SPLICED Magazine Issue 02 Dec/Jan 2014 | Page 35

SPLICED LIFE / ISSUE 02 CREATIVE PROFILE / JASON FREENY Nemo Barbie SM: Can you walk us briefly through your design process? From how you get the concept to the stunning piece of art we end up seeing. JF: It starts with a well-built toy purchased from a store. I like interesting shapes that will result in interesting skeletal systems. First the toy is roughly cut open in the manner I want it to display its innards. The hollow of the toy is filled with either clay or expanding foam depending on its size. The opening I've cut is then cleaned and smoothed with sandpaper. I start with a chosen piece of anatomy, usually the rib cage or skull creating the basic form of the part. The clay I use allows me about 40 minutes to sculpt before it becomes difficult to work with because of hardening. Once I get the section I am sculpting into the shape I want the piece is set aside to harden until the next day. This is repeated over and over, day after day until all the parts are finished, usually taking about 4-6 weeks. The piece is then sanded smooth and painted through a combination of airbrushing and hand painting. SM: Is there an anatomical sculpture you’ve been dying to work on but was too daunting to think about or start? A massive robot T-Rex with lasers would be epic! JF: I would love to do some life sized toys, giant 5 foot pieces but I need someone to commission such a colossal piece first... SM: What’s next for you? JF:Expanding into my own characters and more abstract original pieces.  You can find more of Jason’s work here: www.moistproduction.com or follow him on Facebook, facebook.com/pages/Jason-Freeny or Twitter https://twitter.com/freeny 35