"There are two parts to creation, to what we are… conceptualization and consummation, both fired by inspiration. The best part, the essence, of what we do exists in The Ethyr... The vein, once tapped, is forever changed."
So I was thinking, how do I protect myself during a schoolyard skirmish, cubicle conflict, or a ninja ambush?
MacGuyvering an explosive devise then drawing your eyebrows on with mascara could work, however chance favors the prepared mind. But how to be locked, loaded, and ready to rumble while appearing meek and humble? The answer lies in a piece of ancient technology. I love ancient tech and the Chinese Repeating Crossbow is very high on that list. However, it simplicity, effectiveness, and beauty in design are all but neutralized by little consideration to its facade. In short it's hella ugly.
Some shrinkage, a new housing, and viola, the world is reintroduced to history with my Repeating Crossbow Dragon Ring! While the barrage of tiny projectiles won't bring down any large game, it sure will command respect on any impromptu battlefield. Here's a sneak peek of my battlefield leveler.
Why isn't this on every finger right now?!? I know, what a backward world we live in! Well that's something in the pipeline that I will reveal. Anything more would rupture your zombie minds.
FOR THE LOVE OF COMICS: CHARACTERS, LIFE, THE PARANORMAL AND BRAWLING
Jacob Chabot | Julie Condon | Jennifer Crute | Chris Giarusso | Grey | Kilroy III Jesse Lonergan | Shauna Mills | L Nichols | Patrick Sellers | Carlos Vega And more
October 12th - October 29th, 2011
Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery 335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018 t: 212.971.0953
Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment
The Apollo and Val-Mar busts by Grey & Kilroy III will be on display with the work of international artists including:
Norio Azuma | Helder Batista | Alexander Befelein | Heide Dobberkau | Robert Donahue | João Duarte | Max Ernst | Daniel Esquivia-Zapata | Tom Gasiewski | Kunio Iizuka | Naoko Ito | John Jacobsmeyer | Elsa Johnson | Masami Kodama | Oh Joon Kwon | Marie Jean Lederman | Mashiko | Henry Miller | T. Miyagawa | Henry Moore | Thomas Moser | Ryomei Murahashi | Tsutomu Ohmukai with Hideki Murayama | Kohjun Okamura | Tim Smith | Frances Smokowski | Shou Taisetsu | Tsutomu Tamura | Kurt Vonnegut | Mark Wallnock | Sohta Watanabe | Kazuo Yoshida
July 16th - August 20th, 2011
Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery 335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018 t: 212.971.0953
Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment
Kilroy III | The Architect and Sculptor of Castle GrayskullMetal, wax and resin are not the only mediums in which this sculptor works... Kilroy III, with the assistance of his family and friends, sculpted Castle Grayskull, He-Man's fortress from Mattel's comic Masters of the Universe, out of three-plus-feet of snow from Brooklyn's latest snowmageddon.
This is not his first Castle Grayskull... His first was constructed with childhood friends from his hometown in Ohio circa the early 1990's.
Fairborn Daily Herald: Castle Grayskull circa 1994
When asked why he decided to try it again, Kilroy mentioned the amount and texture of snow as primary factors. His friends believe his sculpting skills have improved since then...
The interior includes two chairs carved into each wing of the castle. Three to four adults could easily fit inside.
Early pics of the castle show Kilroy III hauling snow over the castle (from the front to the back) and standing on a ladder to sculpt the turrets.
The other dedicated team members would periodically run into the house to warm their hands and feet before continuing the arduous work of shoveling, packing, coring and sculpting snow and ice. Selina Ki was inspired by the architecture of the church across the street, Our Lady of Victory, and incorporated some of the details in her stone work on the castle.
Selina Ki & Ethyr Khen
Fizz and Kigi guarded the castle with a watchful eye.
Fizz & KigiAn additional factor for success were the tools used by Kilroy III and friends. A Korean soup bowl and spoon... great for smoothing snow and etching details... and eating spicy Shin ramyun...
Neighbors kindly offered their tools and words of encouragement throughout the two days of construction of Castle Grayskull. Many volunteered to assist in building an extension during the next snowmageddon, assuming the castle survives...
Kilroy III was grateful for the exercise and the opportunity to have some fun with family, friends and neighbors. He encourages all who took pictures of the castle to share them with him and his crew on Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.
