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The proper way to start this profile is to apologize. I first contacted fellow Coloradan Adam Dougherty in June 2010 to ask if he’d answer a few questions for my blog. We worked through some confusion and Adam had lots of information to me by November. Life has taken a lot of strange twists and turns since then, for both of us, in very different ways. Still, it shouldn’t have taken this long, and so for that I’m embarrassed and grateful to Adam for his patience.
ANGUS O. DOUGHERTY, FEB. 1, 1955-DEC. 12, 2010
[caption id="attachment_1471" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Young Adam Dougherty with his father, Angus, photo from the 1990s. Angus died in December. "]
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It has been interesting watching Adam grow quickly from a surprisingly talented young sculptor selling his classic-monster busts on eBay into the talent behind some wonderful resin and plastic model kits. I’ve seen all of it through my computer, checking out the photos and reading his online auctions, his postings in a few forums, and his pages on Facebook and MySpace.
[caption id="attachment_1474" align="alignleft" width="123" caption="Adam Dougherty of Westminster, Colo."]
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Adam, 20, credits his father for encouraging that growth. When his father died of cancer late last year, Adam shared the news online. He wrote:
“He was an amazing father, hell of a mechanic, and my biggest fan. He taught me how to build models in the first place, i owe it all to him.”
Adam says his father attended his first WonderFest with him, and watched proudly over the last few years while his son built his skills and reputation. He saw Adam start working with a number of small and large kit producers, notably Moebius Models.
A CONNECTION OF COLORADO MONSTER LOVERS
Adam grew up in the Denver area and now lives in Westminster, Colo. A few years ago he became acquainted with Steve Riojas, writer for Amazing Figure Modeler magazine and professional model maker.
[caption id="attachment_1502" align="alignleft" width="245" caption="Adam is a big fan of the Creature from the Black Lagoon. He sculpted this take on the gillman for Ultratumba Productions."]
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“I met Adam through my daughter, Rachel,” Steve wrote in an email. “They were good friends in school and when he came over to our house to visit he saw what I was working on in the garage and we started talking. After seeing his Creature from the Black Lagoon collection and especially his sculpting projects which showed how much talent he had in the rough, I started mentioning him to friends in the hobby. On his second trip to Wonderfest, I introduced him to kit producers, sculptors, hobby guys, and they immediately took a liking to him. Adam is a great kid, a talented sculptor, and I wish him all the best of luck.”
Today, Adam credits Steve on his MySpace page as a mentor. “Without his help I would still be doing little kits in my spare time. He has been a great help with my career and has taught me a lot.”
On MySpace, Adam also salutes Johnny Gilbert, “one of the most well-known Creature from the Black Lagoon collectors and an amazing sculptor.”
Adam loves classic movie monsters, particularly the Creature, an interest he shares with many hobbyists. The list of producers Adam has worked with grows all the time. In addition to Moebius, Adam has sculpted for Tower of London, Resin Crypt, Ultratumba Productions, the Model Mansion, Resin Pimps and more. He plans to release his own line of kits this May at WonderFest in Louisville, Ky.
ADAM HELPS MOEBIUS SHOW THE STRENGTH OF STYRENE
As the photo above shows, Adam’s work for Moebius Models includes the upcoming Elvira kit. Cassandra Peterson has every reason to be thrilled.
[caption id="attachment_1505" align="alignright" width="400" caption="Moebius's upcoming Bela Lugosi kit, most of which was sculpted by Adam. Jeff Yagher sculpted the head."]
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Starting in 2007, Frank Winspur’s Moebius proved that the market for plastic figure kits was still healthy by selling thousands of “repops” of Aurora’s classic Dr. Jekyll as Mr. Hyde model kit. Since then, the company has repopped many more Aurora monsters, including much of the Monster Scenes line, the Monsters of the Movies Creature from the Black Lagoon and Gigantic Frankenstein, a.k.a. “Big Frankie”.
The company is also responsible for a number of neat original figure kits, including the Mummy, Invisible Man, Frankenstein’s Monster, Iron Man, Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. The company’s fantastic Bela Lugosi as Dracula kit — most of which was sculpted by Adam, with head by Jeff Yagher — is coming soon.
Frank says Adam is working on more projects with Moebius but he isn’t ready to tell anything more yet.
