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 artist Stefan Aronsen about his process for turning a blank Hasbro Mighty Muggs figure into a special tribute to Clone Captain Rex.
What do you do at Lucasfilm?
I am a graphic designer in Lucasfilm Licensing. Basically I have two duties: I photograph Star Wars toys for our records and I create new art so licensees can make new Star Wars toys. Then I take photographs of these new Star Wars toys. Wash, rinse, repeat.
What did you choose to do for your Mighty Muggs art piece?
First, I asked all my friends which character was their favorite. Then I searched all the Mighty Muggs Forums to see which Star Wars Mighty Muggs hadn't been made. After all that, I scrapped my research and did the character I wanted to make.
What was your step-by-step process? What materials did you use?
I opted to use materials I've loved since kindergarten: glue and paper. Also I wanted to do something messy, hands on, and as far from a computer as possible.
I primed grey to insure no white Mighty Muggs would show. I collected all my Star Wars Insider magazines and flipped through every page looking for Captain Rex or cool graphics. When I was certain there were no worthwhile graphics left I put a couple of the magazines in a shredder to produce small strips. Then I separated all the strips according to color.
Sounds compulsive, but it was rather relaxing. Then I started gluing and gluing and gluing and gluing some more. Then I spent hours peeling glue off my fingers.
What were some of the challenges you faced while making your art piece?
Getting glue off my fingers was the biggest challenge.
Why do you think Star Wars fans will love The Empire Muggs Back project?
Star Wars fans love Star Wars. It's unexplainable! I work in licensing. I have learned while being here, we can't quench our fans hunger for more merch. Much as we try to make them content they always want more!
Read more in-depth coverage on The Empire Muggs Back.
