I want to give a shout out once again to Sami at FandomGalCentral. She has been sharing my artwork with her followers on Instagram this month and I could not be more grateful.
For those who are interested in purchasing prints, you can do so online from Etsy and Amazon or you can purchase them in person from my store display at Closet Collectibles in Crete, IL!
Have a photo of you rocking or displaying one of my creations? Contact me to submit your photos and videos so you can be featured as one of my Freaky Fanatics too! Sharing on social media? Be sure to tag #livingdeadgirlnicole and send me your links!
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.
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!
Spooky season is upon us and that is why I spent a majority of my weekend in my art studio working on commission orders. As most of the items I was working on needed time to sit and dry I decided to take the opportunity to make another Horror Villain Icon Dead Girl Decay barrette.
After creating my “Ugly Mofo” Predator barrette I knew I had to make another one inspired by their nemesis. I also decided to make Private Hudson proud and named it “Game Over Man!”
The center features an up-cycled Alien action figure head surrounded by a multitude of flower petals with each representing the color and feel of the Aliens movie franchise.
For those of you that are fans of the film this is a Limited Edition creation so there is only one pre-made and available in my online Etsy shop. It will soon be available to purchase in person when I make my next art drop off at Closet Collectibles in Crete IL. Love it but you don’t wear barrettes? No problem! Many of my customers clip these to things in their home making them unique additions to their horror and sci-fi collections and decor!
Living Dead Girl Nicole 