Spitting Image: Insect Politics

Did you ever have a movie that sort of freaked you out enough that it has stuck with you over the years? No pun intended, but as a kid in the 80’s, David Cronenberg’s remake of The Fly was one of those movies for me. Not only were the special effects both impressive and grotesque, but the empath in me can’t help but feel all the feels when Seth tells Ronnie she can never come back due to “Insect Politics”. Top that off with that precious baboon hug and that shot gun blast and yah.. it sticks with ya.

None of this changes for me no matter how many times I watch the film and being a big fan of Jeff Goldblum this art piece has been on my art bucket list for many years. I knew I wanted to do one of my split face portraits and try to utilize the “Brundlefly” phase that was more obviously insect. I also wanted to utilize that soft, smokey, eerie green glow that I love so much in 80’s movies and is very prominent in the film and it’s branding.

For many months I have been working on this piece on and off. One because I had to figure out a way to make the insect mesh with Seth’s face and two, I have been trying to take more time when working on my art pieces. No rushing. Just letting things flow. Ironically whenever I had not worked on the piece for awhile I would get what I would refer to as “Goldblum Signs” that would inspire me to take time to work on it. This was happening so randomly and timely that even my husband would see Jeff Goldblum on something, point it out and say “it’s a sign… time to get working on your portrait”. Well needless to say, I finally completed it using pencil, charcoal and pastels and of corpse decided to call it “Insect Politics”.

I dream to one day cross paths and meet the legend that is Jeff Goldblum and gift him the original art piece. Are you listening universe? I am putting it out there and would love to manifest this moment that would stick 🪰 with me all of my life.. just like the film does.

Are any of my Freaky Fanatics a fan of this film or Jeff? I have prints and made-to-order t-shirts for sale in my Etsy and Amazon shops. Prints will also be made available to purchase in store at Closet Collectibles in Crete, IL as soon as I do my next art drop off.

Want to see more of my portrait drawings? You can find them on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio website!

Stay Spooky & Magical!
LDG Nicole

Freaky Fanatics: Howie Mandel

So what started as me sharing my “Walk On The Wild Side” portrait with Howie Mandel turned into him featuring it on his Instagram account captioned “This fan art gets my golden buzzer”.

But if that is not exciting enough, I got contacted by Howie’s Manager/Producer Rich, who reached out to me to tell me how much Howie loved the art and helped me get the original sent out to him. Rich did not tell Howie it was coming and surprised him with it today! I received this picture that is now also posted on Howie’s Instagram account giving me a shoutout for gifting it to him

Howie Mandel holding Living Dead Girl Nicole’s Original “Walk On The Wild Side” portrait inspired by him and his character Maurice in the 1989 movie Little Monsters

It feels great knowing the man who inspired my vision now has it in his hands (literally) and didn’t have to wait until our paths crossed to receive it (although I am still hopeful to meet him one day). I am so glad I took the risk to send it and trusted the divine that it would arrive safely. Feeling so many good vibes right now!

Check out Howie and others in the Freaky Fanatics slideshow on my official portfolio website!

Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole

Spitting Image: “Walk On The Wild Side”

Now that I am 40 I realize what it means to hear older people say “the good ole days”. As someone that was a child in the 80’s and a pre-teen/teenager in the 90’s where so much creative energy flourished I am grateful to have grown up when I did and experienced so many things that were wildly different and so inspiring. Unlike the kids these days that are stuck being bombarded with remakes, reboots and everything being so PC.

So I decided to check another portrait off my art bucket list inspired by one of my favorite movies from my childhood… Little Monsters.

I was 8 when the movie came out and I have watched it so many times in my lifetime I have lost count. Ironically as sensitive as I am, I was never scared of this movie like most kids my age were. I was always that weird kid who got lost in the story and wanted all these creepy magical adventures to happen to me in real life. Even as adult, I still have hope that there is a world of monsters partying under my bed. So far there’s “SNOT” but a girl can still dream.

So here it is.. my latest split face portrait inspired by none other than actor, comedian, tv show host Howie Mandel as himself and his high energy, baseball collecting, apple juice pissing, homework eating monster Maurice. I call it “Walk On The Wild Side”….

This piece was hand drawn in pencil and chalk pastels. I decided to draw Howie from the 80’s so that it matched the personality and time period of the movie character in 1989.

Maybe one day Howie will make an appearance at a Midwest con and I will be able to gift it to him during one of my real life adventures. Maybe Maurice will finally appear under my bed and I can gift it to him instead. In the mean time the rest of you Howie and Maurice fans you can pick up prints and made to order DTG printed t-shirts of this piece in my Etsy Shop. Prints will also soon be available at Closet Collectibles when I make my next art drop off.

Make sure to check out more of my portrait work on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio site and remember wishes are for “bush league leprechauns” and not monsters! So if you are looking to have a good time and get in a bit of trouble be sure to checking under your beds! I still am!

Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole

Slasher Sale: WIHM Deal #3

Women In Horror Month Deal # 2!!

Attention my fellow Sleepaway Camp fans! This killer deal is for you!
Buy my 1 and only Limited Edition, Hand Made, Felissa Rose “Happy Camper” Necklace (only $12.) and get a free matching 8.5″ x 11″ print (normally $20.)! Keep one and give the other to your horror-loving friend!

Since there is only 1 necklace this is a “while supplies last” deal! No coupon code is needed. Just be the first one to purchase the necklace in my Amazon shop and the print will be added to the package before it ships to you! Purchase must be made during the month of  February 2019 in honor of Women in Horror Month!

Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole