Kickstarter

Speed Racer is my first recollection of anime and manga type art. I have particularly fond memories from traveling in Japan and seeing many woodblock prints and individual artisans working on unique wood carvings in the mountains. Anime, of course, one sees everywhere as the graphic novel is one a mainstay in the Japanese reader's diet. 

This project is focused on getting materials to make fun stuff. I have access to a laser cutter (and can rent a CNC Router by the hour) and want to share the time, so to speak. Materials can be expensive and my goal here is to buy enough material that lets me make some mistakes without worrying too much about the cost. I'm a careful woodworker and measure three times and four times before cutting, but the laser takes some learning. Sure, its precise, but things happen and you cut where you meant to engrave or vice versa and then the piece is toast...

Here is an original of the Kanagawa Wave woodblock:

Not long ago, I discovered that many of the famous woodblock prints are in the public domain and I started working on modifying them so that they could be reproduced on a laser cutter. Some of them work out well with a bit of modification; others take a ton of work. And some sadly can't be re-created on the laser cutter. Thankfully, many of them are working out and look wonderful.

Here is one of the blue acrylic engravings and another in MDF (three pictured here are different power/speed/DPI settings), and finally one in maple wood that I did last week.

There is not much anime-style art in the public domain, and I'm trying to create some original, yet simple anime-style pieces that would engrave or cut well. If I find an anime artist willing to share some designs or perhaps sell the rights for a limited number of prints, I'll let you know that immediately. Until then, I'm creating anime elements from scratch or reproducing public domain works that look good on the small tiles and make fun collectibles or knock-about pieces of everyday art. In a public library workshop I was part of, people swarmed around the samples we had out on the table and the anime "eye" and "girl" that are pictured here were the most popular. 

In the video, you'll see the blue acrylic of this character. And here is a wood version of the anime eye that I'm working on drawing, then engraving, in different ways. 

I hope some of these rewards appeal to you and that you'll consider backing this project. Please tell your friends, too, if you think they'd enjoy it. Thanks for reading and watching. I will post an update on Day #2 with links and more photos of the anime and woodblock art. 

To the Laser Cutter!

TJ

*Restriction:  I made a note in the rewards around custom art. I'm happy to customize the reward, however, the art, image, whatever it is -- must belong to you. I'm not interested in a copyright battle. You must own it. And it must not be obscene in any way. I reserve final right to reject a customization. I'm a pretty reasonable guy, though, so don't worry. Email me before you back the project if you have concerns.