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Wrote "About Us" section for San Diego photographer Jessica Fraser.

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Wrote "About" section for company owner Mark Nagata.

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Mark Nagata - Max Toy Company
Growing up in California, Mark Nagata was a fan of Disneyland, comic books and classic Japanese television shows, movies and toys. These influences inspired his creativity and spurred his initial interest in drawing and art. Fast-forward to today and not much has changed for this toy designer, painter, illustrator and collector.

Seen by many as the consummate professional, Mark trained at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in the 1980s and went on to a successful career in commercial illustration. He completed works for such prominent companies as Lucasfilm, DC Comics, Hasbro Toys, IBM, Sony, and advertising and design firms, both national and international. Mark's colorful style graces numerous cover paintings for R.L. Stine's Goosebumps book series - Give Yourself Goosebumps.

But Mark's heart has always been in the creative process, so in 2005, after co-founding and publishing a toy magazine, he started Max Toy Company, named for his son. Now celebrating its 9th year, Max Toys has stayed true to its founding mission - to specialize in custom and limited editions of "kaiju" (Japanese monsters) toys and artwork. Many of the original toys are hand painted by Mark, a tradition and process that goes back to the Japanese toymakers of the past - supremely talented folks Mark has taken the time to personally visit and acknowledge in his work.

"Max Toys allows me to produce original artwork, new toys and work directly with a lot of talented artists," Mark says. "Max Toys is a synthesis of toys and art, both life-long passions."

It is that passion for one's craft and the way Mark goes about his creative work that has earned the California native special note since becoming involved in the designer toy scene. His artistic talent and joy for the process of creating compelling art pieces radiates through his interactions with fellow artists and collectors - traits that likely trace back to his early years of family trips to Disneyland, watching Saturday morning cartoons and collecting and reading comics. Over the years, Mark has earned a legion of fans not only for the incredible craftsmanship and expertise evident in each and every release, but more so because of how he has gone about growing his successful art toy enterprise and the kaiju world he loves.

For years, Mark has befriended fellow artists and toy collecting colleagues assisting them with bringing their shared passion for this enticing and engaging art form to life. He has invited collaborations from young up-and-comers as well as established, well-known industry mainstays with one goal in mind - to create art that illustrates each artist's personal vision and passion.

Helping to introduce folks from far and wide to the designer toy scene has been part of Mark's professional and personal mission for years. In 2007, he played a significant role in the development of the first group kaiju show in the United States called "Toy Karma" that featured detailed work from Japanese, American and South American artists. Also in 2007, in another first for this growing art niche, Mark was featured as one of the spotlighted artists in the "Beyond Ultraman: Seven Artists Explore the Vinyl Frontier" exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. The show marked the first time - in a museum setting - that the influence of Japanese toys on California artists was explored. The exhibit featured Mark's original paintings, toys and a selection of his vintage toy collection.

In 2010, Mark served as guest lecturer on kaiju and the toy-making process at the Morikami Museum in Florida. Prestigious art houses Philips De Pury and Christie's in New York and London have sold Mark's hand-painted custom kaiju toys in its auctions.

Much of Mark's world-renowned Japanese toy collection - including many from his massive Ultraman collection - was on display in 2013-2014 at San Francisco International Airport museum, SFO. The exhibit, titled "Japanese Toys! From Kokeshi to Kaiju," showcased the incredible diversity and growth of Japanese toys with many of Mark's favorite vinyl kaiju figures prominently featured. The exhibit also served as a great introduction to this captivating art form for tens of thousands of bustling travelers to and from Mark's hometown.

Mark continues to shine a positive light on the art community he has helped grow. Mark coordinated the inclusive and barrier-breaking art show titled "Beauty and the Kaiju." The event saw the immediately recognizable Max Toy characters reinterpreted by six wonderfully talented Japanese female artists. The result was new takes on old favorites from some fresh faces that kaiju fans welcomed and enjoyed. In fact, several of the participating artists have gone on to successful projects of their own.

Today, Mark's fantastically unique kaiju feline work has proven to be popular with his fans. The "Hello Kitty Kaiju" release through the Japanese American National Museum and Sanrio has sold out within minutes each time it has gone up for sale.

Despite his successful career thus far, Mark remains a fan and collector of great art pieces - from custom toy figures, to original paintings, to vintage comics. It is that life-long passion combined with a personal connection to the community that illustrate Mark's desire to share his unique brand of positive toy karma with fans and peers everywhere for years to come.

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Mark's current efforts to spread interest in Kaiju Toy & Art can be viewed here on the Max Toy Company website, or on his blog - Toy Karma

In September 2018, Mark's collection and art will be on display at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles as part of the "Kaiju vs Heroes - Mark Nagata's Journey through the World of Japanese Toys exhibit.

