ggggggggg.....Gargadeath!!!!

I like it better sans the flames anyway LOL!

 

there is no doubt the flames were inspired by PK. If I ever do splatter, it would be inspired by LASH. Yes, use of metallics has always been inspired by Shapeshifta. Use of any Red paint inspired (and honoring) Locomoco. Any drippy paint used in any future customs will be inspired by Rhinomilk, inspired by Pushead.

what I have a real problem with is anyone accusing me of trying to profit off any other artist when I haven't even offered to sell one fucking thing.

 

There are many talented artists on this board who's work I greatly admire. The ones who stand out the most in my mind, have a style that sets them apart. Just by looking at their work you know who did it without having to be told. Paulkaiju is one of those artists. I don't think there is anyone on this board who paints custom Japanese vinyl who wasn't inspired to do so as a result of seeing what Paul does.

Paul was not the first guy ever to use a masked flame technique, and I'm not suggesting that he has some kind of trademark on the technique, but he is, without a doubt, the first person I've ever seen use that technique on Japanese vinyl figures (Kaiju or otherwise).

I'm not the oldest Kaiju collector in the world and I am not a vintage vinyl guru by any stretch, but I have been collecting this stuff since the early '90s when there was a resurgence of interest in retro style kaiju toys, particularly M1-Go.

Paul has won competitions held by M1-Go, and he can do a perfect impression of Yuji's painting style. But, what first caught my eye is when he started doing his own thing and creating his own style. Using masking, and other techinques, he created his own look. That is, I think, the ultimate goal of any creative person.

Let me put my thoughts on this in perspective.

One of the artists on this board who's work I admire the most is Lamour Supreme. The guy is a major talent in my opinion. However, painting on plexiglass or glass is not something new, it's been done before. Now, I think everyone would agree that if I showed some paintings of, say Bemon, on plexi here tomorrow, and recieved some positive comments, then turned around and said "this one's not for sale but I'll consider making some more for you guys... " it would be out of line. Dot, dot, dot, and a wink, is open to interpertation. How would that make Lamour feel?

We've all seen color shifting paint on cars and motorcycles, etc. however, the first person I've ever seen use it on Japanese vinyl toys is SHAPESHIFTA. How would he feel if I played out the above scenario using his technique?

Rhinomilk just showed off an amazing custom Damnadron which utilized a masking technique, but there was no confusing his work with the work of anyone else. He took a very unique approach, and came up with a very original looking piece.

Now, as far as profiting from using someone else's style. That can take many different forms. Money, trading for toys, or even just for the "look at me" factor. I'm not saying that any of that applies to you Toybot, because I don't know you. But your vague statement gave me that impression. I'm sure it could have come across that way to others.

I hope I have made my thinking on this subject sufficiently clear, and that everyone, Toybot especially, now sees where I am coming from. My statements were not meant as an attack of your work from a technical standpoint (it's actually quite good in my opinion), but I hope at least they provoked you to think about your approach to future projects from a creative standpoint.

If we can't confront these topics and debate them like adults, then why show your work in public at all? Not everyone is going to react to things the same way and automatically join in the cheering section. I support everyone's right to do what they want with their toys, they are their own property, but any creative pursuit (even toys) should be open to criticism, and held to a standard of ethics between artists.

 

Looks good, what I think is coolest is seeing your progression. I'm not saying you ever sucked, and I don't know how long you've been doing this, BUT from looking at the first customs I remember seeing you do vs. this every time you seem to take a step forward, regardless of who inspired what. Good job man.

 

Awesome job, kirkland! FLAMES AND ALL!

To the haters: Hey, if the man wants to try some "PK style" mask work, who gives a fuck? He's just trying to have some fun.

Great work, kj.

 

turtletooth,

this was a thoughtful response. thank you. I do have a better understanding of where you are coming from.

I especially like that you are trying to get me to find my own creative style. this is something frankly that I haven't even thought about. When I paint, mainly, i'm doing so because I want the figure in another color scheme, but I see your point of why do that unless you are going to then also do something decidely different as well.

point well taken. Thank you. I will make an effort to come up with something cool and unique.

kirkland

 

Care to elaborate?

In the immortal words of Ted Nugent, "Use your words".

 

Kirkland,

Thank you for taking the time to read all that!

I'm glad that you could see my point of view. Keep doing your thing, but most importantly, make it your own. That's what's exciting about doing creative stuff anyway. You've obviously got the technical aspect down, and I'm sure you can take it to the next level. There's ceratainly no shortage of inspiration and most importantly, passion, on this board.

-Alex

 

kj,

yo, originality is important, but have fun first--and don't sweat it if you try something that has been done before--that's how ppl learn what they're good at and come into their own.

I don't paint, but I noticed that coming up playing music with my friends, people sound a lot like their influences at first (basically playing what and how they know their instrument can be played). All while doing this, they get a feel for what they like to do and what they're good at. That's when it starts going to the next level and they start to come into their own.

