Hack & Slash

Hello Lovelies!

Whew, it has been a busy week as usual over here at the Mill. First off, as promised, I have posted no less than 6 new Zom-B-Vex pieces! They're crazy and dark and I think you'll enjoy them. And as always, a big thank you goes out tothe costumers, hair stylists, studio and models who made this a success. Thank you all. One more photo sessionand this series will reach its crazy conclusion. Here are a couple, take a peek!

Oh, and in case you didn't know, Stapelia has a Flickr page here with some fun candid Zom-B-Vex shots, add it to your contacts for future behind the scenes action.

Secondly, I mentioned many posts ago about a pair of old figural head lamps I found for a steal because they were in really rough shape. Well, they have been rewired, repaired, repainted and revivified and they're beautiful. Take a look, I love them. They now cast a lovely dark-countenanced glow upon our Tower Room.

Speaking of portraiture (not that we were), I have found an amazing creative duo that I wanted to share. Billy und Hells really take it to the next level. I love the unlikely subject matter and the way they take flawed faces and make them beautiful. Moving stuff.

And speaking of photographers and quirky portraiture, Dave Mead photographed a ton of men who competed in the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championship. Now, beards gross me right out for some reason, but these are beautiful. Take a peek:

Urban Outfitters always has some craziness that I'm coveting, and here is the latest thing; totem cups. Yeah, that's right, a cup set that stacks and looks like a totem pole. Here is the white set... but uh, they also have it in shiny gold. *drool*

Let's wrap up with some crazy news, shall we? Did you read about the Massachusetts man who took delivery of a slab of bologna... stuffed full of cocaine? Yeah, that's right, someone tainted the best meat on Earth with drugs. I don't know if I'll be able to recover from this misstep Folks, but, I'll try...

My bologna has a first name, it's C-O-K-E-something.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Sparrow Bride...

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are all doing well. It's a misty and overcast dayhere at the Mill which feels like some early fall weather... my favorite season. In fact, to kick off theHalloween season, I did a little piece for my sister Abigail and enclosed it inside my favorite copy of my favorite book, Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes and sent it off to get her in the spirit. We both love Halloween so very much.

Take a peek at the art I sent here:

What else? Oh, a couple more days of voting for my Light Lunch tee over at Threadless. If you have a second to score it, head on over. I would be ever so grateful. More tee designs to come, so standby!

And, as promised, there are 6 new Zom-B-Vex pieces going up this week and they are violent, crazy, over-the-top, and tongue-in-cheek, just the way you like 'em! Prepare yourselves.

I have found some outstanding artists I want to share with you. The first artist, Mathiole, I found via Threadless. He's a legend on that site, and his shirt designs transcend tees into the form of art. Plus, he has a really unique style that my eyes adore, a pleasing mixture of soft and hard, innocent and jaded. I love it. Take a peek!

And speaking of great illustrators, I have been an EC Comics fan for years, and it occurred to me the other day, I haven't mentioned "Ghastly" Graham Ingels on this blog yet! A major oversight on my part. EC Comics came out in the 30's and 40's and had such titles as Tales from the Crypt (sound familiar?), The Vault of Horror and The Haunt of Fear. Graham Ingels did the Haunt of Fear mainly and his ink work and sense of drama was unparalleled. Even in black and white his work achieves a sense of suspense. Take a look and read more about him, or better yet, get an EC Comic!

Let's wrap up with a movie review, shall we? Sure. I had fond memories of Waxworks I & II when I saw them for the first time nearly 2 decades ago. I remember them being clever and strange, and anything set in a wax museum is fine by me (see my House of Wax review here). But man was I off. On the one hand, the costumes, horror movie references and sets are pretty neat. On the other, the acting, dialogue, plot and logic are about as strong as an old lady's handshake, which is to say, they're pretty weak. During most of the "major plot developments" I was too busy looking at the cheap wigs to pay any attention to the plot, and really, it wasn't necessary to follow the movie anyway. It's worth a look-see if you haven't seen them yet, but don't expect much. 4 out of 5 corncobs.

Yes, this movie was less well-executed than this waxwork's nose and also less terrifying than said waxwork. Double fail.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Light Lunch...

Hello Lovelies!

As I announced in my last post, I submitted a tee to Threadless and it has been approved for scoring! So, if you have a second and the inclination, click here and score this for me. Thank you Lovelies!

Candy Winds...

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you are all doing well this fine Monday! I have a lot to share with you as always. First, the Island of Misfit Toys series is finally complete,there is abefore and after shot of the raw materials and the finished product below. I like to paint on a mixture of found objects and new canvases to create a more eclectic feel to my work. These pieces will on display at the Sylvia Kania Gallery September 3rd!

I am also submitting another design to Threadless entitled A Light Lunch this week. Hopefully it will be approved for rating, the image is below, it will also have some fun glow ink on it. I will make a post this week when/if it's approved so you Lovelies can take a look and vote if you wish!

And lastly, get excited you guys, because there are more Zom-B-Vex pieces coming starting early next week, and these are even crazier than the last ones... if that's possible.

