something i'd like to learn how to make

i've come to really dislike vinyl designer toys. A) it's just more plastic out there, B) the designer toy market is way oversaturated, and to someone that isn't interested in the names of who made what, they start looking mostly the same. i don't care who splashed some paint on a kubrick/bearbrick/whatever. also, with the technology of 3D printing more readily available, somehow it just all feels a little too easy and not challenging of the medium. all the initial excitement and creativity that i felt when i first saw michael lau's crazy children series over a decade ago, has mostly faded away.

but then i saw these. wooden handmade designer toys. it revives my excitement in what a designer toy can be. (though i think that term sucks. it sounds pretentious, and does not describe the aspect of handmade, and done with an artisan --in my mind at least-- approach, is much more awesome and inspiring.)


Pecanpals

ok, i think it's done!

it's actually starting to look like a bicycle

it's a bike!

metallic bronze one shot is the bomb

finally pulled myself away from that stupid scrabble game on facebook to rework this board. i had an idea to go the decorative route, and make some shiny leaf patterns and tipped the antlers in a metallic paint. it's turning out pretty nicely i think, though it's sort of like painting with maple syrup. 'one shot' is right. this stuff is never coming off once it's dried.

i had an extra board

So I started another one. Not quite sure yet how to finish the bottom half.

skateboard show

Skatedeck process...

first cut the shape out


painting the board


finished deck painting


I still find acrylic to be an uncomfortable medium. It dries a lot faster than I'd like and doesn't have as much opportunity (at least so far) for layering, as does oil. But then, oil is so much more toxic to be living around, so until I get a better space situated, acrylics it is.