Strip Search 1.15: From Merc to Merch
Posted By Jen Sylvia on April 23, 2013
From sculpting to merchandising we head into day five’s elimination challenge. And really, the two activities aren’t all that dissimilar: create the best looking thing you can with the tools you have. Sounds easy.
It’s not. Trust me.
Graham ominously intoned “We’ll be doing a little bit of a road trip which means I need everyone to pack their bags before we leave, because someone’s not coming back.”
The special destination is Card Kingdom, but really, it’s more the empty tables set up in the back with piles of Penny Arcade merchandise that are going to matter as the artists put their booth skills to the test. And, with Robert Khoo and Brian Sunter judging, there’s bound to be good critique all the way around. The challenge is devised to more or less give everyone equal access and quantities to supplies and products and each person can pick and choose what they will display. I honestly expected a sort of dash n’ grab, but these folks were cool. With some exceptions.
So much stuffs.
As I watched everyone work, I felt a little Wagner “Ride of the Valkyries” was in order. (Listen while watching the episode. It’s fitting, especially as you watch Abby’s apparent despair and everyone else’s hopeful demeanor, but you still know two fallen artists are going to the dungeon.)
After the given hour (which is in actuality, very little time to set up a booth) everyone has done, at minimum, a decent job and I call Erika as winner!
I am shot down with a fireball of shame, for I am wrong and Monica wins the challenge. The integrity of the artists has most of them applauding her win. Guys, never lose that cool. Robert and Brian made excellent points, their compliments and noted failings of each booth was pretty equitable, with a lot of objective, pertinent feedback. I especially enjoyed how Abby did something new with the display stands that Robert and Brian had never conceived of, and gave her two thumbs up for it. Pay attention boothies!
I’d also pegged Maki and Tavis for going home, personally not liking Maki’s signage, or Tavis’s wall usage, but ultimately, it was Monica’s decision and she chose well. Tuesday will see Amy and Maki pitted against one another, Maki having the redraw ticket. Will he use it? Will it matter? Sometimes it’s so tense, like early leveling in the arena in Oblivion. But without the blood and murder!
My current top three still remain unchanged (I think Maki’s coming back):
Katie, Tavis, and Maki
New episodes air Tuesday and Friday on Penny Arcade and youtube.
Current Standings:
Abby Howard, 20, Montreal, Quebec.
She’s the youngest and has the least experience. But she draws dinosaurs! However, will any of those things even matter?
Alex Hobbs, 22, Tempe, AZ.
This swear-word dropping free-spirit is highly likeable, but will his work be up to par? Set to graduate post-Strip Search, it’ll be interesting to see where this will take him. Eliminated 1st Challenge
Amy Falcone, 24, Noank, CT
Gamer to the innards, Amy is serious and competitive to a fault. Will that fault be her undoing? Whatever the result, quitting her job to do Strip Search shows her passion.
(Challenge #1 Winner)
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
Erika Moen, 29, Portland, OR
Proven work in social and sexual commentary brings her to the contest with a following that marks her as one to have eyes on.
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
(Challenge #4 Winner)
Katie Rice,31, Burbank, CA
A soft-spoken artist with a following of her own. Some of those fans are also fellow contestants. Will she use the star power to stun?
(Kept: Elimination #1)
(Kept: Elimination #2)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Social Game #5 / Sculpt-Off Winner – Redraw Ticket)
Lexxy – Alexandra Douglas, 27, Carmel, IN
Also seen in Penny Arcade: The Series, she’s dealt with Gabe and Tycho’s reality egos. If that helps or harms remains to be seen. Eliminated 3rd Challenge (but BARELY)
(Social Game #2 / Seattle Trivia Winner – Wacom Cintiq HD Tablet)
(Returned to compete after the double elimination #4)
Mac – Mackenzie Schubert, 26, Portland, OR
Quiet, doe-eyes Mac has a very defined artistic style all his own. It’ll be interesting to watch how his gentle soul deals with the mood swings a competitive show can bring. Eliminated 4th Challenge
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
Maki Naro, 31, Brooklyn, NY
While I sincerely hope this guy watches Psych, his cool logic and talent may very well be what brings him to the final set of competitors.
(Social Game #1 / Fax Machine Winner – Redraw Ticket)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
Monica Ray, 22, Northbrook, IL
While seemingly quiet at the beginning, Monica’s super-power of Always Doing Something And Befriending All seems a gift. Remains to be seen if that gift implodes or explodes.
(Challenge #5 Winner)
Nick Trujillo, 30, Walnut Creek, CA
Something of a philosopher and jack of all trades, Nick’s ability to be alright with people and make good art is something to watch. But will his relative newness to the industry be a detriment? Eliminated 4th Challenge
(Challenge #2 Winner)
(Challenge #3 Winner)
Tavis Maiden, 31, Mesa, AZ
Bringing the attitude only a parent can, Tavis wants this more than any five-year-old screaming for the last piece of cake. He may get it, too.
(Kept: Elimination #3)
Ty Halley, 25, Portsmouth, OH
Clipped, dry witted Ty has no brain-to-mouth–filter. And, he’s using his time on Strip Search as material for his own daily life strip. That will be interesting. Eliminated 2nd Challenge
All bios and links to the personal websites of each artist can be found here.
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