End of 2011

Been couple of months since last post so here's a end of the year update before I start work on Ender's Game at the beginning of 2012.

After finishing sculpting duties on The Avengers, I jumped back into my illustration alter ego, Skulboy.
Skulboy Designs is combination of 2 of my passions, drawing and Disc Golf.

Skulscape t-shirt design.

The latest plastic, my custom stamp on the Legacy Cannon driver and my mini-art book.

Disc Golf meets the Mayan calendar for this 2012 event.

And it's not all Disc Golf, here is a custom beer label done for SPP.

The Townhouse

Akiko and I finally became homeowners this year.

First on the list was the bathroom renovation.
After ripping out the vanity, removing the toilet and pulling up the floor, we put down tile.


















These are the reclaimed wood tables Akiko and I built.

 

The Monrovia sunset from our balcony.

Gizmo spreading out.

Took the cats some adjustments, but it's now home.

New York

In between locations of New Mexico and Cleveland, Akiko and I headed back to NY for a family emergency (happy to report that brother David is doing much better,) my 30th High School Reunion and getting together with Akiko's family in New York City. Good to be back home to visit family and friends.

Mike, Jim and I (yes, I'm the super white one) meet up for some Disc Golf in Greece, NY.

 

Mt Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY.

 

Hikida and Hughes family at Intrepid Battleship docked in NYC.

New Mexico

We are finally settled down somewhat so I'm ready to catch up on my lack of posts.
I spent the first half of the year working on Location for The Avengers. Several months in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As locations go, Albuquerque was not so bad. A short flight back to LA, hot, but dry (very dry) climate, spicy food and plenty of Disc Golf courses to check out on weekends.
Akiko came out to visit and we took in some sites.

Santa Fe

Sandia Peak

Tent Rocks

Soda Dam

Latest Disc Golf Graphics

Few new designs I did for Disc Golf.

 Latitude 64 RIVER driver.

Disc Golf Review.com fundraiser MVP Ion putter.

You can see these and my Disc Golf course photos over at Skulboy Designs.

Super 8

S P O I L E R A L E R T!
If you haven't seen SUPER 8, you may want to avert your eyes from the following photos.

This cave and tunnel set was to look as if the alien had dug it out with his claws. Our sculpting team employed some innovative foam cutting techniques with great results.

In progress shot with the dark section of the foam having been sealed with plaster.

The finished set.

Green Lantern

During the first few months of 2010, I worked on Green Lantern in New Orleans.
The following are in-progress photos of Abin Sur's escape pod.

The ship was designed in the computer and was extremely complicated as it was facets on top of facets. Our sculpting team made section through templates and found the planes.

The sections were glued together and worked as a whole.

The Shop Hands then created a massive mold, flipped it on it's side and we then carved the inside.

A mold was then made of the interior and parts were cast for a top and bottom shell for the ship.

Side note part 2. I have no idea who picks who for the list, but I got screen credit on this film. That makes 3 films this summer (Thor, Pirates 4 and GL) that my name appeared on the credits after 10 years of none. Weird and exciting at the same time.

THOR Reigns!

Knowing the comic book and even working on a few of the sets for the film, I had no idea how anyone could successfully make Asgard, Earth and Gods work in a live action movie. Well, I'm very happy to say that Kenneth Branagh pulled it off. A almost perfect blend of character, conflict, humor and action grabs you and doesn't let go. And tears of joy for comic fans like me who get to behold THOR brought to life. The spinning hammer, bringing down the lightning and battling beside Lady Sif and The Warriors Three to name a few. Wow.
Marvel hits another home run. For me, THOR places right up there with the best of the best in comic book movies right next to Spider-Man 2 and Iron Man. Can't give Marvel enough credit for crafting excellent movies with their stable of characters all leading up to what may be the coolest movie of all time, The Avengers.

As a side note, THOR marks my first screen credit after 11 years in the movie industry. Look for Duncan Crawford under "Sculptors" while you wait for the scene after the credits.

Couple of pics of the Frost Giant set in the making.

Skulboy Designs Rides Again!

My Disc Golf world has some very exciting news for Skulboy Designs.
I did two designs for Discovering The World to be hot stamped onto discs for the red hot Disc Golf manufacturer, Latitude 64. Here they are.

