Episode 55- Deadtime Toys & Tattoos with Felix Cangas

Ever wonder what happens to all the toys that end up in the toy graveyard? You know, the piles and piles of naked barbies no longer getting new outfits, cars and dream houses but instead are destined to an eternity on a shelf of a second-hand store. Not to mention those once adorable My Little Ponies whose manes and tails are now tangled and faded.

Fear not, for many of those tragically discarded toys there is a master ready to breathe new life into their afterlife. Artist Felix Cangas has created a magical posthumous world for these toys with his Deadtime Toys Series. Using paint, glitter and a blowtorch he turns these babies into wild and captivating pieces ready for a new home. Whether depicted as skeletons or with a melting skull, each toy is transformed into a one of a kind work of art perfect for collectors and toy lovers alike. Based in Denver, CO Deadtime Toys can be found at Oddities Conferences, Furry Cons, Comic Cons and Pop Cons alike. Additionally, Felix is often commissioned to make specific works for fans. Most recently he was charged with creating a Phantom of the Opera themed pony.

To truly get a feel for Felix’s work you have to see it. Be sure to check out the pics here and on our social media pages to see his art. It’s fun, it’s creepy, it’s nostalgic and bizarre. We’re sure you’ll be drawn in just like we were and wanting to have a pony of your own.

We talked to Felix about how this medium chose him and why he loves what he does. He’s a super cool cat, wildly creative and he was a great interview.

When he’s not creating zombie ponies, he can be found at Fortune Cookie Tattoo in Denver where he works by day as a tattoo artist. Obviously, we were fascinated by this career of his as well and we had to ask what it’s like inking people. He had some great stories to share including some pretty epic drunken tattoo moments (his clients were drunk, not Felix). We found out what it’s like to be charged with a tattoo you know someone is going to regret and how to deal with the nerves of holding the power of the future of someone’s looks in your ability to create art on their skin.

Felix’s work can be seen in detail on his Facebook Page and Etsy page. There you can also find out where he’ll next be selling his Deadtime products. He’ll be easy to spot. Just look for the human sized dead cat walking around the booth and you’ll have found him. If a more permanent piece of his work is what you desire, be sure to pay a visit to Fortune Cookie next time you’re in Denver for a tattoo of your own. We here at Why? are already plotting a custom pony of our own perhaps with a Deadtime version of Flash branded on its fetlock, some glam rock style skeleton glitter on its back for Heidi and a Jeff Tweedy mane, glasses and hat for Luke.