Today we have an interview from our current Artist of the Week, here is the 21st installment of the CTU's interview series...

Presenting the CTU's Dirty Dozen featuring: Teimaru




1. What name do you go by and why?

My artist name is Teimaru, it is a mixture between Brazilian and Japanese linguages.

2. Why did you get into custom toy making?

I always liked doing things, art, paint, etc... when I was younger I used to paint warhammer figures and when I entered into the Art Toy world as a collector, it quickly became evident that I wanted to make some stuff.

3. What influences / motivates your work the most?

My inflences are the Japanese culture, the different tribal people,steampunk... and the research of the esthetic side.


4. What is your favorite platform to work with?

My favorite platform toy is the Dunny, really love the shape. I love the koibito and Lepodd too, and some big pieces like the Paw, the Orus by Mist.

5. What tools of the trade do you use?

To paint, I use acrylic paint and a lot of miscallenous things to add to my customs! To tell the truth, all and nothing ! I always loved the idea that you can make really great thing with nothing !


6. Do you have any formal arts training?

No, I don't have any ! I always made these type of works on my own.




7. What other artistic mediums do you dabble in?

I already made some pieces of furniture , and some little things ( like a bamboo pen ). In the future Ii'd like to make some paintings and sculpts.


8. Who are your favorite artists?

There are a bunch of artists that I like the work. The ones I most enjoy are Doktor A, Kozik, Huck Gee, Nanan1, Fakir, Mist, Jesse Hernandez , Yoskay Yamamoto, Angry Woebots, Ashley Wood/3A Toys, Deph, Mad, but there are very much more which work is awesome!


9. Who or what pieces do you collect?

I collect dunnies, 3A , buds ,dok A stuff, some muttpop, and micallenous toys.


10. What piece are you most proud of?

The piece I'm most proud to have in my collection is the crupusculation Lepodd custom by Doktor A , it's an awesome piece of art!



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

Nope! I live in an island in the south-east of France, and I must improve my art! Maybe one day...

12. Do you take commissions?

I already took some comissions , at the moment I'm very busy, but in a near future I'll take again.

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

You can see more of Teimaru's work here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/teimaru/