Saturday Morning Cartoons - Hallowe'en Edition!

 Happy Hallowe'en!

Buffy vs Edward

 

An oldie, but a goodie! Click on the pic to watch.

 

Deathworkz and Lynette Brown, RIP

I lost another friend over the weekend, this time to pancreatic cancer.

Lynette Brown, owner and creator of Deathworkz Haunted House, passed away on Saturday after a long fight with the disease. Lynette and I met when I was still living in Folsom at one of the CalHaunts NorCal meetings, and just hit it off. We stayed in touch over the years, even after I moved away, and we discovered that we had much in common. I'm going to miss our talks.

She was smart, funny, fierce, and suffered no fools. If anyone should have lived to see Trump lose the upcoming election, it was her.

Rest in power, Lynette. You were one awesome lady!

More Jacks in the Shop!

I am beyond thrilled at the response to 2020's crop of handmade jack-o'-lanterns! The open house was a great start, and the continuing interest from collectors of my work - as well as new fans - has been humbling and thrilling, all at once! Because of you, I'm inching closer to my goal of purchasing my new kiln and all the things that have to go with it!

You can click on each picture to be taken to the listing in the ShellHawk's Creations Etsy Store.

Yes, it gives me a tremendous amount of satisfaction to see the body of work I created this year! Once I get my kiln, I can play around with my fine art again, too. Maybe I can add to the award I received from that international ceramics show I was juried into, Feats of Clay!

Wouldn't that be a triumph?
 

Saturday Morning Cartoons: Deadtime Stories

 An animated pilot for MTV which wasn't made into a series (as far a I know), by Michael Dougherty. Click on the pic for a creepy cartoon!

Rule #3

 

Rule #3: Never blow out a jack-o'-lantern!

Pepper's Ghost - Lots of Bang for Your Buck!

It's been a few years since I posted about Paul Lasaine's Pepper's Ghost illusion and his subsequent how-to video. but I felt that with social distancing being the watchword for Hallowe'en 2020, it could use another bump!

Paul Lasaine is a production designer, VFX art director and supervisor, matte painting artist and supervisor, and won an Annie Award (awards are for outstanding animation) for his work on Boxtrolls. 

Though the original video was posted in 2007, it's still a high-impact, low-budget effect for 2020. It's fairly easy to achieve for the rank beginner if you're willing to invest some time and patience. While I do enjoy the more commercially available projection effects we have access to these days, what I like about the Pepper's Ghost illusion is that it looks realistic and has a huge "wow" factor. I feel that we've become so accustomed to the look of CG, the "reality" of Pepper's Ghost is still as viable as it was in 1862, when it was developed.

Take a look at the videos and let me know what you think!

New Jacks and Pumpkin Guys!

 Now available in my Etsy store!

Success!

 My first Artist Open House in three years went beautifully, in spite of the 'Rona! It was a real push to get everything done on time, especially with having a full-time job, too, but it got done!

Here's the part where I plug my awesome dad. He was incredibly supportive and helpful at every turn. Coming from the background of a VFX producer, he kept tabs on all the little tasks which needed doing and kept things moving along on his end. He made signs, suggested changes on the Craigslist ad and the personal invitations, and was an all-around good sport! He was a soothing presence to my artist's anxiety and pre-show jitters! 

A friend came by and helped with setup and hung around to help wrap and bag each piece sold, so they'd arrive in their new homes in one piece.

 

 

 We got lucky with a beautiful, clear day and light breezes.

 

Our patio is a mixture of wisteria-covered trellis and solid wood, so we set up in the comparatively cooler shade so people could shop in comfort. I didn't get pictures, but dad made up a "masks required" sign with that cute German Shepherd showing you how to wear a mask, so that people would be a little safer.

 

I wasn't able to get pics once people started showing up, but we had a busy time there, for a bit. Busy enough to make doing the Open House worth it. A number of my old high school friends showed up to support my little business and they were really surprised to see not only the volume of work I had made, but the quality and variety! Many of the cups and bowls I had on display had come from my old digs in Folsom, and I even brought out my Christmas ornaments.

