Trampt at NYCC October 19 2011 | Wednesday at 11:34 PM

I really want to document the experience we had this year while it's fresh in my mind, but frankly there's so much that I don't even know where to begin. This trip was not at all about Short Army but all about Trampt, so if you're not up on things please follow Trampt on Twitter or Facebook or go to Trampt.com and register. There is so much great art to be passionate about out there in the nether and I love seeing it slowly congregating around me (or actually around Keegan, but I try to stand really close). This post will serve as a list of things and people I want to write more about later, and I'll punctuate heavily with pictures where possible to make it interesting. It was such a remarkable trip, largely because of the great people we got to meet. As usual, while Keegan and Blake did the hard stuff I was delegated some of the gopher duties, which afforded me the opportunity to do my favorite thing: chit chat. 

It was actually not intended to be such a conversation-starter, but rather just a souvenir of what we knew damn well would be a memorable experience, yet it proved to be fantastic as both. I spent about three hours getting the logo to look just right on it, and considering the names that we have adorning it now, I'm glad I spent the time so as not to embarrass myself. This Munny looks very different now, but I'll post about that separately. 

The first peeps I want to shout out to are Jon-Paul Kaiser and his sweet wife Kelly. Although this picture looks like it was taken in 1976, it was actually taken last Friday with my phone after Jon was kind enough to tattoo our Munny and have a shiny scalp-off for the camera. Not only were he and Kelly some of the loveliest, sweetest, most charming people one could hope to meet (with fantastic accents, to boot!) but they were also very open about Jon's experiences as a designer vinyl collector, customizer, and now production artist. He was kind enough to let me interview him (something I had only done once before the previous evening, and have a lot to learn about) which I'll transcribe and post later, and taught us so very much about the great prestige and minuscule rewards of being a toy artist (also something you'll see me posting more about). I can't wait until we have the opportunity to spend more time with them. Jon is not only a great inspiration to anyone who likes to art, but he and Kelly are also just a mighty fine couple to eat your dinner by. Cheers, mate! 

If you want to see some of JPK's fine works click here: http://trampt.com/artists/348/jon-paul-kaiser/items

This dude up here is Tharp. He and his wife were in the booth across from ours and were AWESOME booth neighbors. We made mocking faces at the hilarious antics of other booth operators, helped each-other out when it was time to take it all down, and he too was brave enough to submit to an interview. My first one ever. Not only does he make killer tees and books, but his customs reflect his very unique and adorable sketching style. I loved talking to this man, most of all, because he cracked me up!

If you know anything at all about toys, even the tiniest bit, you probably know of Jeremy Madl aka MAD. He's a veteran Dunny-er, his toy namesake MAD*L is still insanely popular, and the new toy I just got for my collection - the Mork Prisoner 913 is spectacular. Moreover, he not only did a badass job on our Munny's left sleeve, but he also shot the shit with me while he did it. Plus when we saw him that night at the Toy Tokyo party (yes it was invite-only, yes I begged for an invite, and no I have no shame at all) he remembered me and hung out with us outside smoking cigarettes and delighting us with tales of creating art, international manufacturing, and raising four kids. Yup, this guy wins at everything. He also made some funny off-the-cuff yet poignant points about the anti-greenness that our beloved toys represent, and I'd love to elaborate on that in a post-to-be-made-later as well. 

I only have two more images left and they're both quickies. Shawnimal... thanks for remembering that we've met before. You're rad and I love your beard. 

Also congratulations to all the winners of this last giveaway. There are many many more coming in the future. Still hurts to have parted with that Sergio Mini Munny. 

Goodnight everybody.