Welcome once again to Throwback Thursday, and our regular Builders’ Journeys. In this column, AFOLs write about a set that had a profound influence on them, and the LEGO® builder they were to later become. Today, we hear from Inez, known as @iv_lego, on Instagram.
Inez lives in the Philippines and has become renowned for crafting MOCs based on real-world flowers, particularly those native to her part of the world. But it turns out that there was one set that showed her the way towards using LEGO bricks as a medium to create these flowers and trees…
“When I started with LEGO sets in 2012, I knew immediately that I wanted to build plants and landscapes. At that time, the landscapes included in LEGO sets were still rather drab, and their trees were still very blocky. My first MOCs were trees, but they weren’t all that great. Probably because I didn’t know what I was doing. “
“And then I bought Attack of the Wargs (79002), and I loved everything about it! I loved the minifigs, the wargs, and most of all… the tree! It was my first time building a tree with moving parts. I did not even realize you COULD make a tree with moving parts! It really opened my eyes and taught me a lot about tree building.
My favourite feature was the rotating sections which let me position the branches. First I modified my tree and then practised making trees using the same mechanisms.
“I have built many trees since then, but I always come back to the basics I learned from 79002. It’s for this reason that this is the set that has shaped me as a builder the most.“
79002 Attack of the Wargs debuted as part of The Hobbit theme in 2012, and had 400 pieces. Along with the large tree, the set came with several rock outcrops, and a cast of thousands: Heroes, enemies and Wargs! I think this was one of the most Impressive LEGO Trees ever produced in a set-up to this time.
The use of turntables within the tree enabled the branches to be directed off-grid – something which enhanced the organic feeling of this tree.
In the meantime, check out Inez’ work on Instagram: it is truly breathtaking.
Would you like to contribute to our Builders’ Journeys column? I believe everyone has a set from their past that is significant for some reason or another, whether it was their first, a set you built with your grand parents, a set you built with your own kids. If you can write a paragraph or two, explaining why that set is special to you, why not send them in. If you do not have photos of it, do not worry: we can probably find one or two to convey what it was about. Drop us an email at ramblingbrick@gmail.com, and until next time…
Play Well!
Play Well!