Thursday, June 16, 2011

Behold: The Famigun!

By now, it should not be surprising to hear me say that I'm a big fan of Ashley Anderson. After all, the Atlanta-based artist has been the focus of at least 13 posts on this here blog in the last year or so.

It should go without saying that I didn't write any of those posts in the hopes that Anderson would notice my adoration and send me a free piece of art. Simply put, I like his stuff, and since it's nearly always game-inspired or game-related, I wind up writing about it with some regularity.

As such, imagine my surprise when, just about two months ago, Anderson contacted me via Flickr and asked for my mailing address. He didn't say why he wanted that information, but I assumed it was because he was planning to send something to me.

You know what? I was right. Late last week, a mysterious package arrived on my doorstep. Inside was a  handwritten note, a number of postcards (featuring Anderson's illustrations) and the following sculpture:



It's called "the Famigun," by the way, thanks to its Famicom-esque color scheme, and it's the fifth addition to the series of acrylic-on-poplar pistol sculptures Anderson has created that's based on a handgun that appears in the NES classic, Contra Force.

For more information on the Famigun, or to order one for display on your desk or fireplace mantle, check out Anderson's etsy shop.

See also: Previous Ashley Anderson posts

15 comments:

Gertie said...

Ha! That is awesome, both the Famigun and that he sent you one.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Gertie! :) Yes, it was very cool of him to send one to me, isn't it? Someday I'll repay that favor by buying one of his drawings or paintings, I think. In the meantime, the Famigun will sit on my desk -- esp. since it's a perfect fit with the color scheme in my office.

Sean said...

Wow, THAT is cool! What an amazing thing to get in the mail.

I gotta send Ashley Anderson my address too:)

That looks really nice. Really captures the feel of the Famicom - a feat made all the more impressive in light of the wood medium.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Sean! Yeah, I definitely was surprised by the package and its contents. As for it capturing the feel of the Famicom -- I agree!

Viewtiful_Justin said...

My mouth is just hanging open. Artists are the greatest folk on the planet, and Ashley is a king among them.

Viewtiful_Justin said...

Oh, and you WOULD have a Famicom-colored office. Ha!

Bryan Ochalla said...

Ha ha! Yes, I admit it, I have a Famicom-colored office, Justin. The funny thing is, it came that way -- i.e., we didn't paint it. Also, I didn't even recognize that fact until I was looking for a place to put the Famigun. Yes, I'm a bit dense at times :)

Viewtiful_Justin said...

How funny!

Brandi said...

Now there are at least two of Ashley's awesome pixel guns in Seattle! I can also confirm that Ashley is a super cool guy.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, that's great, Brandi! Which one do you have?

Brandi said...

I have the CMYKilla.

Bryan Ochalla said...

Oh, I like that one! And the Frankenbury!!

Sean said...

Wait....you have a Famicom colored office?? That sounds cool! Pictures, pictures!! Or are there already some up here that I have missed? :)

Bryan Ochalla said...

Hey there, Sean! While our office *is* Famicom-colored, it wasn't intended to be that way. It's just a coincidence. The folks who owned our house before us painted it burgundy/maroon, gold/tan and white, for some strange reason. Anyway, maybe I'll buy or make some Famicom-inspired art for it at some time to literally make it a Famicom office :)

Sean said...

LOL, doing it up in some Famicom inspired art would be cool. Shame to let a color scheme like that go to waste after all:)