Photography By Liza Garibaldi characters . I ’ ve tried unsuccessfully for many years to work for Disney , so it pretty much just became a hobby ,” said Mark . Then in 2008 that all changed .
Disney released Vinylmations . Disney encouraged people to create their own designs on these Mickey Mouse shaped 3D vinyl figures . The very first Vinylmation ever released was a white , blank three-inch vinyl figure that debuted in November of 2008 during the Disney World ’ s annual Festival of the Masters in Downtown Disney . The first Vinylmation set , released in December of 2008 , included a dozen 3 ” figures and six 9 ” figures all in the shape of Mickey Mouse . The designs included Figment and Kermit the Frog , Creepy Wallpaper from The Haunted Mansion , and the Red Balloon Chaser figure -- a Mickey Mouse figure with a red balloon head and cloud painted body now selling on some collector sites for $ 400 and up .
When Disney released the new Vinalmation series , Mark had the opportunity to finally fulfill his Disney dream in a roundabout way . In 2011 , a blank Vinalmation was sitting on his desk . Mark said , “ One day I decided to paint Ariel , from The Little Mermaid on it . I posted it on my Facebook page to share with friends and a collector saw it and asked if it was for sale . The thought of selling it never crossed my mind . By
the end of the day and many inquiries later I decided to do a little research on custom Vinylmations . To my surprise , there was a huge community of artists painting these 3 ” and 9 ” inch figures . I did sell the Ariel with a follow up of Belle , from Beauty and the Beast ; she sold instantly . Before I knew it , I was making a list of orders .” Mark now has a Facebook Page , which currently has almost 7,300 followers .
Today these Vinalmaytions are known as Create Your Own ( CYO ) Vinylmations , and are sold in 3 ” and 9 ” sizes , in a variety of colors , and even in a glow-in-the-dark version . Mark just completed a Lilo and Stitch piece that he has wanted to paint for some time . It wasn ’ t for a customer ; he made it for himself simply because he ’ s passionate about all things Disney ( since childhood ) and can ’ t seem to get away from it . And why try ? It is the magical kingdom after all .
“ I ’ ve just always loved it . I remember watching The Mickey Mouse Club as a child and every Sunday night watching Wonderful World of Color . I remember my very first trip to Disneyland . I get that exact same feeling to this day every time I visit the park . It truly is magical .” Perhaps every time he picks up his paintbrush he is transformed to the gates of the magical kingdom and back to his childhood – back to that time of simple wonder , joy , and excitement .
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