As always, people were drawn to the Raku-fired jack-o'-lanterns I had made. As far as I know, you can't get them anywhere else.

Eventually, the day wound down and folks ambled off with their purchases, looking happy behind their masks. Their pleasure reminded me of why I make ceramics; my pieces make people smile! It gives me an enormous amount of satisfaction to know, for instance, how much joy a set of cups will give my friend for years to come!

We sold a respectable amount of pieces, but of course there were some left. Lucky you! If you keep an eye on my shop, you can have one in your home, too!

These guys are already in my Etsy Shop, ShellHawk's Creations!

 

I'll be adding more as the week progresses!

Lights of the Night

Lights of the Night, by artist Ascending Storm.

This image screams, "Hallowe'en!"
 

Saturday Morning Cartoons - But for Adults!

This is not a cartoon for kids! 

Who's Hungry is a creepy and atmospheric mix of Hansel and Gretel and Jack the Giant-Killer. 

Can we all agree that looking under the bed is a viscerally terrifying thing to do? A grief-stricken boy loses a part of his Ferris wheel under his bed, and - well, strange creatures happen, and magical things ensue.

Enjoy!

Halloween is Grinch Night

 Did you think the Grinch was just an anti-Christmas guy?

He wasn't! There was a prequel to his attempted sabotage of The Other Holiday: Halloween is Grinch Night. 

Released in 1977, after the passing of Boris Karloff, who voiced How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the animated TV show was voiced by Hans Conried. The songs, written by Sesame Street veteran, Joe Raposo, were still sung by the legendary Thurl Ravenscroft. The show won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Program.

Click on the pic for the full movie.

The Terror of London: Springheeled Jack

Read about the Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack here.

I wanted to share the imagery with you all, because the way the Victorians pictured him was so atmospheric and creepy!

The Annual Mug Shot

I got it done! W00T!

"The Annual Mug Shot," as I like to call it, got done this past weekend! The Mug Shot consists of the lion's share of jack-o'-lanterns and pumpkin people I create in a season. Sometimes, they're missing a few friends, who have gone home with their new families. Sometimes, unfortunately, the friends they started out with have suffered too much in the firing and have broken or been otherwise damaged.

This year, however, there were so many of my jacks which came through, I had to do two separate mug shots to include them all!

Part of the reason is the fireplace I have now is smaller than the one I had in previous years. But I think they still look good, don't you?

Remember how I mentioned that a few have already gone to their new homes? Below is a jack I made for Chad Savage of Sinister Visions, from a jack design he did, called, "Howler."

Pic courtesy of Chad Savage.

 

Other folks I know have been collecting my jacks and other work for years! Above is a picture they sent me of their mantle. Below, my work is joined by a piece made by one of my favorite artists, Chicken Lips!

I've said it many times; I love making things people love to have in their homes!

Season's Greetings

 

This post contains links to Amazon and I may earn a small commission for qualified purchases.

Fans of Trick 'r Treat may remember Michael Dougherty made an animated short film years before realizing his dream of making Trick 'r Treat, while still a student in film school.

Our hero, Sam, is being stalked by a creepy stranger on Hallowe'en night. Will he manage to turn the tables on him? Click on the pic to find out. 

To Watch from a Darkened Room

  

I took the time a while back to start a Pinterest board of horror films and TV shows, because sometimes we forget the ones we enjoy and sometimes we're looking to discover something new to watch. Click on the pic to be taken to the board!

From time to time, even I peruse it when I'm looking for something fun!

Haunting Melodies

  

I've shared this before, but I think that at this time of year, it's fun to share again.

Click on the pic for a compilation of music, vintage commercials, sound effects and spooky stories for our favorite month! 

You can also click here for a Pinterest board of Hallowe'en sounds.

Caught in the Act

Art by Ryan Caskey.