Jungle Interview: Spencer Davis, Booty Babe Art
by Massive Voodoo
Good Morning Jungle,
today with something different but yet very cool we are sure of.
A Jungle Interview with Spencer Davis, Artist and Owner of Booty Babe Art.
Spencer took the time to answer some jungle questions aimed at him and about his beautiful range of custom toys, volouptous ladies in all kind of fashion and styles.
Custom Toys? But Massive Voodoo is about Miniature Painting and Sculpting. Fair enough, you are right, but frankly you will see that our miniature hobby is connected with many other interesting communities outtthere, not only our own.
Enjoy this first one of many different Jungle Interviews to come.
Thank you Spencer for your time and answers.
Homepage: Booty Babe Art
Facebook: Booty Babe Art by Spencer Davis
________________________________________________________________________________
1. Tell us a bit about yourself, about the person behind "Booty Babe Art"?
Yeah, as my Bio states: I was born in Los Angeles, but I grew up in rural Oregon. I think this is relevant to the story of Booty Babe Art because I was mostly growing up with other thin, white people. The girls I knew growing up ran on the cross country team or played volleyball. So it wasn't until much later that I would discover ...booty :)
2. How did you come to make sculptures of such voluptuous cool looking ladies? When did this become your passion and when did you turn it into your work? Tell us about the story of "Booty Babe Art"?
Well, I studied Industrial Design in college. So I am an artist but I am also thinking about art in terms of objects or commercial products that can be reproduced. When I was working in the toy industry I was also mixing with people of different disciplines, for example marketing, sculpting, engineering. It ALL interested me. I wanted to know how to take the concept from a sketch on a napkin to a packaged product on store shelves. But I had a particular interest in the process of making something tangible with my hands. So about two years into my career as a toy designer I made an effort to sculpt my first 'fantasy figure.' I used a skinny fashion doll as an armature basically, because my process is very 'hit and miss.' I'm slow. I make a lot of changes, and if I want, I can always run it through a bandsaw to tweak things and change the pose. It was also at approximately this time in my life that I realized that I am really into curvy women. I mean I have always loved Frank Frazetta's female characters. (Some of the female sprinters on the University track team raised some eyebrows too.)
But it was a chance encounter with a certain adult magazine, featuring women of 'color' that really opened my eyes. It was then that I discovered that I was one of the, perhaps not mainstream, but nonetheless very enthusiastic admirers of thick women. So once I had completed that first sculpt, I started selling them as resin model kits on eBay. Then I showed them at group art shows in Southern California, where the lowbrow art scene was in full swing. All of the feedback that I got from shopping them around informed my decision to take a huge leap of faith. And since I was not married and had no children at the time, I made a quick decison to go ahead and produce 3,000 statues(!) It was then that I realized, "Oh crap! Now I need to figure out how to market and sell these!"
3. What could be of big interest for the readers of MV: Do you work also in smaller scales?
I would very much like to. I'd like to do a series of more collectible, 3" inch figures or even a minifigure. I recognize that the 1:6 scale, statues are getting up there in price range. And that is going to prohibit some people from 'collecting.'
4. We have seen that you also paint, convert and even dress your sculpted models. There are many different versions and cool ideas executed. How do you plan such a unique version of a piece?
Many times the process is opportunistic. I surround myself with a lot of inspiring materials. Sometimes it's literally just juxtapositioning a few elements like, "Hey, I put this together with this and made this!" So sometimes the idea comes together fast, when I have all the pieces at my finger tips. Other times however, I have a clear idea in mind and it's a struggle to come up with the 'best' solution to make your idea a reality; Sometimes you are lucky and find a store-bought item that serves your needs. Other times you just have to make it from scratch, which of course takes a huge amount of time.
5. What is your personal favourite of your work so far and why?
One of my all-time favorites will always be "Pride of the Masai". There is something about very dark African skin tones that is very exotic and beautiful to me. I took a lot of care in making that one right and you can see it right down to the sacral (butt dimples) and fair palms. I'm still impressed that I was able to get that level of bead work from a production piece.
6. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Oh, these days - social media, magazines, going to the gym (believe it or not.) When I lived in SoCal (Southern California) I used to go to Venice Beach A LOT. I would rollerblade there and people watch and take pictures. Humanity is beautiful. I like architecture too. But there is nothing more beautiful than the variety of human.