Speaking of crazy, I wanted to pass along a crazy good photographer to you Lovelies. I was turned on to the work of August Bradley via Choklit Chanteuse's great blog. I find people everyday who do this elaborate Photoshopped aesthetic, but the thing I feel makes one photographer stand out from the crowd, is the underlying intrigue, artistry and vision that is conveyed by their work. I've featured many photographers who have these three things and if you take a peek at Bradley's work, the same thing becomes apparent. Lovely, lovely work here.

If you're ever near South Africa and need a place to eat lunch, stop on by The Cargo Hold Restaurant. This place looks crazy! The restaurant was built to replicate a phantom ship that sailed the South African coast, and there are aquariums and other details that make you feel like you're really in a shipwreck while dining. I love theme restaurants! I wish South Africa wasn't so far away...

And lastly, while doing some research for the online comic a friend and I will be producing very soon (it's going to begreat Kiddies!), I stumbled across a great online comic: Agnes Quill. Heard of it? Well, take a look at some of those stories and I think you, like I, will be pulled right into the plot. The artwork and inking are amazing and they even have some printed books out. Take a look!

I mean, is that a ghost vacuum? Wonderful.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Giveaway Winner!

Hello Lovelies!

Today's the big day! Last night, I threw all the names into my cauldron and stirred them around and then had my Lovely pick out a name at random way up high so no names could be read.

And the winner is:

JDavissquared

I will be in contact with you to get an address post hast and send this vampire winging your way!

Thank you to all who entered...

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Island of Misfit Toys...

Hello Lovelies!

Well, today is the final day to enter the giveaway! Go here for details and to enter last minute. I will announce the winner tomorrow (Tuesday) and ship to the winner mid-week!

I have been busy as usual over here. First, I am doing some paintings for my gallery called The Island of Misfit Toys series, (somewhat inspired by the Rankin Bass film, but instead of you know, a pistol that can't shoot or a dolly that can't cry or whatever, I have a deposed bear king who's murdered by the Bee King who tries to make it look like a suicide.) Take a peek, they have not been "glittered" yet, a vital step with my pieces as you know. More to follow!

So, the art is sorta like this... only with murder and suicide.

I will also be listing more harlequin lockets this week, I have more chain and fun little jewels to make them all different and special.

I have found some more wonderful people to share with you all. Eugenio Recuenco is a photographer whose work is dark and dramatic and painterly and I truly love it all. I flipped through the portfolio and I couldn't wait to see the next image. Take a look:

Telegramme is a top-knotch design firm out of the UK. I found their site the other day and they have a ton of beautiful work, but their work specifically for the Queen of Hoxton, a bar/art gallery/movie house/totally awesome venue in London makes me want to go there immediately! Look at these monthly fliers, they're like mini works of art. If you live near London, go to Queen of Hoxton and tell me all about it!

I'm going to wrap up with a book recommendation. My local library had their annual book sale a couple of weeks back and as a library supporter and lover of books, I went. I picked up several books, and Burnt Offerings was one of them. Now, they made a movie out of this book and it has Karen Black in it, which means, it most likely sucks and I plan on renting it and telling you all about it. But, the book was really good. The characters and the descriptions were more than I expected from a 70's paperback. Go spend 50 cents and get a copy and let me know what you think.

Yeah, you won't find the "Face of Evil" doorknob at Home Depot...

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...

Hidden Treasures...

Hello Lovelies!

Busy times here as usual in the Mill! First, a reminder, that I am hosting a 100th Post Giveaway that runs until August 9th. Only a week left to win an original matted vampire scratchboard piece. $40 value and perfect for the upcoming Halloween season!

I have listed some brand new very cunning jewelry at the shop. The Harlequin Mask Locket Series features little ladies inside little lockets. Each one is different, more to come!

I have also listed Zom-B-Vex Mini Print Sets. These little prints measure 2 1/2" x 5" and it gives you a chance to collect 'em all without paying so much. For deadly darkness at your doorstep, get a set of Zom-B-Vex minis!

Okay, enough business talk. I have found some wonderful artists I want to share with you! Nishant Choksi's work is reminiscent of the cartoons in Playboy in the 60's mixed with a modern sense of humor. I love all of these bright illustrations, just look at 'em!

Most of us who grew up or had kids in the 80's remember the game Mouse Trap. I owned it, and found that it was more fun to just set it up and run the ball through it, than it was to actually play the game. (In fact, I don't even remember how it was played.) Regardless, someone at Maker Faire last year (yes, I'm a bit late here with this), created a life-sized version of the game. Look at that picture, it's mind-blowing really. Wow. To be there to see it work must be amazing.

And lastly, while we're on a funny/quirky kick here, Nadine Boughton's collage series, aptly entitled True Adventures in Better Homes and The Pleasures of Modern Living are both blowing my mind and making me laugh hysterically. There is nothing better in my mind than seamlessly executed and truly creative collage work, and this is a shining example of both.

Until next time: unpleasant dreams...