Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...

Hello Lovelies!

How are you all doing this fine Monday? Things are moving at a mad pace over here as usual. Over the weekend, I helped install the window decorations my art co-op designed for the holidays. There is a window contest Portland-wide each year and we're hoping we win. We decided to do a twisted take on Christmas with killer toys, Gift-Safe Kid Traps and a Santa worm train. The worm train (which will actually run when it's done) is the last piece to install this week. Take a peek at our windows and if you're local, come out and see it in person December 3rd for the First Friday Art Walk! I'll show the train in action next post... he's really cute.

Santa Worm Train unpainted

And, the Zom-B-Vex calendars are coming in this week! These 15-month calendars feature every shot in the Zom-B-Vex series professionally printed in hanging wall format. They're hilarious and unique (much better than the calendars at the mall). Supplies are limited, so get them while they last!

Speaking of great gifts, I've decided each week in December to post both a neat gift and a neat store that I've found for that hard-to-buy-for person your list. Hope it helps!

This week's great gift is for sci fi and classic movie fans. I'm sure you've all heard of Fritz Lang's Metropolis. (If not, you're going to want to get on that.) Some of the movie was lost for years, but it has recently been found according to this article and now the film is complete. This complete version has been restored and remastered and you can now buy it for the geeks on your list! I personally can't wait to see it...

...even though this robot may well be the best part of this movie.

The shop of the week is the Museum of Unnatural History. This retail storefront is actually attached to the Washington DC location of 826 National, a non-profit that helps 6-18 year olds develop their expository and creative writing skills. (The products of course support the centers, there are 9 nationwide.) With great packaging and design, creative product names and unique store fronts, this non-profit is doing great things in a great way for a great cause. Stop by if there's one in your city, or browse online.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Wise Old Owl...

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are all well. A lot to share as usual. First, as some of you may know, I carry limited edition Carnival button sets in my shop. Well, they really are limited edition and I have one set left! Grab it while you can. But this also means, a fresh button set is on its way. The new set, called Old Salts, will be in the shop by January. I thought I would give you a sneak peek of the sketches and final art. They're colorful and cheeky, just the way we like it around here!

I have listed the Death Crow Dandies in the shop for purchase. They're original scratchboard pieces, perfect for gift giving or keeping (I won't tell). My scratchboards tend to go quickly, so if you like it, go for it! Here's the final piece I didn't show last week:

I think I had mentioned buying the Avalanche letter press calendar for my studio from Oddball Press recently. Well, I finally got it the other day and it's wonderful. The detail and the sight gags when you look closely are priceless. (I snapped a shot here for you.) This calendar is cheap and you'd be supporting a great Etsy seller if you got one! (Plus, all us cool kids are doing it...)

As many of you followers know, I love antique/junk shopping. Well, my Dad was visiting this past weekend, so we went antiquing and I found the greatest little thing. I love wax seals, I have a few. Well, I found a Wise Owl seal with glitter wax in its original box! I had to try it out immediately and look at how great it is! I'm going to have to write someone just so I can seal their letter with the Ol' Owl.

Now, I am not a car fan. I love classic cars, but I know nothing about them and talking about engines and horse power puts me to sleep. However, have you guys seen Black Beauty from the new Green Hornet movie? Holy smokes. I want it. Amazing lines and guns and green headlights. Sigh. There's a video all about it and a pic here:

Let's wrap with some weird news, it's been awhile. This one is a doozy. Did you Kiddies read about the home in New Brighton, PA that had been a problem for years? First, the owner was breeding dogs there, then they moved out. Then, neighbors saw "scores" of rats coming out of the home and called authorities. The house will be demolished, but not before they attempt to exterminate 95% of the vermin (a foot deep in some spots), in an attempt to prevent them from running into neighboring homes. Check please. No thank you. Gross.

The house is like this, only with rats, not candy.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

The Dark House...

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are all doing well this fine Monday. The weather is just nasty up here in the North, perfect weather to get creative, I say.

A lot share. First, I have completed a new series of paintings for a December show in my gallery entitled The Dark House. Definitely inspired by The Addams Family and things of that nature, the best part of this series is the way it will be displayed. The smaller paintings depict various rooms/people inside the Dark House, so when it's hung, strings will connect the smaller shots with their place in the bigger piece. Kind of like this picture:

You can see more shots of the series on my Flickr page, and I'll give more details about the show as it gets closer!

I have also created some new scratchboard pieces entitled the Death Crow Dandies, perhaps for the shop, we'll see. I have one more to go to make 4, but I think they're coming out splendidly, don't you?

Oh! And last piece of business, the garland is doing really well in the shop, so I will be listing more this week; different colors and styles, all handmade. So if you're interested, peep it out.

I have found a designer that I want you Kiddies to meet; Caleb Owen Everitt's work is obviously inspired by design trends of the past, but he puts his own modern spin on them, creating an aesthetic that's aged to perfection. Take a peek. I'm sure you'll feel inspired like I was. I want him to design my life. Haha.

Speaking of work inspired by past aesthetics, have you heard of Max Dalton? Well, you should know him. His work definitely speaks to 60's style illustration, and his fake album covers (like the ones below), are the bees knees. You really can't help but smile when you see his work...

Let's wrap up with a movie recommendation, shall we? Of course. I'm sure you've heard of Soylent Green, if for no other reason than the famous quote "Soylent Green is people" which is definitely overblown and really, so obvious by the end, the line is unnecessary. Regardless, I watched it again the other night and it's kind of good. If you like "The Future is Going to Really Suck" movies, this one is for you...

Plus, you get to watch Chas Heston run around the entire movie in a standard police issue pimp scarf.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Glitter, Glitz and Gore...

Hello Lovelies!

Well, as you can no doubt imagine, it has been busy at the Mill this last week. To start with business, I have done a Holiday Update in the shop that includes handmade garland, cards and a Zom-B-Vex 15-Month Calendar (if you'd like more than one, shoot me an email). I'll be adding a few more things here and there for those of you who like non-traditional holiday gift giving, so stop by often!

I have several projects in the works for some upcoming gallery shows this December (I have 3!), and I'll be posting pics here starting next week. The new work is especially interesting, I think you Lovelies will like it!

Halloween was this past weekend, and of course, I got up to mischief. I went to a bonfire, because, any excuse to get dressed up and do makeup, I'm there. Take a peek! I did all of this makeup. So much fun.

Those of you who follow the blog, know I'm a sucker for three-dimensional illustration. Well, I've found yet another great artist who specializes in this medium. Kira Shaimanova's work is funny and clever and really well executed. No, it's not all dark, but the dark bits are my favorites, especially her Chivalry is Undead series. She makes all the sets, costumes, and people herself. Amazing.

And while we're on great artists, the work of Natalie Shau is also pretty amazing. I found her on the Carbonmade site while doing my own portfolio and I was blown away. I mean, look at it. Is it a painting? Photography? I just can't tell and I don't care. Unsettlingly beautiful work.

Let's wrap up with this picture, because it's funny...

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...