Musickal Wordsday: Rockin' Ravens

In celebration of The Raven coming out on Friday,

I present a beautiful rendition of Poe's poem by Omnia:

Plus a fun song about reading ravens by S. J. Tucker:

"Seek the language word by word,

Like the black and clever bird..."

Also, if you haven't, I suggest you go read Dark Gypsy here.

It's about a dead witch named Raven who makes magical music.

Quite fitting!

Ask The Artist: Living Dead Girl Nicole Garcia

Living Dead Girl Nicole & Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger!)

What type of art do you create?

Dark & mythical art you can rock on your body or on your walls!
I also do custom portraits and anything else that can get my creative blood flowing!

Where can we admire and purchase your art?

ArtworkByLivingDeadGirlNicole.com

Etsy.com/Shop/LivingDeadGirlNicole

How did you get into the art field?

I have been doing art since I was a little living dead girl.
I would enter coloring contests to win tickets to the circus,
color my Barbies hair to make them look different
(that was until I was blessed with Jem dolls) and draw pictures for school
so I could be featured artist of the week in newsletters and contests.
To me that was always a HUGE honor as a kid. I guess it still is.
As I love doing interviews like these as well. I am an independent artist
still looking for that full time gig to work in any creative industry
(any one interested hiring - Linkedin.com/in/livingdeadgirlnicolegarcia ha ha).
But in the mean time it's what I do on the side of my current full time office job.
I use the internet, merch, do fan art for people I admire
and stay active in the Etsy Team communities and LinkedIn Groups
to help spread the word about what I do and it seems to be working well so far.
 
What was your first creation?
 
Oh wow..
I honestly don't know the answer since I have been doing this since I was really young.
I do however have a couple photos of some of my kid art ha ha.. enjoy!!
 

 

How long does it take to complete a creation?

This all depends on what I am making..
something can take me an hour and something can be a day or week process.
Custom orders are always my favorite though.
I love when a client contacts me with an idea and I get to go all crazy with it.

What was your favorite creation?

Oh man.. this is really hard to pick just one

since I have made so many different types of things in the 31 years of my existance.

But I would say my favorite of the moment is my Zombified Doll.. 

I look at her in her cute little bloody dress with her one eye starring at me just waiting for a home to adopt her and I just want to keep her ha ha...

Adopt this adorable undead doll here!

[Enter Code HORRORLAND10 at check out to get her or any premade item for 10% off!]

Who/What inspires you?

My Dad, Tom Birmingham is a huge inspiration of mine. He is an artist as well.

He was my greatest teacher growing up. 

He would always give me tips on things 

and show me how to use different types of mediums.

He has always believed in me and my art. He is truley my biggest inspiration.

My favorite quote is "art washes away from the soul, the dust of every day life" - Picasso.

My friend Heather had that quote on something her Aunt had made her and it was displayed in her craft room and when I read it I was like.. that is my life in words. :)

It has stuck with me ever since. I even have it taped on my computer monitor at work.

It reminds me that when things get hard.. or stressfull.. 

my art room at home is waiting for me.

It really does motivate me. It inspired me to get this tattoo...

Tattoo done by Ken Culver

I am also inspired by other artists and creative geniuses like Rob Zombie, Tim Burton,

Jim Henson, Brian Froud, Eric Pigors, Chad Savage, Cleve Hall, Dave Hartman...

to name a few. 

My work is also inspired by what I am into and what I love.. 

horror movies, halloween, rock music and anything out of the norm.

 What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on jewelry!!

I am focusing on making accessories based off my portraits and drawings! 

I am also working on a Zombie Head creation for a Harley Club in Germany

which is very exciting!

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Never give up on what you love.

Even if you don't do your art for a living it doesn't mean you shouldn't keep creating!!

I still wish to one day do something artistic full time

but until then I will never give up on my passion! 

Also don't ever let anyone change who you are as an artist.

As a dark artist my work is too bloody to some and amazing to others.

You can't win them all but you can be true to yourself!

I remember when I was in high school my art teacher didn't like something

in one of my drawings because she wanted to put it in a show

and didn't think the judges would appreciate it.

I told her it was my piece and it represented me as an artist.. and if the judges don't like it and I don't win because I stayed true to my vision then I didn't want to win anyways.

You know what happened.. the judges loved it.. and I won!

So never let anyone tell you how to express yourself!

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Nicole! You rock!

