida day to be outside. Over 150 award winning artist set up booths all along the sidewalks.

But you want to hear about the Vinylmation. Unfortunately, Donald Ferro from Disney said we will not see anything on display this weekend featuring sneak peaks at future sets from Disney that we have not already seen. But, we did see some spectacular one-of-a-kind customs. The first group was from Naples artist Marjorie Pesek. She had 6 custom 9″ figures in the D-Street display case, all with a $750 retail price tag.

Dachshund

Normally used to working on a 2D canvas, she went outside her comfort zone to produce these figures for Disney.

Daffodil

Notice anything? Look closer:

Up close of Daffodil
Up close of Sunflower

Marjorie was given access to the database of Vinylmation artwork to hide within her designs. She seemed to favor Animal Kingdom and Juniors.

Golden Retriever

It was originally thought Marjorie would use Disney characters, but then she decided it would be best to use what she knows best… nature and animals. She produced these 3D designs in the same way she produces much of her 2D artwork.

She uses a collage of other prints to compose her art. She has a tent set up by the water across from D-Street with some of her creations.

Sea Life
Sunflower

Originally, she was going to keep all the art on the canvas, but then decided it would be much more powerful to let the prints flow off of the canvas. So we get a dog’s nose that hangs out toward us or leaves that stick out around the head.

Flamingo/Bird

If you get a chance, go check out Marjorie’s work this weekend. They are some of the most unique figures I have seen. Here is a look at some of her non-vinyl artwork at her tent:

Vinylmation Speculation with Mike Boon: Muppets 3.2 Newsman

WDWNT on November 11, 2011

THE NEWSMAN
The Muppet Show (1976)

Originally performed by: Jim Henson

The Muppet News Flash anchor was often the victim of particularly bad luck, with almost every news story culminating with something hitting him in the head. It would be great to see him in his plaid jacket, though I had tried to take some of the perceived limitations of the design into account.

“Looks great! It would also be cool to come with accessories that slid onto the ears to represent the things that fall on him.. piano.. anvil..” M.C.

Mike Boon joins us every day this month with speculation of a future Muppet Series vinylmation. You can check him out at his own blog: baboondesign.blogspot.com

Vinylmation Speculation with Mike Boon: Muppets 3.1 Lips

WDWNT on November 10, 2011

Today starts a month long adventure into speculation with a new friend of ours, Mike Boon. Mike came to us with several ideas for future Muppet figures and thought it would be fun to showcase them here. We saw his designs and loved them, so we gave him a daily column.

When we asked Mike where he came from, he said this, “Though initially hesitant to Vinylmations, I recently found myself hooked on the little figures after purchasing almost an entire box of Muppet Series 1 on a Disney cruise. As a life-long Disney and Muppet fan whose love for the felt puppets was rekindled with the upcoming movie (out November 23), it was a combination that was impossible to resist. I’ve since obtained all of the Muppet Vinyls with the exception of that pesky Kermit from Series 1, along with an assortment of other figures. But still, I was left wanting more Muppets. So before I knew it, I started designing my own. Of course, that just opened the floodgates – so many Muppets in my head and so little time to put them together.
Destination Vinylmation has invited me to start presenting my concepts for upcoming Muppet Vinylmation sets in a series of posts. So far, Series 3 through 5 are ready to go and will be rolled out over the upcoming weeks. Though I still haven’t exhausted the Muppets, I may start looking at other potential characters or series in the future. As I said, the floodgates have opened…”

Mike also has a blog where you can see his artistic works, usually focusing on the Muppets. It’s at baboondesign.blogspot.com. Mike also has had his work featured on themuppetmindset.blogspot.com.

So without further ado, lets see his first design, and remember that there’s a new one here every day for the next month!

LIPS
The Muppet Show (1980)
Originally performed by: Steve Whitmire

The Electric Mayhem’s often silent sixth member and trumpet player, who made his debut in season 5 of The Muppet Show and went on to appear in several Muppet movies and specials. Though we need a 3” Animal for our collections, Lips would bring closure to the Electric Mayhem.

“Mike captures the look of Lips perfectly. Especially the eyes, the shirt, and even the sandals. It could come with a trumpet accessory too!” – M.C.

9″ Urban 7 Vinylmation Explained

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

Update: 11/8/11 Release date of November 18, 2011 added to Annie Mae, OJ & Milk (Online Exclusive), Curliuser and Flowers.

