Wip Groot and Rocket

Was glad to be invited this year to participate in the Vinyl Thoughts Show, VT5 to be exact. The MadL platform was the chosen theme/platform for the show. Last time I created a MadL was several years ago, the 10 inch one and I created Frankenstein's monster. Normally I try not to make license product even though people eat that stuff up, understandably. I have to say I do enjoy taking a well known character and putting my own twist to it. So I chose Groot which I felt would compliment the platform, the only thing I did was remove the ears and sculpted against the platform. Of course he had to have Rocket with him, so I sculpted a micro munny which fit perfectly atop of his head. Once the show go live, I will post completed pics of the full project. Let me know what you think...

Minions

I had a blast making these but most of the time I enjoy pretty much all I do. These mega androids are large, platform is 10 inches tall and 5/6 inches wide and of course with the sculpting slightly taller and wider. These were made for "Mysterious Creatures" Mega Android show at SubUrbanVinyl Gallery. I usually have a tendency to over sculpt because I just love sculpting. Now that I have been customizing much longer, I try to leave the over sculpting for original work and look at what suits the platform's natural form. So this project just popped in my head because I struggled with what to do for awhile and was perfect because the minions natural shape suited this platform. I deferred from elongating their bodies to avoid added too much height and weight to already big pieces. I changed their logo to some flames and "B" for Blazon. Kept it simple, but simple was still a lot of work because it required lots of sanding and at the time I was suffering with bursitis as a result of training and sculpting on top of it. Anyway, I got through it and I was happy with the end result. These guys are available to purchase on http://www.suburbanvinyl.com/mysterious-creatures/

Drink Goddesses 6-8

So, these posts are a bit late but I wanted to update the blog in sequence. The goal is post as the work is happening and when completed, otherwise what's the point of the blog right? Anyway, I definitely plan on continuing the drink goddesses, I foresee some cool things with these girls. The next 3-4 will have a unique twist to them, time to change it up but I won't give away any spoilers. In sequence from top to bottom, Black Crush, Amaretto Sour, and Mai Tai.  My favorite to make of these was the black crush, which was the first dark skinned girl and was so much fun to do those curls. I definitely want to make more curly hair for sure. If anyone ever has any great suggestions for drink goddesses I would love to hear the feedback. The girls were made for the "Put Your Munny Where Your Mouth Is" show at Doogallery here in Atlanta on July 26th, 2014.

Wip Drink Goddesses

So here are the next 3 goddesses I just finished sculpting, sanding and priming. 10 days of work. Now for the really fun part, the painting because it brings the vision to life! Once completed I will post them along with their names. Can you guess what drinks these could be? 

Drink Goddesses 1-5

So almost 2 years ago I participated in a show in Florida. There was no particular theme. When I first started customizing munnys I liked to do females because it was something I didn't see much of, especially since this customizing arena is predominantly males. I especially enjoyed leaving their faces without features so as to focus on the theme and details of the concept. Anyway, I just randomly came up with the concept of making a Pina Colada Drink Goddess.  I used a 4 inch munny as the infrastructure of the sculpt. They all measure about 6-7 inches in height. I use a wood base to support the figure so that it's handled by the base. I always use the term goddess for my females. I've continued to make them because they are so unique, people seem to be receptive to the concept and enjoy them. I'm having a blast making them! The possibilities are endless as is the diversity of cocktails these days. So you will definitely see more of them to come. Later this week I will post progress pics of 3 new ones that I'm currently working on. If anybody has any great cocktail ideas for a sculpt shoot me an email. Thanks!

In order...

