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 Star Wars artist Tom Hodges about his process for turning a blank Hasbro Mighty Muggs figure into a special tribute to the female Mandalorian Vhonte Tervho.
Why did you want to participate in The Empire Muggs Back charity art project?
I have never done anything remotely like it and I figured what a better way to do something completely different then to do this. I was lucky enough to actually be at the Lucas Online office when this was getting ready to move forward and I was able to get my Mighty Mugg and get going a bit early; which I guess didn't matter since I was one of the last to get mine in.
What did you choose to do for your Mighty Muggs art piece?
I went with Vhonte Tervho. She is the female Mandalorian I designed for Star Wars Insider that eventually was used for the Hasbro/Entertainment Earth figure -- under a different name. She was mentioned in the Karen Traviss novel Republic Commando: True Colors. She's also been part of the Star Wars Miniatures. I figured I would be the only one to do her, so I would be safe.
What was your step-by-step process? What materials did you use?
I started by spray priming the Mighty Muggs figure. There was no chance that any medium would stay on the Mugg the way it comes. So after I primed it, I painted the red on the helmet and armor bits. I primarily used acrylic paints with a bit of marker touched at the end. My wife Terri created the cape/poncho for it; so it all came together in the end.
What were some of the challenges you faced while making your art piece?
At first I saw one thing in my head and it wasn't going that way when I started. I had a lot of things I wanted to do with it that I had to scrap because it just wasn't in my capabilities as I've never done anything like this. Maybe it was fear of messing up or just being smart because it had to get done; I decided to just do what I know and make the best I could with what I could.
In the end, the hardest part was making it look symmetrical. Since I was doing a Mando helmet, it had to be somewhat on point on each side as did the body armor. It's something I couldn't fake or it would just look like crap. I didn't want to be the one on auction everyone would see and say, "Aw, he must have been dropped as a baby."
Why do you think Star Wars fans will love The Empire Muggs Back project?
It was something completely original for Lucasfilm to put together. The range of different pieces was just mind-blowing. I thought each one was great but there were a few like the Muggs art from Jane Wiedlin, Katie Cook, Nicole Falk and the folks from Robot Chicken just floored me. I was also really into Dave Filoni's Cad Bane. It was just awesome!
Read more in-depth coverage on The Empire Muggs Back.
