Anatomy of a Balloon Dog

Jason Freeny released a glow-in-the-dark version of his famous Balloon Dog Anatomy. As a fan of his art, and this piece in particular, I couldn't resist a glowing skeleton offering.

Balloon Dog Anatomy stands around 8" tall and arrives in 26 pieces. A little patience is required during assembly, but I would not say it is challenging. The glow looks great inside the clear balloon sculpture. I bought mine from Mighty Jaxx for $79 and at the time of this post, they were still available.

View more of Jason Freeny's art by visiting his personal page and following him on Instagram @gummifetus. To view more glow-in-the-dark toys from my collection, find us on Instagram @zombiesandtoys.

REVIEW: Silhouettes from Popular Culture by Olly Moss

GNAT

I received this book a little while back so that we here at ZOMBIES&Toys could review it. After plowing through it once, identifying all of the pop culture references I knew on my own, I recruited “the man” to partake in the fun and fill me in on the ones which I had no clue about. I have to say that the third time through the book I was astounded by the intricate details in the artwork. I was amazed at how just a silhouette could bring back so many memories of my favorite things from my childhood and pseudo-adulthood.

I began to read about the artist, Olly Moss, and I found out that these silhouettes were cut out using LASERS! Yes, that is correct. As if a really amazing cut out of the Bride of Frankenstein could get any better! Then you learn it was cut by a laser… needless to say, Mind. Blown.
I had the extreme desire to say things like, “why can’t I have freaking sharks with freaking lasers on their heads?”

Alas, I digress, this book is great! Full of amazingly detailed “shadows” of all of your favorite characters from television shows (he did the entire cast of Saved by the Bell!) and movies—like StarWars and Beetlejuice—to videogames—including Super Mario and Final Fantasy.

I can NOT say enough about how amazing this book is and how at least one of the items will end up as permanent art on me at some point in the near future. So, get this book, like NOW. It is well worth a look and a chuckle while you say, “OMG that is so-and-so” then, after you look through, you can recruit and see who else high enough on the up and up in pop culture to know which Bond is which by the silhouette alone!
You can snag it over at Titan Books, or head to their store over on Amazon.com, or just about anywhere they sell really cool books. So, since you are obviously already on the internet, go and… you know… get this book!

Seattle Zombie Specialist!!!

Over the past 4 decades, fans of zombie culture have always wondered what they would look like if they were a member of the zombie horde. "Undead-Head Caricatures" by Over The Line Productions, LLC can make that dream (or nightmare) a reality! Over The Line Productions, LLC is a local caricature retail/entertainment business based out of Seattle, WA. The owners, Nolan Harris and Dexter Rothchild have always been fans of the zombie culture and decided to merge their 2 loves of zombies and caricatures into a gruesome match made in undead heaven.

This idea is nothing new. Artists have been rendering people as zombies for decades. What makes Over The Line's interpretation unique, is that they can make the experience fun and interactive in a live environment. Nolan and Dexter started drawing Undead-Heads at the inaugural ZomBcon in 2010. The concept was such a hit, the duo expanded to the world famous Fremont Zombie Walk in July and returned to last year's ZomBcon in 2011.
The concept is very simple--you sit down or send detailed photos of yourself, and the artists exaggerate your features and add whatever gory details you desire! Nolan and Dex DO NOT discriminate. If you have pets, they would be more than happy to zombify them as well.

If you are interested in getting drawn as an Undead-Head, Over The Line will be drawing at this year's Red, White and Dead Zombie Walk on July 7th, in Fremont. Nolan and Dexter also take commissions via their website, otlart.com and their facebook fan page, facebook.com/overthelineproductions. They can also be contacted directly via email at artmarkit@gmail.com or you can call 206.925.DRAW

Google + Launch

When we launched our Google + page....
Ima Zombie dropped into a hang out with Byron Rempel and his 1000 Zombies Project.

It was certainly fun to watch Byron draw zombies live on the web and James Ehni from PA is getting a special package in the mail from Zombies & Toys.




Of course, Ima Zombie is also a mail artist...
So a custom Artist Trading Card & custom envelope had to be made ...




Thanks James for joining our Zombie Hoard circle .....

Unique Abstract Zombie Art Coming At Ya!

Here at Zombies & Toys, we love to come across any kind of really cool art.  Especially when it's related to zombies, of course!

Enter Jessica Echevarria, creator of a large variety of abstract art pieces.  Amongst them are many very cool images of celebrities - being such a metalhead, the one of Lemmy is particularly awesome - and some unique creations of monsters.  And of course, piquing our interest, is a specific piece dedicated to some good old fashioned zombification.

