☠ ☠
–>> Lets open up a can of Wyrms shall we ? !
Ah hell, Stephan himself can get the ball rolling best with this one ::
“One of the coolest things about being a huge collector of anything is that you get to meet people you would never normally meet. At San Diego Comic Con, Steve Lavigne was given the card of a sculptor that used to work with Scott Hensey over at Anaglyph (one of the studios that sculpted the vintage TMNT toy line for Playmates). Steve gave me the card saying that he thought this was someone I should get in touch with. And this is how I met David Arshawsky.
David is one hell of a sculptor, and has sculpted a number of my favorite pieces including Pizzaface, Wingnut, and Ray Fillet!
102_0048
I was very enthusiastic about getting to pick his brain, since I actually own a number of his prototypes, like this unreleased version of** Pizzaface!
Anyway, we got to chatting, and sometime in the near future I plan on taking a trip over to his studio to check out some of the pieces he has (which I will of course post about). But one of the cooler things he turned me on to is a little self published book he’s put out. “Turtle Soup – Designs From The Classic TMNT Years”.
This book is full of concept art of figures, vehicles, and roleplaying gear that was designed and sculpted by David. While there is a ton of stuff in there for toys that you have seen, there is also a ton of art in there for figures that you have NEVER seen, and I don’t believe you’ll ever see it anywhere else! In my humble opinion, this book is a MUST HAVE for any of the serious toy collectors out there. .. .. “
I don’t think i can thank Steph enough for hooking me onto to this tiny masterpiece.
Hell the unique bookmark that makes up this little indy-marvel is made from the Pizza weapon of that mutant maniac, Pizzaface himself !! !!
**David A. really helped shape , define, REFINE and created stepping stones for the TMNT to make toy history.
He even helped in the development of the next generation of Turtle toys in 2002 with some of the earliest releases of the figures for the 2003 animated show.
I’ve scanned in some select hi-lights from this little gem of a book. Representing just a tinge of the strength, diversity, and downright insane fun running thru’ the mutant DNA of the Arshawsky family !!
The work that drilled itself into the hearts and souls of of a generation TMNT fans .. and set up the inspiration for generations to come.
Designs and art that would make Ed ” BIG DADDY ” Roth proud.
This is the work of a living legend.. .. and this is only a tiny bit of of the mutant magic packed within’ decades of Turtlemilk’s pure Turtle power art and design !!
This work also paralleled and fit with the classy n’ wacky ascetics Ryan Brown, Dooney , Berger , Lawson , Lavigne , Bissette , Murphy and Mirage brought to thire famous toy brand !!
This is of the incredible and ingenious mind that’s been arguably lacking in some of the designs from some ( not all ) of the past few waning years of the TMNT line. Hopefully Playmates will learn a lesson here and get back in touch with the wonders and talent that David & Turtlemilk and has to offer.
~t