Q&A WITH THE KREATUREKID
Resin the Barbarian: How are you and your family doing? I’m sure your father’s death hit all of you very hard.
[caption id="attachment_1567" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Email the Headless Hearseman at Fritz@HeadlessHearseman.com for info about Adam's werewolf bust."]
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Adam: We’re doing good, just trying to piece everything back together and get settled down. We will be spreading his ashes in California during Monsterpalooza weekend.
RtB: Can you tell me anything about the line of kits you plan to introduce at WonderFest?
Adam: I can’t say much, all I have are my teaser pics that are on my Facebook. But they’re my original designs based on some classic monsters with some very terrified trick ’r’ treaters.
RtB: Aside from your own line, what are you working on now? Any chance Moebius will get you to do a Creature kit with the Universal license, or perhaps the Black Widow? Anything with other garage-kit producers?
Adam: After WonderFest I am getting started on a new piece for Moebius (can’t say what though), but aside from Moebius, I’d really like to start producing my own work. I’ve got a ton of ideas for new kits that I’m going to start making time for.
RtB: Classic monsters aren’t a typical interest for 20-year-olds. How did you become a fan of these beasties in general, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon in particular?
Adam: I’ve been a classic monster fan as long as I can remember and the Creature has always been my favorite. My parents were into the classic monsters and introduced the old movies to me when I was really little. I started collecting monster toys when I was 4,moved on to painting the models and entering contests when I was 10 and started sculpting when I was 12.
[caption id="attachment_1498" align="alignleft" width="384" caption="Adam Dougherty sculpted this lovely lady, inspired by "The Gravedancers", for Tower of London. Steve Riojas painted this one."]
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RtB: Do you think you’re going to be able to make a living as a sculptor?
Adam: I’m going to try lol.
Like any artist, when you have a passion for something, the goal isn’t to make a living at it, creating is just something that you have to do. If you’re lucky enough to make a living at it; that’s a bonus.
RtB: Do you have a long-term goal? Are you happy to keep sculpting miniature monsters for kit builders, or do you hope to work with one of the big statue companies? Or perhaps something entirely different?
Adam: I love what I’m doing now, but there are so many different avenues I’d like to explore in the future. I hope my work keeps improving so that new opportunities become available. I don’t have any idea what lays ahead, that’s what makes it exciting.
[caption id="attachment_1510" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="Another of Adam Dougherty's Creature sculptures. Adam says he once met the late Ben Chapman, who played the monster in his land appearances in "The Creature from the Black Lagoon"."]
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RtB: What came first, sculpting or your interest in the monsters?
Adam: The monsters. Sculpting grew from wanting what I couldn’t find as a collector.
RtB: I’m going to guess you’re less than half as old as most of the people drawn to your work. How do you feel about that? Do friends your age like your sculpting?
[caption id="attachment_1515" align="alignright" width="300" caption="This 1/6 scale sculpture inspired by artist Mike Grell's Warlord proves Adam Dougherty can do heroes as well as monsters. Email resinpimps@bellsouth.net for more information about the piece."]
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Adam: That’s what’s great about model making; it appeals to all ages. I meet young kids that are just starting to get into it, and old-timers that are reliving their childhood. I don’t think age has anything to do with appreciating the classics, and that’s my one goal … to keep the classic monsters alive for future generations
RtB: My introduction to your work was through some eBay auctions a few years ago. I think you were about 17 at the time, and you were selling a handful of busts. How were you introduced to garage kits? And once you knew what they were, what did you do to create your first ones? Did you do your own molding and casting in addition to the sculpting? Do you paint your own work?
Adam: A great friend Johnny Gilbert who’s a collector and sculptor suggested I try my hand at sculpting when I was 12. He taught me each step from beginning to end.
I learned to do my own molding and casting and did the painting as well. Learning each step of the process gave me a great appreciation for the art.
RtB: Looks like your work has led to you meeting some interesting people. Care to drop any names?
Adam: Well Ben Chapman (the Creature from the Black Lagoon) was the most amazing person I’ve ever met, and I have been very fortunate to meet a lot of incredible people.
RtB: You recently moved into a new place, right? How do you like it?
Adam: Well I was in a rental house for a while but I’ve recently bought my first house so after WonderFest I’ve got to start moving again! lol But I’m very excited to be a homeowner. Finally will have room for all my stuff!
