Just a Quick Pic

Thought I'd post this because it's cool. Ash and Eddy constructed a robot today. I believe it's a TK hunter, (much larger than an actual TK). I think sometimes people get the impression that there's just a machine that pumps out completed prototypes, (individual parts maybe), but the rest is handcrafted and nutted out with a lot of love and attention.

December Update - New Series Announced

Ash and I are proud to announce the upcoming release of our new series The Beautiful War. The ongoing series will officially start in May 2014, published by IDW. Look out for teasers in the weeks leading up and speaking of teasers... here's one now!

November Update

Coming up this month, we will hopefully blogging our trip to Adelaide SA (South Australia). Stay tuned for photos and updates towards the middle of the month.

Also on the agenda, Miami Beach Basal, all the art is off and away now and is the exhibition is a go.

2014 also sees the beginning of a major Ash Wood art undertaking. I believe most of the pre-production for the project will be taking place in Melbourne on a closed set but I am told that I will be allowed to blog a lot of it, including some of the post production and construction that will be taking place in our own studio space. The project is a big one which will culminate in not one but two art events, the scope of which is so large at this stage that we've had to take on a producer outside of 7174 to fully manage it all. Fun and interesting times ahead.

Make it Big

As an artist Ash is always looking to push the envelope and production design and image quality are big issues for us. Sometimes we have to wait for technology to catch up with what we want to achieve, other times we spend a lot of time researching the best tools to use and come up trumps. Below is a photograph of Ash taken in Guangzhou this morning, behind him is a large printed banner of one of his paintings. Notice that despite the painting having been magnified many times from it's original size, you can still see the tooth of the canvas. 

It used to be that we had to send art away to be photographed and then a few years ago we started messing with medium format cameras which made it possible for us to produce prints etc. However, there were still limits to the sizes we could produce, that is until this year. What you are looking at I'm pleased to say was a photograph that was produced and edited and sized up, entirely in our studio; which ten years ago would have been impossible for us to do. The camera used is a Phase One medium format and if this photo proves anything, it's that there are no limitations in what we can achieve.

Peppermint Grove and Guangzhou Displays

Many thanks to Sui Yin for the following photos - including a 1:1 scale Peppermint Grove.

China Comicon Booth Set Up Guangzhou

Welcome to Guangzhou

Show starts tomorrow!

September Update

Emma at the studio pre-bucket

September went by at break neck speed. Ash and I spent the whole month rushed off of our collective feet. Events are planned for months, (sometimes years), in advance and you think you've got forever to go and then... really next week?

China Comicon is upon us and yes! I fully plan to blog it here on the WO7174 blog. I always worry about making promises regarding China trips since we're limited by internet availability but as always we're going to pull out all stops to try to make it happen anyway.

As for art events we have a couple of upcoming shows, if you're in Melbourne Ash will be exhibiting three pieces at the Backwoods Gallery. Every year the curator there holds a group show and invites artists to create works based on a theme. Last year was hands and this year is the eye. 

Miami Beach Basal is also coming up the Johnathan Le Vine Gallery has a massive booth this year. Ash is sending three new pieces along so if you're in Miami go and have a look see.

Books, lots and lots. Ash has been working away on a raft of books, as we schedule the publishing dates, I will post more info and the covers of each of the books here. Some of the books are ours and others are books that Ash has put together for other artists, I love these kinds of books especially since the most inspiring of these feature the works of artists recently passed, so it's not just an exploration of an artist's work but in some cases a commemoration and celebration as well. 

At the studio... In September we had, big storms that knocked the power out, Emma our crazy beagle was recently spayed and has been running around with a bucket on her head hitting things,  (she has no peripheral vision in her new space helmet), fortunately she has a taste for lego men and not paintings. There were workmen, workmen and more workmen... and a box of plush golden dolphin hats arrived which added to the frenzy and last but not least... the local football team The Fremantle Dockers made the grand finals and then lost... Oh well, there's always next year!

Keep it here for all the China Comicon updates from us. If I can't get immediate pictures I will post media links as they happen.

The Down Low on the Swank

Quite a few people have asked us for a more in-depth look at some of the work that was produced for The Swank's Autumn/Winter campaign. Recently an article was published with full photos, including up-close photos of just the sheer amount of stitching that went into the clothes of the accompanying figures and so I thought I post the link here so everyone can see.

Edit: The clothing on the figures are miniature versions of actual clothes that can be bought at the store during the Autumn/Winter season.

Toy People Article Here

Movie News Update

Here is a breaking news link via the Hollywood Reporter regarding LORE.

Click here for the news article.

Swank Review

Thought this was cool so here's a link - T.P

Swank Review Chinese/English

SDCC and July Update

SDCC is upon us this week and as per usual I will be blogging the convention but I won't be cross posting. So, if you've already subscribed to Ashley's blog you will be receiving our main SDCC updates, if not you can subscribe to the main blog or just drop in to the Bambaland Blogspot to follow our progress this year.

