Tuesday, May 3, 2022

THE TOY SOLDIERS FIGHTING CORPS NFT COLLECTION

Welcome To The Corps!


The Toy Soldiers Fighting Corps (TTSFC) is a unique collection of NFT digital collectibles that originated from a series of Toy Soldier oil paintings created by the international artist Iain Gardiner back in 2007. 


The soldiers within these paintings have since been photographed and adapted digitally to form the bases for this very special collection of NFT’s. 

Over time the TTSFC NFT Collection has evolved — incorporating other militaristic elements that have enhanced and created a new dynamic to the collection. 

Every unique NFT in this collection comes with a signed CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

The TTSFC is a fun collection of TOY SOLDIER digital collectibles. Everyone who owns a TTSFC NFT automatically becomes a member of the TTSFC family.


The TTSFC NFT Collection:

1. TTSFC
2. TTSFC GIFS
3. TTSFC GRENADE
4. TTSFC VACUUM
5. TTSFC TANK
6. TTSFC GUN
7. TTSFC BARREL
8. TTSFC TARGET 
9. TTSFC ART



1. TTSFC 
This is the original and largest series in the collection, showing single Toy Soldiers in an assortment of bright colours — reminiscent of the Pop Art style of the sixties.




TTSFC 1


Serial number TTSFC 1 is the first Toy Soldier in this very special collection. 

In this NFT image you see a bright blue coloured infantry Toy Soldier figure on a khaki background — poised to throw his hand-grenade.




TTSFC 22


Serial number TTSFC 22 is the twenty-second Toy Soldier in the collection. 

The dark turquoise coloured Toy Soldier infantry figure on a heliotrope purple background — is shown running to engage an imaginary enemy.





TTSFC 51


Serial number TTSFC 51 is the fifty-first unique Toy Soldier in this very special collection. It is slightly different from the other soldiers in the collection as the figure is decorated with a countries flag.

This very patriotic image shows a United States coloured Toy Soldier on a dark blue tinted USA flag background — pointing his rifle. 

In the future if collectors are interested — On request other nations or corporate colours can be included into the collection.




TTSFC 52


Serial number TTSFC 52 is the fifty-second unique Toy Soldier. This simple image is unique in that it is the only silhouette in the collection. 

The image shows a pink silhouette of a Toy Soldier with a red peace sign on a dark blue background.



TTSFC 56


Serial number TTSFC 56 is the fifty-sixth unique Toy Soldier in the collection. Unlike the earlier NFTs these Toy Soldiers have an underlying message of peace and love.   

The image shows a visual contradiction — A Hippy covered Toy Soldier promoting peace on a swirly gold background is about to 'fire' an anti tank weapon.



TTSFC 18


Serial number TTSFC 18 is the eighteenth unique Toy Soldier in the collection. 

The image shows a fallen red Toy Soldier infantry figure in front of a prominent blue peace sign on an orange background.



2. TTSFC GIFS
This series consists of six NFT Gifs showing different Toy Soldiers in a loop. As the series progresses they include other toy military equipment which adds a different unique dynamic to each Gif.



TTSFC GIF1


This is the first NFT Gif in the collection. 

The Gif shows numerous bright pop art style coloured infantry figures in a continuously changing loop.



3. TTSFC GRENADE
This series shows brightly coloured toy hand-grenades ironically promoting peace.



TTSFC GRENADE 1


This is the second image in the Grenade section of the TTSFC Collection. There are only a hand full (mind the Pun) of these images that don't have a Toy Soldier in them. 

This bright pop art imagery shows a magenta toy hand-grenade with its safety pin ring in a shape of a peace sign.




TTSFC GRENADE 7

This is the eighth image in the Grenade section of the TTSFC Collection. 

In this slightly different adaptation — the red toy hand-grenade on the yellow background is also shown with its safety pin in the shape of a peace sign. Unlike the previous version this time you also see in front of the grenade a fallen blue Toy Soldier.




4. TTSFC VACUUM
This series consist of brightly coloured Toy Thermobaric Rocket Launchers (Vacuum Bombs)



TTSFC VACUUM 2


This is the second image in the Vacuum Bombs section of the TTSFC Collection. 

This luminous blue Toy Vacuum Bomb is shown with all its numerous brightly coloured peace signs — while another fallen Toy Soldier lies directly in front of it. 



5. TTSFC TANK
This series is very similar to the Toy Vacuum Bombs concept — except this time using Toy Tanks.



TTSFC TANK 4

This is the forth image in the TANK section of the TTSFC Collection. 

The image shows a bright yellow coloured toy Tank with a very prominent green peace sign at the front of the gun barrel. In the foreground yet another fallen Toy Soldier lies.



TTSFC TANK 7

This is the seventh and rather different image in the Tank section of the Collection. The multi coloured 'Hippy' Tank is covered in peace and love — while in direct contrast you again see a fallen Toy Soldier lying in front of it.



6. TTSFC GUN  
In this next series you have brightly coloured Toy Guns as the prominent theme.



TTSFC GUN 1

This is the second image in the gun section of the TTSFC Collection. 

In this happy bright pop art imagery you see a visual contradiction — The luminous magenta gun on the yellow background is shown with a peace sign in its barrel — while lying directly in front you have the recurring theme of the fallen Toy Soldier.




7. TTSFC BARREL  
All the NFT images in this series are seen through the barrel of a gun.



TTSFC BARREL 1


This is the first image in the Barrel section of the TTSFC Collection. 

Through the barrel of a gun you see this maroon Toy Soldier infantry figure on a bright green coloured background — standing guard. 



TTSFC BARREL 23


This is the twenty-third image in the barrel section of the very special TTSFC NFT Collection. 

