The theme this month is Dystopian Halloween. What Halloween traditions survive a post-apocalyptic landscape will be up to the survivors. For some of us, Halloween is instilled in our soul. We’ll easily find a way to celebrate the dead. That’s what comes to mind when I found this awesome spooky art from Kellen Carranza.
Artist: Kellen Carranza
Company/Studio/Website:
https://www.artstation.com/artofkellencarranza
Where to Purchase Goods:
https://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/KellenC/
May has been cemetery appreciation month and it’s now time to look ahead at the dark days of summer.
cemetery games
young lovers under the moon
werewolf hunt begins
From dragons to vampires, mermaids to monsters, the widely acclaimed and prolific fantasy artist Anne Stokes has enchanted and terrified the world with her masterful creations for over 20 years. The London-born creator has produced art and illustrations for dozens of books, games, albums, including the uber-popular Dungeons and Dragons. These days, Anne is busy building her global empire by licensing her own creations in merchandising, jewelry, fashion, and much more. All hail the Mother of Dragons in the art world!
Artist: Anne Stokes
Where to Purchase Goods: https://annestokes.com/shops/
Website: https://annestokes.com/
Social Media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anne_stokes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annestokesart/
I hope everyone is still practicing physical-distancing.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
Artist: Paul M. Woodruff
Where to Purchase: https://www.etsy.com/market/paul_m_woodruff
Website: http://paulmwoodruff.com/galleries/aceo-gallery/
Halloween fans are dreaming of a dark and moody Christmas. Forget the goofy grandma sweaters and wicker baskets full of over-processed cheese and stale crackers, this year, slay the holidays with some frighteningly awesome gifts for your favorite Halloween lover or yourself!
THE STOCKING STUFFERS
Halloween miniatures, $2-$20
Help your Halloween fan get a jump on creating a miniature display for next season with these adorable little Halloween miniatures.
Halloween and horror pins, $5-20
Pins make the best stocking stuffers. Most are cheap but the collectibles can be more expensive.
https://lunarcryptco.com/search?type=product&q=pins
Vintage-style Halloween magnets, and stickers from Vintage Spooky Company, $5
Graphic designer Gary makes all his own original Halloween and monster art, inspired by vintage Halloween wares and other spooky stuff.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Vintagespookycompany
Batteries, $8-$40
Don’t laugh. Everyone needs batteries. Sure, you could go for AA or AAA, but I suggest those CR2032 batteries that go in tea lights and animatronics. Those little guys get costly. Believe me, they are so appreciated.
LAST MINUTE BUYS FROM AMAZON
Llewellyns 2020 Magical Mystical Calendar featuring artwork by Lisa Parker, $15
Llewellyns make the best mystical, spiritual and witchy calendars, and they’ve once again teamed up with renowned fantasy artist Lisa Parker for 12 months of magical felines
Gracula Garlic Twist Crusher, $16
The kitchen is one of the hardest rooms in the house to decorate for Halloween fans and this little garlic crusher is simply delightful. This little novelty item is probably not good for serious cooks and heavy usage but seems perfect for once-a-blue-moon meals.
Black Candle Pillar Holders, $20
Every good witch needs a little iron and light to help ward off evil. Black candle pillar holders come in many shapes, sizes and styles, start here:
Haunted Skull Cake Pan, $28
The Nordic Ware Haunted Skull Cakelet Pan is an absolute treasure. You can make pizza skulls, skull muffins, skull burritos, Dia de Los Muertos cakes and whatever your imagination can come up with. This quality cast aluminum, non-stick pan is a must-have for any Halloween lover’s kitchen.
TIME TO SPARE
Poe Ornaments and Tea Ball Infusers by Annabel Lee and Me, $9-10
Annabel Lee and Me specialize in Poe centric and gothic wares. After you put up your dark and spooky Christmas tree covered in Poe ornaments, sit back with a nice cuppa hot tea.
Prints from the Edward Gorey Collection, $12
Eccentric artist Edward Gorey liked to draw creepy creatures and cats. He even drew the Prince of Darkness in a whimsical scene. If you’re ever in Yarmouth Port, MA, stop by the Gorey House Museum.
The Ghoulish Grimoire books by artist Diana Levin and author Shawn Givens, $12
Now on the 7th issue, these unique horror anthologies feature stunning black/white pen and ink illustrations, accompanied by two short stories, sometimes poems and other musings, which are always the perfect blend of creepy and macabre imagination. Back issues from this talented couple are still available. Get them before they’re gone!
https://www.ghoulishbunnystudios.com/books
Horror Movie T-shirts from Fright Rags, $25-40
Halloween fans and horror lovers can represent 365 days a year with these officially licensed T-shirts and other cool merch from the most iconic horror films of all time.
“United” Halloween flag 3×5 ft by Rhode Montijo, $25
Halloween fans can now let their freak flags fly with this giant orange and black striped jack-o-lantern flag that will look great hanging on the wall. Don’t forget to pick up some adorable Halloween prints and buttons too!
https://rhodemontijo.myshopify.com/products/pre-order-for-large-united-halloween-flag
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Gris Grimly, $25
Citing the monster as a childhood favorite, acclaimed artist Gris Grimly jumped at the chance to illustrate the very first, full-length novel using the original 1818 text from Mary Shelley. This beautifully haunting book with stunning artwork is one-of-a-kind. Pick up a copy at his newly reopened online store.
http://grisgrimly.com/product/gris-grimlys-frankenstein/
Fine Art Prints from Killer Pumpkins, $30
Welcome to the colorful and spooky world of artist and designer John Pelico, whose digital artwork is simply mind-blowing. Whoever thought grim could be so cheerful. Only prints are available online but if you catch Killer Pumpkins at San Diego Comic Con or other So Cal conventions, sometimes they carry unique merchandise like coffee cups and lamps.
https://www.killerpumpkins.com/store
Infernal Creatures: A Collection of Rare Occult Artworks book from Century Guild, $35
Century Guild is a private museum and gallery, now based out of Southern California, that specializes in fine arts between 1880-1920s, particularly Arte Nouveau and Symbolism. This exquisite hardcover book features full-color, professionally photographed art and posters, printed on the highest resolution paper. Fascination with death and the occult is not a contemporary concept
https://centuryguild.net/collections/books/products/infernal-creatures-rare-occult-artworks
Horror Movie Burst a Box, $50
A unique twist on a centuries old child’s toy, which still features the chilling ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’ tune. Choose from Billy, Chucky, Freddy, Jason, Pennywise, or Sam.
https://www.mezcotoyz.com/category/burst-a-box-cg/categories/burst-a-box/1.html
Need more ideas? Check out last year’s blog posts for great stocking stuffers and Christmas gift ideas for Halloween fans.
According to German folklore, December 5th is the day that Krampus visits all the naughty children and whips them for misbehaving, gives them lumps of coal, or steals them away to eat them later. You gotta be really, really bad to have the latter happen. You might not agree with the methods of Santa’s evil twin, but you gotta admit, he gets results, even the adults act a little better during the holidays. Besides, Santa doesn’t really like being the bad guy, and all that coal weighs down the sleigh. Better to outsource a job like that.
These days, we hold annual balls and festivals in honor of Krampus, who’s now more a whimsical dark hero to us misfits.
Artist: Diana Levin
Company: Ghoulish Bunny Studios
Social Media: https://twitter.com/ghoulishbunny or https://www.instagram.com/ghoulishbunnystudios/
Shop: https://www.ghoulishbunnystudios.com/shop
Every Wednesday in December, Halloween Haiku will present the fabulous art of the very best artists from around the world, some well-known, some unknown, but all of them are amazingly talented.
First up this month, freelance artist and concept artist Matt Dixon, most notably known for his work with Hearthstone.
Artist: Matt Dixon
Where to Purchase Goods: Online shop
Website: https://www.mattdixon.co.uk/ or https://www.deviantart.com/mattdixon
Social Media: https://twitter.com/MattDixonArt
Halloween Horror Haiku 