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It’s time for that second, promised interview! Without further ado, unfiltered and almost-live, I give you… Glassman!

First, what’s your secret identity? What does Glassman do when he’s not customizing toys?

If I told you my secret identity, my enemies would hurt the ones I love to get to me. Seriously, anyone who’s received a package from me knows I’m mild mannered Greg Glasgow. I am an Architect by day and a full-time husband and father of two.

How long have you been collecting toys? (Assuming you still do, of course.)

When I went away to college, my parents gave away all my childhood toys. My vintage Star Wars figures were among those toys. So I started my collection in 1996, when Kenner rebooted their Star Wars line. I had to get back all the figures I loved as a child. Now it’s become a monster I can’t control. Help…

When and how did you start creating customized figures? Who or what was an early influence?

I actually customized as a kid in the early 80’s. I didn’t know it was customizing, but I would hack off heads and paint figures with whiteout and sharpies. I made Han Solo in Stormtrooper disguise, Super Articulated Luke by swapping his head and putting it on a G.I. Joe figure, so I was a bit before my time.

I officially got into it back in 2002. Being a huge Star Wars fan, I followed the characters in the “Expanded Universe” through books. I wanted characters from the books on my shelf with my ever growing Star Wars collection. I made Mara Jade and the Solo Kids ( Jacen, Jaina and Anakin). I then got a visual reference guide and that was all she wrote. I used it to start making a lot of custom figures, and haven’t looked back.

I really hit my stride after learning from Bantha5 and Ricky UK. I wanted to make figures the way they did. They sculpted and made casts, and their figures looked awesome. I wanted mine to look and feel like the store bought toys so I asked them how they did what they do. They were both kind enough to answer any and every question I had.

You’ve created Star Wars customs, Timm-verse stuff, real people, Bugs Bunny (!), and recently I’ve even seen a Christopher Reeve Superman from you. How do you decide what style or project to tackle next?

I was mainly a Star Wars customizer until Hasbro started making Expanded Universe figures. Since I was eventually gonna get the characters I wanted, I switched to customizing other lines I collect. I eventually would like to fill holes in my Batman, Superman and Spiderman animated lines. The Chris Reeve Supes came from wanting him in 3 ¾” scale. That is mainly the size I collect. I go where I’m needed, so If a character needs to be made, I’ll do it no matter the style. I often take commissions from other styles.

You’ve created some impressive original sculpts. Do you have a background with sculpting?

Nope, no background in sculpting, that’s just a natural artistic talent I have. Wow, that sounds so arrogant! I have always sketched super heros since I was a child, so I can draw.

I’ve dabbled in painting as well. I make 3d renderings for buildings we design at my day job, so translating stuff from 2D to 3D is something I do all the time.I had never sculpted anything before I got into customizing. I jumped into sculpting feet first. My Kenny Baker sculpt was my first attempt at sculpting anything other than hair or straps on customs. Wait, does paper machete projects in grade school count?

How do you approach an original sculpt, especially the numerous head sculpts? Is there a tried and true method that works for you?

The only methodic thing I do is gather a lot of reference pics. I go and download everything I can find for whatever character I have in mind. I then make a Photoshop montage of the character and print those to hang in front of me on my board to use as reference. I also will make a wax cast of an existing head so that I have the scale pretty accurate. After that, I just go to work.

Is there a “typical” process for figure creation for you, from idea to finished product? Or is any such process too organic to be defined?

After I got into mold making and casting, the process sort of created itself. I sculpt something, make a mold of it, cast parts, assemble and paint. That’s my usual process. Even if its just a complicated “head swap” which is what I call something like my Chris Reeve figure. I sculpted the head, but used a Marvel Universe body for everything else. Technically, that’s a head swap, right?

Do you prefer sculpting/shaping/assembling a figure, or painting? Why?

I love the satisfaction of a completed sculpt. More so, I love to hear my wife come to my lab and say “Wow hun, that looks just like him.” I feel like I accomplished something when I get a close enough likeness to call it “finished.”

What is your favorite aspect of customizing? Least favorite?

