Cory Benhatzel

September 15, 2015, 10:34 am

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Cory Benhatzel’s glowing white-eyed animals perch among occult symbols and pieces of nature, often appearing as if they are in the midst of various conjurations and psychic phenomena.

From the artist bio:
Inspiration comes from such diverse worlds as The Last Unicorn and Disney movies to magic, witchcraft and nature itself.

In addition to personal and occult symbolism, Cory employs Floriography, the Victorian- era form of communication also called The Language of Flowers within each piece. By this code, every flower has a specific meaning which lends itself to the imagery.

Perhaps this is what my black and white cats do when I’m not looking at night…

Cory Benhatzel

Filed under: art Tagged: art

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Bombz N Roses: Tom Servo

September 16, 2015, 7:45 am

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My fellow MST3K fans, check out this awesome Tom Servo print, brand new from Bombz N Roses.

I love the style of this piece. I wouldn’t mind a little space traveling Servo gracing the walls of my home.

Filed under: art, film, geek, robots, sci-fi Tagged: art, film, geek, robots, sci-fi

Moths & Milk

September 18, 2015, 8:54 am

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Moths & Milk is the work of young Irish artist Darragh Mallon.

The work is a combination of pencil, ink and digital, often depicting somber, ghostly girls.

He has also done album art:

See more strange, wan creatures in his portfolio…

Moths & Milk

Filed under: art, undead Tagged: art, undead

Rose Wong

September 23, 2015, 8:52 am

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Rose Wong’s illustrations are slightly strange…

…peppered with magic…

And often manage to convey a kind of cool detachment combined with the vaguest sense of longing.

Rose Wong

Filed under: art Tagged: art

Steven Russell Black

September 24, 2015, 7:02 am

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Steven Russell Black’s monochromatic pieces often make me feel like I’m looking at double exposed photographs…in hell.

We see beauty unhinged, morphing, revealing realities strange and sinister under the surface.

His subjects are caught in moments of unveiling an extreme duality.

Or perhaps, an awakening…a transmutation.

Steven Russell Black

Filed under: art Tagged: art

Edith Waddell

September 28, 2015, 6:41 am

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Peruvian born artist Edith Waddell is a painter, illustrator and printmaker who often combines traditional painting with collage and digital work.

Many of her works are brightly colored, tempered with soft pastels…filled with feminine imagery, botanicals and spiritual symbolism.

At times, she employs a kind of beautiful yet unsettling symmetry that makes one feel as if staring at a colorful Rorschach test.

She states:
My goal is to make visible that which is overlooked, confronting the public with the dark and mysterious aspects of their own psyches, emotional struggles, and their relationship with the natural environment. My work is an invitation to make an introspective examination and reflection into our own existence, both physical and spiritual.

Edith Waddell
Source

Filed under: art, skulls and skeletons Tagged: art, skulls and skeletons

Otto Rapp

September 29, 2015, 9:07 am

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I came across the following macabre yet captivating image by Otto Rapp and fiendishly searched for more.

Many would be quick to associate his work with classic surrealism (which he does cite as an influence), but he balks at the idea of, pardon the pun, being painted into this corner.

He states:
I do not concern myself with the elimination of the rational, the exclusivity of the irrational and the absurd, but presentation of the conscious and subconscious world as an inseparable whole. I draw my inspirations from the layered labyrinth underground which represents the other side of life, which is an inner imaginative-inspirational counterpart to the outer world, expressed with the help of logic-alogic associations, analogisations and symbolism.

His portfolio is teeming with richly detailed paintings and drawings. Have a look.

Otto Rapp

Filed under: art, surreal Tagged: art, surrealism

Halloween Countdown: The Burning Miser

October 6, 2015, 11:27 am

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Long Forgotten recently made a post about a piece of Haunted Mansion concept art that never made it into the actual attraction: The Burning Miser.

This miser, who has clearly sold his soul to devil, was supposed to appear in the hall of changing portraits. Here is the progression, in a series of sketches:

I think this would’ve made a great addition to the Mansion. The devil sneaking up from behind the Miser to claim his soul via spontaneous combustion powder is certainly creepy enough to make the cut.

See more info here.

Filed under: art, halloween, haunted mansion, vintage Tagged: art, halloween, haunted mansion, vintage

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Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies #1

October 11, 2015, 6:31 am

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Don’t know the origin of this, but I love the extra written touch.

This kid’s face is not exactly what I’d call “joyful.” At least the trees are happy.

Awesome.

A very intricately done Day of the Dead hanging bat!

This seriously looks like she’s wearing her sister’s skin.

A little macabre for a greeting, no (that pumpkin is crying actual tears while getting murdered). What’s with the gleeful spectators? Is this some kind of Gladiatorial event for squash and…elves?

The source said this is a real Victorian postmortem, but I have trouble believing it’s not doctored. Still…maybe the photographer was just really, REALLY late.

Gorgeous custom Monster High doll!

I wish this item hadn’t been taken down for sale/display. I would’ve done a feature post on the crafter of this fine wooden witch carving.

At first it looks like a strange pose, but my black cat Dr. Morbius does this gravity defying move all the time.

So long kiddies…pleasant dreams…

Filed under: absurd, anthropomorphic, art, bats, cats, comics, craft, day of the dead, dolls, ephemera, halloween, horror, macabre, monsters, photography, sculpture, skulls and skeletons, undead, vintage Tagged: absurd, anthropomorphic, art, bats, cats, comics, craft, day of the dead, dolls, ephemera, halloween, horror, humor, macabre, monsters, photography, sculpture, skulls and skeletons, undead, vintage

Halloween Countdown: Tupa’s Treasures

October 19, 2015, 11:29 am

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Artist Christopher Tupa is posting a new piece of full color Halloween art every day for the entire month of October.

Some of them are zombified versions of his friends…which I love.

See the rest at Tupa’s Treasures.

Filed under: art, halloween, undead Tagged: art, halloween, undead

Halloween Countdown: Guiseppe Balestra

October 25, 2015, 7:11 am

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Guiseppe Balestra creates spooky pieces inspired by beloved horror stories (new and old).

I encourage you to visit his portfolio and click on the larger versions of each drawing in order to really see the detail of cross hatching and pointilism. His mastery of these techniques is truly among the best I’ve seen in modern illustrators.

Guiseppe Balestra

Filed under: art, halloween, horror, monsters Tagged: art, halloween, horror, monsters

Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies #2

October 27, 2015, 8:33 am

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Who had these as a kid? (Thanks for reminding me of them, Colleen!)

Not sure if this is what The Weather Girls had in mind when they belted out “IT’S RAINING MEN! HALLELUJAH!”

Side note: if you haven’t seen the video for It’s Raining Men in a while (or ever), I highly recommend you go enjoy the neon chaos at the cardboard weather station.

There’s something I really love about this. Perhaps the simplicity.

Why didn’t I think of this? Next year…

That Pumpkin.

It looked so much cuter in her head when she thought she wanted to look like a doll.

I wish they still sold these!

Gorgeous Green Man.

The shading on Cruella is absolutely impeccable.

I feel this has meme potential. Why don’t more memes involve vintage monster illustrations?

Poor kitty…

Filed under: art, Books, craft, halloween, macabre, monsters, photography, retro, toys, vintage Tagged: art, Books, craft, halloween, macabre, monsters, nature, photography, retro, toy, vintage

Halloween Countdown: Artistic Illusion Makeup Roundup

October 28, 2015, 11:38 am

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We’ve seen creepy makeup and neon zombie body paint. Here we have some cosmetic creations with an artistic slant.

Gore and shock value can be great for Halloween, but illusions are quite impressive in their own unique way.

Source

Filed under: art, body decoration, halloween, makeup Tagged: art, body decoration, halloween, makeup

Haven Gallery: Into the Woods

November 9, 2015, 9:41 am

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Currently unable to travel to NYC for art shows due to health, I’m thrilled beyond measure about the recent opening of Haven Gallery, very close my home!

Haven showcases incredible rosters of pop surrealism/contemporary artists. I couldn’t have conjured a venue more aligned with my aesthetic preferences and I’m truly excited to support the place.

The current group show is entitled Into the Woods.

“Into the Woods” is a group show focused on the bi-fold nature of the forest. The mystery, intrigue and surmised dangers of the woods make it an untrodden domain for some. While others find a home and haven in the beauty of the fecund faunascape. This exhibition explores the physical and metaphorical nature of this integral eco-system embracing personal tales, folklore and more.

Some of the pieces in the show evoke an almost visceral sadness or empathy, while others marinate the eyes in an ethereal glowing wonderland.

The owners are lovely people with stellar taste (I’m already drooling over the upcoming show…which I’ll feature as well). If you can get there, pay Haven a visit.

…or visit online.

Haven Gallery

Filed under: art, exhibits, surreal Tagged: art, exhibits, surrealism

Nicoletta Ceccoli Tarot

November 10, 2015, 2:13 pm

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I received the Ceccoli Tarot as a random gift from a very special person who truly knows the strange, surreal depths of my soul.

This deck is STUNNING. It’s a masterpiece.

I had a blast going through each card of the deck and seeing how Ceccoli’s interpretation of the cards ties into the Rider Waite deck, and every thread of discovery was exciting.

The fact that she does take creative liberty opens the mind up to all sorts of visions and connections. It’s like therapeutic dreamwork!

I highly recommend this deck And of course, check out Nicoletta Ceccoli’s website.

Filed under: art, surreal, tarot Tagged: art, surreal, tarot

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Brian Mashburn

November 11, 2015, 9:09 am

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Brian Mashburn paints intriguing juxtapositions of the natural and industrial world that are, at once, bleak and luminous, opaque yet finely detailed.

The scenes contain incongruous architecture, flora and fauna. Stunning manmade creations of no definable time and place rise into the sky, adjacent to curious or somber wildlife and bits of industrial waste.

Brian Mashburn

Filed under: art Tagged: art

GOTO Atsuko

November 12, 2015, 11:07 am

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The color scheme of my posts seems to be reflecting the spell of dreary autumn weather we’re having here. GOTO Atsuko creates beautiful portraits in grayscale with pops of pastel color, often teeming with nature.

They all have a quiet, soft soulful intensity about them. Beautiful…

GOTO Atsuko

Filed under: art Tagged: art

Peter Goode

November 16, 2015, 7:32 am

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Today, I bring you the creatures of Peter Goode.

From the excellent description in the artist bio:
His rich and detailed paintings depict emotive creatures in various stages of self reflection and spiritual illumination.

They are neurotic do-gooders, abandoned explorers and sentinels, estranged lovers, wooly bodhisattvas, aimless angelic oracles, whispering wratihs, reformed scoundrels, weathered widows, impish frolickers, and hungry ghosts.

I really should start a “monster pathos” tag on this blog, for the sweet, forlorn, misunderstood monsters who make their way onto these pages.

Peter Goode

Filed under: art, monsters Tagged: art, monsters

David Griessel

November 17, 2015, 11:29 am

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I love David Griessel’s quizzical vingettes…

Most of these whimsical creatures and the various contraptions that accompany them are drawn in ball point pen!

The titles and descriptions are fun to read as well. For example, this one is entitled “Tea Party for the Perplexed.”

I’m particularly fond of the texture he achieves in his Fynbos Animal Hybrid series (click to enlarge these next two images, so you can see what they are made of!).

Truly beautiful…

David Griessel’s

Filed under: art Tagged: art

Haruko Maeda

November 20, 2015, 12:04 pm

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Born in Japan, now based in Austria Haruko Maeda draws from the Shinto traditions of her homeland, the baroque architecture that abounds in her current location, and produces luxuriant Vanitas with a twist. A sizable twist.

Although she depicts a great deal of death, it is often counterbalanced by profusions of beautiful life.

Some of her work also includes technology…

…or Hieronymus Bosch-ian modern/futuristic dystopian scenes. I wish I could find large, HQ versions of her pieces online!

Haruko Maeda

Filed under: art, skulls and skeletons Tagged: art, skulls and skeletons