First Stephan Le Podd

Here's a shot of my first Stephan Le Podd by Doktor A. I had difficulty finding the right setting to shoot this guy.

My heartiest congratulations to the good Dok on his debut toys. And truth be told, nothing compares to his sculpts / customs... that is if you own one to actually compare. ;)


And here are some teaser shots from his upcoming show, I'll have to find out more.

Doktor A's Ignacious Longbottom

This is absolutely amazingly beautiful! It's just a finely sculpted piece. And yes, elegant is probably my best word to describe it. So it turns out one of the sneak peak shots I recently posted wasn't a custom and in fact a Doktor A original sculpture for Rivet Gallery's October 4th show entitled "Noxious Fumes"

This piece just... stands out so so much more above (I would say) all customs. Well, that is expected of him when it comes to original pieces. Stupendous idea.

Someone has got to show me some actual photos from the show!

Doktor A upcoming show pieces

Custom 9" BUD

It is no wonder that Doktor A had seized accepting commission works when he is taking a massive leap this year on show pieces and of course, on his Mechtorians. He recently posted an update with sneak peaks on upcoming customs for various shows for October.

Custom 10" MadL for LIFT

For Monster Art Rally

For Noxious Fumes

More info via. Dok's blog.

Doktor A's custom Sharky

ToyQube's custom show in conjunction with its 4th Anniversary celebration will feature Keith Poon's Sharky figure on 15th August. I am not a fan of this piece of sculpt but with its list of 50 or so artists stepping up to the do a custom Sharky, it is hard to resist blogging about it. Particularly so, after I came across Doktor A's piece for this show.

looks like a steam-run puppeteer machine

"Trevithick's Wandering Puppet Theatre"

Even one of my favourite artist, Jeremiah Ketner has submitted his entry. Quite a few have been revealed, just browse about a bit and you will find them.

Retropolis today

Today we shall see the opening of Doktor A's Retropolis at Rivet Gallery. The preview was released about a week ago saw some fantastic works and I would say particularly the paintings.

As per my previous post here from last week, I was eyeing the Mr. Head painting. Unfortunately, I was preoccupied with work and never had time to go around making a call on it.

Thus, it has now gone to somebody else, nothing to it.

Wait till you place your eyes on the two sculpts. You will drop your jaw. They are there, just waiting for somebody to pick them up, for a premium. Overall, it's a top-quality presentation.

*edit 08/06
You may view the show pieces here.

contemplate

Absolutely pre-occupied with work. Was a little surprised to see the preview to Dok A's show in my mailbox. I wasn't expecting it.

I am thinking about picking something up. But in no rush.
I've got more things to worry about.

And here's No. 4!

Everyone is going haywire over Doktor A's upcoming solo show Retropolis at Rivet Gallery, particular when VinylPulse released a shot at one of his featured customs at the show. Of course, one should not expect the Dok's works are all about customs. This show is all about his artworks, hence it is unfair to think that all people want or should see are his custom skills. It is also a show to sort of premier his upcoming Mechtorians of course.

I asked him whether this is his first solo, and no, it is his second. I can't recall his first solo though. I however pleaded to him to have a solo in the UK, which I am certain will happen in the not so distant future. He replied by smiling at that request. ;)

RGG show 17 May 2008

Absolutely knackered. Just been too pre-occupied to be placing entries lately. Nevertheless, I shall sit back for a moment here and talk about what happened on that exciting day.

I do frequent Manchester quite a bit, mainly for the dim sums, really. However, after having been to Richard Goodall Gallery, little that I know there were so many amazing stores in that particular area; cool records store, Carhartt, look-alike drug stores and etc. I even came across an album by Natural Calamity (previously mentioned here) at this used-record store, but it was priced at a whopping £25! Shrugs...

So then, fuck that. I made my way to RGG and it was my first time going into that store. I've heard about it ages ago and made ONE transaction before (for the Tiger Dunny). Unfortunately, it freakin' rained all day so it absolutely washed away the thought of taking a snapshot of the store front. Despite the store's infamous prices, I must say it sure has a lot of goodies.

Right away, I recognized Anna, Teese and Shakey already inside; Kathie and Brandt sketching away while Sas and Colin chillin' at the couch. All day, people were coming and out so there wasn't really a huge crowd at any particular time. Apparently, it was the Cup's finals, so I supposed people were either home or at a pub watching tv.