Check out an interview (and giveaway!) with another amazing artist here!

And if any of you other artists want to be my next interviewee, please email me!

The Devil's Carnival and The Raven

Sorry I'm slacking, guys. I won't be doing a Freaksion post tomorrow.

I'll be posting an interview and some short films this weekend though!

Speaking of films, The Devil's Carnival comes to town this weekend!

I won't be going though, sadly. I wanted to see Emilie Autumn in it!

Hannah Minx (or Jinx?) is also in it apparently...

I suggest watching it on mute. Just enjoy the boobs scenery!

I will however be seeing The Raven next weekend, hopefully!

By the way, Rue Morgue is doing a giveaway! (Fitting, eh?)

I'll also be making Poe-y posts next week in celebration!

Guest Post and Giveaway with Vanessa Morgan

Vanessa Morgan

Screenwriter and novelist known as the 'female version of Stephen King'.

Find out more about Vanessa and her work by going to her personal blog here.

If you like cats, you might also like the web comic about her cat Avalon here.

Books by Vanessa Morgan

Drowned Sorrow

(2009, novel)


Megan Blackwood has just lost her son in a terrible accident.

Now she has come to Moonlight Creek with her teenage daughter Jenna,

hoping that a change of scenery might help to put her life back together.

But something odd is going on in Moonlight Creek.

When rain falls over the village, the inhabitants commit grisly murders,

leaving the village deserted with the first rays of sunshine.

Beneath the lake's surface, an eerie presence watches... and waits...

Waits to reveal a tragic past drowned in mystery and fear.

One that doesn't bode well for visitors.

By the time Megan realizes that her daughter is in danger,

it might already be too late.

The Strangers Outside

(2010, short story)

Two sisters, Jennifer and Louise,

return to their remote holiday cottage after a day at the seaside.

But little do they know they're being surrounded.

Soon after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with the strangers outside.

When the assailants make their intentions known,

things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

A Good Man

(2012, screenplay)

Do you like Dexter and American Psycho?

Then chances are you will love A Good Man.

Louis Caron is a good man – he's a vegetarian, feeds homeless people,

takes care of animals and is concerned with the ecological well-being of the planet.

But his altruism has a sinister edge –

he's a vampire and local detective Taglioni becomes increasingly suspicious of him.

Louis' attempt to escape the police will take him on a journey into his own private hell where he is not only forced to confront his worst fears,

but where he will also destroy the lives of those he cares about.

A Good Man (also available in French as Un homme bien),

now in preproduction with Radowski Films, is being released today!

 

In celebration, Vanessa is giving away a copy of the fangtastic story!

To enter, simply spread the word then comment on her post here!

 

She also has some fun vampire facts to share with us!

Check them out below. (Most of them I didn't know!)

Friday The 13th Freaksion Axessories

Sport the legendary slasher from your head to your feet!

Jason Hockey Mask Beanie

Jason Earrings

Hello Jason Kitty Necklace

Jason Charm Bracelet

Friday The 13th Belt

Jason Mask & Machetes Belt Buckle

Custom Friday The 13th Nike Dunk High Tops


Click the pic at the top of the post for more F13 fun!


Also consider contributing to the Scares That Care! F13 $5 Donation Day.
You'll be helping people and could win some sweet stuff!

Wicked Wordsday: Dark Gypsy by A.D. Vick

Wednesday is now Wicked Wordsday!

I'll be posting spooky short stories and poetry.

So, if you'd like your work featured, email me!

Today I present a delightfully dark short story

written by A.D. Vick of The Gothic Embrace

But first, some background info:

This story is the third in my Raven series.

I chose this one because it's much shorter than its two predecessors,

which would likely take up too much space.

Raven is a beautiful dead witch who occasionally comes back to the land of the living to play violin in a metal band.

She also uses it as a magical instrument.

The Raven series is told in the first person and the narrator is her lover--

a relationship that has endured over numerous lifetimes.

This story gives a bit of a background early on so that any new readers should have a fairly good idea as to what's going on...

Musick Monday: He's Back!

Well, he will be back on Friday. Friday. Gotta get down on Friday!

P.S. To those who celebrated, hope you had an eggcellent Easter!

Freaksion Friday: Freaky Flowers

"If you're going to San Fransisco (or anywhere),

be sure to wear some freaky flowers in your hair!"

