I’ve been quiet for qui–te some time, but that’s because I was busy finishing this beast of a sculpture. Remind me to never do octopus arms again @_@.
Anyway, I got me a a turning platform-thingy. And of course I had to try it. This is just a test-vid and I have no idea how much Facebook butchered the quality. But you got an idea. And hey! It’s proof I’m not dead yet.
I’ve been going to a painting course, mostly to get my mother to do something I knew she’d like to do.
Thing is, this woman has been traditionally schooled and to her, painting is a craft everybody is able to learn. Doesn’t matter if you know how to draw or not.
Well, she just proved it! This is my first result, and I don’t know how to draw a straight line to save my life. So, if you live in eastern part of The Netherlands, go visit Marian Merk (https://www.facebook.com/marian.merk.3)
So in recent news, it’s seems like the recast situation just got 100x worse….
I saw on @puffypuffers insta with screen caps from a Dollfie Dream FB group that Luo, one of the top recasters in China, is now in the process of filing for trademark of various BJD companies to own their trademark.
Which means that those companies he’s filing for to “own” were to sell in China, from Taobao to even doll shows, they could face legal actions and could never sell in China again. The list of companies that have been effected and having pending trademark is already extensive, companies that aren’t even in China such as Dollshe, Fairyland, Iplehouse, Soom, Lily at, Marina Byockova, Peaks Woods, DOLK, Bambicrony, Cocoriang, and so much more, he’s also even added trademarks in the US for. Luo has every intention of chasing out the “competition” of the companies themselves so he can sell freely with no repercussions.
Here’s the screen caps from the group of what’s going on.
With him doing this, he’s literally eliminating the companies that he recast from, so will probably be a point where you no longer be able buy originally cast of those companies doll, but you’re only be able to buy cheap resin copies because those companies will eventually shut down due to losing a part of the market they sell to
I don’t know how else more to say that the recast situation just gone past ignoring now, because this gone from bad to beyond worse.
This is absolutely insane.
If you still believe that recasts do not hurt the community, consider yourself pro- or even neutral, UNFOLLOW ME NOW.
Fuck.
yep, if you support recasts, you’re supporting theft. this is disgusting and if you’re still ok with recasts- unfollow me, don’t purchase from me, don’t associate with me.
But gaiz, recasts are totes fine, yo. No stealing at all.
The bronze casters I’ve hired have trouble getting a good cast of my statue, because it’s too detailed. And these guys are specialized in sculpted jewelry and the like, you know… small detailed stuff.
So, in case they break down in tears and refuse to do anything else, I’m looking into alternatives that I could cast myself. Like bonded marble: Marble dust mixed in resin. The purist artist is probably going to scream when hearing this, because it’s FAKE SHIT, but hey! A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. (and I kind of like experimenting.
If you thought that sculptors were done once the clay comes out of the oven… Nope.
I’m currently finishing the wax model of my two-headed torso that I need to make the mold for bronze casting. Fixing errors, cracks, details that got lost in the process. That should take about a week. After that, it’s back to the caster, wait for them to get me a good bronze and look over this statue to fix mistakes and details that got lost etc. Only after that will it be time for the last phase: Patination (coloring).
That last phase will be done by someone else. I’m very prone to allergies and since coloring involves strong chemicals, I’m not going to take the risk.
I didn’t like the mouth of my octopus, so I started over. Also, I finished the hair. Yay! And since the picture is much bigger than the actual figure, I can see little errors that I need to fix. YAY!
Anyway, just some pictures to proof to you guys, I ain’t dead.
Funny thing happened recently. I was talking to my bronze caster about when the casting process of my statue would start and suddenly he asks:
“By the way, how much are you going to sell these for? About €1250?”
I was a bit dumbfounded by that number and replied with a sheepish: “Errr… well, I was thinking more along the line of 400-ish…”
Apparently that was an insane idea. He started sputtering about the quality, the detail etc. etc. and that 1250 would have be the least to ask. To underline his point, he told me about another client of his and how his work was comparable and that his sculptures sold like hot cakes, despite the price. “Art is emotion. People buy what they like, not what price tag fits them”.
I’m so used to the BJD- market and how people keep screaming ‘OVERPRICED!1!!!’ whenever you sell something for 1 dollar over the minimum price, that it’s strange to now suddenly have the opposite response. Although I must say: Being called a ‘thief of your own wallet’ is certainly a lot better than being called an ‘unscrupuplous bitch who likes to get rich over the poor people’s backs’.
So, back to the math table to calculate the final asking price!
I gotta say: I really do have a tendency to work at a smaller and smaller scale. This hand is 1cm big. Currently, my tool of choice is an embroidery needle XD. All things are multi-purpose tools in my book.
It seems to be a word that is so easily thrown around these days. “That man’s dreadlocks triggered me”, “I was triggered by your indifference” etc. etc. People, please. That’s not being triggered. That’s feeling slightly offended.
After three migraine attacks and a serious increase in regular ptsd-symptoms, this (totally legit) scientist poses the hypothesis that I might have been overdoing it a bit.
My goal was to increase exposure by looking for exhibitions, updating my social media more regularly and basically showing my face. Unlike general advice directed to artists - that was WAY too much for me - I decided to post online only twice a week, and not get involved with more than two expositions a year.
I thought this must be do-able. Yeah.. but no. Instead of shooting for the stars, my rocket turned out to be a deflating balloon that ended up in the pillowy snowheeps of the Himalayas.
So, back to the drawing board! Of course, I could ask a third (or second?) party to deal with all the exposure managing thingies, but that too is only going to add stress to a wobbly balancing act. Maybe I should start acting like those eccentric artists who consider getting paid for art is a devilish, commercial trap and do nothing else but to hide in their workshop. If I dress the part, it could work, right?
Someone call New York and tell them there is a new ‘Authentic Soul’ on the loose!
Annnnnd, my head has started with the first stage of a migraine attack. Nice prelude to 4 days in bed with headache and other fun stuff. It’s the third attack this month! How am I supposed to sculpt now, head DX.
My two-headed sculpture has entered the mold-making stage! I know it looks kind of spiffy like this (not to mention the thing is suspiciously mimicing a square box), but it’s going to be a three-part mold. To be honest, this whole thing is an experiment, because it’s the first time I’m making a mold of a sculpt with several heads. It’s definitely harder than making molds for dolls.
Starting with her hair and waiting until the clay of the left arm has cooled a bit, so I can work on her hands. This tiny lady is finally coming to an end (and then I’ll have to finish working on her octopus body again XD)
Still not feeling well (my brain is currently deciding if it wants to do another migraine attack), so that’s why the radio silence. Keeping away from any screen and taking a few days off (so I can sleep) seems like a good tactic now.
Due to another migraine, I’ve haven’t been working this week (an attack takes up to 4 days for me). So, instead I’m going to show you a vid of a flower parade I’m going to visit on Sunday.
Lichtenvoorde has one of the largest parades in my country and the displays are usually feats of hydraulic technique as this example from last year shows. Kids playing were waking up the dog… whoops.
