We’ve worked with a lot of talented folks, and we admire a lot of them too (from afar, not up close like creepers). But anyway, on Saturday’s we’re going to bring you a new artist, cosplayer, or writer that you should check out, and hopefully even have an interview with them!
This week’s spotlight is Alex Toy, he made the Omni-Blades for us and is an awesome artist!
He’s answered a few questions for me below. In the mean time, here’s a picture we snagged of Matt Smith holding one of the Omni-Blades he made at SDCC!
Hi Alex! So you’re not only a prop builder, but a fine artist as well. Tell us a bit about your work and how you got started being an artist!
I started originally working more in the painting and illustration fields. I actually got into sculpture because my step dad was really interested in learning welding, so I decided to take a class. the only class available was a bronze casting class. Since then I’ve just been doing sculpture and eventually began doing jewelry.
You were, I believe, the first person to make an incredibly intricate and epic omni-blade. Tell us a little bit about how you make one of these or how you approached it in the first place. Are you using magic? Space magic?
Life would be a lot easier with magic, that is for sure. I first came to the omniblade more as me saying “yeah I could make that” the next part was to actually make it. I’ll admit, I was a little over my head with this. I just pulled some screenshots and worked piece by piece to get it right. I never did any work in plastics before so I really had to learn as I go on that respect. The task was rather daunting, but a fun challenge for sure.
What is the most difficult part of the process in making an omni-blade?
The most difficult part is the gluing. Unfortunately that’s also the biggest part. Holding two pieces together all while trying to close a c-clamp would be a whole lot easier with an extra hand or two.
Omni-blades are cool. At least Matt Smith thinks so, since he was holding one of yours! Do you think you could make a a sonic-omni-blade crossover?
Haha. I’ve never thought about it but I would be open to the idea. That would be quite the crossover if you ask me.
Now, you’re well known for making props, would you, or have you ever cosplayed? If you haven’t, what would you cosplay as?
I’ve been spending most of my time just doing jewelry, it wasn’t until recently that I really started thinking about even doing cosplay. The first I call “real” cosplay was for last Halloween and I did the road warrior Mad Max. It was fun as hell and I’m looking to do some more.
Have you made any new and exciting things recently?
Not as much as I would have liked in terms of cosplay. I’ve been spending the last year just making jewelry to finish up school. Now I am hoping to put in more time making costumes for myself.
Thanks so much for your time and for being epic. Now, shamelessly promote yourself and your work so everyone can bombard you with requests for acrylic glowing *everything*!
Thanks for having me. It was pretty great to make the omniblade. I really just have the website. alexandertoy.com