Well, I (plowking) finally get a turn at introducing a Featured Radicon! This month's featured Radicon in none other than Warmachine.
Warmachine has been a staple in this community for quite some time. His talent can easily be seen in his custom work, as he has never produced a sub-par piece. He has done some of everything from KISS action figures to Star Wars Transformers. His work speaks for itself. I remember when I first saw his Alt Wheeljack custom, and his BT Dragstrip . . . I knew that this man had some serious talent. Then he took it one step beyond with his Alt Insecticons. I can say that I know I was floored when I saw Warmachine's Alt Insecticons.
When Warmachine took a break from the Custom/Bashing scene, I truly missed seeing his works. Then one day I saw Alt Ironhide on eBay, and I knew Warmachine was back. He has come back to the community, just as talented as ever, cranking out customs from other lines that blew me away all over again . . . that "outside of the box/wow factor" that I have strived to accomplish myself.
Warmachine, it is my honor to present you to the Radicon Community as our April Featured Radicon! Congratulations, man!
Warmachine and his wife Interview R: Tell us a little about yourself.
WM: Let`s see, I'm 35 years old. I've got three great kids. I work as a dental ceramist/dental lab technician and I am currently an Army Reservist. I was active duty for 11 ½ years but got tired of moving myself and my family around every 2-3 years. I now live with my family in the Maryland suburbs about 45 miles from Wash. D.C. When not working and not taking care of the kids I use my free time to take some classes or have fun modeling/kitbashing or exercising and or doing some kind of sports activity.
R: What got you into the art of kitbashing?
WM: As far as Transformers go it started when I was in Toys R Us or somewhere and noticed these things called Transformers Alternators. These things were the coolest Transformers I had seen in a long time and I started to research more about them online and happened to stumble across some Transformers fan sites. I couldn't get enough of them. Then while lurking I happen to stumble on this Transformer titled ”Alt Custom Wheeljack” by none other than Viagra Prime. He did a complete re-shell and upgraded this character perfectly. This kitbash floored me and inspired me to try my own but with a different take. And that`s how I came up with the idea for my custom Alt Wheeljack. Then of course one thing leads to another and another and another. Lobo was another one who inspired me to do more. His work was great too. Both of those guys possess engineering skills I wish I had. I'm more into custom heads and the painting.
R: Why do you like kitbashing?
WM: It's fun to see what I can create or how far I can take something. Sometimes I don't like the end result and other times I surprise myself.
R: How long have you been into kitbashing?
WM: I was a huge KISS fan because of the mystique behind the band in the 70's and early 80's before the make-up came off. When they reunited in the mid 90's I use to customize KISS action figures w/custom guitars and drum kits or custom stages they use to play on in the early days. So technically I guess I started in the mid 90's w/action figures.
R: How did you get to your level of customizing?
WM: Practice, practice, practice. Cutting myself, dropping my exacto knife blade into my leg and having to go to the E.R. for stitches. Fun stuff like that. Learning as I go, asking questions from others, or reading tutorials online helps too.
R: Did you have any formal training and/or previous experience in your background? What have been some useful resources for your artwork that you suspect others are unaware of?
WM: I've always been into models and custom action figures or AD&D figures so the painting came pretty quick to me. The engineering aspect of
TF's I'm still trying to learn.
R: What are some of your short-term goals as a kitbasher? What is your ultimate goal as a kitbasher? Do you have a dream project, and if so, what is it?
WM: I would love to have a full scale 1:1 version of the
G1 combiner Bruticus in my backyard w/more detailed paint apps of course.
R: What other hobbies do you have, if any?
WM: I enjoy biking, softball, snowboarding, skateboarding, golfing and grilling whenever I get the time.
R: Do you have any advice for up-and-coming kitbashers?
Practice. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Experiment with junker toys.
R: What is your inspiration for your projects? What influences your character choices?
WM: All things
G1. Yes, there are many other cool
TF lines out there but I will always have the fondest memories of
G1. I grew up watching and reading about the classic characters and always admired several of their personalities and designs.
R: Who are some of your favorite kitbashers and inspirations?
