To ring intheNewYear I bring you an interview from another talented toy artist, here is the 38th installment of the CTU's interview series...

Presenting the CTU's Dirty Dozen featuring: Ian Ziobrowski



1. What name do you go by and why?

Ian. I consider myself a full-time artist so I don’t really need an alias or nick name. I want people to recognize me for the person I have always been. I was born a creator and want my fans to be able to recognize my evolvement and passion on a personal level.

2. Why did you get into toy design/making?

Customizing toys is very different, its fun. For as far back as I can remember, I had this deep interest in creating. The fact that I was able to take an idea and bring it to life has always amazed me. Up until college, my vehicle for executing these ideas was mainly painting and drawing. After college , I was with a friend one day who was into collecting vinyl. As soon as I saw his collection, a spark went off, and I was instantly inspired to take on something new Unlike toys and paintings, these are 4-d objects with endless possibilities. I immediately bought a few blanks, did two years worth of trials, and then one day it just came to me… NUGGLIFE was born. I knew that I had reached a milestone.



3. What influences / motivates your work the most?

I love society. It’s my #1 motivator to produce. I can just walk down the street and observe people’s style, behavior, interactions, and be inspired to create. I was hanging out in my new studio in Medford NY this past week and I saw these two BMX riders smoking at the train station. A cop rolls up unexpextantly, the kid expressions were priceless. They drop there bikes and run down the tracks full speed and I just watched the cop laugh out loud and hide, waiting for the kids to return for there bikes. It brought back childhood memories which right away inspired me to create.

4. What is your favorite platform to work with?

Right now I’m all about the dunnys. They are the perfect blank canvas mainly because they’re easy to modify, and allow for thousands of character creations.



5. What tools of the trade do you use?

I use almost everything when working on projects, but most important is the paint brush by far. It’s all about the hand control.

6. Do you have any formal arts training?

Like I said before, I was born a creator. I’ve had a passion for art and design and a talent way before my college years. I don’t think you can learn how to be creative. You can, however, learn technique to help you channel natural creativity and that is what I did. I have a BFA in Illustration from FIT in NYC. I was there from 03‘ to 08’.



7.What other artistic mediums do you dabble in?

I would have to say spray paint, although I have yet to create a full art piece in this medium. Soon to come….

8. Who are your favorite artists?

There are many people I follow for inspiration from different periods ranging from the Renaissance times to the modern artist of today’s society, so choosing favorites is a little difficult. If I had to choose, I would say the top three influencers would have to be
Todd Shorr, Frank Kozik, and Flying Fortress



9.Who or what pieces do you collect?

I like to collect paintings and original sculpts. Right now I’m doing a couple trades with some of the fellow customizers that you see on the boards.

10. What piece are you most proud of?

Right now my “NUGGY Growstation” which was actually recently featured as custom of the week on CTU. A lot of time went into this piece, making it the fist custom to really encapsulate and portray what NUGGLIFE is about. It’s fun working from the inside out constructing little environments out of vinyl figures. I can’t wait to make more.



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

Right now I have been keeping low on the shows due to commissions work and several big projects I have going on for later this year. I will be popping up in a few upcoming group shows towards the end of the year. Keep an eye out for me at NYCC big things happening there for me. Also I have some new and exciting projects involving my DEA agent releasing through Tenacious Toys.

12. Do you take commissions?

Yes I take commissions, please email me if interested at Ian@ianziobrowski.com keep an eye out for my website http://www.ianziobrowski.com coming in March.
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The Custom Toy Union would like to thank Ian Ziobrowski for his time and for sharing his work with us.

I want to thank you guys for giving me this opportunity. I can say this forum and the collection of artist and collectors here are why I'm where I'm at in the art world today. The support you guys have shown me kept me pushing the envelope. So, if you're an upcoming artist or a current one striving to push ahead on the art world... This should be your one and only stop.

Thanks again guys

Thanks for the endorsement Matt. It's nice to have watched you progress as an artist. Remember when you were waiting for your first commission? How far you've come from there

Great artist all around!

Love the led work and the movement of your pieces.