Hi Y’all and a happy new year to all our collectors – I hope you all had a ‘Groggy’ Christmas.I had a nice restful break and I’m ready for the fray once more!
I know it’s been a while since I’ve had time to write my blogg so I have quite a bit to catch up on. Last year was such a rollercoaster it now seems like a long time ago. We were still painting the Grand Slam Sam’s in the middle of the Christmas rush so thanks again to everyone for their patience – we hope it was worth the wait! This did however slow up on the progress of new figures meant for Christmas. Some lucky collectors did manage to get their hands on Uncle Albert which once again I have made a little bit too complicated to be an easy piece to paint – I just can’t help putting in that little extra detail I’m afraid!
In January 2012 I started a 15″ limited Edition Shane Williams, designed to commemorate his retirement from the international game. Due to the Grand Slam the figure has been worked on sporadically and as a result kept (mostly) a secret but we can at least now announce it’s existence. No date has been set for it’s completion but details of the figures numbers and strips available can be found here:
- Diolch Shane – Wales Ltd Ed 145 Price – To Be Confirmed
- Barbarians – Ltd Ed 11 Price TBC
- Lions 2009 – Ltd Ed 11 Price TBC
- White Ospreys – Ltd Ed 11 Price TBC
- Black Ospreys – Ltd Ed 11 Price TBC
- Neath – Ltd Ed 11 Price TBC
On the new Grogg front I am currently working on 5 new 9″ limited editions. To complete the Wales World cup team 2011 there is Luke Charteris –wearing his scrumcap this will be the tallest 9″ figure ever made! In the 2012 Grand Slam side Alex Cuthbert has also been started. Wales’ Nemesis and Aussie captain Fantastic David Pocock becomes the first Australian I have made since David Campese back in 1984. In the World of Football Man Utd fans will be happy to hear I have made quick progress on goal machine Robin Van Persie. The ultimate 9″Shane Williams will also be available soon to replace the last of the action Shanes which are now nearly all sold. Also in the pipeline is a new 9″ Lt. Ed. of Wales’ record captain Ryan Jones. Ryan’s original 9″ figure reached it’s limit quite a while ago and as Ryan is celebrating his Testimonial this year it seemed an ideal time to remodel him complete with headband and new hair cut! Some special editions of this figure are promised reflecting Ryan’s chosen charity for his testimonial so watch this space!
On a personal note I would like to thank everyone for their flattering comments on my painting of Wales’ Captain Sam Warburton. We are still a little unsure of what will come of it as it was only originally intended to help show off Sam’s World Cup jacket in the shop but it does seem a pity not to do something with it- we shall see!
Well it’s going to be a long and exciting year with the Six Nations almost upon us and a Lions tour to follow in the summer- Myself I can’t wait- It’s strange how you forget the harm it does to your nervous system being a rugby supporter! I will try to keep calm long enough to finish these exciting projects and as usual to keep up with developments please feel free to call in or keep tweeting.
Well the clay calls – Here we go 2013 ‘GROGGLAND STYLE!’
Cheers Richard