It was a thrilling moment to actually meet them in person, particular Kathie. Who would have thought these big name artists would make their way to the UK. Having said that, I shall be missing out on the next RGG signings cum release of the 3-bears / dunnys. Shoot! Would have loved to meet the TADO-duo and Mr. Burgerman.

So I got my sketches from both Kathie and Brandt (see them on my flickr). Guess who popped in next? Good ol' Doktor A, and it was like the bomb yea? Two big name artists (more like five actually), Kathie Olivas and Doktor A meeting up. Basically two of my favourite artists were there, so my imaginations began to run wild. "... let's see a collaboration between these two... hm..."

Anna and I sort of introduced ourselves (though we speak to the Dok lots at the O3 forum) through our Dok A custom commissions. Bit weird, yeah I know, but trust me, it is easier to associate yourself to a piece of toy in 'our world'. And so he told me how my commissioned custom Dumb Luck gave him troubles by constantly falling over and to actually begin customizing on. Like we previously talked about in the email; both of us agreed that it is already quite a complete (maybe almost perfect) toy in itself. Bottom line is, the commission came out fantastic still.

Dok even showed us shots of the upcoming Mechtorians in his camera. They look fantastic. Only then I realized my Mr. Head was missing a turn-key. Dok went beyond by sending me a PM today to see if I needed a replacement turn-key. Luckily I found it, barely lost and forgotten in the box that it came in.

So then all of us took a break for lunch, the O3 bunch of us obviously headed over to Chinatown for some delicious dim sums. Chicken feet? Hell yeah!

We got back to the gallery and I got a KO BP collab print. Teese, Shakey and I were the only ones by then. I wouldn't have wanted to leave so soon anyway. So, imagine hanging out with five artists for a drink at a bar, then dinner over at Wagamama. Colin and Sas are absolutely fantastic people with outstanding sense of humour. Of course, with Shakey and Teese there, everything just lightens up naturally.

Cheers to Sas for the dinner treat!

I suppose with very limited shows to attend, it makes even more meaningful particularly when you get to attend one as good as this.


n i c k

Dok A upcoming solo

It was good seeing the Dok at the RGG show on Saturday in Manchester, particularly if you tell him you were one of the guys who commissioned him previously. He would go on and tell you the sort of trouble your piece had given him, jokingly. :)

"Your Dumb Luck keeps falling over" , "I was staring at him for quite some time to get ideas".

We were shown the Mechtorians from his camera, they look fantastic. I was thinking of enticing him to do me another custom, but I scrapped the idea knowing that he wouldn't fall for that. That was when I realized the Mr. Head I purchased did not have a turn key, as the one in the Dok's camera has. I went through the box it came in and found it lying there - forgotten. Geez...

Sneakpeak of his upcoming solo show, Retropolis

I am sure this is most likely a large version of Stephen Le Pod?

Doktor A solo show

Rivet Gallery sure knows which artists to feature. Doktor A is next in line scheduled for a June solo show, Retropolis. I believe this might be the Dok's first solo. As per always, there will be pieces that would be awe-inspiring, particularly to his ever-growing fans.

Strange enough, he never had a solo show in the UK yet. He should be present at this show this coming Saturday at Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester to meet Kathie Olivas and gang.

Doktor A Mr Head

Infinite thanks to Anna for securing (don't like the word mule) Doktor A's resin hand-painted Mr. Head from MINDstyle's booth at NYCC (blogged). She is absolutely super.

Considering its run of 10 pieces, flown from England to NYCC and back, I am extremely happy about possessing one. So this is X/10.

Not knowing yet how the Mr. Head in the mass-produced series will be, I would assume this resin one has much more weight to it. It reminds me of a Soul of Chogokin (SOC) , notably for its diecast metal and good weighty feel in your palms. And of course, the details to this are brilliant. Hopefully they are evident in my above shots.

Wouldn't mind a Stephen LePod to go with. *gulps*

good stuff from NYCC

In my opinion, MINDstyle takes the pie as the company with the best releases for this year. I hope it is not too early to proclaim that. Of course, they deserve it when big name artists such as Kathie Olivas and Doktor A are having their debut figures made by them. It is a win-win situation, good quality produce = growing list of artists, particularly big name artists.

