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

Spitting Image: The Lovers. The Dreamers. And Me.

Anyone who knows me or even just follows my artistic journey knows how much Jim Henson has influenced and continues to inspire me. That is why I am very excited to finally share a new art piece that has been on my art bucket list for way too long.

I have always wanted to draw Jim Henson but was not sure how I would come up with what I considered a good enough tribute to someone that has brought so magic into my world. Then last September when his 85th Birthday was upon us, I got a vision of what I wanted to do and I started planning it out. Work, life and filling art orders got in the way but I continued to work on it slowly but surely. I am so happy I did not rush myself to complete it. I took my time because this piece is truly very special to me.

The vision I had for this piece was to pay tribute to the joy he brought into this world from the beginning of his career from the Sam and Friends days to his time on Sesame Street and the Muppet Show. And it was not just Jim’s look I wanted to show that had transitioned over the years but also wanted to incorporate the old and new looks of Kermit. From an abstract lizard made out of his Mother’s coat to the iconic frog we all love and recognize today.

I am so happy to finally be able to share this split face portrait done in pencil and chalk pastels that I call “The Lovers. The Dreamers. And Me.”

You can see this art piece and my other portrait drawings showcased on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio website.

For those who are interested in purchasing prints or wearing this art piece on a shirt, you can find them listed in my Etsy and Amazon shops. Prints will also be made available at at Closet Collectibles in Crete, IL as soon as I make my next art drop to replenish my store shelves.

Stay Spooky & Magical!

LDG Nicole

Spellbinding: Handmade Grottan Pride

Leave it to my love of Jim Henson and my gelfling spirit animal Deet to inspire me creatively once again!

I am so excited to share my newest creation. For a while I have been wanting to have a Grottan Clan Sigil made and after getting more familiar with sculpting these past months I wondered if I could make one myself and if so how would I even pull it off with the design not being a conjoined sigil.

I also knew I wanted to make the center out of an actual black gemstone crystal so it would also be a grounding and protection sigil. I had planned to get something the next time I went to one of our local holistic shops and decided to put the project idea on hold until I made the trip.

Well as the universe would have it.. it brought the stone to me. I received a free gift as a thank you with my 1st Mindful Souls subscription box and it was a round black obsidian on a whimsical knit cord necklace! Seriously, it could not have been more perfect visually and with perfect timing.

I am normally not my biggest fan but actually did a little happy dance when this was fully dry. Not only because it’s what I had hoped for, but because now It will also be a reminder that I challenged myself and a reflection of my gratitude to the universe for giving me that little extra push I needed to create my vision.

See more of my magical creations that incorporate healing crystal gemstones on the Spellbinding page of my portfolio website. Are you a fan of The Dark Crystal as well? Then don’t forget to check out my “I Will Carry On” Deet portrait on the Spitting Image page too!

Stay Spooky & Magical!
LDG Nicole

Creature Feature: The Jim Henson Legacy

I feel like I just won at Halloween! My Dr. Teeth Costume was featured in the recent issue of the Official Jim Henson Legacy Newsletter! Am I totally geeking out right now? Yeah.. a little. NO.. A LOT! Thank you so much to Craig Shemin for including me! I am so honored to be any part of keeping the magic of Jim Henson alive!

See more of where I have been featured on the Creature Feature page of my official portfolio website!

Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole