It’s Episode 4 of Season 2 of The Lego Car Blog’s ‘Master MOCers’ series! We tried to think of good fourth instalments of things, but gave up after Star Wars Episode IV, which wasn’t really the fourth instalment at all. No matter, because whilst today’s interviewee does occupy the awkward one-after-the-trilogy spot, they’re one of the most brilliantly inventive builders to be found anywhere right now. Ladies and Gentlemen, over to Mahjqa…

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Hello TLCB Readers! My name is Peer Kreuger. Online I usually use the name “mahj” or “mahjqa”.

What car do you drive in real life, and what would you like it to be (and who would be in the passenger seat)?
I have a driver’s license, but I’ve never owned a car (What?! Ed.). I rent one when I have to, but I live absurdly close to my job, and public transport is very dependable where I live. Ideally? A 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air. Maintenance and parts would be a nightmare, though. In reality, I’d probably just end up with a Skoda. My girlfriend would be in the passenger seat. It’s our typical vacation solution; in a strange country it doesn’t hurt to have someone riding shotgun to help with navigation and the like.

If you were a LEGO brick, which type would you be and why?
Technic half pin with stud. I dig regular studded bricks for their looks. I dig studless Technic for its nearly limitless functionality. I use these in nearly every model I build to join the two.

What was your first ever LEGO set, and which is your favourite LEGO set or theme?
It’s probably 6809. I have a soft spot for Space, but it’s hard to integrate with Technic. Khagaan was basically an attempt to do just that. Model Team is a favourite as well. Then again, I’m a bit cursed that I think nearly every LEGO theme is interesting. Given time and budget, I could easily see myself expanding to Trains or building massive elves or space layouts.

How and why did you get started in the online Lego Community?
That’d be Brickshelf. It’s not much of a community, but at the time it was a great way to see what other people built. I also got an early start with YouTube, mainly because it was the most practical way to showcase Technic builds. Animated GIFs can only do so much… (an actual example of brickshelf-based animated GIFery from back in the day). A big factor is also my local LUG (Lowlug). I’m glad to have met many amazing builders and great friends there.

How do you start a build, and what makes your designs unique to you?
For me, the best place to start is the most difficult part of the design. Usually, that’s the mechanical part, but it can also be a specific look or shape that needs to be pinned down. Also, I’m a big fan of LEGO’s extended colour palette. Sometimes it’s a pain because newer colours usually have fewer different parts. But I find that typically just forces me to be more creative with what’s already there. I also find that it makes me spend a lot on Bricklink to get that specific dark purple part that only was released in a 2004 Harry Potter set.

Another thing that might not be immediately obvious is that most models are built with filming in mind. For example; a car that has a massive 6-speed gearbox may be technically impressive, but visually there’s not many places you can go with that. I try to keep my models as small as possible – LEGO motors can only do so much, and having less mass to haul around makes a model much faster and responsive. And, as said before, I’m a sucker for unusual models and colors. I’m never going to be able to build the best yellow crane there is, so I might as well go for the garish lowriders : )

What’s coming next?
The only thing I’m fairly certain of is that it’s going to feature a ton of Friends minidolls. Not even kidding.

Where will you put your TLCB Master MOCers trophy?
I might just build a small vehicle to race it around the room.

 

A huge thank you to Peer aka Mahjqa for joining us here at TLCB Towers and becoming the fifteenth Master MOCer to be awarded. You can find more of Mahjqa’s work on Flickr and – if you’re feeling old-school – on Brickhelf too. See you soon for No.16!