So far, I've mentioned this year's NYCC's releases that impress me. Not surprisingly, most of them are by Mindstyle. Big kudos to them.

image courtesy of toysrevil

image courtesy of Vinyl Pulse

Doktor A's Mr. Head and Stephen Le Pod (as mentioned here) are looking pretty good. With that limited number and price tag, I wonder whether they got sold out on day one. The blue Stephen are even harder to acquire, apparently. A fellow boardmember managed to secure a piece of Mr. Head on my behalf, in which I am deeply grateful. I think these would look mighty impressive in person. Particularly these are hand-painted resins, anything hand-painted by this artist will look brilliant and should not be compared with the production series which follows later.

I am finally able to see Kathie Olivas's Scavengers (as mentioned briefly here) in the above shot. They look absolutely gorgeous in their own right. Definitely look different in terms of finishes but the colours are pretty much there. There seems to be quite a few of them, I wonder how I would anticipate them in person, each piece. It will be some time before they reach our shores, just maybe in time for Kathie's debut show in the UK next month (mentioned here), in which we can expect special colourways of the Scavenger series.

Found some shots of the individual Scavengers via Tomopop.

image courtesy of Vinyl Pulse

I always anticipate just about anything released by Tokyoplastic, in hope of their continuation of their line of figures introduced in their animations. Fret not, next in line is the above Koguma. It's a classic piece if you're familiar with their animations, since this was featured a long while back. However, I am having mixed feelings about it being a toy since the bulk of it is the seat. More like a... modern miniature furniture? Not too sure about the character just lying on it.

Good stuff this year.

uber limited Mechtorians

MINDstyle just reeased news of two of Doktor A's Mechtorians, uber limited to 10 pieces each. They are Mr. Head and Stephen LePod. Mr. Head will be made available at Mindstyle's booth at NYCC on April 18th whilst Stephen is only available to "Art Toys Society" members only.

I know nothing of the said ATS club. I am giving it some faith and hope that a samaritan will be able to pick a Mr. Head for me, though it seems almost impossible.

More info at MINDstyle

Multiple Personalities

This show opens at Lift on Saturday, 29th March 2008 (till 30th April) featuring some of the best vinyl custom artists out there. Best thing about the show is that the artists get to pick their own preferred vinyl platform. All essential information on this page.


And here's a lovely custom Treeson by Doktor A:

follow up: Doktor A Custom Dumb Luck

Seeing the piece in person absolutely tells you a lot more. Being rather large, standing at 10-inches tall, it is quite an imposing piece and the details are clearly evident. I particularly love big pieces of vinyls, never really got into collecting minis. The colours on it is brilliant. Love the brown suit and obviously the golden copper finish.

The eyes or may I refer them as goggles as per my request is an absolute bonus. It would have been less impressive being just... eyes, I suppose. With a piece one of Dok's works in hand, I can now imagine what it is like having a more of his works clustered together. It would definitely be a breath-taking sight.

My apologies, it seems almost impossible for my camera to pick up on the GID toxic. It glows subtlely in the dark.

Just something I enjoy working on, collages:

Doktor A Custom Dumb Luck

I'm spilling the beans from my previous post here.

I commissioned this piece quite some time back and I was very keen on having my extra piece of Dumb Luck done up. I thought it would be intriguing and a good idea to see it 'steampunked'!

This sculpt by Gary Baseman is one of my personal favourites. Hence, I have no regrets seeing it in a different style and finish. To be honest, as discussed with the Dok, this piece itself is already very finely balanced. As I requested goggles for it (making reference to Amy Sol's "To You From My View" and the notion of riding on a Vespa with goggles), I took quite a stunner to see it done quite differently. And I love it. Apparently, the toxic is of glow-in-the-dark liquid.

Simple yet refined, I'd say. I am more curious to see the eyes (googles) in person soon. Big hands to the Dok. I hope he does decide to continue to do private commissions in the future.


More shots:

"Venom is collected from a gland just behind the tear ducts of the dorsal eye cluster on a full grown worm. The collector may be required to physically grapple with the invertebrate to subdue it. Occasional bodily injury may occur but loss of life is rare and can be easily avoided by simple and swift removal of any bitten limbs.. Do not breath venom vapour ..."

Doktor A production pieces

Congratulations to the good Doktor A on his first production pieces, the Mechtorians. It's about time, Dok!

Steampunk-style willl always be my favourite type of custom.

• Left: Humbert Threadneedle, the Accountant
• Right: Sir Shilling Copperpenny, the Head Banker

The photo is of the prototype resins, painted by Doktor A himself.

More information to come...