Spring Crafting

Hello Hello Everyone,

So I've been super busy figuring out the Simple Vinny model and getting some folks involved in customizing the template as well. I hope to start releasing the models soon but until then I wanted to hook you all up with some other cool templates.


The Folks over at Curiosity Group have been releasing free calendar toys each month. The next one for April, has a really great style and Jazz theme to it. So check out the newest model and the templates for each of the past months and maybe you'll find something you like. I personally love them all.


Cheers,

Paper Vinny

Paper Power For Japan

Hey Everyone,

As most of you know Japan was hit with a huge 8.9 Earthquake and then a Tsunami. The Paper Toy Community has always come together in times like these to do our parts and help out where we can. We were able to raise a couple thousand dollars for Haiti relief and we are hoping to do the same for Japan.

Shin Tanaka is one of the most well known Paper Toy Artists. He has been a huge supporter of the scene and has always pushed the envelope creatively. He has just released a model that is cute red bear. It is free to download but he is asking that when you do download the model that you also donate to one of the many relief funds for Japan that have been set up. There are many different sites to find these organizations on but I have included a link to both the Canadian Red Cross and the American Red Cross both of which have specific buttons to donate to the Japan Relief Fund which were Shin's wishes.

So if you can help out the folks in Japan please do so. Here is Shin's Site and the template.

Thanks,

Paper Vinny

Many Thanks and Much Appreciation

So presenting at Pecha Kucha Night was really nerve racking but really amazing. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with so many creative and inspiring folks. I received lots of positive feedback and made a number of connections. Seeing what a number of other people are doing creatively inspired me to no end. I've already begun designing a simpler Vinny because some people have found the original a bit tough to start with. As well, some people stated they would like to involve their kids so hopefully "Simple Vinny" will be more accessible and a more appropriate springboard for those wishing to get into paper toys or those wishing to have a Paper Vinny of their own. Simple Vinny is not quite done but I will post templates here on the blog for all of you to enjoy as soon as he is.

It's been a great year for me so far. So many great opportunities have come my way and I am looking forward to all that 2011 has to offer. I hope all of you had a wonderful Valentines or Anti-Valentines day. Thanks to everyone who has newly visited the site and to all those who came out to Pecha Kucha Night.



Last but not least, here's a picture for you all. It is a picture of "Joey Jr." A smaller version of Joey MacDonald. He's the Director of Olio Artists & Workers Cooperative. He's been a huge help to me in getting connected with the local art community and in making larger paper toys. The thin pic is the outfit of his I took inspiration from. I created a special plaid design for the toy. For his shirt I used a concert poster from one of his band's gigs. His belt is made from the Olio site banner. The belt buckle is his band's symbol mounted on a silver plate and his hat says Olio Artists & Workers Cooperative and is covered in different coloured paint splotches just like Joey usually is, due to all the screen printing he does. The photo was taken upon presentation to the real Joey, in the Olio Studio with the screen printing machine in the background.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny

Official Official

Official poster for the event...

Pecha Kucha Night

Wow so I found out that I have been chosen to be one of the presenters at a local "Pecha Kucha Night" here in my city. It's an event where a bunch of artists, designers, and super cool folks get together and present all the different projects they are working on. I'll be showing my paper toy photos and talking about how I got started and what I'm working on now.
For more info check out the main site HERE. If you happen to be in the Victoria area, check out our local site HERE.

Needless to say I'm nervous as heck but excited also. I love meeting other folks who are creating and doing interesting things with their time. It's a great opportunity for me to connect and be inspired and I am really looking forward to Feb. 10th, 2011. The tough part will be standing at a podium and talking into a microphone but I'm going to do my best.

So come on out if you can or check your local area to see if there is a Pecha Kucha night near you. If there isn't, maybe you could start one up.

I hope all of you are enjoying 2011 so far and I wish you all lots of creative ideas and adventures. Here's another pic of mine to hopefully brighten your day.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny

New Years and Switching Gears

Wow! It's been almost a month since my last post. This was due in part by it being the busiest time of the year for folks with Christmas, Boxing Day, New Years, etc. I haven't had too much time to build many models. I was mostly focused on completing some customs including a toy of my friend Joey as a way of saying thanks for assisting me in printing off my largest paper toy yet(4+ feet tall!). I've been working a lot more lately on customizing models and designing my own from the ground up. The latter of which is quite challenging at times.

Also, I was recently asked to be a presenter at a local art based show. I'm a little nervous about speaking in front of the audience but I always think it's healthy to challenge ones self by stepping outside of Ye' old comfort zone. Don't you? I'll post more info soon.

So thank you for your patience. Here are a couple of pics that were taken when the weather was a little nicer and my Vitamin D came mostly from the sun and not from a bottle of vitamins. Fula is by an amazing designer Zerolabor and the picture was taken in the local Solstice Cafe and Kikoo is by artist Kawaii Style and was taken in front of the Legislature Buildings with the Empress Hotel in the background.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny

Mr. Ives Does It Again

So I have been busy working on some new models and trying to create photos for others. I currently have no Christmas themed ones in the works but Paper Automata Extraordinaire Rob Ives, just released a Santa toy. It hides candy or other small treats and is a free download, so I thought I would pass it along as I know there isn't much time left this year for such toys.

Head on over to HERE to see the full story and many of the other wonderful models that Rob has brought us. I am a member of Rob's site and not only would a membership be a great gift this holiday season but there are also many moving models to choose from and they are very well priced too. The models range in all levels of difficulty, so no matter their age, you're bound to find something that fits.

Cheers,

Paper Vinny