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 which were auctioned by The Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Starwars.com chats with Rich A. Molinelli about his process for turning a blank Hasbro Mighty Muggs figure into a special tribute to Snow Bunny Padmé.
Why did you want to participate in The Empire Muggs Back art project?
Make-A-Wish is a great organization and I am always willing to try and help something like that out. Also what's not to love about getting to create your own Mighty Mugg based off your favorite Star Wars character?
What did you choose to do for your Mighty Muggs art piece?
I chose Snow Bunny Padmé. I even made a custom coat for her, with some help from my soon to be wife, Samantha. I chose her because well I don't think there is enough Padmé stuff out there and in the Mighty Muggs line I think there are only two other female characters so I think she would be a great fit in someone's collection.
What was your step-by-step process? What materials did you use?
At first I created a piece of artwork in Photoshop to work with -- same as you would see on the Mighty Mugg boxes. From there I went out and bought some Apple Barrel paints and came home and created my stencils to apply the face and body features. After that we went out and bought fabric for the arms and coat details. It was a real learning process going from 2-D drawings on paper, and then having to make it look right on a 3-D surface. I had a real blast doing this!
What were some of the challenges you faced while making your art piece?
Transferring my idea onto the Mighty Mugg! Oh man, was it hard. Basically I took some transfer paper and printed my drawing out and put it on the blank Mugg. But the hardest part was getting the black lines to look straight from my hand shaking and being on a rounded surface.
Also making her coat was really hard. I'm not the greatest craftsman in the world so thankfully Sam was here to help me. Because with the sewing needle after I was done it might have looked like Battle Damage Snow Bunny Padmé with real blood!
Why do you think Star Wars fans will love The Empire Muggs Back project?
I think Star Wars fans will love this because it is a chance to own something original and not mass produced. There is only one of these pieces and for some that is an ultimate in a collection. I collect Star Wars Mighty Muggs and if I had funds I would definitely be interested in a couple of these.
Also that coupled with the fact that the money is going to a good cause will really make these extra appealing to all. I'm really thankful I was asked to do this project, because there is no better thing in the world I can think of than working with Lucasfilm and helping the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Read more in-depth coverage on The Empire Muggs Back.
