LOOSECOLLECTOR
There's not much I can say about LooseCollector that everyone in the hobby doesn't already know. Their work is, simply put, beautiful. When I first started toying (hehe, get it?) with the idea of making my own customs, I quickly came across LC's Figure Realm Page and was blown away. I told myself, "That is what I want to make." With his figures it's nearly impossible to tell what was from another figure and what was created from scratch. On top of the intricate sculpt work, the famous matte-metallic paint job given to each figure truley make them shine.
Creating beautiful figures aside, their professionalism and gratitude for their customers is something that we should all strive to achieve. Any character, fictional or real, and any style, realistic or a specific artist's representation, LC and his crew, Z-Dunk and Corvette, can do just about anything you ask of them. He's created several unique recipes that have been replicated on multiple occasions and his masterful craftsmanship is documented in Z-Dunks beautiful photography which only enhance the already fantastic pieces. I could say they've reached the pinnacle of the hobby, but that would be a disservice knowing that LC will continue to experiment, learn and reach new heights.
Below is a brief questionnaire so everyone can get to know LooseCollector a little more and understand why and how he does the fantastic work he does.
Creating beautiful figures aside, their professionalism and gratitude for their customers is something that we should all strive to achieve. Any character, fictional or real, and any style, realistic or a specific artist's representation, LC and his crew, Z-Dunk and Corvette, can do just about anything you ask of them. He's created several unique recipes that have been replicated on multiple occasions and his masterful craftsmanship is documented in Z-Dunks beautiful photography which only enhance the already fantastic pieces. I could say they've reached the pinnacle of the hobby, but that would be a disservice knowing that LC will continue to experiment, learn and reach new heights.
Below is a brief questionnaire so everyone can get to know LooseCollector a little more and understand why and how he does the fantastic work he does.
Q: Name:
A: Dave Cardenas
Q: Age:
A: 36
Q: Home:
A: Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines
Q: Day Job:
A: I own a few businesses. A restaurant (Japanese), Livestock (hog farm) and a buffet (fusion). Most think making custom figures is my job, but it’s actually my outlet from the stress of work. It’s more of a hobby, but let’s consider it a “side business” :)
Q: Art background (if any):
A: No arts background. Just constant practice and experimentation done diligently. I’ve been doing this for 9 years now, and you’d imagine how much injuries I got from the experimentation part :). "I have not failed. I've just found 10000 ways that won't work." – Thomas Edison
A: Dave Cardenas
Q: Age:
A: 36
Q: Home:
A: Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines
Q: Day Job:
A: I own a few businesses. A restaurant (Japanese), Livestock (hog farm) and a buffet (fusion). Most think making custom figures is my job, but it’s actually my outlet from the stress of work. It’s more of a hobby, but let’s consider it a “side business” :)
Q: Art background (if any):
A: No arts background. Just constant practice and experimentation done diligently. I’ve been doing this for 9 years now, and you’d imagine how much injuries I got from the experimentation part :). "I have not failed. I've just found 10000 ways that won't work." – Thomas Edison
Q: What got you into action figures and customizing action figures:
A: At first, I meant to make figures for my personal collection. When I started posting them online, I got a few commission requests and the business has been going on to this day. After 9 years, by God’s grace, Loosecollector Customs has become one of the most recognized names in the customized action figure game. We now do commissions, auctions, promotional items and also, prototypes for companies It was a solo venture for me (Loosecollector), until Z-Dunk (pics & website) and Corvette (prep work) joined me in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The team was glued together by our collective love of comic books, superheroes, action figures, and the arts.
A: At first, I meant to make figures for my personal collection. When I started posting them online, I got a few commission requests and the business has been going on to this day. After 9 years, by God’s grace, Loosecollector Customs has become one of the most recognized names in the customized action figure game. We now do commissions, auctions, promotional items and also, prototypes for companies It was a solo venture for me (Loosecollector), until Z-Dunk (pics & website) and Corvette (prep work) joined me in 2008 and 2009, respectively. The team was glued together by our collective love of comic books, superheroes, action figures, and the arts.
Q: Favorite Toy (something you've purchased):
A: I was 10 years old, from a poor but loving family. My mom got me my very first “branded” toy, Blizzard from the 3.75” GIJoe line. It was expensive for us back then, but she got it anyway. I love my mom. Today it’s tiny to my grown up hands, but I still have it and holds a very special place on my shelf.
Q: Favorite Toy Line:
A: Hands down, Marvel Legends
A: I was 10 years old, from a poor but loving family. My mom got me my very first “branded” toy, Blizzard from the 3.75” GIJoe line. It was expensive for us back then, but she got it anyway. I love my mom. Today it’s tiny to my grown up hands, but I still have it and holds a very special place on my shelf.
Q: Favorite Toy Line:
A: Hands down, Marvel Legends
Q: Personal Favorite Custom (something you've made):
A: Only one? That’s hard :). I will just name the first one off the top of my head. I will say, the latest Black Widow. She’s a landmark custom as it’s the first time I used my three new techniques (to date) in one figure. The new methods of airbrushing, metallic finish and make-up.
A: Only one? That’s hard :). I will just name the first one off the top of my head. I will say, the latest Black Widow. She’s a landmark custom as it’s the first time I used my three new techniques (to date) in one figure. The new methods of airbrushing, metallic finish and make-up.
Q: Best Compliment you've received on one of your creations:
A: Whenever we get something along these lines, “Awesome figure! I sure to do business again with you!”
Q: Best Criticism you've received on one of your creations:
A: I still remember the very first comment I got from a forum. It says, “Good figure. Keep it up!” It’s a simple feedback, but for a novice, the first part felt good and the second an inspiration to pursue the art.
A: Whenever we get something along these lines, “Awesome figure! I sure to do business again with you!”
Q: Best Criticism you've received on one of your creations:
A: I still remember the very first comment I got from a forum. It says, “Good figure. Keep it up!” It’s a simple feedback, but for a novice, the first part felt good and the second an inspiration to pursue the art.
Q: Personal Goals when creating:
A: One word… Quality. We don’t make much and we take time, but when we do, we make sure we make each one count. Like my hero Larry Bird. He doesn’t shoot too much, but when he lets go of the ball, it’s a quality basket. There’s a line on our website that says of our commitment to this artform… "Quality is our way of life".
Q: Favorite tools or medium when creating:
A: My weapon of choice are my fine, camel’s hair brushes. When you see the sharp lines on our figures, they were at work.
A: One word… Quality. We don’t make much and we take time, but when we do, we make sure we make each one count. Like my hero Larry Bird. He doesn’t shoot too much, but when he lets go of the ball, it’s a quality basket. There’s a line on our website that says of our commitment to this artform… "Quality is our way of life".
Q: Favorite tools or medium when creating:
A: My weapon of choice are my fine, camel’s hair brushes. When you see the sharp lines on our figures, they were at work.
Q: One tip about customizing that you would tell someone who's just started:
A: Take risks, ask the old guys, get injured, fail and get better. And when you think you have reached your full potential, don’t forget to look back and thank the people who got you there. Humility makes a man.
A: Take risks, ask the old guys, get injured, fail and get better. And when you think you have reached your full potential, don’t forget to look back and thank the people who got you there. Humility makes a man.
Q: Other hobbies:
A: Playing with my two little boys, cooking/eating/watching movies with the entire clan.
A: Playing with my two little boys, cooking/eating/watching movies with the entire clan.
Make sure to check out more of LooseCollector's work at LooseCollector.blogspot.com and his FigureRealm page.