Friday, June 6, 2014

Blast from the Past #713: Pete working on color art for TMNT t-shirt iron-on, circa 1984


I came across this photograph yesterday while continuing my long-term project to scan and digitally archive all of our family photo albums, a project which seems to go in fits and starts. Maybe I will have it completed by 2020.




Anyway, I had not seen this one in a while, and found it interesting. This shot was taken in my little studio room in the house in Dover, NH, probably sometime in early 1984. It was actually a second floor bedroom, right at the top of the stairs as I recall. I don't recall working in that room a lot, but apparently I had my airbrush set up in there, and in this photo I am using the airbrush to do part of the coloring on one of the pieces of artwork we produced to make the TMNT t-shirt iron-ons which we sold in the early days of Mirage Studios. I can tell this by the fact that the lettering of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on the piece is backwards, which was necessary so that when the iron-on was ironed on to a t-shirt, the writing would then be correctly oriented.

Very technical. -- PL

17 comments:

  1. Cowabunga Mr Laird!
    It’s fantastic to view initial Mirage merchandise moments. From iron-ons to Dark Horse Miniatures, I glow brighter than the t-shirts offered in Donatello #1 when I see shots like this.
    Thank you for sharing this photo, Sir.

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  2. I remember seeing the ads for those iron-ons and wishing they were still available. I kind of still do.

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  3. Always wanted the iron-on. I saw one a while back. Hopefully one will turn up someday.

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    Replies
    1. As I recall, we did not make a lot of them, as they were pretty expensive for us at the time -- I think the copy shop charged two or three dollars per iron-on transfer, which were made by running a special coated paper through a Canon color copier. -- PL

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  4. do you recall the address you lived in dover? im trying to take a mini road trip out that way just to be at the place of origin. it would mean so much to me if you could help me w this.

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    1. I believe it was 28 Union Street, but sadly, the house is no longer there. Right now, it is just an small, empty lot mostly covered with grass, with traces of the front walk and the paved driveway. -- PL

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  5. Still hoping to snag one of those iron-ons one day!

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  6. Peter, I came across a seller on ebay who listed a TMNT cel from the first animated series with what looks like a character that resembles you. Did you make an appearance in the animated series? I don't ever remember this episode but if it is real I am considering adding to my collection. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/121358299184?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2661

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    1. I have not watched all of the episodes of the original TMNT animated series, and have never, as far as I can recall, seen this particular shot. I suspect it is purely coincidence that this character, whoever he is, looks slightly like me. I could be wrong, but that would be my guess. -- PL

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  7. Mr. Laird. We've been trying to get in touch with you about the possibility of doing a telephone interview with you for our site TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles.com. We have over 200,000 monthly visitors and have had interviews with Kevin Eastman and others in the past. Would love to speak with you. Would love to hear from you. My email is: justin@teenagemutantninjaturtles.com

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  8. I remember this time fondly. When the calls went out for Turtle Soup #1 I was in 7th grade. Me and my friend Clay submitted several pages where we naively brought back the Shredder (LOL) you sent us a really nice rejection letter.

    Best,
    Bill Ferrell

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  10. Dear Mr. Laird would you consider assisting turtle rescue organizations get the word out on the pet red-eared slider turtle abandonment problem? Many rescues all over the country are dealing with adult turtles being surrendered at a high rate. Here is another side-effect of irresponsible parents buy turtles for their kids: http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_25981612/drought-may-doom-abandoned-pet-turtles Respectfully, TiffanyNamwong@gmail.com

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  11. Awesome! I love seeing behind the scenes pics from Peter and Kevin's early days of working on the Turtles.

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