Friday, March 23, 2012

Custom Frank Gifford McFarlane figure

Here is my second custom of New York Giant's Frank Gifford. This is a little more flattering than my first attempt which showcased him knocked out by Bednarik. With the Tarkenton pose getting scarcer and more expensive, this may be one of my last customs in this pose. A shame, since this is such a versatile sculpt. 

Custom Danny Wuerffel McFarlane Figure

Here is my second Gator figure, this one a simple repaint of Eli Manning.


Monday, January 9, 2012

Custom McFarlane Figures: Herschel Walker, Tony Dorsett & Billy Cannon

One of my favorite customers has to be Jimmy Allison. Allison played for the San Diego Chargers in the mid to late sixties. Jimmy is always ordering old-school figures to compliment his growing collection of autographed full-sized replica helmets.

These are the newest additions to his collection:

(click image to enlarge)


Custom McFarlane: Jim Leonhard figures

I have a customer who is a HUGE fan of Jim Leonhard. How can you blame? Leonhard is a highly underrated player and just a great guy. A true footballer. This batch is go along with Wisconsin Badgers version I did a while back.

These figures represent Leonhard's professional career thus far; his rookie & sophomore season with the Buffalo Bills, his 1-year stint with the Ravens and his current role with the New York Jets. Leonhard is now a free-agent so we may see yet another figure in the future.


(Click image to enlarge)



Custom McFarlane: Percy Harvin • Florida Gators figure

My first Gator! I've always wanted to work on a Gator figure so I was excited to get this commission. This represents Harvin's freshman year - the year he wore #1 rather than #8.


Monday, December 19, 2011

Welcome to 4Star Customs

Welcome! I specialize in creating custom football figures that capture any player, any pose & any moment.

What is a custom football figure? McFarlane Toys began producing football SportsPicks figures (see here) in 2001. Each year about two dozen players from the past and present are featured in McFarlane's lineups. Big name players and popular players in big markets are showcased. But what about the semi-stars or stars in smaller markets that may never get a figure? That is where Customizers come in.

Using a McFarlane SportsPick figure (see here) as a base, the figure is then stripped down, reprimed and repainted.

(click to enlarge)

A few customizers, like myself enjoy going beyond the repaint. Additional sculpting, part swaps and some ingenuity help create something truly unique to add to your collection.

(click to enlarge)

Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!

DISCLAIMER: Sports Customs are created for indivdual display and ownership. Mass production or replication of pieces is refused when requested by the customer. Every custom created is an individual and has its own inherent design attributes. These items are created and sold as specialized art pieces and not mass produced for retail sale. This blog serves as an online display portfolio and none of the items on this site are for sale. All items are made to order by request. All the logos and trademarks are property of their respective owners. 4Star Customs is not affiliated with McFarlane SportsPicks or McFarlane Toys.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Coach Ditka sends Walter Payton onto the field.

As a Packer fan, this project was VERY tough to work on. I grew up just despising Coach Ditka but fortunately I also grew up admiring Walter Payton. Never one to back down from a challenge, I thought this commission would both push my talents as well as provide a great piece for someone's collection.

So, here are my custom Walter Payton and coach Mike Ditka McFarlane figures.

(click image to enlarge)



Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

GO PACK GO! Undefeated Edition!

The Green Bay Packers are currently undefeated at 11-0 and I couldn't be happier. To celebrate, here are Aaron Rodgers and Clay Matthews doing their marquee celebrations.

First up is a custom Aaron Rodgers McFarlane Sportspick figure "putting on the championship belt" (or doing the "discount double check").

(click image to enlarge)


Next up is a custom Clay Matthews McFarlane Sportspick figure down in the "Predator" stance. I worked on this figure for MONTHS to get it right. Lot's of sculpting and scratch-building. The helmet was even sculpted to match Clay's revo-speed helmet that he wears.
 

Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!


Collegiate Stars: Custom Jim Leonhard & Desmond Howard McFarlane Sportspick figures

Leonhard was a walk-on football player at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, having received no Division 1-A scholarship offers out of high school. Noted for his speed, leaping ability, and sure tackling, he totaled 21 interceptions (tied for the most in school history) and made 281 tackles. He was regarded as one of the best collegiate punt returners in the nation and held the Big Ten Conference career punt return yardage record with 1,347 yards until 2006.

Jim was an undrafted free-agent with the Bills, later played for Baltimore and currently plays for the Jets.

This figure will be 1 in a series of 4 highlighting his career.

(click image to enlarge)




 Next up is Heisman trophy winner Desmond Howard. This is my second Howard figure.


Are you ready to add to your collection or give that perfect gift for your sports fan? Email me at 4StarCustoms@gmail.com with your idea and I'll get back to you with a quote. Thanks for looking!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Go Pack Go Part II: Custom Green Bay Packer McFarlane Figures

I recently finished a large batch of Custom McFarlane Green Bay Packers.

Clarke Hinkle • Fullback (1932-41)

Clarke Hinkle was one of the most versatile players in league history, playing fullback, linebacker, punter & place-kicker.

In 1940 and '41, Hinkle led the NFL in field goals made, hitting 9-of-14 and 6-of-14, respectively.

Hinkle was a fierce linebacker, gaining a reputation as one of the few players powerful enough to bring down Chicago Bears great Bronko Nagurski.In fact, Hinkle so won his rival's respect that Nagurski delivered his induction speech at Canton in 1964.

Hinkle was named to the NFL's All-Time Two-Way Team in 1994.




































































Tramon Williams • CB (current)


Tramon had 6 interceptions in the regular season but it was his three on road during the Playoffs that inspired the first custom. Tramon ended the Eagles comeback by intercepting Michael Vick in the end zone to secure the Packers a win in the Wild Card playoff game.

In the Packers' second playoff game in Atlanta against the Atlanta Falcons Williams had two interceptions in the first half. The first of these was a touchdown-saving interception in the Packers' own end-zone, the second was an interception just before halftime which Williams returned 70 yards for a touchdown.






















































































































































































B.J. Raji • Nose Tackle (current)

Nicknamed "The Freezer", Raji was a first round draft pick by the Pack in 2009 and soon became a fan favorite. On January 23, 2011, in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field, Raji intercepted a pass from Bears third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie and returned it 18 yards to the end zone, marking Raji's first career interception and touchdown. It also broke William Perry's NFL record for the heaviest player to score a post-season touchdown at 337 pounds.