WESTLAKE
VILLAGE, CA — February 2003 — Award winning artist,
Michel Gagné launched his career as an animator and eventually
moved into fine art, creating nearly a hundred fine art pieces
including paintings, sculptures, collage, inks and mixed media
- all exhibited in highly successful one-man and group shows.
Michel has designed on more than twenty feature films. His independent
short film, "Prelude to Eden" has played in festivals
throughout the world and is a favorite among animation students
and teachers. Michel was honored by the International Animated
Film Society, with four Annie Award nominations. In addition,
Michel has been writing, publishing and illustrating books and
comics since 1998 when he and his wife founded GAGNÉ International
Press.
Michel's
eclectic style and diverse artwork have earned him an international
following. His recent publication "Insanely Twisted Rabbits"
sold out within the first release year. The second printing will
be available in March of 2003. This bizarre art book is filed
with drawings of rabbits that have been wildly deformed. Some
are cute, some are twisted, but all are highly entertaining. There
is nothing to compare it to.
Sideshow
Collectibles is a leader within the world of collectible figures
and is pleased to announce the release of the limited edition,
hand numbered, "Insanely Twisted Rabbits" polystone
collectible series, based on Michel Gagné's rabbit drawings.
"I'm
so excited about this," said Michel. "I've been very
cautious about signing up with a toy or collectible company for
fear of having my vision bastardized, but when Sideshow approached
me, I was totally impressed with the level of quality and the
integrity of their product. I'm just blown away by what they've
done so far and can't wait to share it with the fans."
The
figures will be hand cast and hand painted polystone at approximately
five inches tall, and will retail in the $40-$60 range. Each piece
will be a hand-signed limited edition creation. The projected
release date for the highly anticipated collectible series is
June 2003 with a special presentation at the Comic-Con International
in San Diego, California in July.
"We
are enthusiastic fans of Michel's whimsical and clearly twisted
artistic vision," said Sideshow's President, Greg Anzalone.
"I believe that Sideshow's dedication to quality is the perfect
complement for a 3D celebration of Michel's unusual art."
With
the popularity of Michel Gagné's Insanely Twisted Rabbits
publication, and the unsurpassed reputation for quality at Sideshow,
the Rabbits collectible series is sure to be a fast selling favorite.
While the collection is currently in development, you can watch
for updates on the Sideshow website at www.sideshowtoy.com.
The "Insanely Twisted Rabbits" collectible series will
be available from Sideshow, as well as through specialty gift
and collectible stores nationwide.
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