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Monday, August 26, 2013

A VISIT TO SPRYWALKER RANCH

A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to see some awesome Star Wars custom action figure art created by one of the most talented customizers out there today, Luke Sprywalker. Some of you may know L.E. Spry aka Luke Sprywalker from the Celebration VI "Star Wars Custom Action Figure Panel" that was held in the summer of 2012.  Luke Sprywalker was a speaker at the panel along with Star Wars customizers Sillof and Sith_fire30.  Dad and I had the opportunity to visit Luke Sprywalker's home, affectionately dubbed Sprywalker Ranch while on a trip through North Carolina on our way to visit family. Getting to hold some of my favorite custom action figure art in my own two hands was a real treat.  I thought the photos of his work were cool, seeing them in hand was just mind blowing.



 Luke Sprywalker on the right drinking the blue milk.



Dad decided the best way to mark the occasion of our visit to Luke Sprywalker's was to update the video of his custom action figures that way you all can see the artwork that we got to see when we visited.  His figures are just amazing.  Seeing his art was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had since I started this hobby, and making friendships like his has made the adventure all worth while.  Hope you enjoy the video.




LUKE SPRYWALKER

Dad updated the video of Luke Sprywalker's custom action figures for this post.




THE SIGHTS

While I was there I go to see my friend Jaxon's awesome Starkiller costume.



We got to check out Luke Sprywalker's super cool vehicle creations too. Up close and personal. We always loved this swoop bike.  It was really cool to give this one a closer inspection.  The paint work was impeccable.




I was always a big fan of a photonovel called Star Wars Apocalypse that was written by Kessel Run Imports and illustrated by Hangarbay94Luke Sprywalker and Hangarbay94 made all the custom action figures and vehicles for it and I got to see the actual pieces they used during our visit.



I even got to see this Jabba's Palace diorama from Celebration out in Luke Sprwalker's garage.



 It was really cool to get to hold the winning figure from our Smuggler's Gambit Custom Action Figure Contest that we held with RebelForce Radio.




THE SWAP

While we there, Luke Sprywalker taught Dad how to make molds for resin casting, and we did a parts swap that landed some really cool items in my fodder box.  I already made a custom from some of the parts he gave me.  All I did was paint some flames on this Clone Pilot's helmet, but I like the way he looks.



CLONE PILOT "TORCH"
created by Elias

















Luke Sprywalker gave us these awesome iconic Star Wars boxes during our visit.  I can't wait until Dad molds and casts these so we can have some more of them to scatter around my room.




He also gave us two casts of this piece for diorama building.






PARTS FOR DAD'S PROJECTS

Dad parted this guy out and started to modify the base figure so he can begin sculpting.




Luke Sprywalker and Dad did a parts swap that helped Dad acquire some much needed parts to complete his figure.



These two pieces, although looking a tad rough around the edges, are going to save Dad hours of sculpting time and will help him complete the larger pirate at a much faster pace than if he had to make these elements from scratch.







MOLDING & CASTING LESSON
RESULTS

Coming soon.



Dad made a cast of the Finn Tegotash head that he created so he can make pirates more quickly.



Eight templates ready to go



Dad's cast held all the detail.



Dad also utilized what he learned during his molding and casting tutorial to make a duplicate of the lightsaber hilts for his soon to be finished General Pong Krell custom action figure.



Dad just has to paint in all the fine details on this figure before shipping him off to Star Wars customizer Hyperdrive so he can create the soft good clothing on this artistic collaboration.  Luke Sprywalker got a good look at this figure during our visit and gave it his stamp of approval.




 

REST & RELAXATION

Swimming in the pool at Sprywalker Ranch with Jaxon Spry.  Our visit wasn't only action figure related.  Good times were had by all.