A Tour of Castle Grayskull: Day 3: Still Very Seriously On Point
KILROY III'S UPCOMING ART PROJECTS
Renegade Bust | Guardian of VinylKilroy III's next art projects involve a 16 foot transformer, knuckle dusters and President Obama... but not necessarily together.. More pics in our showcase... More on how to get involved with CANVASS 44 in support of President Obama....Stay tuned...
ABOUT KILROY III
Kilroy III earned his degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture from the University of Pennsylvania. He makes his professional debut at Carbon-Fibre Media with his work on the Apollo, Val-Mar and Renegade Obama busts and sculptures.
Carbon-Fibre Media Busts: Apollo | Renegade | Val-Mar
Kilroy III has other art projects under development that can be viewed on his blog, Kilroy's Attic | www.kilroysattic.com.
From Panel to Panel series sponsored by New Approach presents:
She's Got the Right Stuff: Favorites from the Comics Medium Featuring the works of Jacob Chabot | Chris Giarusso | Grey | Sidney Jordan | Jesse Longergan
February 5th - 26th, 2011 Reception: Sat, February 12th, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Medialia...Rack and Hamper Gallery 335 West 38th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10018 t: 212.971.0953 e: tara@medialiagallery.com
Gallery Hours: Wed - Sat, 12 PM - 5 PM and by Appointment
CFM: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DO A BUST OF PRESIDENT OBAMA?
GREY: After Barack Obama became President, it started. I watched as an unprecedented attempt at dehumanization took place with no respect for the man or the office that he held. I had seen these types of attacks before... I knew what they felt like.
History revealed that neither Malcolm X nor MLK had aspirations toward fame and fortune. Neither actively sought personal recognition. But when faced with extreme adversity they were forced to make choices of character.
It’s then that their greatness expressed itself. It was then that their true selves were revealed... and the hero emerged.
Seeing President Obama under monstrous but familiar assault, I respected the power of the moment and decided to bear witness to it...
I was struck by the strength he displayed, maintaining his character in the face of hate. I wanted to communicate how I was affected by that strength and the intensity of focus... I felt like he was fighting my fight... carrying my weight. So, I wanted to give something in return. The best that I have is my art...
Artwork becomes a part of history. Because of my ability and the uniqueness of my perspective, I couldn’t wait for someone else to capture what was happening at this time. I wanted to do my part.
CFM: WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THE OBAMA BUST?
GREY: The deciding moment was directly after seeing the monkey references made about the First Lady... when I researched that, I saw imagery online portraying the Obamas as less than human or less than what they were...
CFM: HOW DID YOU SETTLE ON THIS DESIGN... HIS EXPRESSION... HIS POSTURE...?
GREY: I wanted to portray the inner qualities of the man. I asked myself how does his wife see him, because she married him... how does a wife want to see her husband. I tried to stay true to that.
I selected the posture of a boxer because he is currently engaged in the fight of his life. His pose is reminiscent of the fighting style of Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather or someone like that.
CFM: WHAT KINDS OF REACTIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED SO FAR ON THE BUST?
GREY: A few of my fellow industry professionals were shocked... they only knew of me as a writer or an illustrator.
We were reviewed on several designer toy sites... one of which, an industry leading blog called "Plastic and Plush" said, regardless of one’s political persuasion, the sculpting work was amazing and realistic. I took that as a great compliment.
While I was sculpting the bust, I received a visit from a highly respected, decidedly Republican friend of mine. As he viewed the work we debated over the significance of the Obama presidency. He is very open-minded but very skeptical in regards to the President and his policies. A few days later Obama delivered a powerful speech after the passing of health-care reform legislation. My friend called to tell me that he was deeply affected by it. He recounted a moment when Barack Obama faced the camera and said “This is what change looks like...” with the expression that he had seen on the sculpture.
He told me that it was an emotional moment of realization for him... that he “got it”. From that moment on, that quote has been on all literature associated with the work. I “got it” also.
[UPDATE: During the week of October 12-18, 2011, the Renegade Obama bust was featured on the cover of The Village Voice newspaper.]