 Color Bars
Artist: TBA

LE: 1000
$39.95

Release Date: November 2011

There better be something cool on the back, because this 9″ has a ton of empty space for $40-$45 price tag that it will have. Maybe an autograph piece for TV stars? We knew this was coming based on the previously released Ear Hat, 3″, Jr combo.
Monster
Artist: TBA

LE: 800
$39.95

Release Date: November 2011

This guy looks great. I’m a sucker for using the nose as a chin. The huge feet and talons are cool too. Before I knew there would be so many, I bought the Snow Monster 9/3 from Park 3. But I have to be so much more selective now. This would have made the cut a year ago, but not today.
King Tut 9″/3″ Combo
Artist: TBA
LE: 1500
$74.95
Release Date: November

The 9″ looks brilliant. Vibrant gold color. This is King Tut in a sarcophagus. And this continues the addition of some great accessories to 9″ figures.
King Tut 9″/3″ Combo
Artist: TBA

LE: 1500
$74.95

Release Date: November

King Tut before being put to rest is depicted in this 3″ figure. Disney’s official picture of this guy also has a cane:
Flowers
Artist: Lisa Badeen

LE: 1000
$39.95

Release Date: November 18, 2011

A purple body and a flower pattern all around.
9″
3″
 Milk and OJ 9/3 Combo
Artist: Caley Hicks

LE: 1500
$74.95
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE
Release Date: November 18, 2011

This set is based on an Ear Hat set we saw a while back. OJ and Milk was the talk of The Florida Project. People loved this one.

The side of 9″ Milk has a bar code.

The back of OJ 3″ has Nutrition Facts.
Curliuser
Artist: Thomas Scott

LE: 1000
$39.95

Release Date: November 18, 2011

A paisley type pattern
Annie Mae
Artist: Mike Sullivan

LE: 800
$39.95

Release Date: November 18, 2011

Back of 9″ Annie Mae

Episode 045 Mickey Cartoon

WDWNT on November 8, 2011

Ep. 045 Mickey Cartoon
This week’s show takes a look at the news of the week including some future Park and DCL reveals, a Kidada release and Muppet Mayhem. We offer a full release date. Review the new Alice in Wonderland set. And read listen to your voice mails in the Mystery Mail Bag.

During the show, we play a voicemail from a listener Dennis. We wanted to share with you the transcript Google Voice gave us of this message. Enjoy:

“Hello, this is not. Dennis open and runs whether just calling to wish you guys a very happy one year anniversary of the Yeah destination by donation podcast. I would over 44 episodes that really self. Plus the loose of washed out there so that we keep hearing about you. You provide a great service to the final nation community and I for one really appreciate it and look forward to each week’s episode. So again, congratulations on one here in as always. Keep on producing violation podcast See you later.”

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Festival of the Masters 2011 Preview

WDWNT on November 7, 2011


Update: 11/08/11 Artist Will Gay’s custom Vinylmation is featured in this video posted by the Disney Parks Blog today.


The Festival of the Masters will be happening on November 11th thru the 13th at Downtown Disney in Florida. It’s an event dedicated to allowing artists of all different media display and sell their artwork. (I personally love the sidewalk chalk drawings) As part of the Festival, Vinylmation will have a stand (usually across from D-Street) and will be showing off some new figures. We also have word that a couple of classic vinylmation “celebrities” will be on hand at 10:30 AM on Saturday the 11th. UPDATE: According to the Art of Disney site, Randy Noble (one of the very first vinylmation artists) is scheduled to be at the event. Does this mean he’ll be around the vinylmation area?


Also on display somewhere in the festival will be custom vinylmations, the first of which we found in the flyer for the event. Lee Clark will be displaying this cool crayon drawingish vinyl.

This event was one of the first events we covered as a site and a podcast last year, and was the event where we got our first interview with Steven Miller back in the day.

MC’s friend Bob Kodzis at the festival in 2010. (Pic by MC)

Come out and enjoy all the free artwork! Check out all the Disney info at the Art of Disney FotM post.

Pic by Nick

There is also a Lego display near the Lego store!

ZoMG: Alice signing with Thomas Scott- DLR

WDWNT on November 7, 2011

I would like to first start this article off by saying a big THANK YOU to Thomas Scott for making this Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation series possible. Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite Disney movies and I really think Thomas nailed it. This is my favorite set of Vinylmation to date. I have never been so excited about an entire set (and I’ve been collecting for the past 3 years). I was so excited to finally meet Thomas and tell him how much I love this series and everything he created for it!

The Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation series includes, the set of 12 + 2 variants, the Cheshire Cat limited edition set of two 3 inch Vinylmation, as well as two 9 inch Vinylmation, the Walrus & the Carpenter (which will look so good with the 3 inch little oysters!) and some super secret information that Thomas told me today, a 9 inch crying Alice that comes with THREE jrs! One “Eat Me” cookie Jr, one “Drink Me” bottle Jr, and one happy Alice Jr. (See our post on Alice 9″ Combo)

All pictures by Zoe
Now lets get to the event!

I arrived at Downtown Disney on Saturday around 7:30 am and was 26th in line. The morning was very chilly but completely worth it. Everyone passed the time trading, talking and getting excited to go inside D-Street to buy their Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation!

After buying my tray I got into the signing line that was to begin at 10:00 am. I couldn’t wait to open up my tray so I got right to it! After opening my tray I realized that I got the pink Hedgehog variant! Pink is my favorite color and I really wanted this one so I was pretty excited. Little random note, only one pink variant in my tray not two, so I had one pink and one green.

The signing began at 10:00 and Thomas was so excited to see everyone come out to Downtown Disney to talk with him and get their Vinylmation signed!

Thomas spent a lot of time with each person, taking questions, Vinylmation talk etc. I love that he took time to talk with everyone. He genuinely loves what he does and I mean honestly who doesn’t. Thomas is definitely one of the best Vinylmation artists out there.

I was so excited to show him my variant! I had Thomas sign my Dinah, pink Hedgehog and my tray! I couldn’t stop telling him how much I love the set and the art, everything as a whole in this series. He was very happy to see how much I enjoyed the set.

Thomas actually told me that he has read some of the stuff I’ve done for Destination Vinylmation – how cool is that!

He also shared with me the designs for the Alice and 3 junior combo set! (Which I explained earlier)

After getting my Vinylmation signed I went to go trade the couple I had bought from the Disney Store the night before because I couldn’t wait until the event to see at least one of the figures in person! I had gotten the Mad Hatter and an Oyster. One of my friends noticed that my Mad Hatter had different feet than the one in my tray! That’s when we all realized there was ANOTHER variant!

Now me again just being SO excited, I run up to Thomas and say look did you know about this! Look another variant! And he laughs and goes, “Yes I know, I designed it” haha.

Needless to say, I had such a great time at the Vinylmation Alice in Wonderland signing event. I got the complete set of Alice in Wonderland, variants and all, the Vinylmation gods must have been with me.

The event today was organized and I think everyone had a great time and really enjoyed this new release! It was awesome to finally meet Thomas Scott and chat with him about his work, and have some of my figures from the set signed!

I can’t say enough good things about this set. I honestly can’t pick one favorite because they all look so perfect! Thomas captured the personality of each character perfectly and it goes perfect on to the Vinylmation mold.

If you aren’t close to Disneyland or Disney World, please visit your local Disney Store (if you haven’t already) and get some of the Alice in Wonderland Vinylmation!

Thomas Scott created an amazing set that I think every Vinylmation fan needs in their collection!

-Zoe

Park 7 Main Street Horse and Trolley

WDWNT on November 5, 2011

There were several vinylmation pieces shown last night at the Trade Show at WDW. One of the newest, never before seen, pieces was this 2 pack 3″ Clydesdale Horse and Trolley. Based on the packaging it seems to be one of the Park 7 LEs (Along with the 6 piece 3″ Kitchen Kaberat and the 3 piece 3″ Fife and Drum set). This is designed after the horse that pulls a trolley down Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom.

Pic from burnsland.com

The hidden Mickeys on the horse’s harness are great. The trolley is also done well. The front seems to fit perfectly onto the mold and wrapped around it well. What are your thoughts?

Park 7 Kitchen Kaberat Packaging

WDWNT on November 5, 2011

The last new thing we saw at the Trade Show at WDW is the packaging for the Kitchen Kaberat LE Park 7 set. This set contains 6 3″ pieces and comes packaged 3 in the front and 3 in the back. (The pic is the two sides combined.)

At The Florida Project we were told that the set is coming out in January or February of 2012. It will be a LE of 1500 and will cost $74.95.

Any interest in the set?

Mad Hatter Variant- Sholess

WDWNT on November 5, 2011

Update: @AdmiralAkbrown tweeted this picture. This seems to confirm the variant!


Just a bit ago @jedidiaz tweeted this picture. It appears to be a Mad Hatter without shoes. That would be the second variant for this series. Has anyone else gotten one of these? (Since feet are removable it might be a fake, but the coloring seems right.) Anyone know of a “story” reason that might inspire this?