Check it out!

Very cool stuff, huh?  Abstract art done well is always eye catching, and this is certainly some good stuff.  We sure would love to see more abstract pieces of the undead variety from this awesome artist.  Wouldn't you?

So go on and check out and pick up something from Miss Echevarria at her Etsy store here.

Be sure to also go to her Facebook page as well!


- Dan Barkasi

THHPPT Zombie Kitty Kawaii goes on an adventure..

Artist - Louise Kiner
Zombie Kitty Kawaii!
International Union Of Mail Artists

THHPPT!
From Austrailia to Paris – Greece & the US
This Zombie Kitty is on the move….
So i asked Louise Kiner some questions about her mail art project.

Ash:
I really dig your use of zombies in art.
Can you tell me a little more about:
Zombie Kitty Kawaii!

(Zombie Kitty Kawaii! Valentine 2012 ) 

“About Zombie Kitty Kawaii!:
I came up with her in 2009. I was teaching a "Manga" course for kids (ages 8 to 12 approx) at a studio of some friends of mine. “


“It was pretty hilarious as they were all really into the horror and monsters and vampires etc. 
My experience with Manga was reading a lot of Shojo Manga (girls manga) and Kawaii (cute) Manga; 
so after the first class I thought I'd better come up with a character 
one I could use for the different lessons I had prepared and that these kids would like. “


“I thought "Hello Kitty", but more gruesome, but with humor as well, 
 like the Black Night who has all his limbs cut off in Monty Python and the Holy Grail 
("It's only a scratch!"). 
So, after a bunch of sketches,
 Zombie Kitty Kawaii! came about.”

Zombie Kitty 2009

Ash:
So it seems that there are a whole bunch of people involved in the project.
How does that work?

Louise Kiner:
“The Zombie Kitty Kawaii! project: 
A little more then a year and a half ago, I had bought and read: 

Make Every Day a Good Mail Day

It was a bit of an epiphany
the idea of making art and sending it to someone was such a great idea 
the fact that you might get really good mail (and not bills) was really exciting to me. 


Back in the fall, 
I sat down that day and wrote out a basic outline for it. 
I actually also posted a question on how to get started on the IUOMA's Ask Anything Group. 
Ruud Janssen actually read my outline through and made some great suggestions to get it up and running. 


It's not the most original concept 
people have been stealing garden gnomes for years and photographing them on holiday.


Everyone who has been involved, has been having fun and are really inventive.
The Zombie Kitty Kawaii! Project/Group would be nothing without all the Artists who are and who will be involved. 
I think they all bring a certain charm and inventiveness to the project that I cannot take credit for. 


If they all lived closer by, I would have them over for drinks and a really nice dinner. I really can't thank them enough. 

Ash
Well I am certainly looking forward to having my time with ZKK and I would certainly come over for drinks

Cheers Louise

Recently seen in France

Even Zombies get bored...

Zombies & Toys, a photo by CAMEL007 on Flickr.

Nothing happening in the New Zombie Journal....

must be time to get creative...

- Ima Zombie

Paper or Plastic Art Show This Friday

This Friday, November 18th, Akron will host the art show, Paper or Plastic.  The show will feature the talents of over 30 artists showcasing their talents using Kid Robot's Munny.  Viviid Plastic is hosting the show which will be held at The Box Gallery.  Some of the featured artists include: Jeff Lamm, Charlie Wagers, Kristi Wall, Hui-Chu Ying, Donna Webb, Mark Soppeland, Bonnie Stipe, and our very own Vince Rinaldo.  Vince is the creative genious behind the Zombies & Toys and is responsible for our graphic design work.

The toys will be on display until the end of the year but the opening reception is this Friday from 5-9.  If you are in the Akron, OH area, stop by and meet the artists.  Yours truly will also be there and in typical fashion, I will be handing out ZT swag.  We'll see you there!

The Box Gallery

140 E Market St, 3rd Floor

Akron, OH 44308

Matt Busch Kills Hollywood

We have mentioned artist, Matt Busch, several times around here.  He recently announced more creations from his Hollywood Is Dead series of prints.  Matt painstakingly recreates zombified versions of our favorite films.  The result is an extremely fun, entertaining, and detailed work of art that will be appreciated by anyone with a love for zombies or movies and has a sense of humor.

