James Gurney
blog: www.GurneyJourney.blogspot.com
video and images copyright James Gurney
Outer Space Men action figures painted by James Gurney
"On Friday I visited toy inventor Mel Birnkrant and painted some of his "Outer Space Men" action figures in gouache. Gouache is an ideal medium for such a study because of its opacity and high tinting strength. You can also draw over the dry, matte surface with watercolor pencils or a white gel pen." ~James Gurney
Animated Sand Toys and Music Boxes
"Here's a short video that I made to spotlight the wonderful sand toys and music boxes created by Mel and Eunice Birnkrant.
These primitive automata are inspired by the artwork of Victorian toy theaters. The figures are cut out of paperboard sheets and arranged in a tiny stage, complete with curtain and audience. Mel took the idea to the next step and invented the mechanisms needed to make them come to life." ~ James Gurney
MAXx FX, The Greatest Action Figure That Never Was
Last week I had the privilege to visit my friend Mel Birnkrant, who showed me his original prototypes for MAXx FX, an action figure who dons movie-monster prosthetics to become the Werewolf, Mummy, Jason, Freddy, Swamp Creature, and Caveman." ~ James Gurney
