Grimvisions Halloween Giveaway 2009

Just in time to ring in October, Grimvisions is having an amazing giveaway! As a guest blogger on Grimvisions, I am offering this delightfully devious little Pumpkin Creature as a part of this promotion. Run on over to Grimvisions to check out the other fantastic items that are included...Handsculpted ghoulish creations by Grim of Grimvisions and King Unicorn of Anathema Arcana! This is a giveaway you really don't want to miss! Make sure to maximize your chances of winning...full details available over at Grimvisions.

Pumpkin Creature VII:

Something is definitely amiss with the pumkin crops at the Shadow Farm this year. An unusually wet summer has grown the roots deep and strong in the rich dark soil. Local legends tell of an abandoned cemetery somewhere on the property, and it is my firm belief that the crop has tapped into something unwholesome. Mischievous creatures with the vague resemblance of pumpkins are now running amuck, creating chaos in their wake. They may seem ---dare I say-- cute, but do not be fooled... these creatures are real troublemakers.

Halloween Sale!

Big news! I am offering free shipping on all items purchased thru my Etsy store now thru October 17th! This is the perfect opportunity to grab up a one-of-a-kind piece of Halloween Art, handcrafted by Dave the Dead. Stop by now and pick out your favorite character and have him shipped free before Halloween!

PinkEye the Clown

"Pinkey the Clown! Pinkey the Clown!" Billy squealed with glee.
It was 4 days before his party, and Momma just booked the entertainment.

"Yes Billy," Momma said. "Pinkey the Clown is coming and you are going to have the best birthday ever!"

"Yayyyyy!" squealed Bill. " Best birfday ever! Yay Pinkey the Clown!"

Momma didn't check references.

Momma didn't notice the extra 'e' on the end of Pinkey's name. If she had, Momma would have thought it was just a typo.

"Pinkeye the Clown! Pinkeye the Clown" screamed Billy.

Worst Birthday ever.

Skeleton Stirring a Cauldron

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Well, Devil's Chariot from Hauntforum must be one of the most flattered propbuilders out there this year. Last year, he took a new angle on the 'witch stirring a cauldron' prop and came up with his excellent "Cauldron Creep"
When asked to make a piece to donate to my son's High School Robotic's team for their silent auction, I struggled with what to make. It had to be ultra cool, animated, but small enough to appeal to the casual haunting enthusiast. I decided to take a shot at making this prop, but in a much smaller scale. My version is powered by the turntable motor from a microwave, and stands 12 inches tall to the top of the natural maple stirring pole.

I have spotted one major design flaw in this piece....I WANT IT FOR MY OWN! Oh well, the kids need the support, so this one goes off to charity. If anyone is interested in placing a bid on this prop, the auction will be held at Southport High School, Indianapolis Indiana on October 17th.

Thoughts on Pose

I have been working on a new piece today and found myself thinking about the importance of pose. Many of you fine people have commented in one way or another about different aspects of the poses I put my pieces in. Creating a visually appealing character is all about the pose, in my opinion. I have just written a short article as a guest blogger on Grimvisions...check it out!

Pumpkin Creature VII

I finished this guy over the weekend...ain't he just the orneriest thing? This one will not be for sale on Etsy ( but make sure to check out the other new creatures I have listed)

I have special plans for this guy....stay tuned.

Shrunken Heads

I sculpted this head last year, and decided to make a mold in case I needed it later....well it is later and I have just made it into two new pieces.

Grumpy Witch

I have added a new piece to my Etsy store. Check out 'The Grumpy Witch'

Skeletal Bird

Legend says there once existed a small bird with a song so dissonant and mournful that it had the ability to wake the dead. This item was found in the bottom of an abandoned cistern during an "Urban Archeology" project. It is believed that this small bird was the sole cause of the 1804 Zombie Rebellion.

Pumpkin Baby Statue...more pix

The Pumpkin Baby

Early this spring I was on a college visit with my son and encountered a small statue on the campus of Ball State University. The piece is called "Frog Baby". Something about it instantly captured my imagination. The child is shown in a pose of absolute rapture, smiling and raising her eyes to the heavens, completely oblivious to the plight of the two frogs that she is holding on the brink of death. I stewed over this image for a few days, and began building my version which I have called "Pumpkin Baby". This was my most difficult piece to date, involving many hours of trial and error in pose, sculpt and painting.

Curiosity No. Auk5-387

This specimen was found slogging about in a stagnant mud puddle in the dark end of the Shadow Farm Cemetery. Local scientists are baffled as to its origin. After a severe media leak, some locals are hailing the find as proof of the Figi Mermaid. Others are speculating that it may be the spawn of Lovecraft's Innsmouth. One eyewitness who was able to retain his sanity was quoted as saying "It is without a doubt the most unwholesome thing I have ever seen".

Curiosity No. Auk5-387 is now available for sale on Etsy.

Busy weekend on the Farm

I've been working on several new pieces to bulk up my Etsy inventory. Allow me to introduce two new Pumpkin Creature Minis and "Ghoul". Several other new items are in the works, and will be listed this week. Thanks for looking!

Pumpkin Creature Minis

I just finished these miniature Pumpkin Creatures. They are hand sculpted in paperclay, with mini plastic skeleton arms and legs as accents. They are approximately 4 1/2 inches tall, and full of character. Both are for sale on Etsy.

Exploring the Barn

Darkness even in the bright of day.

The earthy smell of dirt, hay,
rot, decay, and neglect.
The quiet of a cellar,
the coldness of a tomb.
The thrill of trespass.
Rust, cobwebs and dust.
Forgotten items from a long-gone past.
Whispers of a stranger's memories.

Artist Spotlight: Fox G.

This weekend I had the pleasure of witnessing the unique art of Fox G. during a family camping trip. Fox is six years old, and has already developed a taste for the macabre in his creations. Fox's work, entitled "The Grim Reaper" exhibits his early mastery and imagination. For this piece, he chose to work in the ephemeral medium of mud that he carefully harvested from a nearby creek. Although the piece lasted only a few hours, it demonstrates his budding gift of form and proportions. Notice the carefully crafted hands and arms holding the wooden scythe...Fox's sculpt exhibits a very natural pose that much older artists sometimes struggle with. The dark faceless cowl and the trailing robe lend a spectral, floating quality to the otherwise heavy and awkward medium. I feel truly blessed to have seen this piece firsthand. Great job Fox! Keep up the good work!