Halloween Henson Coven 2022!

So last year for Halloween weekend my husband Frank and I went on a little road trip to have Famous Monster pizza for our wedding anniversary dinner and came home in time for Halloween day where I transformed myself into a Muppet (Dr. Teeth to be exact). Then this year we went on a longer road trip to see Muppets and got home in time for Halloween day where I transformed myself into a “supreme” witch! The best of both worlds 2 years in a row and my heart is full.

You could imagine when we got to Grand Rapids Art Museum for the Jim Henson Exhibition, Imagination Unlimited that I would take tons of photos with everything in the exhibit. I narrowed it down to some of my favorites to share here and it was still hard to choose. For instance, Labyrinth has always been my all time favorite movie. I had a hard time pulling myself away from Jareth’s iconic Goblin King Masquerade suit. If people were not waiting for their turn to see it I could’ve stood there all day in complete awe. Just knowing there was only a display case between me and this sparkly wonder that David Bowie (aka as my “fairy godfather”) wore just blew my mind. I felt the same magic at that very moment that I felt the first time my Dad introduced me to the film as a young gelfling.

When it came to the puppets themselves it felt like you were about to meet a celebrity. I know that sounds crazy.. but that excitement you get standing in line at a con to meet your favorite actor.. add your inner child about to burst at the seams of your very existence and that was me.

One of the really remarkable things about this exhibit was not only being this close to Jim Henson’s work but also seeing the workmanship and production materials up close. From to the materials used on Grovers mouth.. to the glass in Count Von Count’s monocle, it was truly remarkable to experience as a fan but also take it all in as an artist who has been inspired by the magic of Jim Henson their whole life. We walked the exhibit multiple times and I even got to experience putting on a puppet show in a booth they had set up. As you can see from the cheesy grin on my face I didn’t want to leave.

When we got home from our little anniversary getaway it was time to finally reveal this year’s costume to everyone on Halloween day. Not checked off my art bucket list (yet) but officially off my costume bucket list.. I present to you the one and only real supreme.. Myrtle Snow (as portrayed by me but originally portrayed by the incredible Frances Conroy in American Horror Story). I loved how naturally my sassiness came out reincarnating the look of Myrtle. Forever one of my all time favorite AHS characters I couldn’t help but feel powerful stepping into her shoes.

I hope all my Freaky Fanatics had a wonderful Halloween and I appreciate all of your patience with getting back to you on art and order inquiries while I have been away.

If you are new here and like this post, be sure to check out the Skinned page of my portfolio website and feel free to leave a comment with the costume you think I should do next year!

Balenciaga!
LDG Nicole

Restocked at Closet Collectibles with new Display!

Over the weekend I did another art drop off/pickup at Closet Collectibles (Crete IL)! I was pleasantly surprised to find that they gave me a new display spot in the store and I could not be happier.

It has nothing to do with my love of built-ins (well maybe that’s part of it) but it has everything to do with it being a prime spot in the store that really showcases and protects my work! I really love it! 💜 

While I was there I picked up my Undead Doll Betty who was adopted on Etsy. Holly has now taken her place on display and is waiting for someone to adopt her and Teddy.

My “The Lovers. The Dreamers. And Me.” (of Jim Henson and Kermit) portrait prints also made their debut. While I was there I also re-stocked my sold out giclee art prints of my other Spitting Image portraits (which are now on the 3rd shelf pictured).

I am so grateful to Chris and Michelle for always thinking of and supporting me as their resident local artist at Closet Collectibles. Mother’s Day weekend is always a rough time for me so this really lifted my spirits. So blessed to be a part of such an incredible store ran by such incredible people. I can not recommend shopping there enough. And when you do, be sure to tell them..”Living Dead Girl Nicole sent me!”

Stay Spooky & Magical!
LDG Nicole

Closet Collectibles 4 Year Anniversary Raffle!

This week at Closet Collectibles in Crete IL visit their store and enter their 4 Year Anniversary raffle!

This includes the chance to win my Limited Edition “Toxic” Resurrected Poison Ivy Framed Print!

Winners will be announced by the store on Sunday, March 13th after their week long celebration! 🥳

Go show them some love, support this amazing small business and tell them their resident artist, Living Dead Girl Nicole sent ya!

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