Today we have an interview from another great artist, here is the 22nd installment of the CTU's interview series...

Presenting the CTU's Dirty Dozen featuring: J*RYU



1. What name do you go by and why?

I go by J*RYU, which are actually the initials to my real name. I got the name when I was in HS and Street Fighter II had just come out. I initially started playing using Ryu as my main character and thus, J*RYU was born and has stuck with me ever since. I used the star to separate it so that people know it's not J.R.Yu and it's what I've written for almost the last 20 years.

2. Why did you get into custom toy making?

I've always been a toy collector since I was a child and even after most of my friends outgrew them, I never got tired of it. I've collected steadily throughout my life, from action figures to old school robots to models to designer toys - I appreciate it all. In fact, when I was a child, I told my parents that I wanted to be a toy designer when I grew up. Anyways, I made my first customs in 1994 when I created figures of my friends from scratch, along with the blister cards and artwork as Christmas presents. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter my family suffered a tragedy and I put my artistic endeavors aside to concentrate on my "real" life first. It wasn't until March of this year that I dipped my toe into the water once again after being inspired by so many of the incredible artists in this scene. It's definitely a relief and comfort to be expressing myself in this way again after my 15 years of self-exile.

3. What influences / motivates your work the most?

I'm based in North Carolina, where there isn't much of a scene so to speak, so I have to search out everything that I am personally interested in, whether it be online or in person. That's why I am always flying around and attending a lot of shows. For the past 4-5 years, I have made quite a few friends in the vinyl toy scene and their work, whether it gels with my personal artistic sensibilities or not, is just inspiring to witness. I am a firm believer in the school of thought that brilliant ideas with mediocre execution is more preferable to mediocre ideas with brilliant execution. In my own work, I try my best to get the visions in my head realized in a tactile manner and hope that I can accurately convey the emotion that comes along with those ideas.

That said, the most influential/motivational aspects come from the people in this scene. I have been a part of many enthusiast groups before and never before have I been so warmly received, encouraged and nurtured than with this vinyl scene in particular. With this particular style of art so intrinsically linked and representational of the artist, it's not so much that there's a direct influence that affects one's style, it's a sense that no matter what you try, you will still be treated with a semblance of respect from a peer group that is inordinately talented as well as encouraging. In doing so, hopefully your own style will emerge, honed and established.




4. What is your favorite platform to work with?

I've not done enough work in general to have gotten a practical chance to exhaust all of the platforms out there but I know that there are some that just don't speak to me while others are potentials for future projects. That said, my work has been increasingly focused on adding to the base platform and in a way, whichever one I am using becomes more of an armature to help me realize my idea. Thus, the platform often becomes obscured due to the stuff I add on, moreso than those customizers out there that primarily paint, since I am more of a sculptor. Generally speaking tho, I tend to like platforms that are generic enough that I am not fighting to deconstruct its existing form in order for me to get my vision across. For instance, Matt Siren's Ghost Girl is a simple shape and has lots of canvas area and could easily be elaborated upon into many different ideas. On the other hand, the shapes of a JLED Ringo or UNKL Sug are so distinct, you have to make a conscious decision how much modification you want to do to them before it's no longer relevant what platform you use or that it's just too much trouble and you use another. I can work either situation but I do like having more freedom of expression. I may start to create sculptures from scratch in the coming months and not have to rely on using a platform.

5. What tools of the trade do you use?

I use Magic Sculpt and Super Sculpey for my forms but I may start using MS exclusively. Super Sculpey is too fragile for transport, despite the fact that I like how it holds textures better than MS. I also employ any type of material that will help me realize the whole vision, whether it be fabric, wood, rubber, metal, foam, resin, etc - I will use whatever most accurately and convincingly adds to the overall impact of the piece. When I am sculpting, I pretty much use two tools - a pick and a blade. I also employ the use of an airbrush as well as traditional brushes with acrylic paints because I'm inexperienced with oils, especially on a 3D canvas.

6. Do you have any formal arts training?

No formal fine arts training but my background is graphic design and I was an Industrial Engineering undergrad. I'm still very raw at the practical aspects of art and I learn with each custom I finish.




