I Am Legion 3A Custom show Artist Spotlight: Lily Black

It's nearly October already and that means we're ramping up to the 3A custom show in November at the 1AM gallery, I am Legion. Featuring over 30 artists from 10 different countries this show promises to be a event to remember. I Am Legion host's both larger well known artists along with some of the finest customizers in the 3A community and elsewhere. So we're excited to be able to bring you interviews with these artists in the weeks leading to the I am Legion show.

The first interview will be with Artist Lily Black, a great local artist from San Francisco, Lily has been a fixture for custom toys and sculptural works for years. In fact for a long time I couldn't help but notice his work featured in many of the local toy stores windows and behind their counters. His style is as unique as his vision and once you see his work you can't help but spot it elsewhere. So... Click Through to the interview:

What brought you into toy customizing Lily?
I've always customized toys from melting army men through my stint as visiting artist at Zeum the childrens museum. I can't seem to get away from toy modding. Thats a better question, "how could I stop customizing toys?"

Where do you see the future of designer toys heading?
Unfortunately for my wallet I think the future of designer toys is shorter runs of better toys. There have been all kinds of advances in casting and mold making that haven't hit the toy world yet or have just started showing up like photo etch details. these technologies are pricey. i doubt that designer toys, the really good ones, will get main stream enough to drive down prices. Sorry.

I tend to agree with you there Lily. I'm in love with the highly detailed kits were seeing as resign garage kits take off in the model world. You Mention Photo Etch, that is something in particular I'd love to see integrated more into designer toys. No doubt it will be adopted by customizers and maybe find it's way into the toy world through the higher end manufacturers.

What brought you to the world of 3A?
Like everything in my sphere of knowledge it was dumb luck. Ive worked with 1AM where the show I AM LEGION is being held for years. That and artist Anubis2night was familiar with my work having seen my stuff in past shows so I was asked to participate. Honestly I was totally unfamiliar with 3A. Since then I've done a lot of research and well, I love 3A toys. I'm going to have to buy some. My wallet is crying right now, real tears.

Well we're glad to have you as part of the show, and as a 3A collector my wallet can sympathize.

What future plans do you have for customs, shows?
I'm still trying to bridge the gap between customs and fine art. Other people have done it, but that's like saying "other people have painted naked ladies, why bother?" I'm still trying to get shows in as many non toy venues as possible. As far as what customs come next, I'm not sure.

Yes that's something I've noticed too as more artists are making that leap, it's exciting in many ways though I love to see them still dabble in toys.

Are there any artists you personally collect?
Yeah but they're way out of my price range so I have to content my self with books and catalogues. Here are a few,
1. Henry Darger
2. adolf wolfi
3.Kow Yokoyama

I see you mentioned Kow Yokoyama, I know from past conversations as well as seeing some of your other pieces that the MaK world is a huge inspiration so I'm betting your excited to learn more about that 3A / Kow Yokoyama collaboration on MaK toys in both 1:6 and 1:12.
I read about the 3A/MaK collaboration and thought it was too good to be true.

What are you're top three favorite toys?
1. anything blank. I'm as discriminating as a dog.
2. the 1977 12" darthvader
3. something from Maschinen Krieger
Great choices there, indeed. So one final question to wrap up. What's your favorite toy to customize and why?
Right now it's the toy2r qee, sadly. it isn't a beautiful platform, but i scored a case for 4 bucks apiece, the 8" ones. Ill be customizing those until I'm old. Mostly I use model kit parts in my customs so what I really like is scoring Tamiya and Dragon kits. That really turns me on. I just got a Hasegawa brand Morser Karl in 1/72 scale. It's a gold mine for parts. i was so happy.

I'll have to take a look at that model as I'm always looking for spare parts to use as greebles in my builds as well. Thanks Lily for taking time for the interview and be sure to check out Lily's custom bothead in the I AM Legion show at the 1AM gallery in San Francisco Nov. 4 - Dec. 4.

...And now a small teaser preview picture from Lily Black for the I Am Legion 3A custom show at the 1AM Gallery: