In the Running this year are the following Artists: Uamou, Horrible Adorables, Jaun Muniz, The Bots, MJ Hsu, Cat Atomic, Quiccs, Map-Map, Charles Rodriguez, Colus, God Machine, Trap Toys, James Groman, Jason Freeny, Otto Bjornik, Tracy Tubera, Lana Crooks, Kyle Kirwan, 2PetalRose, Candie Bolton, RX Seven, Dolly Oblong, and all the stalwarts of the scene that populate theses lists perpetually.
So whats the Drama with the DTAs this year? Probably the same as the last 6 years. Same old names year after year would be one of them. And as usual tons of amazing things never made the list.
I can only speak for my experience as a toy blogger coming off a year+ Guest Blogging stint on Tenacious Ninja and as Owner of Discordia Culture Shop, which means I am privy to A LOT of Toy Artists. So Ill just list what I see missing.
KKAMoxo - MOO - Best Sofubi [What the hell people?]
TopzToy - SpiderTrooper - Best Resin
BoyInTheCorner - Pick Something - Break-Through Artist [Are you f'n kidding me?]
MrMarsStudios - Kandy Bombers or Mr Krispy - Best Mini-Series or Break-Through Artist
Patrick Wong - ST1200 - Toy of the Year
MujuWorld - Pick Something - Artist of the Year or Life Time Achievement
Killer Bootlegs - Masterpiece Raoul Duke - Best Non-Licensed
Gabriel Dishaw - Pick Something - Break-Through Artist
Hip Hop Trooper - Escape of the Hip Hop Trooper - Toy of the Year
Andres Zamora - DIY Toy Collection - Best Collection [My all time fave category Rarely Used!]
Eagon - False Omen (4.5 foot tall) - Best Non-Licensed
KaNO - 24 Inch Hi-Def - Best Resin
Clutter Studios - Life Time Achievement [Seriously, they deserve it for two reasons, doing what no one else has the guts to do, and taking sh*t for it and not quitting.]
Rato Kim - BreadCat - This was the only one on my wish list who made it in, receiving both Best Resin and Toy of the Year. And well deserved the Nomination was. Note: the BreadCat is only one of a line of toys based on the BOXCAT Platform. I can't get enough of this. Rato Kim rocks.
What would I change about the DTAs if it was up to me? More Public influence.
Having what appears to be a Committee list of mostly Toy Artists, and Blog/Store/Company owners who select the Finalists, [who are often themselves] and then vote on MOST of the categories without the public, seems odd to me. I would definitely let the Public Nominate, elect Finalist and vote on most of the Categories. But that's just me.
Drama and Opinions aside, it is what it is and its time to go vote for what you can that made the Finalist lists.
Follow this Link to Vote: LINK
