Art Project - Day 2

Forgot to mention that my Shocker Worldwide order arrived yesterday, and in record time! It took about 3 days to get to me from Japan. Got the 'Unholy X-Mas' Skullman and Skullbat figures and the Pushead 'Aloha' shirt. The love the Skullbat figures and they look great in a group :)

Also got the Clot version of the Skullpirate figure in the mail today! Of course, as soon as I get my hands on my Clot Pirate, Secret Base screws me up and releases a new Skullpirate variation (the 'Blood' version, released on Christmas Eve) that is limited to 55 signed/numbered figures with a t-shirt and screenprinted bag. Damn...

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Well, the project is underway! I started with the base color of black, using the spraypaint that I picked up yesterday. It turned out fairly well, but since I've never used spraypaint before, it was kinda' messy. I let the paint dry a few hours and then applied a second coat on the figure, so it looks a lot better now. I held the paintcan a little too close at one point, so there is a slight 'drippy effect on the back of it's head, but you won't notice it unless you look closely. Since it is the back of the figure, I guess I'm not too stressed about it. After applying the second coat, I had to meet my family for my sister's 40th birthday, so I have to continue the project tomorrow. So far, so good.

I know some of you are thinking "Damn, this guy is slow...I'd be done already". Please keep in mind that I have no artistic talent and no clue about the various paints, brushes, etc. that I just picked up, so all this is brand new to me. Besides, I'm in no hurry :)

Art Project - Day 1

I am planning a small art project, customizing my first vinyl figure. I've seen other people's work and I admit I am intrigued by some of the stuff they've done. Mine, admittedly, will not be anywhere near so elaborate.

Since this is new to me, I am planning on using a D.I.Y. Devil ToyerQ "Baby Qee" which I picked up at Rotofugi (http://www.rotofugi.com/) on my last visit there. It's relatively cheap and my design will fit perfectly on this figure. Once I get a good feel for this using Qee's and moving up to Dunnys, I try the ultimate goal...creating my very own Circus Punk!

I posted some questions on the message boards yesterday, about painting this figure and got some really helpful information. The best information for this project (which I should have checked first...) was taken from the Qee Forum. It gave me an idea of what supplies I needed to start this thing. I figured I needed the following: spraypaint (black), acrylic paint (white and black tubes), Sharpie poster-paint marker (white fine point), plastic primer and paint brushes.

I set out to pick up the supplies at Pearl Arts & Crafts, but ran into a brickwall early... Chicago has a ban on the sale of spraypaint! They informed me that I would have to go outside city limits to get it. They also didn't have plastic primer, which is step one, so I walked out empty handed. I ended up having to go to a hardware store in suburban Evanston and getting the spraypaint (Krylon Fusion for Plastic). They didn't have plastic primer, but the can of spraypaint states that primer isn't neccesary, so I will try to do without. I picked up the rest of the items at an art store in Evanston.

By the time I got home, I had to get ready for a night at the theater...Chris, Peggy, Lisa and I had tickets to see the stage version of Ray Bradbury's 'Dandelion Wine' at the Steppenwolf Theater.

I'll start the painting tomorrow and I hope I don't screw it up.

Update...

It's been a long time since I updated this blog, but only a handful of people read this anyways, it's safe to say that it hasn't been missed much :) Since the last posting, there has been a steady stream of books, records, and toys arriving via mailman.

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The biggest box was from the awesome people of Shocker Worldwide. Unfortunately, it's contents are a Christmas present from my girlfriend, Lisa. She, being the traditional woman that she is, informed me that I can't get the contents until Christmas. It's gonna be a long wait :( Well, here are pictures from the Shocker website of the stuff I'm getting for Christmas:

'Sorrow 9' t-shirt and limited CD and pin

Atom Age Skullbat figure with 'Deep Blue' CD and bonus t-shirt

'Deep Blue' tour version of the Skullman figure

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On a side-note... It kinda' pisses me off that my order from Shocker Europe (for the 'Bloody Halloween' Skullman and Balzac Skeleton polo shirt) was placed over a month ago (on Halloween to be exact) and it still isn't here yet, yet I ordered the stuff from Shocker Worldwide a little over a week ago and I got it already (from Japan). E-mails to SEU have only gotten the response of "It's on its way". I think I'll only order from Shocker Worldwide from now on..

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From Ebay, I finally got the Balzac 12" Paperbagman figure with the red leather suit that was released earlier this year. It is the rarer version limited to only 308 copies and comes with the 'Horrorock / Rain' CD single and a load of cool accessories. I love this figure!

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Got in the last couple of figures to complete the Secret Base X Super 7 'Ghoul's Night Out' Halloween set! As soon as I got in the last figure (Obake), I sent in the pins for the free bonus figure, which was the black/orange Frankenghost. This set is sweet, and I can't wait for next year's set!

