Comic Con New York

I've just returned from the NewYork Comic Con which was an incredibly mind-blowing experience with 116,000 people attending and the worlds best comic, toy and movie companies all packed into the NY Javits convention centre.
I was showing my work in the Strychnin Gallery booth alongside Skeleton Heart, Cliff Wallace, Mimi S, The New English and Daniel Van Nes. Our booth recieved great feedback, and people were excited to see original art work and something a little different from the conventional comics and products.

Below are some pics of a piece which I made exclusively for the CCNY. This piece came in a custom-made display box and the character came with interchangeable arms and head to convert him into a zombie. I'm happy to say that this piece has gone to a good home to a collector in NY.

I also designed this poster for the NYCC. I still have a few left and will be uploading them onto my Etsy store in the next week. The poster is based on the DC comic's Justice League but in Colonial American times ;)

Also here are a few pics to give you an idea of the Strychnin Booth as well as the over all Comic Con. For more pics you can check out my facebook here.

NZ School Journal

Earlier this year I did the illustrations for a story in one of the NZ school journals. These are the books that all the kids have to read at school as part of their curriculum.
The story basically goes like this...... The kids parents go away for the weekend, the creepy old lady neighbor comes to babysit, she makes a massive feed for herself then turns into a cocoon, then the kids kill her with bug spray.
I'm still unsure about the educational message in this story, but nice to see the times are changing as the stories and pictures were ALOT different when I was kid ;)

The Emporium Opening

Last Friday was the opening of the Emporium show. Thanks to all who came out and supported the show. I was pretty pleased at how my pieces looked all set up as it was the first time I got to see it in it's entirety. I think the shelf was actually my favorite thing I made ;)

The show will run for another 3 weeks so if you're around Berlin..I think it's well worth popping in for a look. Here are a few pics of the space. There's more pic of the opening over on my Facebook. 

Anyway, moving on and straight back into work. I'll be releasing 3 new limited Edition giclee prints at the beginning of July. The sculpture work has been taking up a lot of my time so it's been really nice to get drawing again. I'll post a preview soon ;)

Ein Herz für Kinder

I've just finished a new piece for the up coming group show 'Herzensbrecher' which opens at Strychnin Gallery next month.
The show is focused on raising money for the German charity organisation 'Ein Herz für Kinder'.
There's over 50 international artists taking part in this show, each customising a blank bone china heart created by 'The New English'.

I'll post more info regarding the show soon.

Organic Mechanics

Artfair 21 and Blooom pics

More pics! Here are a few shots of the Strychnin Booths at this years Artfair 21 and Blooom fair that we have just returned from. This year we had a massive 100m2 and where showing the best of the best from Strychnin Gallery artists. The booths were broken up into artists environments this year which created a really interesting feel when walking through.
I guess I'm a little biased but think it's saying that the quality of the Strychnin Booths really stood out and above the rest;)

'Creature Feature' show

Several months ago I was asked to be part of a special group show in Berlin called 'Creature Feature', set to open on October 7th.
Being a movie and sci-fi geek from way back I was super excited be asked to be part of a show along side artists such as Jordu Schell, Chet Zar, and a bunch of other huge names within the SFX and movie industry.
As the title of the show suggests this will be a creature show. It will feature the behind the scenes artists that have created some of the most iconic creatures of all time from movies such as Start Wars, Predator, Alien, 300, Hellboy, The Corpse Bride.......the list goes on and on.
So at the end of the day, I am very lucky and honored to be part of this show as I am the only creature designer not involved in the movie industry ;)
Below is a special invite in which Paul Vincett of 'Stitches and Glue' created for the show. His amazing puppets will also be featured at in the show and he will be doing a live puppeteering demonstration in the gallery.
So long story short, this will be an amazing show. I will have 3 new sculptures. Come along and see some incredible creature sculptural work.
THE END

Hello Polly

I want to introduce you all to my new stockist 'Hello Polly'.

At the end of last year, Sarah the manager and curator of 7 years at The Red Door gallery packed up house and family and moved from Edinburgh to Melbourne to start up her new venture and have a well deserved change in the weather.

'Hello Polly' is an eclectic mix of art, design, crafts and everything in between. Sarah has always had a keen eye for picking out interesting and up coming artists and I trust that 'Hello Polly' is going to be a HUGE success. The online store will be be going live any day now, but until then you can take at look at the blog where you can get a little taste of what Hello Polly will have to offer.

'Gentle Giants' opening night.

Here are a few pics of last nights opening of the Gentle Giants show. The opening was a huge success and 'Manbot' went to a new home with minutes of opening. You can see more pics on the Strychnin Blog here. Also check out the construction shots of Michael Salters amazing robot!

'Manbot' comes to life

Here are some pics of the final 'Manbot' I have made for the up coming robot show 'Gentle Giants'.

He stands about 100cm high, has double jointed moving limbs and waist. Built in lights with a light up electro brain and a light up torso filled with floating body parts.

He's constructed out of a mix of gold and copper sheeting, wood, metals, resins...the list goes on....he's heavy.

The show starts next friday so come along and check him out in person. See you there.

'Gentle Giants' Robot Show

Next Friday (the 15th) I have a piece in the group show titled Gentle Giants. It's a special robot show featuring robot artists from around the world. Michael Salter will also be there constructing one of his amazing robot installations out of polystyrene packing materials, Check out a video of his work here.
This is sure to be a great show, so if your a closet robot lover, come along, i'll see you there ;)

Cuckoo Compendium Parts I & II

Here are some pics of couple of pieces I made for the 'Enchanted Forest' group show currently on at Strychnin Gallery Berlin. The show is a charity show in association with WWF and is celebrating the 'International Year of the Forest'. There are some amazing artists involved in this show including Greg Bagshaw, Caitlin Hackett, Lindsey Carr, Luke Chueh, Travis Lampe and Mimi .S, just to name a few.

I've always loved cuckoos and thought this show would be the perfect opportunity to have a go at making my own version of one.

The outer/casing of the cuckoos are constructed from wood and sculpted polymer clays and then airbrushed. Instead of the having functioning clocks I have installed a sculpture in each cuckoo. They also have battery powered LEDs inside which light up the diorama.

These were a heap of fun to make and I have a lot of ideas for even more elaborate designs.

The opening was a huge success with a lot of support for the cause and I was happy to see one of the cuckoos go to a new home.

You can check out some pics of the opening night some of the other amazing artworks here.

The show will run for the next four weeks so if your in the neighbourhood it's well worth popping in for a look. Buying some great artwork and supporting a very good cause ;)

1952 Seymour Spyder

I was approached a while back by a guy in New Zealand who wanted me to customise a collectors diecast car as a commission. When I first saw the size of the car I was slightly worried about how I could still give it detailing as a sculpture. Once I got that sorted I was straight into it and it was a heap of fun.

The car measures only 10 cms in length and as you can see it fits on the palm of your hand. The character and added car parts are made from polymer clay and are hand painted and varnished. He also has tattoo decals which are to scale and comes with a custom display case I made as the the original one didn't fit after modifications were added ;)

The modal of the original car is a 1952 300L Mercedes Spyder, hence the '1952 Seymour Spyder', kind of fitting...