Don't take my word for it, head over to Hollywood Is Dead to see for yourself.  While you're there, make note of your top three favorite images and email them, in order to hollywoodisdead@zombiesandtoys.com along with your name and address.  Matt has graciously given us several prints to offer our readers!  Full contest details will be revealed after our interview with Matt:

Zombies & Toys:  For those who are just being introduced to your work and, more specifically, the Hollywood is Dead series - Tell us a bit about your artistic background and development of this line.
Matt Busch:  I got my start in Hollywood, designing A-list movie posters, actually. Most of what I designed was sadly handed to a lackey who recreated my comps in PhotoShop with stills. But it was work, and I've always had a passion for cinema one-sheets.


Of course, most people know me for the licensed projects I've worked on, like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Lord of the Rings. I've even created art for bands like Foo Fighters, Ozzy, and Motley Crue.


Before coming up with the idea to do a line of zombified movie posters, I had already done a lot of undead material, mostly for comic books and Graphic novels. I've done a slew of covers for George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead (Avatar Press) and Dead or Alive (Red 5), and zombie-related covers and interiors for Gene Simmons' House of Horrors.


So the notion of combining decrepit zombies with box office movie posters we all know and love is kind of a shoe-in for me.

ZT:  Do you have a favorite image from the line? Why?
MB:  It seems like each new poster I do is my new favorite. But if I had to pick, it's probably one like Hooked or The Living Dead Strike Back where I really felt I captured the original artists' style. A lot of people don't realize how much time goes into each one of these posters. It's not just a quick PhotoShopped gag- these are all hand-painted with extreme detail. Each poster painting can take days, if not weeks, to complete.

ZT:  What can we expect in the future from Hollywood Is Dead? Any hints as to movies currently in the pipeline?
MB:  I've been enjoying working on them for a while and then releasing them in series. Last February I did a theme with romantic or date movies like Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Feast) and Twilight: Eclipse (Twitch: Eek! Lips.) This summer its the big budget blockbusters like Lord of the Rings (Lord of the Rank: The Festering of the Rotten) and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (Lara Crypt: Tomb Riser).


So I'll be continuing with themes. Next I'm planning on a slew of 80's cheesy flicks, then an all animated series. Eventually I hope to have them all collected into a big coffee table book.

ZT:  It's not uncommon to spot you wearing a Star Wars shirt. Would you consider yourself an all-around geek or just a fan of the Star Wars franchise?
MB:  Oh I'm definitely Nerd Prom king. Star Wars is great, but also geek out on stuff like Lost, Dexter, anything with robots, and of course, anything with zombies.

ZT:  What were your favorite toys to collect and play with growing up?
MB:  You didn't have as many choices when I was a kid, so it was mostly Star Wars. I loved LEGOs, too, but even LEGOs weren't as cool as they are now. If I built a castle, it wasn't with specific LEGO castle set pieces, I had to build everything from scratch with all the crazy bright colored bricks. But it forced me to use my imagination, so I have no complaints.

ZT:  What are your favorite toys to collect and play with now?
MB:  I still get LEGOs and collect action figures of all kinds. The big thing (no pun intended) for me now is collecting life-size Star Wars statues. I have over a dozen random Star Wars characters just hanging out throughout the house. People freak out a little when they go into the bathroom and a seven foot tall Darth Vader is lurking in the corner.

ZT:  Have you always been a fan of zombies or is this something relatively new for you? What and when was your first exposure to the genre?
MB:  I've always dug zombies. The first time I was reeled in was when I saw Evil Dead as a kid. I know most people don't consider that a zombie movie, but I do. So that's what sparked it all and got me watching all of the Living Dead movies.

ZT:  What are some of your favorite zombie movies, books, games, characters, and personalities?
MB:  I dig some of the parodies, like Zombieland and Shaun of the Dead, but my favorite serious take on zombies is The Walking Dead, both the graphic novels and the TV show. I think telling a good zombie survival story is hard to do in a two-hour movie and get invested in the characters. Zombie stories were meant to be episodic or serialized.

ZT:  We're going to make a toy of you. Would you want to be a zombie or a survivor? What accessories would you come with?
MB:  Oh man! Well if I was to star in a zombie movie I'd want to be a survivor, but a toy or an action figure? I'd definitely take being a zombie! My accessories would be random art tools, like pencils, brushes, and protractors you could stick into me.

ZT:  You were just bitten by a zombie while we were searching for supplies. Do you want me to shoot you or leave you to change?
MB:  I've always up for a new look and life (or lack thereof) is a series of stages that you evolve with. I say leave me to change. Haha.
ZT:  What is the easiest way for readers to view or purchase your work?
MB:  I have 2 places you'll want to check out. MattBusch.com is kind of the mothership of all things I'm involved with. But if you have a taste for the undead combined with classic movie posters, then you'd want to head on over to Hollywood-is-Dead.com.


