You may not know the name of Garrick Quinones, but it is highly likely that you have seen his work. Garrick is a talented sculptor based out of Los Angeles, California who has done work for a variety of toy companies from JAKKS Pacific to Mattel to Applause. Garrick's sculpting can be seen everywhere from Toys R Us to the Warner Bros. Studio Stores.

Garrick grew up in New York City, where his step-father was a very successful artist, as well as being a creative influence. Garrick discovered early on that his passion lay more with toys than with the more classic-stlyed art of his step-father. That passion is still there, and Garrick attributes much of his success today to it.

Garrick moved from New York to the South Pacific for a time, before finally settling in Hawaii. It was there in the Islands that the young artist was hired to sculpt Hula Girls for the local gift industry.

"Needless to say," Garrick explains, "I threw myself into the research at as many Luaus as I could find."

It didn't take long in the sculpting business for Garrick to discover that everyone in the loop has an opinion. It was this discovery that eventually led to the creation of Garrick Quinones Studios.

"The only opinion that matters is the client's" Garrick says. "So, six years ago, I set out on my own to give my clients what they wanted. I put so much of myself into every job, all of my clients are long time customers."

Although Garrick does the bulk of the work himself, there's been times when he has found it necessary to hire other professionals from within the industry. "It's not a big industry and knowing who's who isn't the problem; it's who's available at the time that keeps my rolodex spinning."

Garrick made the transition from the gift industry to the toy industry when he started sculpting prototypes for a small toy and gift company, and discovered that was where he really excelled. He knew immediately that he would have a great future in the world of toys.

Of course, working in the highly competitive toy industry has come complete with it's share of challenges and rewards. Taking a page from the publishing industry, Garrick refers to what he terms the "best seller" as being one of the high points of working with toys.

"Whatever anyone says, it's the best seller that gets everyone involved in the glory. I love to succeed, so it's pretty typical for me to go the extra mile to satisfy my clients. Potential clients from small to medium-sized toy companies don't seem to realize how accessible and affordable a world-class sculptor really is. I mean, using a generic studio may seem like a bargain but you can forget about that best seller."

"I think I'm proudest," he shares, "when I find out that other professional sculptors collect my work. That still freaks me out."

He's also proud of his studio's ability, and reputation, to meet deadlines. "I think that's another important reason why I've done as well as I have with Warner Bros., DC Comics, Disney, Mattel, you name it."

The pinnacle of achievement in the toy industry, for Garrick, would be to develop his own line of toys. Something he ultimately hopes to get to one day. "I think most sculptors share that dream, though" he adds. He also wouldn't mind going back someday to his creative roots and sculpt Hula girls on a beach in Hawaii.

When asked about his greatest challenge working with the toy industry, Garrick replied, "Making sure there's enough coffee to get me through those late nigh sculpt-o-thons!"

Garrick has these words for anyone looking to make it as a sculptor: "Assuming someone has the talent and has developed the techniques, and wants to know how to get their first big break; I can't stress enough the value of persistence. I'm not talking about being a pest to potential employers, I'm talking about developing a kick ass portfolio and getting it seen. If no one knows you exist, all the talent in the world can't make up for that. The key is making opportunities to show your work."

Persistence and talent. Two qualities that have helped Garrick Quinones achieve the level of success he has, and makes him one of the rising stars in the sculpting industry.

To see more of Garrick's work please visit the Garrick Quinones Studios website.