I think everything you've done so far--borrowed or not--you've been able to make your own. You're doing great and you've only JUST started!

just my 2 cents.

 

Well when I was at art school we were taught to draw and paint from (among other things like live models) master photographs and paintings, to specifically emulate their style, composition, palette, and techniques as part of our journey towards mastering the foundations and forging our own styles. This has always been conventional in western art schooling and I presume in other parts of the world as well, given the almost-uniformity of styles in aesthetics in past eras and regions in China, India, Japan, the African continent, etc.

If PK is offended that might carry some weight I suppose, but even then I personally would see nothing wrong with what toybot did. It was good of him to openly acknowledge that he's been influenced by other noted customizers. Although I'm just a hobbyist amateur I've seen people copy my own ideas in the 3D illustration world, and I openly admit to my own influences. This is all totally normal and accepted. Perhaps there's a fine line between "influence" and "copycat" but I'm confident that most people can make a satisfactory distinction.

In my opinion the game of trying to avoid doing anything that anyone has done before tends to yield more bad results than good. We all live in a world of influences and feedback based on those influences. Originality has more to do with the "voice" or "thumbpint" of an artist coming through in their work than any purity of technique or style, which in my opinion, don't really exist at this stage of history.

Should we eschew latter fight figures because Takeshit copped Rat Fink and so many fight figures that followed "quote" Fink.Shit? Is Kozik's Bigazzalon a ripoff of a ripoff of a bootleg and thus impure or less legitimate? When Mori quotes Frankenruge or Devilman is he in some way infringing or being lazily unoriginal? I don't think so at all. These examples might stray a bit from toybot's conscious nod to PK but I hope you see the gist. You are clearly intelligent and thoughtful turtletooth. I'm enjoying these perspectives. Just offering my own for contrast.

 

That's all great but I think you guys are missing my main point here. Kirkland and I have spoken via PM and I think he totally gets where I'm coming from.

Being creative and original is great but, here's the main issue I had: I don't know the first thing about Paul's or any of the other creative people on this boards financial situations, it's none of my business, but I do know that if someone offers to do something "in their style", even for free, it has to have a negative impact on them in some way.

From speaking to Kirkland, I don't believe that was his intention at all. He just didn't look at it from that perspective at the time.

We should be about supporting creative people (yes, even financially), not undercutting their efforts or circumventing them. Again, not that Toybot was intentionally doing that, he wasn't even trying to sell anything, just making a well intentioned offer to a fellow board member.

The bottom line is, if you want a SHAPESHIFTA "style" toy done, contact SHAPE. If you like PK's style hit him up, he can make your custom toy dreams come true. Like what Lamour is putting down? Send him a PM, I'm sure he'd appreciate it. These guys all do what they do because they love toys and enjoy being creative. Shouldn't they also reap the rewards of their creative efforts?

 

How do you know that?

 

I have an opinion on this.

 

I'm concerned the board will explode if I type too wordy a response to your wordy posts

I'd rather let things roll, like the emoticon

Oh and I've got a quote for Kirkland:

Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.
Andy Warhol

 

...I think this is kind of harsh. what if you LIKE what toybot has done with this and want one just like it? I mean, PK is the man. I think he could spare some flames--he's that good.

A lot of ppl (including myself) enjoy punk music from time to time. why don't we just stop supporting newer bands? all they do is use the old chords and chord progressions everyone has been using for years. I mean look at Balzac. do they just bite the Misfits--is it that simple? or do they have something that is their own thanks to the misfits?

 

I would imagine that it would dilute the, for lack of better words, the brand.

Also, on a different tangent, I don't think that Secret Base was thrilled when Skull Toys started using their palette for some Skull toys.

I don't think that Pushead was thrilled when RxH suddenly started producing toys with an eye patch. I may be wrong, but that was my take. But then Secret Base ripped the drip style of the mini Damn for their latest Brains.

 

I'm going to hold a bat in front of me, stare at the top of it, and spin around in circles until i fall over...

i think that would feel better than reading these responses to TT's thoughtful response and explanation.

just my two cents

 

I'm absolutely sure it wasn't his intention, but It sure made me do a BIG double-take!

His color choices and really sweet photography can make a figure sizzle.


Kirkland has given me some nice exposure in the past and i hope he evolves into this and pushes to mystify with some new technique maybe he'll share with me. (yeah, I'm sure there's some scandinavian goat spit saturated with Lava that makes a WILD masking formula)

Here's the catch. In reality, there's really only so-many-ways a toy can be painted, it's just a matter of time before styles collide.

It's the nature of any hobby really.

And if anyone decides they would like to make a living with this?

Some advice, have fun, and DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB!

Respect to the painters.

 

Imagine if these weren't toys, but motorcycles -- Flames being the 'property' of only one customizer. That'd be pretty funny (and unlikely).

What color schemes did Skull Toys rip from SxB?

 

Looks fucking great.
'nuff said!

 

Fuck originality, let's punk!