I too think this is really important.
From the very first Damn that DP did this was brought up. Total disregard for the "canvas" he was working on.

I think it's really important to respect the sculpt, otherwise you might as well use a platform toy.
I don't want to start naming other artists that we all know and respect, but I think that the way they approach a piece is very different from the way DP does, and it shows.

I keep expecting him to start painting wizards and lightening bolts on a Deathra, maybe a "Born to Ride" BxH edition is what we are missing.

I don't in anyway intend this to be a personal attack, just a critique.
But I do find it interesting that he hasn't come out to say anything, even if he never contributes here otherwise.
Maybe he is taking the high ground and saying "everyone has their opinions and that's cool, I don't need to defend myself" I don't know.

Are you referring to this lovely fellow...? This guy rules hard in hand and pictures simply cannot describe the way this Dead Prez Damnedron shines in person...!!!

Hello all,
Out of respect for the board and people involved with this post Im going to try to address a few things on here.

Locomoco (Keith) - you make many valid points about my customs. You got a little personal with me but maybe sometime I hope we can shake hands face to face. I thought I did chat with you at the s7 booth while I was buying the usugrow book. Maybe Its the wrong person.

Logang1 - Thank you for stepping in and speaking what went down regarding the showing of my customs at sdcc. Also as you know already your crits are always welcomed.

Lamour Supreme- Thanks for all of your support and crits.

Data- That very stupid mistake has been taken care of (as you know now). I take full responsibility for that very disrespectful move.

Gatchabert- Thanks for trying to explain things. And thanks for the pm as well.

Leecifer- Thanks for not locking this thread. Maybe I can apply for toy ruiner status as well.....

wing clipper- Am I sought after? ummm?? that was written by a respectable person involved with kaiju toys .I did not mean for it to rub anyones feathers.

akum6n- I appreciate your words as well. I look at your collection pics often. Im sorry you dont have any exitment about what I do. Also I am passionate about this board I just dont want to be the +1 guy posting just for a status. I will try to post a photo of some recent kaiju pickups on the bottom.

Stealthtank (scott) Your words really explain to me how you feel.

Toybot I was asked at sdcc to participate in a upcoming customs show at s7 I think in October. I have not heard anything yet.
Your pics are the best ever!!

Polyester cowboy - I see your point I will try to shed some light on the issue you bring up. I was asked to do a pinstripe demo at a booth during sdcc. I showed my pinstriping techniques and has customs for sale during my demo . I answered any questions that came up. From there my customs were on display and for sale for the remaining weekend at another booth. Logangs explanation of what took place at the pushead signing is all 100%

I did post a step by step of exactly how I do my work. I stopped adding to it because I had recieved quite a bit of hater mail.

I will share this little story about sdcc. One of the most notoriuos haters of my work approached me while I was doing my demo. He came up introduced himself as to who he was on the board took a look at my stuff asked a few questions,etc. Later that day I saw him again and he told me straight up that I shouldn't be doing what im doing and to stick to automotive stuff. I replied thanks for your critique and being a cool person.

If you want to keep this thread going thats fine with me. Like many of you are.I as well am very busy.

Here is a pic from an ended yja auction that I recently won. I can't wait to get these in my hands.

I love that damn, but this particular piece is the example most cited as incongruous with underlying sculp.

i don't agree, but that's just me.

Matt is a great dude.
It was a pleasure meeting him at SDCC.
The customs that I saw in person blew me away.
His style also has changed, I'd say for the better.
He has taken the critique of this board well.
Less is more sometimes.

DP- thanks for coming around to address the prior discussion in this thread. I think that shows a lot of class, and it's appreciated.

Nice gorillas.

Yah thanks.... Good luck with the collabs

I also appreciate Matt's input. While I love some of his pieces and hate 98% of the pinstriping on figures, I was a little upset with his attitudes in the old thread. I think he has shown a lot of humility in response to us boardmembers here in this one. He didn't really have to respond civilly at all.