The discs are stamped and available now over at DTWorld.

Where's The Movie Stuff?!

You may have wondered where all the photos of what I've worked on in the Movie World have been recently.
I'm currently sculpting away on the Marvel Fanboy Geek Dream film, The Avengers and last year was a very busy one. Because I won't post any set pictures until after the film has been theatrically released, I sometimes sit on them for over a year. Stayed tuned as 2011 will bring some behind the scenes peeks of sets from Thor, Green Lantern, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Butter and Super 8.

Podcast!

If your interested in listening to Akiko's and my Art History, here is a link to a podcast interview we did with awesome artist Chris Oatley for his blog.

ArtCast #54

Drawing Table Getting a Little Crowded

Gizmo and Phantom making sure I get my work done.

Paso Robles

Akiko and I got out of the big city last week and drove up to Paso Robles. Half way between LA and San Fransisco and vineyards as far as the eye can see.

Chanticleer Vineyard

We stayed at the excellent Chanticleer Vineyard Bed & Breakfast which had beautiful views and the strawberry bread pudding Carolyn served on our second day was beyond words amazing.

After a long drive and a nice dinner in downtown, we rested up for a big day of Wine Tasting.

Being post-holidays, we were the only ones signed up for the Wine Wrangler that day and got to hit 6 wineries for plenty of tasting and lots of wine making tidbits.

Niners impressive tasting room and Heart Hill.

View of the ocean from Hwy 46 traveling West to Cambria.

Fun trip, nice to get out of town for a few days and we're very much enjoying the bottles we brought back.

Vartan Revisited

Vartan's final stand.

 

You may remember awhile back I sculpted a character maquette of historic figure Vartan Mamigonian for the film project East Of Byzantium. I was so compelled by Roger Kupelian's fire and drive to make this film happen that I needed to contribute in the best way I could, sculpting. Well, he's at last getting closer to becoming a collectable statue. His casted parts are being made ready for manufacturing and a sample statue is not too far away. I'll keep you updated as soon as I have more information.

Here's a few more photos of the sculpture.

Plastic Chat

Thought I would post a few links for fellow Disc Golf Fanatics out there.
Looks like I'm not the only one who thinks there needs to be more skeletal images printed and stamped on discs. Disc-Or-Die has some top notch artists creating sweet images, check this one out.

Awesome work from Jeff Gaither.

And now I want to talk about my main go-to mid-range disc. When I walk up to my approach shot and it's farther than 30' from the hole, I reach into my bag without hesitation and grab my Discraft Buzzz. I've been throwing the Z plastic version for awhile now, but was told that everyone is throwing the FLX plastic version. Of course, I had to have one. Haven't thrown it yet, but I'm dying to get out on the course.

FLX Buzzz

If you're looking to pick up a Buzzz or any other new plastic, head over to Disc Golf Station for a great selection.

Long time, no post

Wow, a month without a post. Little update for now until I get some time to import some photos from my camera.
Started out sculpting a 1/4 inch scale model for a set on Super 8 in August and now I'm working as Stand-By for the full size version of that set during the final days of shooting. Nice run.
And this past weekend, Akiko took me to Unique LA, a inspiring collection of artist displaying hand made items and cool silk screened goods. It was held in a Downtown penthouse with a great 360 view of LA. Art and scenery.
Plus I'm working on drawing this year's graphic for the Sylmar Summertime Open Disc Golf Tournament. Stay tuned, will have pics up soon.

Chavez Ridge Disc Golf

Chavez Ridge disc golf course in Elysian Park overlooking Downtown LA and Dodger Stadium.
Challenging course with treacherous steep ravines that your disc can roll down putting you hundreds of feet away from the basket. They call it "getting Chavezed." Ouch.
For more photos check out my other site Skulboy Designs.

Yucaipa!

On Halloween weekend, Akiko and I took a day trip out to Yucaipa, CA for fresh air, apple orchards and fall colors.

Fall colors... check.

 Akiko at Riley's Farm.

Skulboy Designs Wear

Mike Abrams at Athletic Outlet sent an amazing set of apparel samples with my logo on it. Thanks, Mike!

I'm wearing the beanie and The World's Most Awesome Sweater.