Today I'm pleased to bring you an interview from a great artist and member, here is the 5th installment of the CTU's interview series...

Presenting the CTU's Dirty Dozen featuring: Rsin



1. What name do you go by and why?

My artist name is Rsin. Which this finally gives me a space to explain, cause its often wrong. I hear it pronounced a million ways which is always funny. But the name came from back in high school I think. Me an a good friend decided we were going to start a music group, to basically speak about everything we felt was wrong with the world at that time. Both of us young and stupid, we gave our selves names. He was known as Painkilla, and I Prozac Arson. Stupid right, but hey the name stuck. I dropped the first part, but kept the Arson, and at the same time began using it in my art. Back then it was all paper, pen work. So Arson, became R-sin, and finally just Rsin. To me, I read it like arson, but I get “resin” or “risen” a lot. To me its just a name, call me what you will.

2. Why did you get into custom toy making?

A local mom and pop music shop were holding a small Jamungo Nade show titled “Blow Up Show.” At first I wasn’t going to be in cause at that time I didn’t paint. But I asked to be involved, and the owner gave me a blank. This was in June of 2007. So I took the blank painted it up, pretty bad for the first time painting, and did the show with some awesome local artist. After that show it wasn’t until Dec 2007 till I painted again.

3. What influences / motivates your work the most?

If I may some back story cause its needed.

About 5 years ago my mother died from brain cancer. One day I came home from work to a call she was in the hospital in a coma. This came from nowhere. One day she was perfect, the next she was in a coma for a few days. When she awoke, she lost all memory, of everything. By far the hardest thing I have had to go through in my life, and something that still hurts all the time. She was with us for 2 months after that, 2 months with someone who even tho had no idea who I was, it was the best time I ever spent with my mother. After her passing I was lost. My family was a mess, I at that point quit my job to spend with my Dad and take care of my 2 sisters. So with no job, I decided to do something I always wanted, and that was tattoo’n, which lead me back into painting.

What motivates me, is my mom. Every night I sit down to paint, its for her, and my family, and my future wife Lindsey. When my mom lost everything, had no idea who I was she still supported me, and was happy. I just hope I am making her proud. I wanna be able to one day take care of everyone I know with my art. That’s my motivation.

As far as influences, those are the Things That Whisper. The thoughts, and visions before I sleep, little bastards that keep me up all night.



4. What is your favorite platform to work with?

I would have to say the Madl, if I had to pick just one. I honestly have only ever custom-made 2 of them though. But I love the shape of them and the look. But don’t get me wrong I got a lot of love for the Munny. I think I have done over 50 of them, and still love when someone asked for a commission.

5. What tools of the trade do you use?

I use mostly acrylic paints, and watercolors on my customs. I tend to add some sculpted parts to each piece, using sculpty. In my head that makes them more of my own. Sometimes I use small stencils and water-slides on my work as well. Also I do everything with a brush, no markers.

6. Do you have any formal arts training?

Nope in high school I took art classes and was told my work isn’t art. My chances of going to a school after High School were basically non existent cause my teacher at the time said I wasn’t an artist and failed me in the class. He was fired 2 years later, for doing the same to other students.

Doesn’t bother me though cause the journey I have taken to where I am today has been awesome. And in the end, school couldn’t of taught me what I know today.



7.What other artistic mediums do you dabble in?

I still enjoy painting canvas, which is something I have gone away from the past few months. I have only been painting for almost 2 ½ years, I am still very very new to all of this and am learning new stuff all the time. I hope soon I can look into Resin work, would love my own pieces. Also screen-printing, learning illustrator, doing more 1 off pieces.

8. Who are your favorite artists?

Honestly my fellow artist, the ones that are posting on these boards and the Kidrobot boards. The artist who don’t have their heads up their asses, or think they are better then you. I enjoy seeing new work by artist that started around the time I did. Crazy to see some of them putting out limited resin work, or even production toys. Even those guys who just make art cause they love it, good or bad.

9.Who or what pieces do you collect?

I started out like everyone else, buying blind boxes, Dunnys, Fatcaps, etc. I wouldn’t say I have a crazy collection, 3-4 Detolfs, mostly small stuff. But unhappy with some of the current things being released and growing up a bit. I am now collecting 3A. I have always been a fan of robots, and these look like the toys I wish I had when I was 5. I love how Ashley takes the art and turns it into toy, almost like it walked off the canvas. Ashley Wood is doing some real cool stuff as of late and I am enjoying watching it all grow.

10. What piece are you most proud of?

If it’s a personal piece, I would have to say the Kid Dragon I just finished, but I love all the art I make. I have always said I create stuff I would love to buy if I couldn’t create art. Cause I know not everything I make will sell, so hell I don’t care if it ends up in my display case I will still enjoy seeing it everyday.

If it’s a piece I bought or was given. My g/f made me a custom Munny of Boo in her monster suit from Monsters Inc. She’s not an artist but took the time to make me something, that was special.




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

I have a solo show, granted I get stuff done for it, on July 17th at Art N Soul Gallery in Allentown PA. Looking for another place to hold a solo show later this year. Also have the Celsius Custom show in July at TAG in the LA area. Doing a custom Jouwe show in Germany in September. Gonna have something in a secret show for SDCC. And I am sure there will be many more smaller events I hope to be included in. I still don’t get invited to many shows, hope that changes soon.

Also hope to have some stuff out later this year that you all will be able to pick up at your local shops, still working out details.

12. Do you take commissions?

I am currently taking commissions, but am at a list of 6-7 customs right now, so the next month or so is booked. But I will be forming a list soon for next month and the following. Please just send me a message and we can talk about doing what you want.

