1. Can you please introduce yourself for those who don't
know you yet?
My name is Erick Sosa, and I am a full time freelance sculptor, I am 30
years old.
2. Where your inspiration and your style come from?
My
style comes from many sources, basically I like to borrow elements that
I like from different artists, Illustrators, Comic book artists,
sculptors, dead guys, etc.
I would say Takeya, and Bisley are my main inspiration.
3. How long have you been sculpting?
I started sculpting at the age of 4.
4. What was your very first sculpture, and the first
being produced?
My
first sculpt was a T-Rex, made of clay... fired clay..but it exploded
so at the Time I was fascinated with Sharks, so my second attempt was a
great White, but it looked like a tadpole.
My first produced figure was Goofy from Disney when I was an intern at
Mattel toys.
My first credited figure was Psylocke for Bowen Designs.
5. What is your background? (Design school?
sculpture school? ...)
I
worked at Mattel for 6 months, I was asked by Mattel to choose any art
school in the world in order to further my studies in the art realm,
and they would pay for everything. The plan was "go to school" come
back and we will give you a 5 year contract. Well at the time I had
already made up my mind about serving a two year mission for my church,
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints... yeah I am a Mormon
... and the 7 wives thing...not happening. Anyway after a while Mattel
realized I wouldn't budge... so they kicked me out... not without a
nice letter from them stating that I was a decent sculptor. I served my
mission, got to know the good people of Mexico (I am Mexican by the
way) I learned a bit more about my own culture, and the heritage that I
carried in my genes, many people that I met in Mexico were highly art
oriented in some way or another and this helped me become a bit more
focused in my work, I think I kind of owe it to my monument building
ancestors
I went back home, never had the chance to go to college.
Worked for a few studios, and then realized most people in the industry
kept working for someone else. I decided to not put up with that way of
life, so what's an entrepreneur to do? Well I went to eBay off course!!
I
met Nexus while selling my stuff on eBay, he gave me a gig, and
introduced me to the old Bowen forum, I posted some images of a
Psylocke I had sculpted for Dynamic Forces (they project was canceled)
next thing you know Randy was calling me and asking me to sculpt a
Psylocke from scratch.
My time with Bowen Designs changed my life.
It brought attention to my work, it really boosted my career. Now when
I walk on the street and all the pretty women flock to me screaming
"look its Erick Sosa” I just grin like an idiot and back away or
else
my wife will kill me. No seriously I am grateful to BD for giving me
such a HUGE break. It changed my life... now that I look back I know
everything fell into place, and I count my blessing you know. And
Morgan (Nexus) if you read this, thanks so much.
6. What is your favorite comic book's character and non
comic book's character?
My
favorite comic book character is Superman, Visually I like Lobo better,
although I am very fond lately of the Luchadores 5 which is a
comic in
France, I am working for Muttpop sculpting all of their characters, and
I love them!
As for non comic book characters I love Stan Winston's characters,
Predator , Alien, etc.
I am also very fond of the creatures design by Mr. Keita Amemiya, and
Nirasawa.
7. What are your favourite sculptor and favourite drawer?
Takeya,
Oniki, Bergholtz, Beane, Villafane, Bruckner, Ed Thorn Castle or Edgar
the "TITAN WITH ESTOPEROLES", Oscar Cedillo (Pelon Bichicori), Cococha
Perez, Erick Sosa haha, just kidding... there's too many to mention,
but I I am following the works of a new up and coming sculptor who
calls himself Neo-Takeya, have you seen his works? the guy is insane,
tons of detail.
8. Can you tell us a few word concerning your
collaboration with Bowen Design..
My
work with Bowen Designs, opened up many , many doors, I am glad Randy
was able to see I had potential to become a decent sculptor.
9. Are you continuing to work with Randy Bowen together
constantly or just for one shot order?
Right
now I am focused on other projects, I am actually meeting with Randy
tomorrow at Wizard World L.A. right now I have a semi-exclusive
deal
with a toy company, but I'd like to keep tackling more hero statues.
10. What happened with the Isberg statue, is had a
relatively good start, but will it be one day produced?
Iceberg? you mean Iceman? maybe as a kit... I really don't
know.
11. Which companies, other than Bowen Design have you
ever worked with?
DC
Direct, Sideshow, Diamond, Art Asylum, SOTA, McFarlane, Eaglemoss,
Mattel, Disney,Aspen Comics, Andrea Miniatures,and another huge company
I cannot reveal at the time, but I have started work with Pegaso Models
in Italy also.
12.
We could see some WIP that were totally different comparing to
the
final work for Psylocke and Aspen MB as an example. Why those changing?
The first version was already awesome!
Thanks, actually the final pieces seem to be changed at the factory
sometimes, i really don't know.
13. Isn't it frustrating to see your original idea for a
sculpture modifying?
Sometimes,
because I am very aware of the level of quality the fans are looking
for, and sometimes when they get their statue, something is missing,
and they usually think it's the sculptors fault, many times as
sculptors we blame the good people of China, but those people are doing
an AMAZING job! we are humans and sometimes we all make mistakes, So
far Deadpool and the Green Goblin are perfect translations of my work..
14. Is there a place where we can buy those very first
version?
Actually no
15. Does Leticia sculpt also her own universe, or does
she sculpt on common project with you?
Hahah,
Leticia is my mother, and she is not a sculptress, she is the "owner of
the studio" actually she is my accountant, and runs the business since
2007.
16. What are your different official (and maybe
non-official) working projects?
I
love working on many industry projects, which pay for the bills, and on
the other hand I have 4 sculptors helping me with toy projects,
but I
keep sculpting the collectible stuff, also I am working on a new line
of ...say...Monsters...with a twist..very bizarre...but I cannot say
more...sorry.
17. Which statute are your proud of and don't?
I
try to imbue my soul into every piece I make, but my favorite would be
the new line of monsters I am working on, because I am my own art
director, ABSOLUTELY NO restrictions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But to be fair I will say the Jim Lee Batman Black and white is my
favorite.
18. Do you also draw? , If yes, what kind of universe do
you enjoy?
I do draw, but not too much lately, but I love drawing monsters,
creatures (hint).
19. Who are the characters you don't like sculpting and
those you like?
I
am crazy, I enjoy sculpting period, but it is true I have my favorite
styles, like Animation characters, Heroes, but specially my own
creations (hint).
20. What are yours different influences in term of
sculpting?
Like
I said before I buy comics, or movies , or video games just for the
visual styles they portray, and I just borrow different elements, mix
them up, add my style which is very organic, and then I come up with
cool stuff, it is VERY important for me to re-enact in my head what my
character is thinking, his environments, his background...his world,
his intentions, and then I try to pose myself and and something magical
happens, I start thinking and acting like the character while I
sculpt... I hope I don't sculpt Barbie haha.
When I sculpt a
character I try to get any info on him/her/it be it comics, DVD,
soundtrack, other statues, or images off the Internet.
21. What is your favourite artistic universe?
Humans,
I mean it's amazing God is the greatest artist, and he gave us a brain
which in itself is a combination of a huge universe, never ceasing,
ever expanding.
22. Do you have a web site where your work can be seen?
The
sculptors corner, but I am working on 3 more websites, one for The
industry, one for my own stuff... and another that's secret for now.
23. Are we going to have the pleasure to see you in
France or in Europe for a convention?
Wow,
I'd be honored, sure, it could happen in the future. I am Mexican and
my background is from France/Spain, I would love to visit the home of
my ancestors.
24. To conclude, can you tell us few words in French
(without using traducer!!) for French readers...?
Bon appetite!!!!!!!!!!!!