Sugar Skull Flower Hair Clip by Lady Bethezda

Bats Feather and Flower Barrette by L.D.G. Nicole

Brain Flower Hair Clip by Creepy Glowbugg


This one isn't for your hair, but I must share!

Evil Clown Squirt Flower

(Perfect to wear to The Devil's Carnival, eh?)


And lastly, my bloody rose veil modeled by Barbie!

I'm not satisfied with it. Think it needs more blood!

Musick Monday: Playlist for a Gothic Gardener

April's theme is Flowers

I'm late (as usual), but still wanted to participate in the floral fun!

So, here's a few of my favorite songs about or mentioning flowers.

 



Nightwish ~ Dead Gardens

The Dresden Dolls ~ The Gardener

Emilie Simon ~ Flowers

The White Stripes ~ Blue Orchid

Evanescence ~ Imaginary

I'll be posting freaky flowers to wear on Friday!

Interview and Giveaway with Philip Hynes

Ask The Artist: Philip Hynes

What type of art do you create?

I make horror sculptures from Polymer clay.

They are primarily Zombie sculpts although I'm happy to take on other themes,

not always horror related. I sculpt from photographs of the subject to their design / specifications and seek their approval as the sculpt progresses.

I then paint the sculpt with good quality acrylic paint and inks.

Where can we admire and purchase your art?

You can order directly from my blog, contact me through email or my Facebook link.

I can also accept payment via PayPal. You can also order anything from a Zombie magnet to Wedding Cake Topper through Zombies and Toys website.

How did you get into the art field?

I've always enjoyed painting and drawing, but I started sculpting about eight years ago.

I saw some Superhero busts in a comic book store and was inspired to try from there.

It took me a while to find a sculpting medium I liked

(I mix Sculpey firm with regular Sculpey) and I've been continually encouraged by my friends.

Selling my work is the biggest thrill and I'm very gracious that I have the opportunity to make items that someone will enjoy for some time.

I'm currently serving in the British Royal Air Force,

but I'm shortly due to leave and I hope I can turn my artwork into a bigger sideline and start casting sculpts for general sale, fingers crossed.

 

What was your first creation?

 

I made a figurine for a work colleague that was leaving,

I don't have any pictures but it was pretty basic.

I've since continued to grow and refine my work and I'm still learning better ways to do things with each sculpt.

 

 

How long does it take to complete a creation?

 

Each bust takes about a month or so to make.

I'm limited with the amount of free time I have,

but I guess it takes about 10 -12 hours of work in total for a bust.

 

 

What was your favorite creation?

 

I really like the 2011 Wedding Cake Topper.

They were a great couple to work for and I guess meeting new people is the most enjoyable aspect of my sculpting.

 

 

I'm also working on another Topper with George Romero reading the service from the Necronomicon - I'm really excited about that project,
keep an eye on the blog for pictures soon.

 

 

Who/What inspires you?

 

Movies, books, walks in the park.

I get sudden rushes of blood and have to get crafting.

Most of the sculpts are directed by the clients,

but I do like it when I get artistic freedom to let rip and make something cool.

I'm also planning a H.P. Lovecraft bust soon, that is directly inspired by his great stories.

 

 

What are you currently working on?

 

I have three Zombie busts and Zombie Topper for clients.

A Rugby player and H.P. Lovecraft busts as personal projects,
plus a model of a friends son and pet dog. It's good to be busy.
I'm also looking to make a Zombie / survivor themed Chess set with Zombies and Toys.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Keep at it and keep an objective eye on your work.

I will sometimes leave a project for several days,
just so I can reappraise the work with fresh eyes, it does help to spot mistakes.

Make sure you do work you enjoy.
It's soul crushing to be slaving over a project that doesn't interest you in any way.

Lastly and most importantly; Are you ready for the Zompocalypse?

Ish? I've made mental notes of where would be a good place to hold up and what would make a good Zombie killing weapon.






In celebration of April Ghoul's Day / the release of Zombie Housewives,
Philip is offering to create a small custom sculpture for one lucky reader! 
A 50g blob of clay sculpted into anything horror themed your heart desires.
Even licensed characters. He'll also add a magnet or pendant loop if you wish.
Awesome, eh?! I'd love to win this myself!


How To Enter:


- Follow Philip's Blog and/or like him on Facebook
 - Comment here telling us what you'd like created
- Be sure to leave your email address too


We'll pick a winner at the end of April.