Also, my new Dunny series will be out SOON I hope. Planned on it coming out in Feb but so far only have 3 done. Hopefully by July they will be ready. And the Most Wanted Dunny series 2.

Last, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me over the past 2 years. Its not often I get to say thanks to everyone, but I really appreciate all the kind words you have all shared with me. The chances I get to make art that you guys enjoy is crazy. It still blows my mind that this is happening. You guys all keep me going, keep me growing, and I promise y'all I am gonna make something happen someday. Thanks.

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

You can see more of Rsin's work here:

http://www.myspace.com/prozacrsin
http://www.rsin-art.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/Rsinart

Great interview Rsin! Always great to get inside fellow artists heads and see how they got where they are today. I didn't know you had only been at it a couple of years, great job man!!

Great stuff man! My art has always been very personal and family driven so I know just where you're coming from. I also have most of my ideas flood through when I'm trying to clear my head and go to sleep. I keep a Moleskine next to my bed for just this reason now.

I'm from PA too (outside Pittsburgh) but I'll be on vacation during July 17th so that sucks. I have a bunch of projects in the works, hope to unveil some of them soon... and I just caught the 3A bug big time which has stolen my focus from almost every other vinyl out there. It's dangerous stuff

Cool interview, thanks for sharing!

Thanks guys, I put myself into everything I do. Its cool and scary all at the same time while I wrote this. Troy, yeah up until December of 2007, I never painted. And the one time I did I acually hated it and thought it was stupid. Hell look back at my work when I first started, kinda funny and embarrassing. I remember back then being like "Eh I can do this, its easy" and the reason it was easy was that I sucked lol.

But its cool just watching yourself grow as an artist. Like when I started a 4" munny custom would take 3-4 hours, and now a 4" custom takes 10-15 hours usually, just cause of how much work I put into them trying to make em clean, and smooth. Troy, its been cool seeing your work grow as well. And I am sure what your currently doing takes alot of time.

Zhurrie, The Whispers, good to hear you have them as well. Most nights I lay in bed for an hour or so just thinking of colors, or the way to do things different. As for Pittsburgh, gonna try to take a trip out there sometime in the next year. I wanna check out the art scene there, and its only a 4 hour drive. But thanks for the kind words, and if I come out maybe we can meet up.

Again thanks everyone, and thanks to CTU for asking me to do this.

Thanks again for taking the time to write out such thoughtful answers. I've always loved your work, but appreciate it all the more now after reading a little bit more about you.

Best of luck in your future shows, and toys

Haha, now I know how to pronounce your name! I have been part of the 'resin' camp. Whoops 9_9 Your work has come so far in the last 2 years and I'm so excited for you!

Awesome interview. Since I started lurking on the boards and getting into collection and customs it has been awesome to see how your work has progressed. It has definitely been a motivator for me to keep at it and try to get as much done as possible...yet I feel like I have barely scratched the surface.

I really enjoy seeing your work, it always catches my eye. Hopefully will be able to come and see your show, would love to see some of your pieces in person.

That's very inspiring to me that you've only being doing it for such a short time I and see the huge strides in progress you've made. I've only been doing all of this for a year, so to know that there are others out there that haven't been doing it for very long either and who are creating fantastic art is very inspiring. You were one of the first artists I saw when getting into the toy scene and I was super stoked that you did a custom on my first resin toy. I definitely want to start exploring painting more and starting next week I'm starting to build a screen printing set up.

I know what you mean about the time thing on customs. The current style I'm doing is actually very tedious and I want to make sure it is clean and looks like a whole piece like nature does.

I've been going through some personal stuff lately, but reading the hardships that you've endured makes me realize what I'm going through is temporary and will pass as time goes on. Just want to say thanks for sharing with us.

I know you're in PA but if you ever make it to Columbus let me know.

Rsin!

You know I'm a big fan of you're work, and it's great to here a bit of a back story to you! It makes me like you and your work even more!

Not to mention I didn't even know about these boards until I got a link to this in my Twitter... I'm always the last to know. I should pay more attention, I've been a fan of CTU on Facebook for a bit now.


Salute to you, Rsin.


UNCLE

Meticulous. Very meticulous and beautiful work. Hats off to you and your crazy qork ethic

Always welcome in the 'Burgh! We have a great new-ish area called Lawrenceville just outside the main city which is the big art spot now. Tons of galleries and cool stuff going on, plus stuff like The Matress Factory and the Andy Warhol Museum have great stuff going on too. I'd be happy to show you the ropes, I also know most of the great food spots too, so that's a bonus

I go to the Penn State Arts Festival too every year, which is more toward you and a great spot for solid art and live music. The whole campus and town basically shuts down and becomes a huge art festival.

I have been creating art (oils, watercolor, sketch, inking) for 15-20+ years but those whispers went away for a few when I let life and other stuff quiet them. A lot of this vinyl sparked them again and happily they're all back and I'm getting back to my groove. Some sort of major event (good or bad) usually spurs it back on if I lose my way, and my stuff always comes from within which, to me, is what makes it special. You can see and feel it in your work too, just don't let the whispers get lost!

Your whispers are genius resin. I can't say enough good things about your work and I can only expect nothing but success for you!

Much appreciate Fuller. I would be nothing without you guys, you help me keep the dream or Whispers alive. No idea what it means to me.

And Zhurrie, maybe next year i will make the drive out. We can chill, talk art, and collab on a custom or something. It would be fun.

Also please check out this, my lame free web site lol. Untill I can afford a real one I will post new work here, and also hope to set up some sort of store to sell some older pieces.
www.wix.com/rsinart/rsinart

And if anyoen is close to Baltimore, I will be showing at the American Visionary Art Museum on the 12th of June, stop on by.