And here is a quick July update. Recently we've seen a lot of movement on the entertainment front regarding some of our properties but up until now we've been unable to publicly talk about some of these goings on due to NDA's (non-disclosure agreements). Hopefully we will soon be able to make announcements about some of the amazing things we currently have on our plate, including artistic joint ventures directly related to our partners in the U.S and Japan. ThreeA as always has it's own blog so you can catch up on the ongoing coolness there too.

Every year Ash goes to SDCC and spends four days away from the family, which is hard on all of us but when Ash gets to meet all the fans and give something back it makes it all worthwhile, and we sincerely mean that. We know that if not for your support all of this would be one big vanity project, so thank you and be sure to treat my guy nice.

Interview in French - Link

I'm posting a link to an interview Ash gave recently in France. I'm posting it because I absolutely love the accompanying photo!

Interview en Francais

Perth Supanova Clarification

The Perth Supanova convention is advertising Ashley's panel as a last minute cancellation at this years event, which has caused some fans to ask why? The simple answer is that when approached last year to appear at the Supanova convention Ashley agreed to two signings at the 2013 show and did not agree to appear at a panel this year. I can only assume that because Ash has done panels in the past that he was placed on the schedule anyway, thus they had to announce a cancellation. 

At no point did anyone bug out on an agreed upon event, Ash made the decision not to bounce around for a couple of hours anywhere this year due to the fact that our scheduled shows are so close together. We've just done France, we're about to jet off to San Diego and in the middle of all that we have Wonderfest in Japan. Given that we're also working and producing as normal, the decision was made to keep to signings at all events for 2013.

Ash will be signing for a second time at 1PM WST and if you want to talk to him, you're welcome to come along and introduce yourself and say hello.

The Swank

Ashley recently illustrated for The Swank Autumn/Winter campaign. For those of you who are interested in the work produced, this series of artwork will be featured on buses and trams in China and Hong Kong and will be also reproduced in an extensive advertising campaign that will appear in such magazines as Elle, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Baazar.

The Swank stores will also be carrying the campaign in-store naturally, along with a seriously limited line of the female figures who appear in the campaign "Swank Girls" (and Guys!) and "Autumn apples". These figures will be carried from August through to December.

EDIT: For people who are now inquiring, Ashley's own 3A is producing the figures.

WO7174

A change is coming to WO7174, this will the 0day site where all our ventures will start. From books to film and video games, we re gearing up to share the war!

7174 has been around for a long time now, but it's always been a campsite in the background, never on the front lines! Well that's changing...

The teaming up alone with IDW will bring on a slew of publications including, 7174 magazine, SWALLOWv2, WWR comic and much more, swing bt the IDW booth at SDCC and ask me all about it !
 

Anyhow, just thought I would share some of my excitement, much more info and stuff to come, you can read all about it right here !

WO7174

June Update

It's June already! 

Thank you to everyone who came along to see the Paris art show. Paris was amazing, people came from all over the Europe to see it and it was also a great opportunity for us to meet some people that we've communicated with over the years but never actually met in person until now, along with a whole raft of new and interesting people too. Ash met so many amazing European artists this time around, some already much admired, and some entirely new which is always exciting.

The Gallerie Daniel Maghen put on an amazing spread and were wonderful hosts, so thank you to the whole crew! The welcoming night dinner and celebration went on until the early hours of the morning. We will be back. And especial thanks to Olivier, Laurent and family for making this trip to France a  memorable one for the whole family..

I have a new art related date to add to our schedule for anyone who regularly visits East Coast U.S.A. Ashley is exhibiting a number of paintings at this year's Miami Beach Basal. Miami being one of those places that everyone should just visit once to say they've been. Any interested parties should contact the Jonathan LeVine Gallery NYC in advance. The actual paintings will no doubt pop up on Ash's blog before then.

I am knee deep in writing Beautiful War, again previews coming soon...

Paris Show is Open Today

The exhibition at the Gallerie Daniel Maghen is officially open today. Photos coming soon.

May Update

We have been super busy as per usual and so I thought I'd slip a quick May update in. First Happy Birthday Ashley! May is always a cool month because that's when I get to make a huge chocolate birthday cake and we all try to take at least one day off and chill out and this year is extra special because we're celebrating with baguettes, wine and cheese...

There are several events coming up to mention, I'll announce specific details as they come to hand in coming weeks. First up - The Paris show starts next week, so now's the time to plan if you want to make it. We will be blogging the Paris show right here. Photos will show up depending on internet access.

Future events (including events still to be confirmed).

Summer Wonderfest, Japan

Supanova, Perth Western Australia

San Diego Comicon, USA

Guangzhou Toy Fair, China 

And for all the fine art lovers, Ashley is also scheduled to re-exhibit at Jonathan Le Vine NYC in 2014

I'd like to say a quick thank you to everyone who came to see the 3A show in Taiwan, the event was a huge success and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

Stay tuned for Paris updates - I can't promise you that there won't be food involved, best to eat something before viewing the blog!

WWR FIELD GUIDE HARDCOVER

Should be out for SDCC.

Who Nommed the Sandvich?

I know there's been a lot of impressive oversized TQ's and TK's and other things at the show but I just wanted to share my favourite item with you...