Oddly enough, my favorite part of customizing is the custom packaging. Making the cardback look exactly like the factory ones so you can’t tell the difference if you didn’t know it was a custom, that’s what I like the most.

Least favorite is easily making molds!!!!!!!!!! I actually don’t like that part, but its become a necessary evil, so I do what I have to, to get the results I’m after.

What is your preferred sculpting medium?

I sculpt with wax. Bantha5 developed a wax formula that is similar to what Hasbro used for its sculpts. So that’s what I use for my original sculpts. For additive sculpting directly onto figures, I use apoxie sculpt.

What is your preferred paint?

Testor’s Model Masters Acrylics. I’ve tried others that some great customizers rave about, but I have always liked the Model Masters best.

How and when did you develop an interest in molding and casting?

Once Bantha5 introduced me to sculpting with wax, I had to learn the molding and casting process because paint wont stick to the wax sculpts. For the longest time, I made figures just for me. I would make molds with household items like silicone window caulk. It worked great. I eventually gave in to the many requests for casts of things I created. I then got into RTV molds and different casting resins fully.

When did your website gallery go online? What was the inspiration?

I created my website back in 2004. There was a website that people would send their customs to and the creator of that site would create a page for you to display your work. Well, he took a year to create my page after numerous emails and another 4-5 months for one update, I decided I needed to make my own site to display my figures. The inspiration was Star wars packaging. I originally wanted something that looked like a cardback, and the figure would be displayed on the cardback. The site evolved from that. I moved away from that literally but kept the “theme”.

You’ve been around long enough to see changes in the hobby (personnel, attitudes, technology). What changes have you perceived?

Yes, I’ve seen a lot of greats come and go. I’ve also seen this go from a hobby to a business. Unfortunately due to economic reasons a lot of people have disappeared, and ebay has made some customizers feel the need to compete with each other. I still feel there are enough customers to go around and enough characters too.

A Timm-verse show as we define it hasn’t been on the air in years, and now the toy line is about to dry up, presumably for the last time. What kind of impact do you think that will have on our hobby in this style?

I actually think it will be a boost to JLU customizing. Super Powers is still around, so why cant JLU customs be around for ten more years. There are way too many characters that haven’t been made yet to just walk away. I think the customizers in this hobby will whittle down a bit because of fodder, but with people selling off their collections I think fodder will be around for as long as people want it.

What challenges, if any, do you want to tackle in regards to customs? (Techniques? Characters? Styles? Etc.)

I would love to get my hands on a 3D printer. As I said, I work with 3D software for a living, so I think I would have fun with 3D software and a 3d printer. I’d love to see what I could create with those tools. Then I would be able to eliminate the molding and casting process… Sculpt, scan and Ctrl+P ( at least that’s my dream).

What does your family think of this unique hobby?

My wife thinks it cool and she’s the one who pushed me to the business side of it. My son always thought it was cool and my daughter just wants me to give her “stickers” whenever I’m working on something. (I have a bunch of logos and emblems printed on label paper that I use for character emblems. So she’s always asking me to cut one out for her.)

How do you manage your time between “real life” and projects?

Scissors cuts paper, paper covers rock, and “real life” trumps customizing every time. So customizing takes a back seat. I usually work when everyone is asleep or when everyone has their own agenda for Saturday and Sunday.

Do you have a dedicated workspace? What’s it like?

Yes, when we bought our house, the previous owner left a desk in the basement. As soon as I saw it, I said “That’s gonna be my work area.” So I built my work area around it.

Do you have any other hobbies or interests you’d care to admit to?

I mentioned that I like to draw and paint, but I rarely get time for that. I dabble in music a bit as well. Oh and I am almost a professional TV watcher. All I need is someone to pay me to do it and I’d make a career of that.

Any final thoughts you’d like to share?

I only wanna add, that I’m honored to asked to be part of your blog. I think its really cool that you are spotlighting other customizers as you could totally fill it with enough of your own awesomeness. Thanks Cas.

 

Glassman can be contacted via email at glassman6@hotmail.com.   And one can marvel at his customs here.

 

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