From the Archives: Beyond the Mountains

With this header, I wanted to evoke a creepy foreboding without any direct confrontational horror.  The monstrous thing is  far away, but it's big and could be close in heartbeat, especially if it should NOTICE you.  eep.  ...and worse, there is more than one.
 
For 2015, I wanted to take the headers in a different direction than the work I had been producing.  I chose to adopt a looser style.  Although the 2014 pieces all had some underlying element of dark humor or social commentary, the 2015 headers have all moved back towards the essence of the work I want to create: horror.

{13.33x4.68,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Halloween From the Archives: Three Sisters

In the spring of 2015 I created a set of Halloween themed pieces as submissions to a fiction print anthology focusing on Halloween.  The anthology was set for a juvenile reading level.  I toned down my usual gore and darkness and tried to shift my imagery a little towards the lighter side.  You will see as the pieces progress that the darkness began creeping through regardless.  Although my submissions were rejected, I ended up with six lovely pieces that I will be sharing between now and All Hallow's Eve.  I hope you enjoy them.

Here we have three antebellum ghost sisters.  Are they merely ghosts or something more substantial and horrific?

{11.11x7.4,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Exhumed: Pumpkin Headed Scarecrow Jack

This piece was originally created to be used as the background of an invitation for an annual halloween party.  This is one of the first images I ever drew of the flaming jack o lantern headed the spirit of Halloween, Jack.

{7.98 x 5.03, Sharpie with color added in Adobe Photoshop}

Psyche Delectus: King of Wands

His thunderous arrival
is a grounding energetic.

Recommended Listening:

VnV Nation

Fearless

from Futureperfect

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Halloween From the Archives: It's Right Behind You

In the spring of 2015 I created a set of Halloween themed pieces as submissions to a fiction print anthology focusing on Halloween.  The anthology was set for a juvenile reading level.  I toned down my usual gore and darkness and tried to shift my imagery a little towards the lighter side.  You will see as the pieces progress that the darkness began creeping through regardless.  Although my submissions were rejected, I ended up with six lovely pieces that I will be sharing between now and All Hallow's Eve.  I hope you enjoy them.

With each piece in this set I tried to tell some kind of story even it was only a simple one.  This piece shows one of the greatest fears I had as a kid: the nearby but unseen monster.

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Halloween From the Archives: Jack-O-Lantern

In the spring of 2015 I created a set of Halloween themed pieces as submissions to a fiction print anthology focusing on Halloween.  The anthology was set for a juvenile reading level.  I toned down my usual gore and darkness and tried to shift my imagery a little towards the lighter side.  You will see as the pieces progress that the darkness began creeping through regardless.  Although my submissions were rejected, I ended up with six lovely pieces that I will be sharing between now and All Hallow's Eve.  I hope you enjoy them.

Here we have a Jack-O-Lantern painted in a watercolor style.  This was initially only a warm up piece, but I ended up including it in my submission.

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Psyche Delectus: Absence of Light

In deep darkness,
new eyes guide the way.

Recommended Listening:

Chelsea Wolfe

Feral Love

from Pain is Beauty

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

From the Archives: See

It seems each year that February always brings about a rebirth of direction for me artistically, at least with the Zombie Bites headers.  Above is the first header from early 2015.   After the unsettling events in America during the latter half of 2014, I wanted to find a way to express those feelings of deep seated group intensity, sharpened awareness, and fear filled paranoia.

For 2015, I wanted to take the headers in a different direction than the work I had been producing.  I chose to adopt a looser style.  It is not as apparent in this piece as I was overcoming the tension of the 2014 year end.  Although the 2014 pieces all had some underlying element of dark humor or social commentary, the 2015 headers have all moved back towards the essence of the work I want to create: horror.

{13.33x4.68, created in Adobe Photoshop}

Psyche Delectus: Clash

Within the tunnels of the Undermind,
Truth and Denial come face to face.

Recommended Listening:

Chelsea Wolfe

Carrion Flowers

from Abyss

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Happy Birthday H. P. Lovecraft

Today marks the birthday of that master of celestial horror and father of the Cthulhu mythos, Howard Phillips Lovecraft.  Rest well HPL!  Thanks for the exquisite parade of sense shattering nightmares and the lingering miasma of dread and horror!

{6.48x8, created in Adobe Photoshop}

Psyche Delectus: The Tree Within

After many permutations,
the distillation leaves no trace
of what was.

Recommended Listening:

Arcana

The Tree Within

from Cantar De Procella

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

From the Archives: Trick or Treat

Here we have the Zombie Bites header from October 2014, Trick or Treat.   Trick or Treaters can be a surly bunch if they don't get the candy they want.  Who knows what calamity might happen on Halloween night if a Zombie outbreak should occur.

~

During 2014, I began creating a new header each month depicting a scene associated with the dominate holiday for that month but with a zombie twist.  I'll be posting the headers here in From the Archives to give them a nice dark corner to fester in.  I'll also be posting the images with and without the logo so you can see the parts of the background image that were covered by the logo.  Thanks for viewing and reading!

If you like what you see here, be sure to check out Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, The Horde of July, and Back to School.

{8x2.81,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Dire Warnings for July

A new Dire Warnings is up Horror Blogger Alliance!  This month I expound upon the exquisite nothingness in Grant Morrison's run on  DC Comics' The Doom Patrol and celebrate HBA member blog, The Angry Scholar.  Drop by and be warned!

Saturday Sketch: The Spectre

Here we have the grim visage of DC Comics' Spectre.  My first encounter with The Spectre was in his super-cosmically powered aspect in Crisis on Infinite Earths.  It was not until much later that I began to appreciate his darker occult aspects.

