Collectors and fans alike have a chance to own one-of-a-kind Star Wars art pieces while giving to a good cause with The Empire Muggs Back. Lucasfilm asked artists, comic book creators, toy designers, and celebrity fans armed with markers, paint brushes and glue guns to transform blank Mighty Muggs (donated by Hasbro) into custom Star Wars art which were auctioned by The Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Starwars.com chats with Robot Chicken and The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack animator Max Winston about his process for turning a blank Hasbro Mighty Muggs figure into a special tribute to Luke Skywalker's tauntaun.
Why did you want to participate in The Empire Muggs Back?
I've always loved Star Wars, but I haven't done much of my own art based on the characters from that world.
What did you choose to do for your Mighty Muggs art piece?
I chose to do Luke's tauntaun after its belly has been sliced open by Han Solo. I chose this because that moment, that one shot, always stood out to me as a very visceral and real shot. By real I mean that action very much solidified the emotion and danger of that moment.
What was your step-by-step process? What materials did you use?
I started sculpting on top of the Mighty Mugg with Magic Sculpt, and it pretty much evolved from there. I painted it, then put all the fur on there, then made the stand for it, which is covered in salt to look sort of like snow. I wanted to keep the general form of the Mighty Mugg while adding my own thing to it and taking it in another direction.
What were some of the challenges you faced while making your art piece?
Honestly the biggest challenge was doing in the allotted week, while working a job during the day. Time kills.
Why do you think Star Wars fans will love The Empire Muggs Back project?
It's always fun to see different artists' interpretations of classic characters! And there are some very cool versions of great characters that have been done for this project.
Read more in-depth coverage on The Empire Muggs Back.
