Robots take over Buenos Aries

Coolest thing about this is that I actually own some of the robots. I always wondered what they got up to...

My minions rock...

I have to admit that I really do love my minions. I get sent all kinds of stuff, mostly photos or emails letting me know that the Army is in good hands and our cause is spreading.

Recently additions to the minion regiment are BofstaOne and HoflerOne, yes they are code names to protect their diabolical innocence. We've been having a bit of a time together as I infiltrated their suburb, house and even their school... I kid you not. I think that teachers reading the HiiRagi manifesto as part of their curriculum should be enforced. It sounds kind of creepy because it is, however all's well, that ends well and two of our Occupational Forces have been enlisted in a rad household where our cause reign supreme. Here is the photographic evidence:

Battling the fearsome beast a.k.a Wasabi the miniature dachshund.

The beast (a.k.a Wasabi) subdued.

Ah, it makes me happy...

HiiRagi invades Happy Valley (fear not, no elves were harmed, well, not many...)

Did you know that there is a town called Happy Valley in every state? Useless but true information. Well, now it's Melbourne's turn to have a Happy Valley...

Happy Valley is a new store in Smith Street, Collingwood that specialises in art, design and books. 'Chris', who actually made up a board game and released it upon the world called World Domination ( I kid you not), is the genius mastermind behind it all and a favoured minion of HiiRagi. He also has some of the rampant army in the store keeping the peace and making sure everything is hunky dorey. You should totally check it out if you are in Melbourne. Or like elves...actually there are no elves there, I just made that up. BUt don't you think if elves did live anywhere (beside the North Pole) it would be in Happy Valley?

B B B Berserker!!!!!

Ask me what I have been doing and lately the answer is consistently "Making Toys". And this week means Berserkers, the last line of attack in the HiiRagi Army hierarchy...

And the name says it all. An experiment that went a little bit wrong but in a good way. Berserkers do not reason, they do not care, they do not stop, you will be eaten or drown in their drool. If you see one, then it’s all over red rover, either that or unfortunately one has escaped...hey, it happens to the best of us. Even in cages they seem to manage to frighten the Recon Units to distraction.

I love them. A friend once told me that he always knew when I was drawing Berserkers because I would snigger to myself regularly and wear a weird smirk (what does that even mean?). I probably drooled as well, which would be the dead give away.

Recon Unit: Explosives Specialist

As all HiiRagi minions know, being diabolical can lead you into a variety of different specialities such as explosives.  And here is our Recon Unit Explosives expert in all his glory.

The utility belt is packed with dangerous, unstable elements such as dynamite and /or small bomb fixtures, wire that can be run from explosives to the detonation box and a pocket to hold the all important plans for our next sabotage.

Now, we also know at HiiRagi HQ that in these dangerous times it’s ‘Safety First’ so each explosives expert has goggles to protect their eyes for when the action gets too close for comfort.  Just how they like it.

Minion Inspiration: "The Lawyer" (take note other minions)

When you are the leader of a diabolical robot army, you need a certain amount of self belief and ego to maintain the faith in your cause.  Luckily for me I have a horde of awesomely inspiring minions to keep me going.  Check this out:

Yep, this minion, let's call her "The Lawyer", has amassed an army of her own to take the HiiRagi cause out into the world.  Soon she will be unstoppable.  Brings tears to my eyes to be honest.... 

"The Lawyer" - we salute you.

Occupational Force: Jungle

No, he doesn’t want to be your friend.
No, he won’t listen to you spill your life story.
And no, he definitely won’t want to share a tent.
He will however lend you his unsurpassed jungle skills and help you to complete your mission quickly and efficiently. If you run into any kind of trouble, our Occupational Force will deal with it in the blink of an eye. Yep, he’s THAT tough and he has the scars to prove it. With his machete in hand ready to wield, an ammunition belt that may or may not be full (depending upon the action he’s already seen) and an army headband to keep the sweat out of his eyes, he’s the ultimate Jungle Warrior.
All we ask is that you don’t mention Rambo….

Occupational Force

I've been making heaps of toys lately so I have them in numbers that I have never had before which is pretty exciting as it means I will have enough to start doing the photos that I have been crapping on about for ages to anyone who will listen to me. In the meantime I took a couple of shots of the Occupational Force in formation for the fun of it...

This is my pathetic take on the Star Wars film poster that showed Annakin Skywalker with the shadow of Darth Vader (awesome poster, shame about the film...)

And then there were HEAPS!!!!

Once again, adopting the "cute" disguise, Occupational Force peaks out. Minutes later he had maimed and destroyed a horde of HiiRagi disbelievers with his bare hands....

...unfortunately I can't post those images....

Urban warfare and a sneak peek at a parachute

I may be a bit slack at posting but I am never idle. I have been in the sweatshop working away until my fingertips bleed. There are lot's of exciting ideas and projects coming up soon I hope that I can get out to you my little minions but for now you have to be content with a few crappy studio moments captured.

Here is a recent Recon Unit with utility belt. His specialty is Urban Warfare so I thought I had better give him some arsenal, hence the knife, explosives and random grappling hook. Oh yeah....

Lately I have been having heaps of fun with found objects and making weaponry and the like. I guess it's that Steampunk thing which I love.

And here is a new thing! Behold! HiiRagi Robots take to the air! I had hoped to have some more images of the robot insitu in the air but people keep buying them before I have a chance (Geez...) so hooked up in the studio it is.

I am currently working on soft parachutes aswell. I want then to be like those toy candy parachuters (spell check keeps telling me that 'parachuters is not a word, how can that be? What is the plural of parachuter then? A prime example of the rampant stupidity that runs riot in our society today that is.)that you can throw up in the air and they catch the air and float down. We shall see what happens with that one.

The Recon Unit Geisha: up close and personal

Sometimes when I look at my toys I think that I am too used to seeing them. I love hearing peoples feedback at the stall and emails, where a common one is the detail involved in them. So I thought perhaps I should try to show this a bit more in my photographs, and ta da! First up is the elusive Geisha....

Her description is:

The mysterious world of the Geisha. What secrets hide in the teahouses of Gion? Recon Unit goes undercover to discover the feminine skills behind bringing (salary) men to their kness with the flick of a wrist. This power must be harnessed for the HiiRagi cause.

And so behold!


oooooo...lovely ladies.....


I actually think their main secret lies in the beautiful red lips...


I actually use kimono silk for their dresses and then a beautiful shot silk for the obi. Feels and looks divine...


Another detail that only the geisha have is that they have two 'twinkle' spots in their eyes, if you look at all the other Recon Units, they have only one. I find two adds to the feminine allure...What do you think?

New toys in store

Two new toys are now available in the HiiRagi online store (as well as at Salamanca Market and the other ones popping up at the moment). They are:

RU1035: Ground Logistics. Yep, he has a belt with explosives and scars to match. Sexy stuff indeed.

OF2023: The Pilot. Goggles and a scarf, may sound new age SNAG but he's all robot. Goggles! That's all I can say.

Eyepatches. Yep. That's where it's at.

Another love of mine are eyepatches. Right from the pirate through to the hardened Vietnam Vet, I think they look way tough and, to some this may seem creepy, I always want to know what is underneath. Well, wonder no more! Recon Unit: Jungle will show you!

Here we have him all covered, with a very stylish eyepatch in classic black.

Then...TA! DA! Look! Scars!!! Lot's of scars!!!!! How frickin' tough is that?!

Makes you wonder what has happened to our poor little Recon Unit. Two words: The Jungle.

It's at times like this that I like to quote Grandmaster Flash It's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under

RU1028 Reporting

RU1028 went out into the world a little while ago, and he's certainly making quite an impression. Whilst awaiting my orders, he's been using...shall we say... a bit of initiative...I recently received this communication from him:

And this is why we will take over the WORLD.

Robots and Goggles

There have been some developments at HQ in the way of outfits and accessories for the Army, in particular Recon Units. When you are such an integral part of the Army you need cool tools and accessories to help get the job done. First up we have Goggles. I love goggles and they are an important part of any military or survival outfit. These are the first ones off the construction line and they will be further developed but it's a start.

In the jungle one day....

This guy is so ready for action! You can see him in the flesh at Spacebar Gallery.

HiiRagi likes Dunny

Dunny's have been around for a while, a revolutionary idea of creating blanks and then in an endless cycle of customisation create new cool examples.  Recently I found these guys through another great toy blog Toys R Evil.  

Aren't they ace? These guys are the Japanese-themed Shinto Gods of Lore: Fujin(Wind God) and Raijin (God of Thunder) along with their own cloud-bursts.  These were both commissioned from NY-based artist ZAM.  I love his take on this, particularly when you consider their typical imagery:

 It's always cool to see how people re-interpret and put their own style onto things, like Jamie Hewlett's 'Monkey' interpretation.  Anyway, this inspired me to go to the Dunny site and check out all the others that have been done.  These are my five favourite:

2Tone Dunny Series by Doktor A

Dunny Series 2010 by Sneaky Racoon

Dunny Fatale Series by Koralie

Shogun Blue by Huck Gee

Series 5 by Frank Kozik

So hard to pick just five!  I thoroughly recommend having a look, so much variation and talent in one place, just try and pick a favourite!