Please tell us a little about yourself:
Well, I usually fall back on the stock answer of “30something, oddball, artist guy who lives deep in the woods,” as it’s fairly accurate! I live in rural Tennessee, where I’m building a home entirely by hand with my partner, Charlie, on 67 acres of forested land. It’s an interesting process, and a fairly rewarding one, despite the occasional banged thumb and “what do you mean it’s not level???”
We also share our home with 4 ferrets, a cat, a dog, a conure, a gecko, and numerous fish, almost all of which are rescues/adoptions…I’m somewhat of a sucker for critters, particularily those in need of a good home and some love.
How and when did you get into designer toys?
I’m a fairly recent convert to designer toys/vinyl/etc, actually. I think my first piece was the Ganesh figure by Doze Green, which I received as a birthday present a couple of years ago.
I’d seen Dunnys before and been given a couple 3 inchers by folks who thought I’d like them, but didn’t realize that there was such a diversity of toys out there!
Prior to the designer thing, I’d collected various toys/figures, usually along the lines of McFarlane, various Japanese pieces, and random things I’d stumble across that caught my eye.
My wallet probably wishes I *hadn’t* discovered that diversity, as the collection is growing somewhat rapidly!
What are your favorite toys and/or artists?
I’d be hard pressed to give a definitive answer on which would be my favorite toy, as it changes fairly regularily! Right now I’d say my favorite is the new Fatima figure from Sam Flores and the Jibun from the DCTO Project. I like the simple, elegant lines of both pieces. I wish I’d been turned onto designer toys earlier, as I’m sad I missed Flores’ Tigerbaby when it was released! (anyone who owns one is free to use it as a bribe for a custom piece, by the way)
As for artists, I have quite a list, not all of whom are necessarily toy-oriented: Kathie Olivas, Meredith Dittmar, Mars-1, Myna Sonou, Elizabeth McGrath, Wilfrid Wood, David Mack, Dave McKean, Tara McPherson, and Scott Radke are just a few! In the “classics” area, Waterhouse, Erte, Klimt, Egon Schiele, Mucha, and Bosch.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention a good friend of mine, and an amazing artist…Tricia Anders. Seriously, anyone who’s a fan of art, which I’m assuming is anyone reading this, should check out her work. (you can google her name)
Tell us a little about your own collection:
It’s pretty random! I’m not one who has to get every edition or colorway, or everything in a series…I’m by no means a “completist.” My standards are “if I like it, I get it.” If it doesn’t grab my attention in some way, I pass on it.
Right now it contains: Numerous 3 inch Dunny’s, Tara McPherson’s Bubble Yucky Dunny, Stonegarden Grey Jibun, Insa Dunny, Fatima, several FatCaps, Muttpop’s Red Demon, a couple Boogily Heads by Gus Fink, a few Finder’s Keepers by Joe Ledbetter, Jimbo by Gary Panter, Sam Flores’ Billy Bronze, Rustboy by Brian Taylor, a bunch of Tim Burton’s work, 8 or 9 of McFarlane’s Dragon series, a couple Final Fantasy figures….I *think* that’s all!
I’d really like to start a collection of customs soon…production pieces are all well and good, but there’s something special about a one of a kind piece, ya know?
When did you start customizing?
Somewhere around October of 2007…not that long ago! I was working in Madison, Wisconsin for a couple of months and during a rather prolific snowfall I was stuck inside the hotel with nothing to do. (I’d seen more CNN and Discovery Channel than any human should by that point) I try and keep busy creatively at all times, but nothing was really calling to me, and I didn’t have a lot of art supplies with me…until I saw a 3 inch Dunny I’d picked up on a trip to Chicago the week before.
The rest, as they say, is history.
What are your favorite toys for customizing:
I definitely enjoy the basics, like the 3 inch Dunny’s, as they make for inexpensive bases, and are relatively quick to do. Munny’s are also pretty high up there on the list as well.
I’m waiting on a shipment of a couple of Jibun’s right now, which I’m *quite* excited to play with…there’s something very appealing about the simple, round shape of them.
I’m currently working on a Gosho, and thinking about picking up a few more of those.
I’d like to branch out a bit sometime soon, and tackle something like Fatima, even though it’s a bit daunting because of the cost of the “blank.”
What materials and techniques do you use?
It varies. Some of my pieces are of the paint only variety, though I’ve begun doing more structural modifications of various types using epoxy resin, metal, and wood to create a whole different “feel” for the end piece.
They both have their attraction…I’ve always enjoyed painting, though I fell out of practice with it a few years back, so it’s nice to have a brush in my hand again.
Playing with the actual physical shape is just plain fun! Seeing how much you can alter the base, but still have where it started from be recognizable.
How much time do you spend customizing a toy?
The smaller pieces usually average 2-3 days, and the larger ones a week or so. It kind of depends on how elaborate I get with them, and if I get distracted by starting another piece! I tend to have 4 or 5 pieces going at one time, in various styles, which allows me to shift from one subject to another, but it also means that sometimes one piece or another will get set to the side for a while.
Do you make other art besides customizing toys?
Constantly. I’m all over the place, art-wise. Figurative sculpture/art dolls are one of my main loves, and one which I return to quite frequently…they’re similiar in some respects to customizing toys, even though you’re starting from scratch usually. (I’ve done a bit of altering/customizing of Barbie’s and those horrid little porcelain dolls in lacy dresses)
I do quite a bit of mixed media assemblage work, as well as collage. As I said earlier, I used to paint on a regular basis but slacked off a bit for a while there, and I’m hoping to get back in the habit of it again in the coming year.
I’d like to learn more about digital art, though I have to confess to having a low tolerance for figuring out technical things in regards to computers.
What other interests do you have (besides designer toys)?
Well, since I’ve been informed that my goal of becoming Supreme Ruler of the Known Universe is “unattainable,” I’ve opted to keep my other interests a bit more realistic.
I’m a major animal lover…always have been. Maybe that’s a given with the last name of Noah? My current “pet project” (pun intended) is a 125 gallon paludarium (where an aquarium is only 1/2 to 3/4’s full, with “trees,” roots, and the like breaking above the water…kind of like what you see at a zoo)
As prosaic as it may sound, I also enjoy gardening, and it’s something I don’t get to do as much as I’d like. I get a lot of my inspiration from being outside, so it’s a natural offshoot.
I also knit. Yeah, I know.
Do you take on commissions?
I do, and gladly so. I like working with people, and I find that it pushes you into areas that you may not have explored before, artistically. I’m a fan of collaborative work as well, so folks can feel free to contact me about either!
Where can people see more of your work and/or contact you?
I’m actually working on getting my website, http://www.greenmanart.com up and operational as we “speak,” it should be fully active by the last week of February, so check back! There will be a gallery of past work in different media, as well as current and available pieces by myself and other artists.
There is also my Flickr page, http://www.flickr.com/photos/machinarex though it tends to feature different stuff, not just vinyl/etc….but obviously those make regular appearances!
Both of these sites have my email address on them, or another means of contacting me.
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