About

Hi, my name’s Ian. I’m a New Zealand based prop maker from The UK and an avid creativity addict. I’ve been creating since I was a child. One of my first and most memorable artworks was crafted on the bonnet of my Dad’s new Ford Escort with a piece of flint. A minimalist piece it read simply ‘Ian’. He still talks about it to this day with a proud nostalgic tear in his eye.

I’ve always had an interest in creating although ironically I don’t care much for the traditional or modern art scene . I prefer Van Halen to Van Gough and I once mistook a waste bin at the Tate Modern for an exhibit. My handwriting remained unreadable but I still enjoyed dabbling in drawing, painting and digital art. Often I’d paint while I was sat in a quiet pub on Richmond Green with some watercolours. To my surprise the locals started buying my scrawlings! I still paint for fun and occasionally do commissions on the side. I’ve also always had a hands on approach and an eagerness to learn. This led to many explosions alongside some wacky inventions which were even sometimes useful. Some blame Back To The Future for planting that disastrously innovative seed although i’m yet to get my hoverboard project off the ground!

I’ve worked on cars since a young age (see first paragraph). I restored my first car while I was in high school, a 1979 Ford Mk2 Escort. I still have it. I learned much about mechanical work, engineering, bodywork and electrics and I’ve been the token ‘go-to guy’ for cars to friends and family for many years. I also restored and customised a 1986 Ford Capri which I drive on nice weekends. My most recent automotive project was a custom ‘road trip stealth machine’ which I built from a Ford Transit freight van and used to travel around New Zealand.
From my automotive experience I established a small business restoring rare classic car parts. This evolved into custom automobilia, furniture and even a successful line of automotive inspired laser cut souvenirs.
I was also a high-end bicycle mechanic for a number of years which proved useful recently when it came to the engineering side of puppeteering and animatronic props.

I started working in movie props almost by accident. I crafted several Star Wars replica blasters from spare car parts and random items for my brother as a gift. He shared them online and they went viral! Friends and strangers alike encouraged me to pursue my interests professionally. I initially had some doubts but perhaps they believed that the Force was strong with this one! I took some of my various wares to Sophie Tarver of Tarver Productions LTD who put me straight to work on the J.J. Abrahms movie Overlord. Thanks Sophie.
Since then I’ve built hundreds of screen used props with various companies and studios, contributed to many exhibitions, trade shows & museums and I’ve even had my own action scene on the big screen! I love the constant variety which prop making offers and I’ve definitely found my passion in life. Since that bottle was uncorked the drive for creativity has been flowing strong.

I’m primarily self taught and I pride myself on lateral thinking to find effective solutions. I’ve sometimes been referred to as ‘the secret weapon’ (uh, thanks?) when it comes to problem solving. My workshop skills involve woodwork, metalwork, carbon fibre & plastics, modelmaking, fabrication, mouldmaking, casting, graphic design, photography, digital rendering, mechanical solutions, paintwork & weathering effects, electronics, laser cutting, restoration work and a wide range of automotive skills. I also seem to often get roped into heavy lifting. I love to learn so whenever I turn my hand to a new skill I’m driven to pick it up quickly. My methods are sometimes unusual (although never unsafe) and I never back down from a challenge. By hook or by crook, we’ll get it done! I’m freelance, so i’m always on the lookout for the next great project…

My hobbies often creep into my work -which is fine as my work is my main hobby. When I’m not raising creative chaos in my workshop I can often be found cruising in one of my custom classic cars (or under the bonnet), flying high above the ramps at a skatepark on whichever wheels I have that day, making way too much noise with a guitar or even travelling the world in another wacky vehicle I’ve created. And sometimes when I’m in The UK, I just go to Richmond Park with my dog and a good book. Rock ‘ Roll \m/

Trivia – Blackford Creations was named after my trusty Ford Capri. I’d drive it onto the lot and people would ask “Who’s the guy with the rusty black Ford?” maybe it was my memorable action hero entrance or perhaps it was because of my parking… either way, now you know.