Interview with customizer Coolvader

Please tell us a little about yourself
Born in Minnesota. BFA from Ringling School of Art & Design, MFA from the School of Visual Arts. Currently residing in Brooklyn NY.

How and when did you get into designer toys?
I was oblivious to the whole movement until about a year and a half ago. I pretty much resisted it, until I was challenged by a friend to customize a dunny. After that, I was hooked. possessed.

What are your favorite toys and/or artists?
I really like those little Nike replica shoes. I have none, but would love to have a nice collection of them… to go along with my real Jordan collection.
As far as artists, Boxguts is my favorite customizer. hands down.
Production artists, um, I probably have the most love for Dalek.

Tell us a little about your own collection
Honestly, I just have my own. I would probably just collect customs though. Most production pieces frustrate me. I feel I could do better, so I paint over them. That’s how it’s always been, fueled by frustration.

When did you start customizing?
A good friend, and fellow artist introduced me about a year and a half ago. He had been customizing for a while, and wanted to see how I approached the medium… I didn’t have much interest in the whole scene at first. I felt that the quality of the art being produced was mediocre at best. I thought that I could do better, and just set out to paint the best toys that I could. Since then, I have learned to appreciate the scene a little more… still not satisfied with most of what I see though. But my eyes are open to a lot more now.

What are your favorite toys for customizing
To customize, I’ve only painted munnys/dunnys. But I’m about to get into a Thundermutt commission, and I just got 5 Qees in the mail. I’m really excited to work on the new surfaces. For personal work, I prefer a neutral kind of toy, something that is not too specific. I would rather paint a face on a toy, than have a face pre-made on the toy.

What materials and techniques do you use?
I prefer to use only acrylic paint, and lots of various mediums. I’m not a big fan of adding accessories to customs either. it usually looks cheesy, and distracts from the toy. However, there are exceptions to the rule. Like Blubbel. I love his customs. He does just the right amount of sculpture/accessories.

How much time do you spend customizing a toy?
For smaller toys, 3”, … usually a day or two. Regular munnys/dunnys, anywhere from a couple days up to a week. And for the big guys, I usually spend a month & change on them. I usually work on a couple at a time too. When I get sick of one, i switch right over to another. I try to keep the creative juices flowing all day, and don’t like to be idle.

Do you make other art besides customizing toys?
I’ve been an artist all my life, and have been painting non-stop since 2001. My “other” artwork has appeared in Playboy, LA Times Book Review, Juxtapoz and others. I’ve also done work for Kaplan Publishing and Diesel Jeans. I am currently painting copies of Caravaggio paintings, with my own twist. I also love filming random stuff and editing the videos.

What other interests do you have (besides designer toys)?
Well, I love Jordans, and have a modest collection. I love most sports, and enjoy competitions of all kinds. I watch the Extras dvds everyday. And I am now just getting into collecting the other vinyl, records. My girlfriend just bought me a Yes 3-record set… I’m loving it!