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That's it for now, I'll post an update of other new stuff (like books, music, upcoming toys, etc.) later on.

Just got back from...Jay-Z!?!

I had the opportunity to go to the Jay-Z 'Hanger' Tour at the Riveria Theater, which is a 17-hour tour that will hit 7 cities. He will perform in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, flying by a G5 jet from gig to gig. You could only get tickets from the radio station giveaways, but luckily Clint was able to secure tickets through his connections.

I have to say...I had a great time! He rolled up right before show time, sang for about 45 minutes and rushed to the airport to fly to the next destination. Usually not my type of music (unless it is the harder rap/hip hop like NWA, Wu-Tang, etc.), but he was energetic and sounded great (even with all of the running around, flights, etc) and it was the rare chance to see Jay-Z in a small club, as opposed to the arena tours he usually does.

One more to go!

Got my first Damage Brain figure in the mail today. Looking at this figure, it changes my opinion of the Bagman figure that I got a few days ago. I'm liking the balance between the figures (first two had glow heads and these had glow bodies). Just one left to go for the set (and the free bonus figure!).

Speaking of the last figure, Super 7 posted the flyer for the 'Ghoul's Night Out' Obake. I like the Obakes and this is no exception. I know where I'll be tomorrow morning at 1pm (11pm PST). If I miss this, I'll be pissed as hell!

I have to say, I'm so glad that Halloween is over...with the barrage of toys that came out, I'm close to being broke! New additions between September 30th to now: Skulletor 2-pack, Secret Base Halloween Party 2006 set, 3 KAWS Campanions (Silver, Black, Green), 2 Skullwings (Gold, Transparent yellow), GID Skullpirate, Pushead Circus Punk, Balzac Skullman (Shocker Worldwide), Balzac Skullbat, Bloody Wheelbarrow, Cocobat Joe 12" figure, Skull King 12" figure, Halloween Ice Bat UglyDoll, Green Masked Ranger, and the 4 Ghoul's Night Out figures.

AND...I am still waiting for the following to arrive the mail: Skullwing (Green Horror), 2 Balzac Skullbats (Halloween, Black), Balzac Bearbrick (Black), and Balzac Skullman (Bloody Halloween).

The halfway mark...

Got this guy in the mail yesterday after my post. I don't know how I feel about this figure, since it is more glow than orange, and doesn't really look like the other two figures in the series so far. I'll probably reconsider my opinion once the Damage Brain arrives, as it looks more like this figure than the other two. My only real compliant is that the eye that is showing through the bag doesn't glow (which would look awesome), so I need to get some glow in the dark paint and rectify that. Don't mind me, I'm just nitpicking.

More addictions to add to my long list...

Got my clear Cocobat Joe 'Re-Production' model figure in the mail today. As an extra bonus, the box of this figure is signed by Pushead. I love the old Henshin Cyborg figures, so this made my week. I'll have to get the other two Medicom versions, and probably the new Secret Base versions...but then I'll be broke. It'll definitely be worth it though.

Finally broke down and bought a vinyl figure from Gargamel. I was always a fan of the Secret Base fight figures, and never really entertained the idea to pick up the other fight figures from the various companies, but the Bloody Wheelbarrow figure from Gargamel was too awesome to pass up. I will need to pick up some more...

It's a Balzac kinda' day

Got both of these guys in the mail today! The Skullman is the Shocker Worldwide exclusive and the 'Bloody' Skullbat is the Misfits Records exclusive. Can't wait to get some of the other variants of these figures.

Four down...one to go

Still waiting for the Bagman and Damage Brain to arrive, but they have been ordered.

Good day for mail...

I got a Pushead knock down doll released by Circus Punks. This particular one is the version with the vinyl backing, limited to 40 pieces (out of 88 total). I even lucked out by being able to buy if from a seller that lives a few miles from me! No mail, no hassle, all good! Punks rule! Thank you Jay!

Three packages today... I got the green OriginalFake version of the KAWS Companion in the mail today. Now I just need the Bronze version and I'll be happy (that is...until another colorway gets released).



I also received my copy of the signed slipcased version of The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke (Bloomsbury, limited HC) with great illustrations by Charles Vess. I believe this is limited to 500 copies, but don’t quote me on that.

Last but not least, I recieved my t-shirt and CD from thrash metal legends Rigor Mortis! All in all a great day with the postal service and with a little bit of everything.

Another Saturday...another $65 out the door...

The next Secret Base x Super 7 Halloween figure is gonna be available at 11am EST (1pm my time). I figure this release will sell out faster than the other figures in this series, so I'll be planted in front of my computer waiting to buy this figure at 1pm on the dot (clicking refresh repeatedly). People seem to like the Damage Brain figures, but I don't really get why the Brains are so popular. I like the Skullwings, Skullpirates, Obakes, and Skullbees a lot more, but that's just my opinion.