7.What other artistic mediums do you dabble in?

I enjoy Chinese calligraphy, sumi-e and I really want to go to Japan to intern under a traditional wooden mask carver so that I can learn the real way to make oni masks from scratch. I dabbled in graffiti when I was younger but now the closest I get is a chisel tip marker and USPS priority stickers. For my day job I get to do a lot of creative things but it's mostly digital but I'm still very thankful for that outlet.

8. Who are your favorite artists?

The list is long, as I tend to find something to appreciate about everyone's work. My favorite sculptor right now is chauskoskis. For customs, the ones that are really slaying it for me and inspire me to work harder are people like Drilone, Task One, Leecifer, Jay222, Kevin Gosselin, Nerviswr3k, Reactor88, Troy Stith, Ritzy Periwinkle, Lou Pimentel, NEMO, Zam, Betso, Chris Ryniak, LYSOL, Rsin, f+, Chris Rose, amongst many, many talented people. As for artists, I love Jeremiah Ketner, Podgypanda, Usugrow, Kat Brunnegraff, Audrey Kawasaki, Stella Im Hultberg, Dave Kinsey, Dan McCarthy, Jeff Lamm, James Marshall, Lori Early and more. Just way too many to name, just when I think I'm done, someone else I dig pops in my head. I love it all.

9.Who or what pieces do you collect?

Right now my favorite toy is Jeff Lamm's Greasebat, sculpted by chauskoskis. There hasn't been a toy in awhile that has the character and charisma that the GB has and I am head over heels in love with it. A close second is Chris Ryniak's Freyja resin piece - just lovely. I also enjoy Super7, Gargamel, Bandai's Soul of Chogokin line, some of the Revoltech stuff and I can never say no to opening blind boxes, if only for the thrill. As for customs, my very first custom was a munny by Drilone way back in the day before he was even doing his signature rust so that's a pretty sentimental piece for me cause he's my boy and I'm super proud of how far he's come. I also have a few babyvtec customs that you'd have to kill me for. She's a ringer, I'm excited to see what's to come from her.


10. What piece are you most proud of?

I'm kind of OCD when it comes to my work, so I always pick apart my stuff and I can see all of the things I woulda/coulda/shoulda or I fixate on flaws. However, I always put my effort into the current piece I'm working on and once it's done, it's onto the next. I suppose that I'm kinda of partial to my TAG Ganmetall Celsius piece, Le Jardin De Meddy because it was the first show that I participated in that I was in attendance and it was just awe-inspiring to be amidst that much talent. It has more sentimental meaning than anything else and I was secretly hoping it didn't sell.



11.Do you have any shows or exhibitions in the works?

I'm currently working on a slew of projects including a Seismic Ace, 20" Dunny and Mega Munny commissions, and I'll be participating in the TAG Jouwe show, Sketchbot II, the WIZY traveling show, a few shows in the bay area over the next few months and will have a big announcements for D-Con as well as for a show that's tent. scheduled for May 2011, details to be announced, which I am SUPER stoked about. Task One and I are also plotting something veeeeery interesting, just have to find the right venue.

12. Do you take commissions?

Yes, I would love to be able to create a piece of work for anyone that is interested in what I may be able to do, I would be honored. I am also available for group shows, time and schedule permitting and you can reach me at jryu@designpimps.com.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. Keep up the great work.

________________________________________

The Custom Toy Union would like to thank J*RYU for his time and for sharing his work with us.

You can see more of J*RYU's work here:

http://www.facebook.com/designpimps
twitter @jryu.

Great interview Jesse, always nice to hear what's going on in that busy head of yours. Looking forward to that big May announcement ;D

Thanks bro, I appreciate it! Yeah, I can't wait for the announcement either! Soon?

Thanks for the interview CTU, really appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself to the community. Keep up the fantastic work, honored to be amidst all of the incredible talent here.

Thanks for taking the time to complete the interview. Always nice to step into the mind of an amazing artist.

Sushi is crazy good