Citrus Karl

My name is Christopher Lee and I am a designer, illustrator and an action figure connoisseur. I’m a Sacramento native and graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design. My entire life has revolved around drawing and art since I was old enough to hold a crayon and scribble outside the lines of a Golden Activity Book. After I graduated college in July of 2006, I moved to Southern California in search of new inspiration amongst new surroundings. Since moving I’ve worked as an Art Director for Vapors Magazine (RIP), had a couple vinyl toys released, and was recruited to the motion graphics studio, Buck, where I started as a senior designer and moved up to Art Director. I stayed at Buck for the next three years. In October 2009, I said “goodbye” to Buck and decided to focus solely on my illustration career. Leaving Buck was probably one of the toughest career decisions I’ve ever had to make. That place became my second home and my co-workers, my extended family. I grew more as an artist working there than I have at any other point in my career. Deep down I knew Buck was a stepping Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. Since October of 2004, Nucleus has strived to be a welcoming gathering place for the art loving community by offering quality art, art-related goods, and rarities. Focusing primarily on gallery exhibits, we have also had benefit auctions, product signings, music events, and artist lectures. After three and a half years, we moved one block east to a much larger and more dynamic space. Still in the heart of quaint downtown Alhambra, we re-opened in March of 2008 with over 2000 square feet of open gallery space, 1000 square feet of shop/boutique, and over 3000 square feet of studio/production space. Having exhibited both local artists and artists from abroad, and catering to an international customer base, we offer an extensive collection of original contemporary, illustrated, graphic, commercial, and narrative art - all of which are carefully catalogued on our website.