HOLIDAZE 2013: TIME OF THE DOCTOR

I wanted to bring Holidaze 2013 to a close in very much the same way it began: with a gift.

First and foremost created as my Christmas gift to my lady, The Doctor here was also meant to commemorate Matt Smith's final episode "Time of The Doctor," as well as tip my hat to the BBC and their annual Christmas specials. 

While Christopher Eccleston's Doctor is still my favorite, I did warm up to Matt Smith's 11th incarnation. When I saw the purple suit, I knew I had to make this specific version-- it's right up there with The War Doctor as my favorite costumes worn by The Doctor. It's the perfect blend of the modern era (the boots, shorter slacks), and Victorian gentleman, or a character from an HG Welles story... perfect for The Last Timelord.

                            

Completed in the early hours of Christmas, The 11th Doctor was constructed primarily from a Marvel Universe Professor X body and an old Han Solo head I found in the Fodder Graveyard. Chuck's tie was removed and replaced with a bow tie hand-sculpted from Green Stuff.

Probably my definitive statement on The 11th Doctor, I'm very happy with how this one turned out, as well as the ecstatic reaction. It won't be the last time The Doctor and I meet, however. I hear another TARDIS approaching...

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE

The fifth, final, and title image "Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale" is also my favorite-- it encapsulates everything about the series that I love and why the photos "work" for me. 

I've always had an obsession with miniature toys, and I feel that, in this shot, the little guys finally have their time to play. I especially love how the dinosaurs-- traditionally the largest toys-- are actually the smallest. My childhood favorite Anklosaur also plays with my favorite childhood toys: LEGO. Little Blue Robot is a gift that only I share with my Godson. 

Like "The Bluff," "Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale" was originally brainstormed as part of a larger "landscape" of toys under the tree Christmas morning. When I lined up the epic shot, though, it was too much for the eye, so I decided to break it up. 

While the "set" and staging were undecided, the concept was not, and I knew I'd figure it out. The trick was clearing everything else out, then letting the miniatures take center stage. 

I loved the set so much, it was used in my first piece for 2014... maybe some holiday cheer will flow into the New Year...

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM STRANGE LABORATORIES! 

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE- "THE BLUFF"

One of the earliest ideas that stuck when brainstorming for 'Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale, "The Bluff" was actually supposed to be part of "Fun & Games," but having so much going on at the same time was a little visually overwhelming. Between the vicious match of Hungry Hungry Hippos  between Sock Monkey and T-Rex and the game of Tic-Tac-Toe that wasn't going to end well for Penguin, the characters in "The Bluff" would've been lost in the shuffle.

Inspired by my Mom's love of cards, I wanted a "quiet" scene-- away from all the chaos of the other toys and games-- to set a different tone, focusing on the more intimate moments with friends at Christmas. 

One can only imagine what this bunch is B.S.-ing about. 

The only player with a real card hand is The Diver, who is unbeatable. There were plans for more action figures (even original superheroes), but I didn't want them to take over the theme... so it was up to this lone Joe to kinda sum up ALL pocket-sized action heroes that I grew up with... for some reason, I was REALLY, REALLY into divers and deep sea exploration as a kid. Originally, Diver was going to be accompanied by an old school 60s Astronaut and Cowboy, but I didn't want to step on The Mouse's tail, so to speak.

My favorite little guys are Chattering Teeth (with the Joker, natch), and Lil Red Finger Puppet Thingee, who isn't even playing the right game...

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE- "RISE, ROBOT, RISE!"

Of all the holiday-themed photos I took, "Rise, Robot, Rise!" was one of the more spontaneous.

After shooting for two days in the cramped Christmas Tree "set," I had gotten pretty much everything I saw in my head at first for the concept. This one, though, was me playing around with toy "actors," totally inspired by my obsession with robots. 

I've collected robots my entire life, and the ones in this shot are definitely special to me. The big grey guy and the blue chap are gifts from my creative partner-in-crime, and the other half of The Brothers Strange, Dr. Eduardo Strange. Little dude peeking over the edge is a piece that I own, but also gave to all my close friends for Christmas one year as a shared memento. 

Previously I've mentioned my love of dinosaurs. I couldn't help but include this Brontosaurus because of the expression on his face. He has a genuine look of surprise, like he's giddy and nervous. 

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE- "FUN & GAMES"

Next in my 'Twas Christmas Told The Merriest Tale series is "Fun & Games," where the toys have started to emerge from their stockings and packaging, and Christmas has begun. This was the most complicated but fun photo shoot I've ever done, but it was a blast. One of my favorite parts was going shopping for all of the toys-- choosing the right mix of classics, recognizable "brand name" games, and making it all universal... I like to think that everyone, at one point or another, has owned one of these toys. My hope is that cherished memories with those playthings are triggered. 

