Artist Name: Patrick Francisco
Location: New York City, USA
Flickr: flickr.com/people/pfrancisco/
Official Website: patrickfrancisco.com
Personal Blog: doodlechimp.blogspot.com

Patrick Francisco from New York City has been known in the custom toy scene for his unusually realistic interpretations of gorillas/monkeys on his toy pieces making his toys truly remarkable. At Custom Toy Lab, Patrick has been featured many times on our blog, I’m pretty sure we can guess why? Not only does he do art on toys, he always creates art on other mediums allowing him to be quite diverse in what he does. I’d like to introduce all you readers to Patrick Francisco.

Custom Toy Lab:
Please tell us about yourself Patrick.

Patrick Francisco:
Thanks, Raphael, for talking kindly about my work. I spent some years in the Philippines, but was born in Jersey City, and now live in Brooklyn. I have a BFA in Illustration from SUNY FIT. I am REALLY obsessed with my cat. I paint ape type creatures, often in their underwear.

Custom Toy Lab:
How did you get into the custom toy scene?

Patrick Francisco:
I saw the World of Imagination show at APW last April and was inspired by the participating artists. I immediately wanted to try a custom myself.

Custom Toy Lab:
Where does your inspiration come from?

Patrick Francisco:
I don’t know if it actually shows in my work, but I am very inspired by Chuck Palahniuk’s books and Quentin Tarantino’s films. ‘Choke’ is one of my favorite books and I want the movie to come out NOW.

Custom Toy Lab:
Bringing me to my next question, many of your custom toys feature the faces of gorillas/monkeys, is there any specific reasoning for using them?

Patrick Francisco:
It’s funny because my customs have characteristics of both gorillas and monkeys without being specifically either. Spanky Stokes calls them primates and I think he is right on. I use them since the features of a gorilla/monkey are interesting and can show a variety of expressions. The goal is more the facial expression and mood set by the colors than the actual reproduction of a specific animal.

Custom Toy Lab:
How did you get inspired to do this?

Patrick Francisco:
As a student a few years ago, I painted a gorilla colored chimp on my oil paint box just because I thought it would be fun to walk around with. I liked how it turned out looking serious and at the same time funny. Since then I have been inspired to keep on with it.

Custom Toy Lab:
What would you consider the “must” tools to get the job done for your custom toys?

Patrick Francisco:
Oil paint, sable brushes and Liquin Light! Art supplies make me happy.

Custom Toy Lab:
If you could collaborate with any artist out there in the custom toy scene, who would you like to collaborate with on a piece and why?

Patrick Francisco:
I would really like to collaborate with someone who has a much different style from mine. Hans Yim and I have been talking about such a project and the results should be interesting. I would also love to work with someone who sculpts since I don’t.

Custom Toy Lab:
What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment so far in regards to the custom toy scene?

Patrick Francisco:
I think it’s too early to tell at this point, but having my work on Custom Toy Lab is definitely a highlight. I was invited to participate in Madl Citizens at Lift in October and that is another highlight. That show has an INCREDIBLE roster.

Custom Toy Lab:
What kind of projects are you presently working on, if you don’t mind that we ask?

Patrick Francisco:
A handful of madls! Aside from the Lift show, I am working on a 5 inch madl version of the Red Mofo for a commission and another 10 inch for Delicious Drips. And there is APW’s Halloween show, but I’m not sure what I’m doing for that yet. I am also looking to get back to working on a 2D surface once these customs are done.

Custom Toy Lab:
We got a chance to take a look at your portfolio which also contains works other than custom toys, what other mediums of art do you like to work on?

Patrick Francisco:
I also paint on canvas or panel. Always in oil and sometimes I start with acrylic. I did a local skateboard show last winter and I have been itching to do more decks since then. When I have the chance I head over to Spring Studio in SoHo to draw so I don’t forget how.

Custom Toy Lab:
For the newcomers making their way into the custom toy scene, what kind of advice would you give them?

Patrick Francisco:
Paint, draw, or sculpt on things other than customs and your customs will improve. Don’t let negative critics discourage you. And copyright your work – especially if you have a creation with a specific set of characteristics.

Custom Toy Lab:
The Internet has been a great medium for allowing artists to expose their works on their own personal websites, and even websites such as Flickr. How do you as an artist view the ‘Internet’ as a medium?

Patrick Francisco:
The Internet is essential for an artist to promote their work. At this point its almost as if a website is the minimum and forums, blogs, flickr and such are more than necessary to reach viewers.

Custom Toy Lab:
How would you say that it has personally helped or benefited you as an artist?

Patrick Francisco:
It has been crucial. I have been able to communicate with other artists, venues, and clients in places I can’t afford to travel to. I don’t think CTL would have found me otherwise. =)

Custom Toy Lab:
Do you as an artist do commissioned work? How can people contact you if they are interested.

Patrick Francisco:
Commissions are more than welcome. I can be reached at on my site: patrickfrancisco.com or on my blog: doodlechimp.blogspot.com.

Custom Toy Lab:
We’d like to once again thank Patrick Francisco for taking the time to do a interview with us here at Custom Toy Lab. We’d also like to let everyone know that Patrick Francisco will be having his own custom toy tutorial up sometime this week. It’s definitely something you guys won’t want to miss!