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

I claim no copyright for the properties represented in the Saturday Sketches.  All copyrights and trademarks are retained by their respective owners.  I make no money from what I am presenting here.  It is presented for portfolio and appreciation purposes only.

Psyche Delectus: Flame of the Heart

The heart requires space to sing.

Recommended Listening:

Arvo Pärt

Magnificat

from Magnificat

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

From the Archives: Back to School

Here we have the Zombie Bites header from August 2014, Back to School. As everyone knows, those first few days of the school year can be very challenging.  All those young minds hungry for...uhm...knowledge.  With fresh hosts all lined up in their seats, a school bus ride would be an ideal set of conditions for the zombie infection to take root.  Before the bus driver could realize what all the noise and screaming was about, it would be far too late for everyone.  The bus would quickly become a cairn for the living dead.

~

During 2014, I began creating a new header each month depicting a scene associated with the dominate holiday for that month but with a zombie twist.  I'll be posting the headers here in From the Archives to give them a nice dark corner to fester in.  I'll also be posting the images with and without the logo so you can see the parts of the background image that were covered by the logo.  Thanks for viewing and reading! 

I apologize that I am unable to post the header without the logo.  I had a computer crash back in August of 2014 and lost access to some of my files and data.  I do not currently have access to the logo-less version of this image, but as soon as I do, I will post it here. 

If you like what you see here, be sure to check out Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and The Horde of July.

{8x2.81,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Dire Warnings for May

Dire Warnings is up at Horror Blogger Alliance!  This month focuses on the music label Cryo Chamber and the member blog of the month, From Zombo's Closet.  Drop by and check it out!

From the Archives: Yellow Hooded Figure

Some quick sketching I did in Photoshop while listening to parts of the King in Yellow.

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Saturday Sketch: Doctor Destiny

John Dee, Doctor Destiny, has always been one of my favorite DC villains.  Destiny was one of the earliest enemies of the Justice League of America.  I've always found his hooded skeletal visage especially creepy.

{8x5.33,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

I claim no copyright for the properties represented in the Saturday Sketches.  All copyrights and trademarks are retained by their respective owners.  I make no money from what I am presenting here.  It is presented for portfolio and appreciation purposes only.

From the Archives: The Horde of July

Here we have the Zombie Bites header from July 2014, The Horde of July. As the zombie infection spread, all armed forces were called upon to defend the human race.  In the end, the soldiers were overwhelmed and reanimated as more mutilated hosts.  In the sweltering heat of summer the horde seeks out those it once sought to protect.  The horde hungers.

~

During 2014, I began creating a new header each month depicting a scene associated with the dominate holiday for that month but with a zombie twist.  I'll be posting the headers here in From the Archives to give them a nice dark corner to fester in.  I'll also be posting the images with and without the logo so you can see the parts of the background image that were covered by the logo.  Thanks for viewing and reading! 

I apologize that I am unable to post the header without the logo.  I had a computer crash back in August of 2014 and lost access to some of my files and data.  I do not currently have access to the logo-less version of this image, but as soon as I do, I will post it here. 

If you like what you see here, be sure to check out Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, and Father's Day.

{8x2.81,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Countdown to Spartancon 2015!

Next month, on Saturday May 9th, I will be showing in the Artist's Alley at SPARTANCON.  This will be my second year showing at Spartancon. The convention will be held in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina at the Main Branch of the library.  Please check out the links below for more info.  I had a great time last year and am looking forward to showing again this year.  Some fun photos from last year are here, here, and here.

If you are in the area next month, drop by and see the sights.  It was a great deal of fun last year and I promise you will enjoy yourself!  I'll be posting more as we get closer to the convention so please check back to see what's new.

Spartancon ~ Spartancon on Facebook

From the Archives: Father's Day

Here we have the Zombie Bites header from the month of June 2014, Father's Day.  Who knows what happened outside to cause the cook out to go horribly awry.  What dread horror in the backyard made Daddy this way?  Mother and child are safe and hiding within the house, but for how long?  Daddy sure looks hungry.

I apologize that I am unable to post the header without the logo.  I had a computer crash back in August of 2014 and lost access to some of my files and data.  I do not currently have access to the logo-less version of this image, but as soon as I do, I will post it here.

~

During 2014, I began creating a new header each month depicting a scene associated with the dominate holiday for that month but with a zombie twist.  I'll be posting the headers here in From the Archives to give them a nice dark corner to fester in.  I'll also be posting the images with and without the logo so you can see the parts of the background image that were covered by the logo.  Thanks for viewing and reading!

If you like what you see here, be sure to check out Valentine's Day, Saint Patrick's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day.

{8x2.81,  created in Adobe Photoshop}

Dire Warnings for April

The Dire Warnings for April are up at the Horror Blogger Alliance.  This month, I focus on the Welcome to Night Vale podcast.  I had the privilege of attending the most recent live show in Atlanta on the fourth and it got me all stirred up about Night Vale.  Please drop by and check out this month's Dire Warnings!

Psyche Delectus: Parasitic

There is no place without danger.

Recommended Listening:

Apoptose

Ba 137m

from Schattenmädchen

{8x5.33,  Digital Images manipulated in Adobe Photoshop}

Exhumed: Tornado of Self

An older piece depicting a disturbed emotive state.  With the color reinvestigation, I wanted to add a stronger sense of motion within the piece to indicate that the individual distortion had begun to effect the surrounding environment.  I also chose to confine my palette to "body" colors: light flesh, blood, excretions.  With the use of these body specific colors, my intent was to give the image a subtle disturbing quality that intimated the visceral aspects of the black and white sketch with further graphic representation.

{8.5x11, Sharpie with color added in Adobe Photoshop}