Matt, please post more of your collection elsewhere and try to get involved here. Once you're accepted, you won't have to worry about the complaints. You'll be expected to savagely rebuke them. You will be applauded for it probably, but only after you post a bit. Let the people here get to know you. This is the only example of the internet forming real relationships I've ever seen. I think people are both proud and defensive of skullbrain's identity. Seriously, get involved. I won't buy any of your production custom pieces until you do. So there

We're a bunch of toy geeks . . . by default none of us are 'cool!'

I better see the point raised that DP's paint schemes, especially the pinstriping, don't really relate to the style of the figures. But for me, that's what I like about pinstriping. Old skool pinstripers used to paint stuff in much the same way graffiti artists tag things - it's an act of "fuck you" rebellion in which the artist reclaims and leaves his or her mark on something. I love those old photos of Von Dutch pinstriping everything in sight - handtools, surfboards, even a girl (!)

In a sense, because monsters and pinstriping don't really "go together" - that's why i like what DP is doing. And I'm not someone who likes a lot of the customizing that goes on. In many cases, I think it destroys good toys. (and customizing or repainting vintage toys, versus new "product," is totally verbotten for me).

And the whole criticism about self-hype and selling stuff seems like a slippery slope to me. I mean, every one of these toy makers/artists is trying to sell their product. They're not in it for altruistic reasons or else they wouldn't be charging $70 to $100.00 a pop for many of these toys. Why begrudge one of these artists a living (and a very modest one I'm sure - no one is getting rich selling these toys).

On the other hand, the very reason I'm even on this board and not on other "boards" is because this place is all about appreciating the toys and artwork and not about those who are only in it to make a buck. I hate that "other" board.

I guess it comes down to a matter of degree - it's ok by me if someone wants to make a buck as long as it's done with integrity.

Later!

Thank you for your response, Matt.

It's always nice to try and get to know more about people on the board. I hope you will post more so we can get to know more about you, your collecting, and your upcoming work.

However, I take issue with your comment that people just post "+1" comments to attain status on the board... nobody is saying you need thousands of posts, but as I've mentioned before, it just seemed like you would post your latest batch of pieces, and then disappear. There are ways of contributing to the community besides posting "+1" posts.

Now please allow me to explain some of the basis for my harsher criticisms...

You may have noticed that people who only appear on the board to sell their work don't get the warmest of receptions. It's mostly due to the perception that the people who do this are only interested in making a quick buck... If I was wrong about your reasons for posting, I apologize, but there wasn't much for me to really base an opinion on. Just seemed like all the posts I saw were "here's my latest batch of what's available".

I think I've established my issues with "coated" figures and the sheer repetition of technique - I feel a certain amount of frustration for some of the other customizers on the board who have been on the board for a long time, who have contributed to conversations, and have been doing custom work for much longer than you have.

When I see people going nuts over shiny paint applied with a spray gun, it bothered me that these other people who have "put in their dues" showing great progress in their custom work using a greater variety of techniques, are NOT invited to participate in S7 custom shows. My natural reaction was "why?"

I sincerely hope that we'll be able to see some greater exploration from you beyond the spray gun coatings of shiny paint... it seems that there are some pictures of work demonstrating new styles, but I think I've seen enough "Coat and doodle" figures.

Hope this clarifies my point of view.

Very well said, Loco!

Having met Matt in person, and also finding him to be a very likeable fellow, I nonetheless find many of the critical comments voiced in this thread to be of valuable service.

Being a writer myself, I have always appreciated and preferred honest criticism over a bunch of thoughtless "I like it's," and I'm sure Matt will make the most of it.

The reason why I love the Gargadeath figure so much is that the translucent paint scheme and pipe-cleaners actually complement the sculpt greatly. It shows some imagination. I also like how the recent "Stink Eye" Damaged Brain has a "Fudge Damn"-type paint job. Now, if only someone would sell me that one along with the immensely creative "Police Line" Damaged Brain, I could die a happy man.

This thread went from Jerry Springer to Oprah.

Really? I thought I was being more like Steve Wilkos...

That custom was really something......