Art of Bruce Whistlecraft

Today the APs of my Anesthesia Bust (White and Bronze editions) go on sale in my online store.

What is an AP?

AP originally stood for Artist’s Proof. It is a term from the printing industry. It referred to the sample prints sent to an Artist so they could confirm they were happy with the quality before the full run could go ahead. These APs were often kept by the artist and sold later as a little bonus income. Sometimes people collect AP prints rather than prints from the main body of the run. So sometimes the APs are more valuable as there are far less of them (traditionally not more than 5% of the edition size).

In the Art Toy world the term AP has been adopted to mean the percentage of product that the company making the toy gives to the artist who designed the toy. This amount can vary depending on company and contract from a couple of toys to half the run. Though in my experience it’s not more than 10% of the run.

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I am very pleased to announce the launch of my latest vinyl Art Collectible.

The classically styled bust of Anesthesia was inspired by the incredible marble work of Raffaele Monti (1818–1881).

I sculpted the original piece in 2014 as a high end art sculpture. Now 3D Retro have transformed her into a stylish and affordable addition to your home decor.

I am very proud of Anesthesia as she is the first vinyl production piece of mine that I have sculpted myself. 3D Retro have done an amazing job in retaining all the tiny details of the original. The precision of the mechanical garland around her head is reproduced spectacularly. And the gossamer nature of her veil is just as effective in vinyl as in the original.

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Gordon Selwyn Bennett purchased a nice new topcoat and hat in a vivid green hue.
So uplifted was he with his new apparel, that he wished as many people as possible should share in it’s finery.
So he entered the first of what was to become large yearly races around Retropolis.
With no mind for practicality or the Grand Prize he insisted on sporting the unsuitable clothing.
Getting ahead of the crowd seemed the best way to show off his lovely jacket so he did just that.
Staying there for the duration of the race.
It was such a delightful surprise that this first time racer should be such a natural, that the crowd took him to their hearts.
And afterwards the local team adopted his shiny green tone as their official colours.

Acrylic, ABS, Epoxy, Lead, Steel, Rubber, Paper, Found Objects.
11.5″ tall X 7″ X 18″

This new Mechtorian piece was created especially for the “A journey into the Universe of Art Toys” exhibition. He is currently on show at the Tolosa Puppets International Center at the Topic Museum in the city of Tolosa, in Spain. Organised and mounted by the awesome Art Toy Gama collective.

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October 21st – March 4th 2018

I am honoured to be a part of an exciting new museum exhibition in Spain.

“A journey into the Universe of Art Toys” will be the twentieth temporary exhibition organized by the Tolosa Puppets International Center at the Topic Museum in the city of Tolosa,(province of Guipuzcoa), in Spain.

The exhibition features works from 50 artists of different trends and disciplines, from 15 countries. Coordinated and lead by the Topic Museum and organized and curated by the International Art Collective “Art Toy Gama” and Fran Picazo.

All exhibited pieces of art will be available to reserve and purchase through the Art Toy Gama Collective.

My piece is a new Mechtorian character who is set to be a winner. Members of my Patreon page have been following his step-by-step construction over the last few months.

He will be revealed to the world later in the month.

I currently have a small handful of original and custom works available to purchase in various galleries around the USA. And of course they can all be contacted over the internet.

Starting top left:
Anesthesia is at Copro in L.A.
Unit 57 a Huck Gee Skullhead custom is with Clutter Gallery in New York.
Hob-Boglin is also with Clutter Gallery.
Martian Tripod is right now with Mothership Gallery in Philadelphia

So if you are interested in adding one of these pieces to your collection simply click on the link and contact the relevant gallery.

I have added two new pledge levels to my Patreon. One higher and one lower.

Monthly Lottery
($5 a month)
Everyone at this level and above is
entered into a draw to win a “thing” from me. This thing will always have a value greater than the $5 pledge. It may be a toy, a figure, an original drawing, a print, a prototype, an original sculpt. It will change from month to month and will be shipped direct to the lucky winner’s door.

Art Collector
($50 a month)
An original drawing posted to your door every month.
A totally unique 6″ X 4″ (ish) original Mechtorian work of art. Made for you alone. This may be an Ink or pencil drawing. It may be a whole new character or an image of an existing character or small group of characters. I will decide as I get to them. But each one will be different, charming and original.
( N.B. Only 10 places available.)

You can click over to my Patreon Page and help support me at your choice of SIX levels of patronage.

If you are already a Patron at the $10 level you will automatically be added to the new monthly Lottery.
You can easily upgrade or downgrade your existing Pledge level should you wish.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me this far. You have been a great boon to my work. I hope you enjoy my posts.

Colonel Rombus the “Mourning” edition will be making his debut at ToyconUK on the 25th of April in London.
The Colonel is a 5″ tall cast resin figure, with a glass eye and real Brass key.

Sculpted and hand painted by Doktor A. in satin black, tarnished steel and royal purple.
Signed on the underside and numbered on the rear in an embossed fashion.

Edition of 25.

Most will be at Toycon with the remaining few available from my online store on the same day.
£150 each.

This coming Saturday 24th January sees the opening of the 5th yearly “Conjoined” dimensional art show at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica California. Curated by the amazing artist Chet Zar, Conjoined showcases sculptors and makers from around the world, many of w whom do not regularly show in galleries.
I am once again honoured to be a part of this astonishing show.
Come along to the opening at 8pm and have a look at mine and all the other amazing works.

The show is then open until the 14th of February.

“Rollo O Ver”

Acrylic, Epoxy resin, Steel, Lead, Rubber,Paper, Found Objects
9″x9″x5″

I kept a runny tally of parts just out of interest on this project. Total component including fixings = 316
Contact the gallery for purchase information.

An exclusive mini print of “Sebastian Whittler” will be available from my booth at Designer Con on the 8th -9th of November at the Pasadena convention centre.
Pop on down to booth number 416 to pick up one of only 25 signed and numbered prints of this Toy making Retrobot.
6″ x 8″ (image size 4.5″ x 7″ ) $15 each.. Signed and Numbered by Doktor A.

Renown throughout the land for their marvellous toys, Sebastian is one half of the famous Whittler brothers.
He works miniature mechanical miracles with whatever comes to hand. Creating curious characters and fantastical clockwork facies for the discerning collector.
He has the sense when he works that he is breathing a little bit of his soul into each of his creations.

An odd idea as they are, after all only clockwork.
Toy clockwork.
Not real living clockwork like himself.

An exclusive mini print of “Harry K. NIdd” will be available from the Big Kev’s Geek Stuff booth at New York Comic Con on the 9th -12th of October.

Pop on down to booth number 127 to pick up one of only 25 signed and numbered prints of this arachno-robotic denizen of Retropolis.

The 6″ x 8″ (image size 4.5″ x 7″ ) prints will be only $15 each.

http://bigkevsgeekstuff.com