A small portion of Mark's Ultraman collection is on view via www.ultramantoys.com and his commercial artwork on www.marknagata.com (web site will be redone in 2018 !)
( Special thanks to Michael Minjares for writing the wonderful biography. You can reach him at this email address: mikeminjares@hotmail.com )

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Mark Nagata - Max Toy Company Growing up in California, Mark Nagata was a fan of Disneyland, comic books and classic Japanese television shows, movies and toys. These influences inspired his creativity and spurred his initial interest in drawing and art. Fast-forward to today and not much has changed for this toy designer, painter, illustrator and collector.

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Article written by Michael Minjares

Contributing writer 2014-2015

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Michael Minjares

Good community events bring people together for a common cause. Great events not only offer entertaining and fun activities, but create an engaging environment focused on building community. Now in its 17th year, Cycle EastLake & Run, a benefit to assist local public schools supported by the EastLake Educational Foundation, has earned its place among the great annual community events offered in Chula Vista. This year's community gathering is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at the Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road.
Over the years, Cycle EastLake has grown and now includes 100K and 25-mile road cycling courses, an 18-mile mountain bike and poker ride, a half-marathon run, a 10K trail run and the popular 4-mile Family Roll and Stroll road run and walk. In addition, an event expo will feature YMCA Healthy Kids Day and city of Chula Vista Go Green and Clean Family Day activities.
Events kick off with registration and check-in at 6:30 a.m., with the 100K road cycling riders leaving the starting line at 7:30 a.m. The riders will quickly be followed by runners participating in the half-marathon. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants and supporters alike will enjoy the Community Expo featuring youth fitness demos, a bounce house for the kids, entertainment, dancing, opportunity drawings and more than 75 information booths.
According to Nicole Graichen, executive director of the EastLake Educational Foundation, Cycle EastLake & Run continues to receive tremendous support from the community.
"The EEF is so grateful for the way the community embraces this event, it is really a community effort," she said in a release. "Not only is this a fun family event that runners and riders of all levels can enjoy, but each participant is raising critical funds needed for technology in our schools, which allows our students to be better prepared for an ever-changing technological world."
With its diversity of activities, Cycle EastLake & Run is the ideal event for experienced and novice riders and runners, as well as offering special events for the youngest members of the families. New this year will be an updated T-shirt design, kids medals for the Family Roll & Stroll participants, new half-marathon and 10K finisher medals and slightly different routes.
For east Chula Vista resident and fitness enthusiast Dennis Llavore, the event shines a positive light on the community he and his family call home.
"I feel that this event brings a sense of pride to our residents and businesses," said Llavore, who has participated in both cycling and half-marathon events. "Because the proceeds benefit the EEF, the event brings out the locals to support our schools and kids. It allows us to showcase the great cycling (mountain and road) routes we have to offer. Since the half-marathon has been introduced to the event, it also shows off our running trails. The event tends to attract participants from outside our area and once they 'discover' our community and what it has to offer, they keep coming back."
Registration for Cycle EastLake & Run is open online at www.eefkids.org/cycle. In addition, volunteers are welcomed and needed. Anyone interested in helping out, perhaps for community service hours, is encouraged to email Nicole Graichen at nicole@eefkids.org to find out more.

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Cycle Eastlake & RUN Builds Community, Helps Schools

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Michael Minjares Good community events bring people together for a common cause. Great events not only offer entertaining and fun activities, but create an engaging environment focused on building community. Now in its 17th year, Cycle EastLake & Run, a benefit to assist local public schools supported by the EastLake Educational Foundation, has earned its place among the great annual community events offered in Chula Vista.

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Article written by Michael Minjares

Contributing writer 2014-2015

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Lee Price is new Eastlake High football coach | Living East

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Coach Lee Price understands the high expectations the community has for the Eastlake High School football team. He helped create them. Having coached with the program since 2000, Price has seen firsthand the success the Titans have enjoyed under the guidance of former coach John McFadden.

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Article written by Michael Minjares

Contributing writer 2014-2015

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CATS & CANINES - Choosing the right pet for your home | Living East

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Cari Christiansen loves dogs. The local resident has been a dog owner for the last 25 years. It started when she took in a stray she found on the streets of National City and continued as she accepted a friend's dog upon its owner's passing.

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Article written by Michael MInjares

Contributing writer 2014-2015

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Everyone loves a parade - remembering Veterans Day | Living East

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Strike up the band! The annual Chula Vista Parade Band Review & Community Festival returns to the Otay Ranch Town Center Saturday, Nov. 8. Featuring as many as 30 marching bands with thousands of scholastic music participants from Chula Vista, San Diego and across Southern California, the Parade Band Review will treat attendees to outstanding performances by school bands big and small.

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Editor, Lead writer

From April 2008 to January 2014

Click on View Original than Issue Archive to access earlier issues.

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Our Hometown Hometown magazine is the community magazine for Eastlake and Otay Ranch in East Chula Vista. This hyper local community magazine is dedicated to building a sense of community by connecting residents of Eastlake and Otay Ranch to each other, local leaders and local businesses.