A Special Brew

Ash and I have the weirdest conversations some times but it's from out of those long and involved conversations that understanding arises like some goofy animal emerging from out of the mist. We were talking in particular this evening about what makes ThreeA so special, not only to us but to other people too and in the course of our conversation about the Beast Kingdom show and all the other shows we've done Ash said: "I want you to make a post on the blog, just to thank people and to let them know, that it's them, they're the ones who make it special, they are the ones who make it what it is."

We are just so honored to have had a part in the forming of group that crosses the kinds of boundaries and lines that usually divide people. If you're part of our group, you're not a label you just belong, and the group we have has such a rich synergy going on it's crazy. There's something about ThreeA people, everyone has something to show, to give, something to grow into and aspire to. The art challenges over the years, the kids who fear that they can't draw and then when they get the guts up to post their art, the sky is the limit. The sheer talent and energy that goes into some of the 2D and 3D presentations that have been made, (are being made), it's just incredible, you are all so incredible, it's nuts. And never in a million years could we have hoped for such a positive flow on effect.

One of the funnest things that Ash heard today was a rap song that was playing in the background at the Beast Kingdom show. He was half listening and thinking, what are these lyrics about? It sounded as professional as anything you'd download on itunes and then he was laughing and he couldn't stop because some guy had specifically recorded the rap that was playing, it was all about being addicted to collecting ThreeA toys! See there here we go again - another super talented ThreeA fan.

There's definitely something special about the people we've come to be surrounded by, whatever flavor your sauce is, everyone finds a fit and we love and admire all of you for it. Modern life can be so insular and so impersonal and here just the opposite has been achieved and it's been done not just in one small local area but across the globe. Anyone can buy a toy but it takes a group of exceptional people to form such an amazing community as this.

And in closing this evening (phew!) we'd like to thank all of the people at Beast Kingdom for putting on such an awesome show, all of the staff from ThreeA HK. And most of all we'd like to thank you! Wonderful you! For all of the fan art that's ever been drawn, for all of the Legion gatherings that have ever been had, for all of the effort that you have all put in to making this thing we call ThreeA truly special.

TP and (Ash!)

Sunday Signing Taipei April 7 (Updated)

Here are some pics from this morning's two hour signing session. Thanks to everyone who has turned out so far, we're amazed to see just how many people have flown in from all over the Asia region for this show!

From Inside the Show (Updated)

Up and Running

Japanese Legion members and a close up pic of some of the items they're holding. 

The show is already off to a great start with a signing and meet and greets.

Heads up Oversized

Show Set Up Shots - Beast Kingdom Taiwan

ThreeA Show this Weekend

Beast Kingdom is hosting a massive ThreeA show in Wuchang, Taiwan this weekend. Here is the link to the ThreeA Show  The webpage is in Chinese but the dates and times are provided in English too.

We hope to bring you some photos and updates of the show throughout the weekend. The show will be featuring a timeline of ThreeA toys, (over 100 pieces in all), pretty much all of the coolest pieces from the last 5 years.

Stay tuned!

Re: Art Exhibitions. Don't forget Paris in May and for all of you who enjoyed the Jonathan LeVine experience in New York last year, we'll be doing it again in late 2014!

Paris in May

For anyone who has yet to see the announcement on Ash's blog. The dates for the Paris exhibition at the Gallerie Daniel Maghen are as follows: Exhibition starts on the 15th of May and carries on through to the 1st of June.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

Here are some new art images from the studio today - both are unrelated to today's announcements.

March 23rd Ash has a piece at the Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles California, the show is entitled the Art Collector Starter Kit.

April 7-14th Beast Kingdom will be hosting a massive ThreeA display/show at their store in Wuchang, Taiwan. If you're a ThreeA fan this event is not to be missed, it's going to have more than 100 pieces on display, plus Kim and Ash! If you're within flying, driving, walking distance of this show, it's not to be missed.

And finally: Are you of Hong Kong Chinese descent and want to save a life?

Please take sometime to look here, this lady and her family need your help now.

www.emilyneedsstemcells.com

Bootlegs

Just a quick post in response to a stream of inquiries we've been receiving lately regarding on sellers and second hand dealers of prints. 

The studio here at 7174 does not produce "minis", the larger print sizes that we are known to produce are the only ones we produce and they're always made with the highest quality rag papers and high end giclee inks. We do not produce prints on canvas, cheap paper or make use of lamination or block mounting. 

Beware of any print that is too small, if the image is not clear and crisp,  or  if the seller is selling way below market and claims to be holding onto something super "rare". All of our prints are signed and numbered with ink, the ink used is not at one with the print, it sits on top, if someone tries to on-sell a print and the signature looks printed, then think twice about what you're being offered.

In regards to physical paintings, please note that we never reproduce artworks in editions on canvas, ever. 

Japanese Legion Gallery Shots

Awesome show guys!

Japanese Legion Dinner

Thank you so much to all of those who turned up to take Ash out to dinner this evening, the Japanese Legion chose a Korean BBQ restaurant and a good time was had by all:)

Here are some random pics of dinner. Ash also produced some live art, hopefully I'll have some pictures to post of that occasion at a later date.