CFM: SOME MIGHT SAY “RENEGADE” IS AN APPROPRIATE NAME FOR THE BUST SINCE PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS BROUGHT “UNWANTED” CHANGE TO AMERICA. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
GREY: I would say that change here more represents growth and progress. I don’t believe that people, in general, object to that, they just don’t want the pain often associated with it. Although I am not responsible for that moniker being placed on him, I chose it for the bust for what it could mean as a statement against the conventional thinking of the “old guard” who still believe that extreme separation between the classes still serves them.
I believe that the Obama presidency represents a paradigm shift, a “change” in perception... the effects of which will be felt beyond our lifetimes.
CFM: WHAT WAS YOUR PROCESS?
GREY: I worked in collaboration with an artist named Kilroy III. I provided him with gesture drawings and basic dimensions which he fleshed out in wax, giving me a basis... a foundation... from which to sculpt.
After I finished sculpting it, Kilroy III molded it and then cast a bust in resin which I continued to refine. The process of molding and casting was repeated until we had our final piece.
We worked on this bust, off and on, for about 3 months entirely out of the Brooklyn studio.
CFM: WHAT DID YOU USE FOR REFERENCE?
GREY: I studied photos. I watched him on TV. I watched him move to get a feel for his attitude... and gain some understanding of his energy.
Village Voice Cover Oct. 2011CFM: WHAT IS IT MADE OF?
GREY: “Renegade” is cast in our “metallique” finish which includes a mix of metal, resin, and a few drops of pigment. We enjoy being able to get just the right combination of texture, weight and and lustre to the work. It is an art form in itself and although I am involved in the process, Kilroy lll is the hand behind that, and I am continually impressed by what he is able to achieve.
CFM: SHOULD WE EXPECT A SERIES OF RELATED BUSTS?
GREY: I am toying with producing a couple of variations of the Renegade bust. I am also going to do a bust of First Lady Michelle Obama... and possibly a sculpt of the two of them together. I feel inspired to do these specifically as an artistic expression.
CFM: WHERE WERE YOU TRAINED AS A SCULPTOR?
GREY: I have had no specific training as a sculptor. As an artist I am self-taught.
I draw no distinctions in the creative process or its expression. Whether you sculpt, draw or write, at the core, it’s the same thing. It’s just a question of which tools you use to express something. I acquired the skills because I needed them.
CFM: WHERE CAN WE SEE YOUR WORK?
GREY: Our busts are currently on display at the Medialia Rack and Hamper Gallery in midtown Manhattan. We are negotiating with several other museums and galleries in Brooklyn, Harlem and D.C. as well.
We are also planning for a series of exhibitions centered on the Renegade Obama bust that will feature our work as well as many emerging and prominent artists in comics and designer toys.
As it relates to comic books, my last published work was for DC Comics in their Batman 80 Page Giant and an alternate cover for The Warriors.
My own art is released through our website, www.carbon-fibre.me. As a company, our focus is on establishing a strong web presence to communicate directly to our readership. I feel that to be very important for the art form moving forward.
CFM: WHAT’S NEXT ON THE HORIZON FOR YOU AND CARBON-FIBRE MEDIA?
GREY: My current focus is on completing the first “Val-Mar, Prince of the Damned” graphic novel and a series of busts and sculpts of related characters. I’ve completed busts from that property as well as from the upcoming graphic novel already in development, “The Legend of Apollo”.
There will be other stories released periodically on-line in the form of E-Cells. The E-Cell is a story-telling format that we created that I am particularly excited about. It allows me to tell a story without the limitations of standard pages, and take advantage of my individual strengths as a sequential artist.
The company is in development on several other entertainment properties that are entirely original and strikingly unique from what is currently out there. I am very proud of this... It is an exciting time for us.
CFM: IF YOU COULD SPEAK TO THE OBAMAS, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?
GREY: That no one can know the magnitude of this moment, the true significance of the role they play.
That even their enemies are forever changed, and time will reveal the effects on them and their families.
I would like them to know that they have a spiritual support even beyond anyone's understanding... that they are appreciated on that level.
For us that understand... that this is beyond a political thing, it is a bold step toward restored humanity...
I can almost hear my ancestors cheering.
To view more pics of the Renegade bust, please visit our Showcase.
To learn more about an artistic collaboration involving the Renegade bust, please visit CANVASS 44.
Collectibles, 
