Tell me something about you?
My name is Jeff DeSantis, but when I do toys I go by the name “BleedingEdges.” I’m a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. Most of my clients are music related, but I have done work for a variety of clients. I like to work with spray paint and stencils. I started doing stencils right after college to make t-shirts, then it eventually worked it’s way onto canvas. After about 6 years, I’m fairly comfortable with the medium. When I work on toys, I make a stencil out of blue painter’s tape and sometimes cut directly on the toy. I like how the spray paint lays on the vinyl, giving it an almost professionally manufactured look. I am involved in an art collective called the Autumn Society of Philadelphia. We’ve been having art shows fairly regularly, and have a blog where members can post their current work. I also pass time playing bass in WORMEATERS (http://myspace.com/wormeaters) and SPG (http://myspace.com/spgspecialpatrolgroup ), and have done the record covers/ layouts for both bands. I also sing in a new band called BLOODTYPE (http://myspace.com/bloodtypexxx).

What is your favorite DIY Toy?
 I’ve been trying various DIY vinyl platforms. Ideally what I look for is a surface that’s not too detailed and one that comes apart easily. The Munnys come apart very easily, and are so diverse that you can make a variety of different characters. I’ve only done a 5″ MAD*L, but it really made me want to do the larger 10″. The shape is so simple, yet so dynamic that it’s real fun. The worst one I’ve worked with was Bizarregoylz, the vinyl was flimsy and the paint took forever to dry.

Where you get your inspiration from?
My art style is heavily influenced by Pop Art (Warhol/ Lichtenstein), as well as art from punk flyers and album covers. Since I work in spray paint, when I was starting out I looked up to Shepard Fairey and Banksy. I try to bring the things I love into my art, whether it’s pirates or something related to hardcore/punk. I’m also a big fan of Mexican Dia de los Muertos style art and luchadors. Most of my toys have X’s on their hands as a tribute to the Straight Edge lifestyle. I myself am sXe, and feel that if Kozik’s toys can smoke mine can be EDGE.

Since when are you doing Vinyl toys?
I made my first Mini Munny when I got laid off from my full time job last October. At the time I had a few Dunnys, Mongers and some others. I bought one on a whim just to see what I can do with it, and have been hooked ever since. Not working a full time job has given me a lot more time to focus on my painting and illustration.

How large is your private Vinyl toy Collection?
I was about to say not very big, but as I look around my desk I’m surrounded by vinyl toys. I suppose if I had more room to display them my collection wouldn’t seem so big, but I’d say it’s a respectable size considering I’ve only been collecting for less than a year. My favorite is the “Something for Nothing” Hooded Zombie by Super 7. They had a promotion where if you lost your full time job and were unemployed, they would send you that toy for free. That’s probably the coolest thing any company could do!

What will be your next Project?
I’m currently working on a piece for the Autumn Society’s “8-Bit and Beyond” video game themed art show. We also have a Dia De Los Muertos themed show coming up in October that I’m very excited about. I also have 2 pieces in the Golden Age show currently on display at Brave New World Comics (http://www.bravenewworldscomics.com ) in Philadelphia, PA. My Bax Bear custom is currently on display at the Artist’s Eye (http://www.myspace.com/toygallery ) as part of their Bax Bear custom show, and won an honorable mention. I just finished 2 shirt designs for COKE BUST (http://www.myspace.com/cokebust ), which you can get on their US tour this summer. I’m also working on the record cover art for the Wormeaters. I’m also collaborating on a series of resin figures with Sandtastic Toys. They’re doing the sculpting, and I’m designing the backer cards. Similar to the style of the Sucklord’s bootleg figures, these are figures of rocker cliches. Our toy first will be the Emo Kid. At least I’m currently working on 2 custom Mallows for Shocker Toys to be on display at SDCC.

http://bleedingedges.net
http://bleedingedges.net/blog
http://twitter.com/BleedingEdges
http://theautumnsociety.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleedingedges