XFUNS unbridled Creative Design Magazine NO.46
Other Artist Interviews:
SKWAK ,James Jarvis, David Horvath, Goran Lelas Ojofrito, Plasticgod ,Tokyoplastic,Erick Scarecrow Marka27,Jesse Hernandez, Pete Oswald, Stephen Silver ,Bobby Chiu, Patricio Marcello, Balanovsky Zamak,Brent Nolasco
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Interview:
> XFUNS：Hello, could you please introduce yourself to XFUNS readers.
> My name is Brent Nolasco. I was born in Long Beach, California. I now
live in Allentown, Pennsylvania where I work as an artist, full time.
> XFUNS：Please you tell us a little about your studies? How did you get
involved in character design world?
I started developing characters at a young age. Watching cartoons and
reading comic books really sparked my imagination. I only went to art
school for 1 year. I am a mostly self-taught artist. I always had a
creative side.
> XFUNS：What’s the main concept of your work?
> Some of the themes that run though my work are nature vs.
industrialism, and how creatures have to adapt to survive.
> XFUNS：You have very unique style that full of mischievous, could you
talk about how you develop your own aesthetic value?
> I try to stand apart from the “norm” or what is seen everywhere else.
The characters are just a reflection of what I visualize in my head.
There is a definite undertone of mischievousness which reflects my
personality. I like to have fun and laugh and try not to take things
too serious.
> XFUNS：How long does it take to produce a WHOLE NEW character (figure
toy) included painting, custom, etc.?
> I always work on a couple of pieces at a time, at least 5-10. I
usually will prime a few pieces one day, then start the base coats of
paint, add texture, and then do the detail work which is the most time
consuming. So it is hard for me to answer exactly how long it takes to
do one piece because I switch between many when I work.
> XFUNS：When did you start to customize your first vinyl toy from a
simple painting to a real physical toy?
> I started doing customs about 5 years ago. Fine Art was my main focus,
but I began to build characters out of wire forms and covered them
with liquid plastic and hand sewn clothing. Shortly after that, I
discovered the vinyl toy world in a Complex Magazine.
> XFUNS：You’ve been drawing and painting numerous characters on your
creating map, how did you make character done as a vinyl toy (How you
selected one of characters as becoming a figure toy)?
> First I came up with a basic concept in my mind. Then I created some
sketches, followed by “turn a rounds”. I had to think of something
that would translate well into resin.
> XFUNS：Did you chose to hand-paint each piece?
> How will you deal with so many toys if they have an incredible
selling at a market? Or each of your characters has its own limited
figures?
> Yes, I hand painted each piece. My studio looked like a production
line! I knew that the first release would be a limited run, and I
decided that I wanted to put out a high quality piece. It was always
one of my goals to hand paint my first piece so that people would have
a really good representation of my work. Also, I feel that it would
have been hard for a factory to try to translate my style, and keep
the costs down for the consumers.
> XFUNS：Could you share how you created a successful character as Blue
Orchid Edition Gordo with us?
> People always wanted to see my artwork translated into a 3 dimensional
figure. My Plastic Heart gave me the opportunity to created and
produce my first original figure. It was a joint collaboration to put
out the best product that we could.
> XFUNS：Could you talk about the way you sell the figure toys, online
store or physical store? Which line is better?
> For the Blue Orchid Gordo, we had a toy release party at the My
Plastic Heart store in New York. Then 2 days later we released it
online. I like having releases at stores/galleries because I get to
meet the fans and talk and spend time with them to thank them, but
having my piece available online enables people from around the world
to have access to it. So I think that both physical stores and online
stores are good.
> XFUNS：You have a successful selling at a market, how could you make
creating and marketing both done well at the same time?
> You can make both creating and marketing successful but you need to
know how to balance them. I always try to put out a high quality
piece, which is something that people can always expect from me. I
like lots of detail and don’t like to compromise the design, like
always adding a personal touch, and making them like a one-of-a- kind
piece.
> XFUNS：Did you sell your figure toy in Taiwan for character collector?
> Yes, my figures sell all over the world. Some collectors are private
and do not want to be known, while others post their collections
online. There is a lot of work that people have not seen because the
private collectors keep it to themselves.
> XFUNS：Could you please share a memorable creating experience you had with us?
> Doing the Blue Orchid Gordo was fun because for the first time I was
painting my own figure, and not customizing someone else’s work. Every
detail, I created. Even though it took a while to paint all of the
figures for the first color way, it was still exciting.
> XFUNS：Which of your completed projects are you most satisfied with?
> I really liked the Mindstyle Stitch, Mickey Halo Brand, the figure
that I did for the Lost television show, My Plastic Heart Gordo, and
some of the things that I am already working on for next year. I am
returning to a more “fine art” style next year, which I am excited
about.
> XFUNS：If you have infinite resources for a day; what would you like to create?
> I would like to be able to create sculptures on the level of Jeff
Koons and Takashi Murakami. It would be fun to translate my pieces
into works the size that they do like Koons’ pool toys made out of
metal and Murakami’s 3 dimensional figures.
> XFUNS：What new projects are you working on currently and what’s the
next big thing?
> I am currently working on a few projects that I cannot discuss right
now. I am still in the development stages. I am always evolving, and
trying to create a new style. A year from now, my work may be totally
different. Also, there will be new color ways for my Gordo figure.
> XFUNS：What current artist or people you admire? Why?
> Jeff Koons for how he has created such a huge art empire, and the
scale and quality of his art. Greg “Craola” Simkins for his amazing
detail, scale, and fine art quality. His characters are amazingly
creative. John Galliano for his constant evolution and redefinition of
art in fashion.
> XFUNS：What words of wisdom do you have for anyone interested in
entering the world of the character design?
> Always stick to your ideas and try not to be influenced too much by
what others are doing. Have fun and always enjoy what you do. Never
stop learning and striving for excellence. Don’t be afraid to put
yourself out there and try new things.
> Age：
> Horoscope: Taurus, year of the rabbit
City: Pennsylvania (right in the middle of New York City
and Philadelphia)
> Art tools / Techniques: Acrylic paint, mixed medium, epoxy sculpt, found objects
> Favorite Museum: Getty Museum, Los Angeles – beautiful grounds to
> walk around on the top of a mountain.
> Favorite Book：
> Motto: Keep it Real!