WM: Their a lot of good guys out there but I've got to give up to Viagra Prime, Lobo, with Mark from Mark'sProjects (Anemis), Jin [Saotome]'s got some good stuff and The guy who makes
TF's into zombies or battle damaged TFs. I think his name is Transtorture or something like that. [TheTransTorture]
R: What figure has been your favorite to work on so far? Why?
WM: My Alt Insecticons were a lot of fun to do and came out pretty close to what I had envisioned:
WM: My top choice would probably have to be my Alt Wheeljack. A lot of love went into that one. Plus I learned a lot on that one.
http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-...ech/Wheeljack/ R: How long does it typically take you to complete a project from start to finish?
WM: With work, family and school your guess is as good as mine. Depends on the time of year or what's coming up the following week. Or just plain old procrastination sets in. My Alt Insecticons took a year cause I was so busy that year whereas my Alt Wheeljack took a month.
.
R: Favorite TF character?
WM: Awww . . . just one!
G1 Optimus Prime. Then Mirage, Skywarp, and The Combaticons (Bruticus).
R: Favorite series?
WM:
G1 of course. Animated is up there as well since it is basically updated
G1.
R: Favorite toy (non-custom)?
WM: Masterpiece Optimus Prime will always be my favorite since he is one of my favorite characters and what he stood for. Plus the engineering behind the toy and the overall detail and cartoon likeness of him.
R: What was your first customs project that you worked on? Any memorable stories to share?
WM: I would have to say a 12” Bram Stokers Dracula PVC figure in red armor modded into a 1982 version of Gene Simmons depicted in his “Creatures of the Night” stage outfit in dragon boots w/custom battle axe bass guitar.
R: What are your favorite movies/TV shows?
WM: I love a good horror, action, or comedy. History and Discovery channel. I love watching and theorizing about LOST. Heroes. Reruns or DVDs of Seinfeld, Cheers, Wings and Taxi. Every Saturday morning I love sitting and watching Transformers and Ben 10 with my son.
R: What do you consider your strengths as a kitbasher are?
WM: Painting and custom/modded heads.
R: Weaknesses?
WM: Engineering
R: How would you describe your work environment? (For example, do you like to have certain music going while making customs or do you have certain things set up that immediately inspire you?)
WM: I have everything at the ready at my work station just like I do at work when making porcelain teeth. My significant other gives me crap from time to time about it taking up room but not too badly. She's pretty cool with it. Once we move, if we ever get to move to the other house, I'll have more room and she'll be happier.
R: What are your favorite things about the process of making a custom?
WM: After painting the bulk or bigger portions of the custom, screwing it all back together, painting on the highlights or details and seeing the character change before my eyes.
R: Pet peeves?
WM: Fabricating or cutting, sanding, gluing or grinding.
R: What are things you look for as “cool” in a toy?
WM: The overall likeness and detail.
R: Describe what you like/dislike in certain Transformer toys.
WM: The overall likeness of the character in both alt and bot mode. If it doesn't look good enough to me, I'm always changing or painting it to look more character accurate.
R: What do your non-TransFan friends say about your work?
WM: Some give that look as if someone just farted and then they say,”Oh…cool.” Others really dig it.
R: What artwork do you do outside of Transformers customs?
WM: I used to make custom KISS costumes, custom guitar straps, and costume pieces. As long as it didn't involve sewing. I suck at sewing. That's me in the KISS pic as Gene Simmons wearing his 1976 Destroyer stage outfit complete with battle armor, bat wings and scaled dragon boots!! Tee-hee. Now I'm into custom LOST figures. I switch around from time to time.
Warmachine in Costume as Gene Simmons
R: What has been the most influential movie for you and why?
WM: Jackass!! lol! I used to do retarded stuff like that and watching that takes me back and makes me laugh and feel like a kid again. Good times believe it or not. I think most guys have a daring or dangerous side to them. I was just dumb enough to act on them.
R: If you like to read, what are some of your favorite books and why? How does this impact your artwork?
WM: I like to read certain passages from the Bible from time to time. Psalm 23 is my personal favorite, but it's hard not to want. Some biographies. Not much fiction though. I leave that to the T.V.
R: When you listen to music, what do you like to listen to and why? How does this impact your artwork?