Through the barrel of the gun you see a green Toy Soldier infantry figure on a purplish-blue coloured background — preparing to throw his hand-grenade.



TTSFC BARREL 25

This is the twenty-fifth image in the barrel section of the very special TTSFC NFT Collection. 

This time through the barrel of the gun you see a patriotic Union Jack covered Toy Soldier infantry figure on a light blue coloured background — taking aim.



TTSFC BARREL 50

This is the fiftieth NFT image in the barrel section. 

In this barrel image a 'Hippy' covered Toy Soldier is shown promoting peace and love on a swirly purple coloured background — while pointing his rifle readying to fire.




8. TTSFC TARGET 
In this series the Toy Soldiers are unwittingly seen through a Snipers Telescopic Sights.



TTSFC TARGET 10


This is the eleventh NFT image in the Target Section of the TTSFC NFT Collection. 

Unfortunately the blue Toy Soldier infantry figure on a bright red coloured background has no idea that he is being targeted through the snipers telescopic sight.



9. TTSFC ART 
The Art section to the TTSFC Collection is now shown as a separate collection in the OpenSea Gallery.  This very special NFT collection of digital art works is very closely interlinked with The Toy Soldiers Fighting Corps Collection - most of the Toy soldiers in the TTSFC originated from one of these original oil paintings.

The unifying element throughout these NFT Art works are the Toy Soldiers - either as abstract forms or photo-realistically painted characters. Even though most of the imagery is shown in a bright Pop art style - they all have a serious underlying message hidden within.



TTSFC ART 2


This is the second image in the TTSFC ART Collection. This unique artwork has been professionally manipulated in photoshop to form this one of a kind digital NFT.

The image shows a mass of infantry Toy Soldiers in an assortment of colours accompanied by numerous peace signs.




TTSFC ART 25


This is the twenty-fifth NFT image in the TTSFC ART section. 

The image consists of numerous bright coloured infantry figures in a pop art style on a light pinkish-grey coloured background — the peace signs show where a Toy Soldier has fallen.




TTSFC ART 11


This is the eleventh image in the ART section of the TTSFC Collection. This unique digital abstract artwork has been professionally manipulated in photoshop from an original oil painting. 

The image shows numerous outlines of colourful Toy Soldiers intertwined around a very indistinct peace sign.





TTSFC ART 9


This is the ninth image in the very special TTSFC ART Section. 

This unique digital NFT artwork has a very poignant message — as you see the futility of war with the numerous fallen Toy Soldiers lying together in the shape of a peace sign.




TTSFC ART 7


This is the seventh image in the ART section of the TTSFC Collection. This unique digital artwork has been professionally manipulated in photoshop from an original oil painting. 

The image shows numerous soldiers intertwined around a peace sign.



To see the full collection and to purchase a very special collectable NFT - please visit Iain Gardiner at the OpenSea Gallery: https://opensea.io/IainGardiner

Sunday, December 5, 2021

The 125th Royal Miniature Societies Annual International Exhibition

I exhibited five miniatures in this years Royal Miniature Society 125th Anniversary Exhibition or if you prefer it in more highfalutin terms - The RMS Quasquicentennial Anniversary. 


Iain Gardiner standing next to his work




Iain's 2019 award winning miniature is featured
in this years RMS Catalogue


The RMS has a long history of being the main bastion of Miniature Art - helping to provide a platform to promote these wonderful miniature works and keep the genre alive in a modern digital world. The Society encourages painters, sculptors and gravers to explore and create contemporary work that pushes the boundaries in the world of miniature art. 


The Gold Memorial Bowl and a selection 
of sculptors and Gravers work


As a result in recent years miniatures have found a new renaissance and popularity not just amongst seasoned artists but also younger aspiring artists and obviously the more discerning collector. 

The exhibition shows works of over four hundred miniatures, by some the best exponents in miniature art today. 


Ray Winder and Geoffrey Munn



This year saw Ray Winder take up the mantle as the new President, which certainly bodes well for the future of the RMS. 

The exhibition was opened by Geoffrey Munn OBE MVO FSA FLS - jewellery specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow. 


Here is a short edited video of the opening speeches
(sorry I had to edit - unfortunately the video was to big for my blog page)


I was pleasantly surprised to see the 125th exhibition this year was particularly strong in the variety of subject matter and innovative ideas executed. This is partly due to a new innovation award sponsored by the UK Gas Technologies Group and also the Elizabeth Meek Young Artist Award.

The selection committee chose a wonderful array of work that ultimately created an excellent all round exhibition. This years Gold Memorial Bowl Award - for the best in show was won by Luann Houser for her lovely painting 'Parasol and Lace.'


Innovation Award 1st, Anne Marie Walters, Kyoto Breeze





Innovation Award Runner up, 
Elizabeth Meek Young Artist Award,   
Claire Anscomb - #filterlife




Gold Memorial Bowl winner
Luann Houser for 'Parasol and Lace'



The North Gallery



The North Gallery

I found the new arrangement in the North Gallery has refreshingly revitalised the exhibition - by giving it a new and exciting modern space that exquisitely showcases the work.


The North Gallery


The North Gallery is now a far more comfortable and pleasant space compared to its past - when it would often get unbearably hot and sweaty.


The North Gallery


Ray and his wonderful team at the front desk


The North Gallery


With regards to my own work I showed a variety of different  subjects in the exhibition - from my Dad working on his allotment to my latest oil painting 'ANOTHER DAY' which interestingly shows a view of New York taken from Manhattan Bridge. 

I will write a blog all about it next time...



Iain Gardiner's oil paintings



For a more comprehensive look at all the winners and a closer inspection of the wonderful work on show please visit the RMS website: 

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers