13 x 2013: Richard Page of UME Toys
WHAT: 13 Creators to Look Out for in 2013. The challenge was simple: Identify 13 x Artists / Creators / Designers who will be taking the year two thousand and thirteen by storm, and quiz them! About half of them were also nominated by their fellow practitioner in this endeavor, so it'll be a swell mix indeed! Read what they have to say, and check out the URL-links to their sites to check out more of their works!
Introducing: Richard Page of UME Toys!
BIO: 'I am a freelance creative with over 20 years industry experience and love typography, photography and illustration. I like to doodle... on anything apart from the cats (I'd like to try but I'm not allowed). Born in the south now living above the middle (Notts UK). From branding to prototyping and everything in between, if you have a project that you'd like me to work on please get in touch.'
(Amalgam-text from bios on the blog and Flickr).
TOYSREVIL: Describe how 2012 has been for you, in thirteen words!
RICHARD PAGE: Fun, hard, scary, busy, travelling, working, drawing,sculpting, casting, sanding, painting, photographing and blogging.
TOYSREVIL: What is the one thing folks might not know you did in 2012.
RICHARD PAGE: 2012 was my first year working for myself as well as pushing more self produced toy/art stuff. It's been an amazing year but has been hard work 7 days a week. People may not know that my day-to-day job is graphic design and this year I co-designed and produced the Guinness book of work records, awesome project!
TOYSREVIL: Share with us your most triumphant moment in 2012.
RICHARD PAGE: There's been loads of great things this year, I've been fortunate to have designed and produced my family of resin toys as well as whole load of customs and one off sculpts. I must say my favourite piece is the G1 Soundwave - he just came out how just how I'd imagined him in my head and then scribbled out.
TOYSREVIL: What is your most favorite toy or piece of art you've seen in 2012?
RICHARD PAGE: That's a hard question to answer because there's so many cool works around. My favourite must be Argonauts Resins' range of collectibles. The man is a true artisan and gent who does it all from sculpt, mould, resin, paint and packaging. His work is super clean and faultlessly finished.
TOYSREVIL: Which is your single most favorite non-toy-related website in 2012.
RICHARD PAGE: Being a big Disney geek my favourite place to get the low down on all thanks mouse is www.insidethemagic.net. Ricky puts together an amazing mix of reports, photos and videos as well as a great weekly podcast. I even made Mrs UME 2 Mary Poppins brollies this year (evil and normal!).
/////////////////////////LOOKING FORWARD/////////////////////////
TOYSREVIL: What is that one single word you would use to describe what you expect in 2013?
RICHARD PAGE: Busy
TOYSREVIL: Which artist or toy-brand's work are you looking forward to the most in 2013?
RICHARD PAGE: It's got to be Tru:Tek's Hustle series. After meeting Man-e-toys at the beginning of the year I've been blown away with work he's been putting out as well as the production quality of his resins. He sure is one to look out for as well as being a real top chap.
TOYSREVIL: Are You A Jedi Master or A Sith Lord?
RICHARD PAGE: Sith Lord! The Darkside has cookies.
TOYSREVIL: Better to Tweet It? or Instagram It? or Facebook It?
RICHARD PAGE: All 3 are good in their own way, my preference is to Tweet, Instagram then Facebook.
TOYSREVIL: Describe your own work/art in thirteen words.
RICHARD PAGE: Odd, happy, cute, strange, resin, scribbled, chunky, fuzzy, custom, original, weird, hand-made, mine.
TOYSREVIL: What should folks look out from you in 2013?
RICHARD PAGE: Lots and lots... More resins, customs and shows. I'm going to be at ToyconUK and the 'tattoo and toys' (Cardiff Tattoo & Toy Convention July 20 – 21, Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa, 24 – 26 Newport Rd, Cardiff, CF24 0DD) in the UK this year. I'm also going to try and get back to NYCC as well. As for resins next in the pipeline is 'Dita' (seen below) she should be dropping at the end of January.
RICHARD PAGE: I'm also currently working on some pieces for various shows but am always up for more invitations if anyone out there digs my style. More for 2013 I've got a ton of collab work in the pipeline and can't wait to get on with that - also keep your eyes peeled for some six armed action coming in 2013 with Monster Kolor...
TOYSREVIL: What is that ONE word you hope to achieve for yourself by the end of 2013?
RICHARD PAGE: Longbottomworlddomination
TOYSREVIL: Draw A Self Portrait With You As A "Snake" - interpret what you may!
TOYSREVIL: Richard has been nothing but a one-man-toy-making machine, where he sculpts and casts his own resin pieces and produces pieces at a rapid pace, to showcase a wide array of original character designs, to put any creator of his league, to shame. And as well rounds up his portfolio with custom pieces on existing figurines - You need to check and follow him via www.umetoys.net / Facebook / Twitter @umetoys / followgram.me / and CLICK HERE for continued coverage #onTOYSREVIL.
