Custom Corner: It All Started With A Mouse

Inside every Disney fan is a child at heart, and this week even Disney’s iconic mouse is taking childhood for a spin.  Created by Amber Gonzalez, this kid version of Mickey Mouse is the embodiment of everything that statement encompasses, capturing the natural playfulness and exploration that childhood entails.  From the wooden toy version of Donald Duck that he’s pulling beside him, Donald’s little sailor hat perched jauntily on his timbered head, to Mickey’s yellow-buttoned romper and mouse-eared pocked decoration, every detail on the piece nods to the grown Mouse we all know and love.

A casual Vinylmation collection and an introduction to the online Vinylmation communities sparked Gonzalez’ interest in custom work, starting with Toy Story’s chicken-suited Big Al and going on to create characters from all manner of fandoms.  Rather than relying on a sketch, Gonzalez goes straight to painting on the vinyl, adding that “I’m all about tiny detail brushes and paint everything by hand,” bringing an expert hand to a deceivingly uncomplicated figure.

This piece doesn’t need any of the flashy lights or excruciatingly tiny sculpted add-ons, it is perfect in its simplicity.  It hearkens to a time when a kid can just be a kid, full of all the effortless joy and wonder that comes with it, and brings with it a foretelling of what could and will be.   Inside this figure is a fountain of dreams itching to burst upon the masses, capturing that reaching-for-the-stars potential that so characterizes the hopes and dreams of Mickey’s fans.  It’s a clean, uncomplicated, jubilant starting point, and what an ideal character to capture that pureness.

After all, it all started with a mouse.

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