ZT:  Are there any upcoming appearances?

MB:  Yes! August 27th I'll be a guest at ComiCONN in Stamford, Connecticut. October 8th and 9th I'll be a guest at Star Wars Fan Days 4 in Dallas, Texas. And zombie fanatics, on October 21st, 22nd, and 23rd I will be infesting Zom B Con in Seattle, Washington! I hope to see you all there!


First, a giant "thank you" to Matt for taking the time to speak with us.  Matt even went a step further and sent us several prints to give away!  Entering is easy.  Email your name and address along with your top 3 favorite Matt Busch images.  We have several to give away and I want to make sure they are awarded to the readers who would appreciate them most.  Contest extended through September!

Beat-up Creations: Presented by the Undead Bazaar

Sara Ross


We present to you Sculptor, Artist, and Dark Artisan of Fine Dinner Ware, Angela Rossi of BeatBlack and Beat up creations. Since 2009, Ms. Rossi has been taking unwanted, abused, and forgotten pieces of forlorn playthings and transforming them into darkly unique pieces of “raw, outsider art”. These one-of-a-kind talents have also brought fine pieces china back from the dead with a new, darker attitude.

Raised by a Father with a passion for fine art and an antique dealing Mother, Angela fell into her style almost by accident. She masterfully combined the seemingly dissimilar arenas into a field all her own. Beat Black is definitely a unique example of modern macabre. Visit the main site at www.beatupcreations.com and the store at beatupcreations.etsy.com.

What is the inspiration for your art?
I am totally inspired by pop culture. My father was a fine artist and my mother was an antique dealer so I have a bit of that mixed with my art. I love taxidermy as well.

What was your first exposure to zombies?
I was first bitten on the eve of my 8th birthday and have been a walking zombie since.I really don’t know – I use to watch Day of the Living Dead over and over and over in the 80s – I must have been like 8 when we got a VHS copy of it.

How do zombies play a role in your art?
I love the juxtapose of the fine antique plate with zombie portrait. For me, it is like the perfect mix of traditional, pop, dark with a bit of humor.

Who/what are some of your favorite artists or art styles, or your biggest inspirations?
I’m totally in love with Sean Cheetham. I love the traditional fine art with the modern.

If bitten by a zombie, should we leave you to change or shoot you?
Shoot me, obviously

If made into a toy, would you be a zombie or survivor? Whataccessories would you come with?
Definitely a Zombie. My accessory would be my detachable leg that has been ripped off but I still want to keep it.

What is your favorite subject/image to craft/paint/draw, and why?
I love mixing the traditional with the dark side it gives such a juxtapose feel but seems to stay classy.

For the taking, Angela has offered this symbol of undying love. When Zombies take their vows, death never does them part.



For your chance to win, send an email with your name and address to: zombieplate@zombiesandtoys.com. Again, a special thanks to Angela Rossi and Beat Up Creations for their participation in this year’s UNDEAD BAZAAR!

Zombie-A-Day for May 31st

Don't even ask why I'm posting this on June 2nd.  Instead, join me in congratulating David Naughton-Shires on completing 31 zombies in 31 days.  We also have 3 winners who will receive their suggested images that David made!  If you are one of the 3, expect an email this weekend and we'll post the names next week.

A big "Thank You" to David for providing us with so much zombie fun!  You can find David by visiting theimagedesigns.com.

Zombie-A-Day for May 30th

Yes, today is the 31st and we will have David's final zombie for you this evening!  This is, of course, assuming I don't fall asleep like I did last night....

Zombie-A-Day for May 29th

Yeah... so I'm about five minutes too late.  But if I didn't get a nap in, nothing would have been accomplished this evening!  Today's zombie is a vampire.  Zombie vampire?  Vampire zombie?  It's up to you to decide...

Zombie-A-Day for May 28th

I looks like today's zombie is the one and only Bianca Bombshell.  Check out her FaceBook page for some pics of this lovely pinup model as well as links of where she can be found.

Zombie-A-Day for May 27th

David has pulled through this month and offers us his twenty-seventh zombie!  Remember to leave a comment here or on Facebook of what zombie you would like to see.  Time's almost up!

Zombie-A-Day for May 26th

Another personal favorite! 

Zombie-A-Day for May 25th

Zombie-A-Day for May 24th

David is back with our zombie for May 24th!  My personal favorite so far!

Zombie-A-Day for May 24th

Today's zombie is from Nickolas Berrett.  Thanks, Nickolas!

Zombie-A-Day for May 23rd

David is back for our 23rd zombie this month!  There's only a few days left to comment your suggestion.  Is it too early for Macho Man?