WM: Classic Rock, Hard Rock. Some Heavy Metal and Punk. Gets me in a good mood. Even some classical.
R: What do you want people to most remember you for and why?
WM: Just being a good person. I'm trying to work on being more tolerant of others but man some people out there suck so bad as human beings.
R: What toys besides TFs do you enjoy and why?
WM: I appreciate the detail behind NECA action figures as well as McFarlane.
R: Boxers or briefs?
WM: Uhhh…whyyyyy?
R: What trends do you see in your own work and what do others tend to say about your customs?
WM: I thing I try to make them look
G1-ish more than anything else since that is my favorite
TF universe. Pre-'87 movie though. Most everything after that was for me was meh. From what I've read others have said they like them. But the ones that don't reply but just look at them, I would like to know their honest opinions or criticisms. I'm just curious.
R: How has making Transformers customs impacted your life uniquely?
WM: It allows me to escape and go into my own world once the kids are in bed. It's weird though. I hardly ever keep anything I make. I usually auction them off to allow others to pay for what they think it's worth.
R: You've made some customs that one could describe as “out of left field”. For customs like these (i.e. like WW Sideswipe) did you stumble upon them, or were you already looking for a mold that you could use to make the custom from?
WM: I was in Wal-mart looking for figs to bash and while I was walking by the Star Wars Transformers I noticed how Emperor Palpatine had a folded down chest and said hey cool kind of like Sideswipe. Cool. Then I picked up the box and the gears started turning in my head and said, “Hey, this might work.” I took off the wings, added a spoiler from the wings, added a new head, a blaster, a shoulder launcher, switched the feet around to the opposite side, painted him and voila! That's it.
R: WM, one of my favorite customs of all time is your Alternators Wheeljack. Would you consider sending it to me for Christmas sometime or even selling it to me? That single piece has inspired me SO very much. ~ SQ7
WM: Thanks dude!! If I still had it I would definitely consider it. Unfortunately I sold it back in 2005. I've tried several times since to contact the owner to sell it back to me but he never answers.
R: What was your inspiration to continue to customize, even after you said you were through?
WM: I was getting burned out with so much stuff on my plate at once I thought my head was gonna explode. So I had to make a choice and give up something. It was either work, family, hobbies or school. It was right around Thanksgiving time. Basically I just cut back with school and work was dead so that allowed me to continue. You can't go through life just working your ass off all the time especially when you can't take any of it with you once you pass. Cut back a little here or there. The stress just isn't worth it. Everyone should have a distraction from reality for a little while, whatever it may be. Trust me, you'll be a little happier.
Thanks again for the spotlight guys -Warmachine
Warmachine, Thank you for your insights given us by your interview, and your candor. We'd also like to thank you for taking time out of your day to answer all those questions! We all hope to see you continue on with your craft, and look forward to seeing your next work of art.
Warmachine's work area Warmachine's Customs 
War Within Sideswipe 
War Within Skywarp 
Movie Brawn 
Alternators Streetwise 
Alternators Bombshell 
Alternators Kickback 
Alternators Shrapnel 
Alternators Swindle 
Classics Dragstrip 
Alternators Ironhide 
Cybertron Bludgeon 
Classics Ultra Magnus 
Movie Onslaught 
BT Dragstrip 
Alternators Wheeljack 
Movie Deadend 
Movie Scorponok 
Alternators Bluestreak 
"Lost"'s Ben Linus Warmachine's Threads Custom Bombshell, Shrapnel, and Kickback Alternators!
Custom Ironhide, Dragstrip, and Bludgeon Custom Classics Ultra Magnus Stunticon Deadend
Custom Movie Scorponok Alt. Wheeljack Custom Combaticon Commander Onslaught BT Dragstrip Custom Movie Brawn War Within Skywarp Custom Repaint War Within Sideswipe
I just want to give Warmachine a big thank-you for taking some time out of his really busy schedule to participate in our long interview, and for providing us with some pictures. Thanks, man! I'd also like to give a shout to Superquad7 and Plowking for helping come up with some good interview questions and helping put this together.
Feel free to show your appreciation and thoughts in here as well, everyone.