7. Do you have rituals like music or something else if you are on the search for a new and unique idea?
I find that the best way to get inspired is to travel.
8. Your favourite song of all time?
Wow... Probably something Depeche Mode or Rage Against the Machine... I'm sorry I can't narrow it down to just one. I do love to listen to music though, when I work, ..or late night talk shows. I DVR them all.
9. Tell us your most crazy moment you have encountered with your work at "Booty Babe Art"?
Some women send me nude photos of themselves and it's like, "Here is what I look like naked. Now can you sculpt me?" And they will go into details about how they want their pubic region... stylized. I assume that doesn't happen to most people. I have received some pretty odd requests. But then again, the guy who first requested "giant areolas" had a good point: If a woman has giant boobs, there is a good chance that she may also have giant areolas. I don't judge :)
9. Your recommendation for someone who is interested in sculpting and wants to improve in that field?
Practice, practice, practice. It's like playing the guitar, or speaking a foreign language. You'll only get good if you dive in and do it. And furthermore, do it regularly. You will probably be able to sculpt as well as you draw. So if you have a good eye for drawing you are half way there. Then you just need to get used to the materials and the tools.
10. When and where is the next event "Booty Babe Art" is present?
Ah, thank you for asking. On November 8th and 9th I will have a booth at the 2014 Designer con, in Pasadena, CA. I like Comic-con but I actually like this convention even better, because it is specific to artists who create collectible, 3D toy / art. By that time I should have my six NEW Kickstarter funded statues delivered and in stock. And by the way, I have just launched a presale offer: FREE SHIPPING for all sales during the month of October(!)
Spencer Davis
Homepage: Booty Babe Art
Facebook: Booty Babe Art by Spencer Davis
__________________________________________________________________________
Keep on happy sculpting and painting
and may the booty spirit always be with you!
Best Wishes and thank you for your time, Spencer.
Want to read more interviews like this one?
today with something different but yet very cool we are sure of.
A Jungle Interview with Spencer Davis, Artist and Owner of Booty Babe Art.
Spencer took the time to answer some jungle questions aimed at him and about his beautiful range of custom toys, volouptous ladies in all kind of fashion and styles.
Custom Toys? But Massive Voodoo is about Miniature Painting and Sculpting. Fair enough, you are right, but frankly you will see that our miniature hobby is connected with many other interesting communities outtthere, not only our own.
Enjoy this first one of many different Jungle Interviews to come.
Thank you Spencer for your time and answers.
Homepage: Booty Babe Art
Facebook: Booty Babe Art by Spencer Davis
________________________________________________________________________________
1. Tell us a bit about yourself, about the person behind "Booty Babe Art"?
Yeah, as my Bio states: I was born in Los Angeles, but I grew up in rural Oregon. I think this is relevant to the story of Booty Babe Art because I was mostly growing up with other thin, white people. The girls I knew growing up ran on the cross country team or played volleyball. So it wasn't until much later that I would discover ...booty :)
2. How did you come to make sculptures of such voluptuous cool looking ladies? When did this become your passion and when did you turn it into your work? Tell us about the story of "Booty Babe Art"?
Well, I studied Industrial Design in college. So I am an artist but I am also thinking about art in terms of objects or commercial products that can be reproduced. When I was working in the toy industry I was also mixing with people of different disciplines, for example marketing, sculpting, engineering. It ALL interested me. I wanted to know how to take the concept from a sketch on a napkin to a packaged product on store shelves. But I had a particular interest in the process of making something tangible with my hands. So about two years into my career as a toy designer I made an effort to sculpt my first 'fantasy figure.' I used a skinny fashion doll as an armature basically, because my process is very 'hit and miss.' I'm slow. I make a lot of changes, and if I want, I can always run it through a bandsaw to tweak things and change the pose. It was also at approximately this time in my life that I realized that I am really into curvy women. I mean I have always loved Frank Frazetta's female characters. (Some of the female sprinters on the University track team raised some eyebrows too.)
But it was a chance encounter with a certain adult magazine, featuring women of 'color' that really opened my eyes. It was then that I discovered that I was one of the, perhaps not mainstream, but nonetheless very enthusiastic admirers of thick women. So once I had completed that first sculpt, I started selling them as resin model kits on eBay. Then I showed them at group art shows in Southern California, where the lowbrow art scene was in full swing. All of the feedback that I got from shopping them around informed my decision to take a huge leap of faith. And since I was not married and had no children at the time, I made a quick decison to go ahead and produce 3,000 statues(!) It was then that I realized, "Oh crap! Now I need to figure out how to market and sell these!"
3. What could be of big interest for the readers of MV: Do you work also in smaller scales?
I would very much like to. I'd like to do a series of more collectible, 3" inch figures or even a minifigure. I recognize that the 1:6 scale, statues are getting up there in price range. And that is going to prohibit some people from 'collecting.'
4. We have seen that you also paint, convert and even dress your sculpted models. There are many different versions and cool ideas executed. How do you plan such a unique version of a piece?
Many times the process is opportunistic. I surround myself with a lot of inspiring materials. Sometimes it's literally just juxtapositioning a few elements like, "Hey, I put this together with this and made this!" So sometimes the idea comes together fast, when I have all the pieces at my finger tips. Other times however, I have a clear idea in mind and it's a struggle to come up with the 'best' solution to make your idea a reality; Sometimes you are lucky and find a store-bought item that serves your needs. Other times you just have to make it from scratch, which of course takes a huge amount of time.
5. What is your personal favourite of your work so far and why?
One of my all-time favorites will always be "Pride of the Masai". There is something about very dark African skin tones that is very exotic and beautiful to me. I took a lot of care in making that one right and you can see it right down to the sacral (butt dimples) and fair palms. I'm still impressed that I was able to get that level of bead work from a production piece.
"Pride of the Masai"
6. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Oh, these days - social media, magazines, going to the gym (believe it or not.) When I lived in SoCal (Southern California) I used to go to Venice Beach A LOT. I would rollerblade there and people watch and take pictures. Humanity is beautiful. I like architecture too. But there is nothing more beautiful than the variety of human.
7. Do you have rituals like music or something else if you are on the search for a new and unique idea?
I find that the best way to get inspired is to travel.
8. Your favourite song of all time?
Wow... Probably something Depeche Mode or Rage Against the Machine... I'm sorry I can't narrow it down to just one. I do love to listen to music though, when I work, ..or late night talk shows. I DVR them all.
9. Tell us your most crazy moment you have encountered with your work at "Booty Babe Art"?
Some women send me nude photos of themselves and it's like, "Here is what I look like naked. Now can you sculpt me?" And they will go into details about how they want their pubic region... stylized. I assume that doesn't happen to most people. I have received some pretty odd requests. But then again, the guy who first requested "giant areolas" had a good point: If a woman has giant boobs, there is a good chance that she may also have giant areolas. I don't judge :)
9. Your recommendation for someone who is interested in sculpting and wants to improve in that field?
Practice, practice, practice. It's like playing the guitar, or speaking a foreign language. You'll only get good if you dive in and do it. And furthermore, do it regularly. You will probably be able to sculpt as well as you draw. So if you have a good eye for drawing you are half way there. Then you just need to get used to the materials and the tools.
10. When and where is the next event "Booty Babe Art" is present?
Ah, thank you for asking. On November 8th and 9th I will have a booth at the 2014 Designer con, in Pasadena, CA. I like Comic-con but I actually like this convention even better, because it is specific to artists who create collectible, 3D toy / art. By that time I should have my six NEW Kickstarter funded statues delivered and in stock. And by the way, I have just launched a presale offer: FREE SHIPPING for all sales during the month of October(!)
Spencer Davis
Homepage: Booty Babe Art
Facebook: Booty Babe Art by Spencer Davis
__________________________________________________________________________
Keep on happy sculpting and painting
and may the booty spirit always be with you!
Best Wishes and thank you for your time, Spencer.
Want to read more interviews like this one?
Great to take a look on other forms of art, not just on "usual" miniatures. An unpainted Version of this fish (koi?) Girl would be great :)
Yeah i would really like to buy the koi-girl version in some smaller scale. Around 70 mm would be great!
Wow, incredibly small world. I used to work with Spencer back in his corporate days. Glad he's still out there kicking with his labor of love.
I love these. For once something that glorifies MY kind of body figure. LOL.