ToxicMom GALLERY

Influences: First off, Our folks, who always wanted to do what we do, but life took them down a different path, so we get to do this for them, thank you Ralph and Mercedes, Paul and Rosemary, without you, we never could have made it. And then , each other. Our minds work as one. It's an amazing thing. A collaboration that is beyond words. And of course, our childhood heroes and influences, for as children, our minds grasped the works of these fine artisans, and weaved images of the fantastic creatures and visions that made us believe and wonder. Willis Obrien, Marcel Delgado, Ray Harryhausen, Paul Blaisdell, Bud Westmore, Chris Mueller, John Chambers , Tom Burman, William Tuttle, Stuart Freeborn, Dick Smith, Rick Baker, Stan Winston, Rob Bottin , Wah Chang and Gene Warren, Jim Danforth, Walt Disney and his amazing studio, All the Warner Bros gang, they are the best, a HUGE influence on us. As was Hanna Barbera Studios body of work. Animation and Special Effects have always been a constant source of awe and inspiration. Music is a huge influence too, soundtracks and music help set the mood to hours and hours of intense concentration . And of course there are all the contemporary influences, too big a list to compile, for so many have shared their incredible visions with us through these many years, Some famous , some not, all outstanding artists, sculptors, painters, designers, animators performers,.. Visionaries all .
Companies: Broadcast Arts, Curious Pictures, Little Caesar's Animation, Peter Korbett Animation, Peter Wallach Animation, 3/ Design Studio, Ben Cooper Mask Company, Abrhams and Gentile Entertainment, Waly Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO/Comedy Central, Marvel, Spectrastar, Toybiz, Mattel Toys, Fisher Price, Galloob Toys, Tromma Films, Jim Henson's Creature Shop {NY and LA}, Rick Lazzarini's Character Shop, Full Moon's Creature F/X Division, Todd Master's Master FX, Greg Cannom's, Resaurus Toys, Amalgamated Dynamics [ADI}, Rick Baker's Cinnovation, Universal Studios, K.N.B FX Studio, Micheal Curry Design, New Line Cinema, Palisades Entertainment, Re Saurus Inc,
Blue Sky Studios, Hi-Dream Corp, Funimation , Spinmaster, Will Vinton Studios, Vinton Studios, Nike, X-Concepts, Happy Hour Entertainment, The Prop Shop, Laurel Studios' Ed French FX Studio., Mike Maddi EFX, Bosley Bobbers, Fat Cactus Studio, Cartoon Books, David Allen Studios, Horizon Models, Little Kids, Lazy Bonz, Big Chief Studios, 181 porductions, D.J Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, This list goes on and on. ..and lots more.
Expectations: We already have, we were lucky enough to get into FX at just the right time, Make up FX , animatronics and puppets were at an all time high, and stop motion was still in high demand, so it was the best of all worlds on the East and West Coast. We have worked on hundreds and hundreds of projects. The computer released its technological threat with the release of Jurassic Park, and all of us who did this conventionally went "Gulp" the minute that T-Rex stepped into frame. I leaned over to Lisa in the theatre and said, "We need to find a new job, our 'FX" days are numbered" So we went on creating creatures , and pursued other avenues that still allowed us to create by hand. Computers are incredible tools, but we still love the Craft we have embraced for all these years. The segue into Toy and prototype work is a natural, the techniques and materials are the same, and the work is at a similar or smaller scale. Which is nice because you dont need a crew of 10 to sculpt a piece. Just you or you and some friends. All in all we have had a great ride, and no regrets. Its so nice to have had a dream, and to have accomplished it. I continue our work, and our dream. Every job is different, this never gets boring, I love my job, that's nice to say after 25 yrs.
Advice to new sculptors or amateurs sculptors: Just have fun, sculpting is incredibly enjoyable, and the results are indeed something to be proud of. You have just made something from a blob of nothing. And to those who want to do this for a living, It takes a buisness sense and approach as well as an artistic one, to have a successful career. Learn every aspect of Why it is that we sculpt the way we do for production. This will help you to be a fine commercial sculptor, and keeping your production manager in the loop and your projects clean and on schedule, will keep you in paying projects on a regular basis.Its alot of hard work, but extremely gratifying..