1. Pina Colada

2. Strawberry Daiquiri

3. Margarita

4. Sex On The Beach

5. Bloody Mary

Don't Blow Me Out

So this evening was the Blood Type Positive Show at Sub Urban Vinyl Gallery in New Jersey from 6pm-9pm. Seems to have gone well and all the artists made such creative pieces. It was unfortunate I could not make the show, it would have been nice to see some of my friends from up North. The 2.5 inch resin droplet was created by Mike "Nemo" Mendez and given to 30 artists to create away. I tried to keep to the natural shape of the figure and of course was able to incorporate a fire theme by making it the flame of a candle. Which was fun and simple. I used a wood candle holder sculpting over it to look like wax and wood base to support the sculpt. Stands about 14 inches tall and is available for $140. To check out all the customs and/or purchase any, including the resin droplet, I attached the link below. 

http://www.suburbanvinyl.com/blood-type-positive/

Home Sweet Home

      So this is perfect for my first blog entry... 

A bit behind because the show was last Friday and I've been working with someone on getting an official website up and a ton of other things always going on personally.

     It was time I shared my art on another level. Thought this would be great to share my insights, imagination, thoughts, frustrations, successes, and processes of my art. Maybe some video later this year. I was referred to this show through a connection and I was happy to do it, even though it was a donation which sometimes is hard financially for an artist trying to make ends meet. It was for a very good cause no doubt and sometimes I believe sacrifices like this benefit everyone involved.

     It was a feel good project on several levels. The project was headed by International Business Students Global / Kraye + Poetics Program in the University of New Mexico. Their goal was to allow the vision of artists/poets to explore the tragically marginalized in society. Kidrobot joined the efforts by donating 7 inch Munnys.  I would have loved to have done this sculpt as an original but I worked with the frame of the figure which was part of the requirement and made it work with the concepts I had in mind.

    So the story behind this is about a local homeless man who I gave a blanket to, amongst other things. It was a fleece mickey mouse blanket that belonged to my kids, now grown. Now this man is known by friends who pass him by on the daily for years on the way to work. Petite slim man, pleasant demeanor, not really one to beg for money but the group of friends give him a few dollars weekly and stop and chat to check on him. No one really knows his story, no one wants to pry. He's always happy and grateful for everything and anything anybody donates to him. Well, the blanket he fell in love with and wouldn't stop talking about it for weeks. Said it was his favorite thing, so soft and kept him warm and repeatedly kept thanking us for it. Everyone just looked at each other baffled. It would bring tears to our eyes. We that have so much more, yet find reasons to be unhappy or ungrateful for the blessings we have and yet this man that lives in the streets and was always content and thanked us as if he was given gold. Now, this happened way before I knew I would do this show. So when I was approached I initially was going to do something else and then I remembered the Mickey blanket and the old man and so Home Sweet Home was born. As I was working on this piece, words started to flood my mind and for a day or so I had to stop sculpting and create this poem before I lost it and just kept re-writing until it portrayed my feelings on this topic. So below are some pics of the sculpt along with the poem, which I framed and signed and was to be auctioned with the piece as a set. 

     I did get feedback from Dr. Montoya who said it resonated with many people and was enjoyed by the crowd. Hopefully they will eventually sell it so that it benefits the refugees struggling in their transition. Thanks for checking out this post and sharing in my art. -Liz

               

Home Sweet Home

One day

they will realize, that you are not as solid

as the brick walls protecting them

once erected by the strength, and

the courage of your vital force.

Standing tall, you stood for

all the descendants

of a common ancestor.

Those countless brutal winters

take their toll, even on Giants.

Unintended consequences ignored

your weathered mortar crumbling, but still holding together beats

Beating whispers, of

your afflicted conscious.

Your soles should speak

exposing stories, of horrifying sensibilities

our ears never seeping, the

screaming whispers we choose to ignore

details traveling to our senses

your eyes, confessing the particulars

deep inflection, the

mirrored reflection of humanity.

Bitter is he, when

all the sweetness of life is torn away

Misery obscures judgment, yet

we judge him

he sleeps with torment

blanketed by hunger on a crisp night, yet

we torment him.

Passing him we look away

truth be told, with disdain

when his hand reaches out

terror stricken, a reminder

that HE IS US at our worst, yet

he smiles warmly, a sweet token, that

the richness of home is in the heart.