One of my favorite images from the set, I do love a few details:

-How happy and celebratory the little rubber finger puppet monsters look

-The mini dinosaurs, specifically the red anklosaur (childhood favorite)

-The parachute man and little green army man--  I was OBSESSED with these as a kid

-The expression of the penguin, who's about to lose the game 

NEXT TIME: MORE 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE!

HOLIDAZE 2013: 'TWAS CHRISTMAS TOLD THE MERRIEST TALE!- "THE ESCAPE"

Recently, I had the honor and pleasure of being an invited visual artist for Miami's CMN Winter Concert. As with all my favorite ideas, the concept for what became 'Twas Christmas Told the Merriest Tale came to me immediately after speaking with CMN's Artistic Director Juan Martin: Toys coming to life on Christmas morning, playing games and having fun before everyone wakes up. So many times did I picture this happening when I was a little boy, and this series of photos pays tribute to those childhood daydreams (and maybe, just maybe, a tip of the hat to Pixar).

This is the first in a series of five, as a kinda-sorta countdown (?) to Christmas, "The Escape"

Tomorrow: More 'Twas Christmas Told the Merriest Tale!

HOLIDAZE 2013: THE MOST NOTORIOUS BOUNTY HUNTER IN THE GALAXY

The Empire Strikes Back. My favorite Star Wars film, and one of my top movies of all time. I've lost count at the number of viewings I've racked up, but it's got to be in the hundreds to thousands. In fact, I just watched it yesterday. In a weird way, I've always seen it as a Christmas movie. I guess it's all the scenes on ice planet Hoth. No matter what, though, every single time, my eyes are drawn to one character: Boba Fett.

I don't know what it is about the mysterious bounty hunter that drew me in-- okay, I do... with the rocket pack, cool helmet, bad-ass armor, and a grappling hook, Fett's design immediately hooked me. While I don't recall the specific age or time I first saw him, I remember exactly what I thought: "That's the coolest character I've ever seen!" 

An original, now-vintage (then-NEW) Boba Fett Kenner figure joined my Star Wars collection shortly thereafter, and he's been one of my cherished, original childhood toys ever since... even if he doesn't have a firing rocket pack. 

Inspired by the 6" Black Series Boba Fett deluxe boxed set (with Han Solo in Carbonite), this 4" version of the bounty hunter is a completely repainted, modified Fett from Hasbro's Vintage Original Trilogy Collection. He has Marvel Universe upper legs grafted on (don't remember who), and a metal "T-Bar" from a 25th Anniversary GI Joe. 

When making a Fett, the question always comes down to which armor: Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi? While he looks wickedly cool in Jedi, for me it's all about that combination of the shades of grey and the metallic blue-green. For a second I thought about going with the Joe Johnston/Ralph McQuarrie all-white concept, but it seemed a little too Storm Trooper-y... perhaps in the future. Or a long time ago...

HOLIDAZE 2013: THE MAGIC OF THE MYTH OF CHRISTMAS

Castle Greyskull.

G.I. Joe Tactical Battle Platform.

Toy Biz's Marvel Superheroes Training Center.

Nintendo Entertainment System.


Some Christmas mornings are so unforgettable that they transcend and become magical. The moment when you get exactly what you hoped for. It had been a very long time since I had REALLY wanted anything for Christmas… until I saw the 6" Boba Fett with Han Solo in Carbonite San Diego Comic Con exclusive. 

Boba Fett. Most Notorious Bounty Hunter in the Galaxy. My favorite Star Wars character/figure ever, and, to this day, one of my most treasured childhood toys.

Being an exclusive, I knew I probably wouldn't be able to afford one-- if it was available online-- so I let it be. I later read that Boba Fett would be available in the second wave of Hasbro's The Black Series. While I had a glimmer of hope, I had kinda resigned myself to a Boba-less existence… and, as long as I didn't have Fett, I couldn't see myself starting a new collection in a new scale.

I walked past the Black Series figures countless times. At first, I was kinda thrown off by the larger scale, but the detail and articulation were amazing. I'd never really seen Star Wars figures of this quality at this size from an American company. While I was impressed, I was steadfast that I wouldn't collect them until I got my Boba Fett.

…Then I received a very cool, unexpected gift from a Secret Santa: 

Suddenly, I feel like a kid again. Opening it immediately took me back to my first X-Wing Luke (the original 1970s figure) and my MEGO Spider-Man. I easily spent a half hour at my workbench just messing around, posing him. 

For the first time in years, I'm actually psyched about upcoming Star Wars figures. Every day I check online for any hints of upcoming waves, usually fawning over leaked images of future products, like they were from some lost Sears catalog of yore.

The other night, my lady took me out for my birthday and wanted me to pick out a few gifts at the store. I made a bee line for the Star Wars section and found Greedo, Han Solo, and Boba Fett waiting for me. 

It was the moment I got exactly what I hoped for Christmas; when it transcended and became magical.