A few week’s ago artist Drilone dropped a handmade series of Dunnys that were so sick that we had to drop him a line and find out what’s up with the design. Here’s what he had to say.

Why did you decide to make a series of dead Dunnys (Labbits)? Inspiration?
Well it all started when my killer black pug attacked a defenseless series 2 Dunny. She bit it’s ear off. So iI decided to remove the ears and tried to fill the ears after sanding and filling and it didnt work. so I got the idea of the Dunny being dead, so I gave it a second life and created the R.I.P. Dunny.

There design is pretty insane? What went into making them? They look almost charred.
I started this project in December 2005, and pain stakingly cut out eyes nose and, the worst part, the teeth–oh and the ears too. The skulls are painted with 3 airbrush acylic paints ( brown, black, and white) Theres a secret way to coat them and give them that look. But I finally finished 30 of them.

What is your background as far as art goes?
Well I’ll just give you my bio…

Art is in Dril’s blood. The son of a painter, he cannot remember a time when drawing was not a part of life’s activity. He is a veteran of the New York City public school system and has spent most of his life amid the chaos and creativity of “the city.” His upbringing is reflected in his work as is his admiration for contemporary, pop, and graffiti artists.

After several years of formal art training and extra curricular experimentation, Dril found his passion in graphic and web design; following it to San Francisco. A casualty of the dot com bomb, Dril does freelance design work as well as retailing his own artwork. He now came back to the city that never sleeps… NYC. Still growing and pushing his art in new ways… And eventullay moved back to SF

What are you presently working on?
Some Web sites for other artists (example www.cousinfrank.com)
Just started painting canvases again and working on new custom toys.

What do you think of the present state of art/toy culture? Where do you see it going?
It’s slowing down a bit, and I changed my collecting to just collecting what I enjoy looking at. Eventually they might be worthless like baseball cards and comics. But they will mean something to me. I am also amazed at all the customs out there. People are pushing the limits of a custom toy.

Drilone’s R.I.P. Dunnys are limited to 30 with two Labbit chase figures. To purchase one, contact the artist by clicking here.