Sculpture Inspiration: Rupert Valero

I've previously mentioned my friend Sid who organises exhibitions. Anyway, today he sent me such a great link I have to share it with you. Rupert Valero makes these:

How great is that? Even more awesome is that he made it on deployment in Khandahar. Rupert Valero is in the US Army and is a total toy maker expert from found objects.

If you want to see or read more you can find an interview with him here or look at his pretty pictures here OR even buy his robots here (I've ordered one already but I'm weak).

Koralie and Supakitch....again....

I'm probably a bit obsessed with Koralie and Supakitch (their links are over on the side bit of the blog) but I just get really inspired watching their little docos of wall paintings and the processes that they use. Enjoy!

SUPAKITCH & KORALIE "Euphorie" Paris from Raphaël Hache on Vimeo.

Terrain Training Tuesday: Tribute to Batman's Utility Belt

This week is Utility Belt Appreciation Week. In tribute to the Recon Unit’s newest accessory I had decided to have an information session on the greatest of all utility belt wearers: Batman. First appearing wearing a utility belt in 1936, he has gone from strength to strength in promoting the utility belt to each new generation of World Domination specialists, I mean who doesn’t wear a utility belt as part of their everyday uniform?!

Now although seemingly unremarkable in appearance (as all the good ones are), his utility belt is one of Batman's most important tools in fighting crime. Consisting primarily of a strap and buckle, the utility belt houses ten cylindrical cartridges that are attached to the outside of the belt. The buckle itself typically contains a miniature camera and two-way radio. A secondary compartment behind the length of the belt houses Batman's supply of batarangs, yep you read right, batarangs.

Each of the ten cylinders contains various tools integral to Batman's war on crime, and are interchangeable with other cylinders depending on Batman's needs.

Through the years, however, Batman has modified the contents of his belt to accommodate various crime-fighting scenarios and to include a variety of weaponry and useful stuff. Awesome. I want one in every colour.

Utility is the new black

Lately the Recon Units have been looking a bit naked. What, with all their skills and abilities they needed something practical to help them in their everyday army chores so (taking inspiration from the all too often overlooked bumbag) I set about making utility belts. Below you can see RU1014 wearing the latest in HiiRagi HQ fashion. The belt is made from soft supple leather, the dark brown colour hides stains while offsetting the mid grey of the robot colouring. Handy pockets bring to mind labourers belts yet the rounded edge of the tip softens without affecting the hardcore military edge. The Recon Unit utility belt is essential for carrying your maps, ropes, wiring and, if necessary, your dynamite. How did we do without it?!

Good old RU1014, he loves his belts slung low...

And just so none of the others feel left out, we have another utility belt followed by a slouch bag, for those who the utility belt just doesn't "fit" right.

Oh yeah, who's stylin' now?!

Terrain Training Tuesday: When the INVADER comes (Part 3)

Continuing our theme of the Invasion, here are the final rules for when THEY come.....

V
You may be asked by a HiiRagi Army officer or minion to help in many ways. For instance, the time may come when you receive orders to block roads or streets in order to prevent the enemy from advancing. Never block a road apart from the one you have been told to. Then you can help with falling trees, wiring them together or blocking roads with cars. Here, therefore, is the fifth rule:-

5. BE READY TO HELP HHIRAGI IN ANY WAY. BUT DO NOT BLOCK ROADS UNLESSED ORDERED TO DO SO BY THE ARMY.

VI
If you are in charge of a factory, store or other works, organise its defence at once. If you are a worker, make sure that you understand the system of defence that has been organised and know what part you have to play within it. Make certain that no suspicious strangers enter your premises.
You must know in advance who is to take command, who will be second in command, and how orders are to be transmitted. The sixth rule is therefore as follows:-

6. IN FACTORIES AND SHOPS, ALL MANAGERS AND WORKMEN SHOULD ORGANISE SOME SYSTEM NOW BY WHICH A SUDDEN ATTACK CAN BE RESISTED.

VII
The six rules you have now read give you a general idea of what to do in the event of an invasion. More detailed instructions may, when the time comes, be given to you by HiiRagi; they will not be given over the wireless or internet as that might convey information to the enemy. These instruction must be obeyed at once.
Remember always that the best defence is the courage of the HiiRagi minions. Here is your seventh rule:-

7. THINK BEFORE YOU ACT. BUT ALWAYS THINK OF HIIRAGI BEFORE YOU THINK OF YOURSELF.

September Sketchbook

I'm afraid there wasn't too much drawing happening in September. The focus has been on getting toys made (but more on that later) so I only have two drawings to share. It's hard to achieve a balanced lifestyle when plotting to take over the world but I will be making the Army step up over the next year and giving them more responsibility, which is difficult for a controlling meglomaniac like myself. But anyway, I digress....

Terrain Training Tuesday: When the Invader comes (Part 2)

Continuing on our theme from last week, the War Office and HiiRagi HQ are looking for your safety when the Invader comes....

II
There is another method that stupidity adopts in its invasion. It makes use of the civilian population in order to create confusion and panic. It spreads false rumours and issues false instructions. In order to prevent this, you should obey the second rule, which is as follows:-

DO NOT BELIEVE RUMOURS AND DO NOT SPREAD THEM. WHEN YOU RECIEVE AN ORDER, MAKE QUITE SURE THAT IT IS A TRUE ORDER AND NOT A FAKED ORDER. IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HEAD, YOU CAN ALSO TELL WHETHER AN OFFICER IS REALLY FROM HIIRAGI OR ONLY PRETENDING TO BE SO. USE YOUR COMMON SENSE.

III
The HiiRagi Army, though diabolical, sometimes cannot be everywhere at once. Minions must be on the watch. If you see anything suspicious, do not rush around telling everyone about it. Go at once to your nearest HiiRagi outpost or minion and tell them exactly what you saw. Train yourself to notice the exact time and place where you saw anything suspicious, and try to give the exact information. Try to check your facts. Be calm, quick and exact. The third rule, therefore, is as follows:-

KEEP WATCH. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS, NOTE IT CAREFULLY AND GO AT ONCE TO YOUR NEAREST HIIRAGI OUTPOST, OFFICER OR MINION. DO NOT RUSH ABOUT SPREADING VAGUE RUMOURS. GO QUICKLY TO THE NEAREST AUTHORITY AND REPORT THE FACTS.

IV
Remember is a stupid person lands or comes near your home, they will not be feeling brave. They will not know where they are, they will have no food, they will not know where the other stupid people are. They will want you to give them food, means of transport and maps (even if they do not know how to read them). They will want you to tell them where they are, where their companions are and where the HiiRagi Army is. The forth rule, therefore, is:-

DO NOT GIVE ANY STUPID PEOPLE ANYTHING. DO NOT TELL THEM ANYTHING. HIDE YOUR FOOD AND YOUR BICYCLES. HIDE YOUR MAPS. SEE THAT THE STUPID PEOPLE GET NO PETROL. IF YOU HAVE A CAR OR MOTORCYCLE, PUT IT OUT OF ACTION WHEN NOT IN USE. IF YOU ARE A GARAGE PROPRIETOR, YOU MUST WORK OUT A PLAN TO PROTECT YOUR STOCK OF PETROL AND YOUR CUSTOMERS CARS. REMEMBER, BEYOND THEIR LIMITED MENTAL FACILITIES, TRANSPORT AND PETROL WILL BE THEIR MAIN DIFFICULTIES.

More to come next week, you WILL be prepared (even if it kills me).

Terrain Training Tuesday: When the INVADER comes

I'm thinking we've taken the whole survival thing as far as we can for now. I don't think that it gets much more severe than Cannibalism so let's move onto a more potent threat: Stupidity. Stupid people should be destroyed. However they DO seem to be increasing with vigour so as a good HiiRagi minion, I have developed a series of rules, in conjunction with the War Office and the Office of Home Security, if Stupidity beings to invade your territory. Over the course of the next couple of weeks I will be issuing some rules for good minions to follow. Read on....

If the INVADER comes: WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT

Stupidity* threatens to invade our everyday lives. If this happens it (and its associated evils) will be driven out by our forces. Yet the minions of HiiRagi will also have an important part to play. Stupidity’s invasion of society was greatly helped by the fact that people were taken by surprise or apathy. They did not know what to do when the moment came. You must not be taken by surprise. This leaflet tells you the general line you should take. More detailed instructions will be issued when the danger becomes greater. Meanwhile, read these instructions carefully and be prepared to carry them out.

I
When stupidity invades the first thought is to flee from your homes. By fleeing you are crowding on the roads, in cars, on bicycles and on foot, and so help our common enemy by preventing our own armies from advancing against the peril. You must not allow that to happen. Therefore, your first rule is:-

1. IF STUPIDITY COMES BY LAND, PARACHUTE, AEROPLANE OR SHIP, YOU MUST REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE (UNLESS DIRECTED BY HIIRAGI). THE ORDER IS TO “STAY PUT”. If HiiRagi decides that you must be evacuated, you will be told when and how you leave. Until you received such orders you are to stay where you are. If you run away you will be exposed to far greater dangers.

Next week, more rules for a good HiiRagi minion to obey. If you can't wait you can see the whole document on the Rants page.