Growing up, you could hear me saying his name quite often in hopes he would appear. My Dad even dressed up like him for Halloween one year when I was a kid, complete with a replicated, light-up tombstone he made for the front porch, which he sat next to while entertaining trick-or-treaters. Many, many moons later, I requested that he walk me down the aisle to the opening credits of the movie on my wedding day. It was not only special to us, but it was also a movie my husband and I bonded over when we were dating. Needless to say, this art piece has been on my art bucket list for a very long time. So, I turned up the juice with my drawing pencils, and I am very happy with what shook loose.
Although I had previously drawn Michael Keaton in a split face portrait of Batman, I had yet to draw him as the beloved bio-exorcist I grew up adoring. Keaton has brought so many iconic characters to life and is easily one of the most entertaining actors to watch. When planning this piece, it was crucial that it didn’t just depict Beetlejuice, but truly reflected my deep admiration for Keaton’s talent. I wanted the artwork to radiate the nostalgia of that specific era, honoring the actor during a peak time in his career that defined so much of my childhood.
Well now, “IT’S SHOWTIME!” and I am incredibly excited to finally share this completed pencil and chalk pastel piece with my collectors. So say it once, say it twice, this is “Third Time’s A Charm”…
For my art collectors who love a little ghost with the most, I have made-to-order prints in my Etsy shop. Apply coupon code NICEFNMODEL at checkout to summon a 10% discount off your order! 🪲🧃
Canvas prints are currently in production with my printer for my art collectors to see in person and purchase at a discounted price* at Closet Collectibles (in Crete, IL.) and will be available once they arrive and I make my next art drop.
Meeting and occasionally gifting my art to legendary icons that I admire is one thing, but encountering icons who are creators themselves and inspire me to elevate my artistry skills always takes the experience to a whole new level. First there was Tom Savini, then Cleve Hall, and after last night I can finally add award winning makeup artist Ve Neill to the list!
Thanks to The Horror House Shop and Hollywood Blvd Cinema who hosted a screening last night of Batman Returns (my all time favorite Batman movie) along with a Q&A and Meet & Greet with Ve, I was able to check meeting another legendary artist that I admire off my list.
I knew I had to make her something to thank her for inspiring me as an artist and creating so many of the iconic movie characters I hold so dear, but most importantly breaking down barriers and the status quo for women in the arts.
So then it hit me. I had a coffin makeup brush holder that I had planned to transform into a Moffin. I knew that this was my sign that it was finally time to make it because it was meant for Ve. I went through my stash of monster eyes and picked out my favorite pair. The colors of them are my favorites… (galaxy colors.. magentas, fuchsias, purples, and blues) and I knew I had the perfect hair to go with it. I wanted to do something a little different with the paint job on this one. I mean it was going to an award winning makeup artist. The woman created the iconic look of Beetlejuice, won Emmy’s for Pee Wee’s Playhouse, and judged incredible works of art on SyFy’s Face Off. In other words I had to up my game. So I went with an ombre effect and could not be happier with the way it came out. I then went online and bought some makeup brushes in the same colors of the Moffin just for effect (as I know Ve uses her own brushes) and it all came together perfectly. Seeing I am my own worst critic, when I say “perfectly” what I really mean is that my heart skipped a beat when I saw Ve’s genuine reaction of joy when I handed it to her.
So here is how it came out….
And here are the photos of my memorable experience gifting it to Ve and a shot of it sitting at her table where she kept it displayed all night….
After watching her weekly and religiously during every season of Face Off I had formed an idea of what she might be like in person, and I wasn’t disappointed. She was so genuinely appreciative that I made her something, and as she took it all in looking at it, she couldn’t stop expressing how absolutely adorable it was, her face beaming with a huge smile. I shared how thrilled I was that she liked it, to which she replied that she loved it. My husband Frank (credited for capturing the amazing candid photos) proudly showed her his Beetlejuice sleeve, and I mentioned that I had suggested he ask her for recommendations on who to add next. She offered a fantastic suggestion, and now he’s seriously considering making it happen.
To top it off during the Q&A the gentleman on the mic that was interviewing her made mention of the unique brush holder on her table and she graciously acknowledged, “Oh, a lovely young lady made and gave that to me tonight.” He inquired if I was present in the audience, and as I raised my hand, she pointed me out. He then commended me for crafting something so cool, giving me a shout-out for my creativity.
One of the things that really stood out to me during her Q&A was her story about when she was a little girl and how her neighbor was a makeup artist. She dreamt of following in his footsteps one day. Despite him occasionally doing her makeup for Halloween and such, he consistently rebuffed her inquiries about pursuing a career in the field. Undeterred, she forged her path independently even in a male-dominated industry. I admire and in a way envy (in all the good ways) her determined spirit— a woman who fearlessly pursued her dreams and set a path for so many artists after her.
It goes without saying I have been on cloud nine since last night. Which was a much needed lift after having such a rough “living my best heating pad life” sort of week. I’ve been sharing with everyone about how amazing Ve was, and I’m still buzzing with excitement knowing she now owns one of my creations. Not only did she genuinely like it, but meeting her surpassed all my expectations. I’m immensely grateful to the event hosts and to Ve for making another one of my dreams a realty!
Love this Moffin creation? See more of my monster coffin creations here on my official portfolio website!
I don’t have Facebook but I hope my Freaky Fanatics do! I just entered the Dare Fashion costume contest and need your votes to help persuade the judges to choose my submission.
In celebration of Halloween, the folks at Dare Fashion asked their customers to enter by taking one of their favorite Dare Fashion tops and transforming it into a costume. I have a few but decided to go with my favorite which is the Electra Top that makes me feel like a curvy gothic goddess. I call my entry “I Myself Am Strange and Unusual” and of course it’s inspired by the queen of teen gothic goddesses…Lydia Deetz of Beetlejuice.
So now I need your votes to show the judges that they should pick me as the winner! All you have to do is go to the direct link to my entry and click the vote button next to my photo. Super easy! When you are done, please share the link or this post to help spread the word.
So even though I have already drawn Winona Ryder (as Mina Harker) and Christina Ricci (as herself and in tribute to us sharing the same birthday) I still have had them on my art bucket list because they have portrayed so many of my favorite characters and are two of my favorite actresses. There are two characters though that stand out from the rest and I have related to both of them and have loved them since I was younger…. Lydia Deetz and Wednesday Addams.
My original plan was to draw two separate portraits but after searching for reference photos I kept finding the same photos and so many of them had already been drawn. Some multiple times. I really wanted to do something to challenge myself as well as create something unique. I decided that since both characters have very similar qualities and traits why not try to combine them into one of my split face portraits.
So I present to you you my latest piece called “Kindred Spirits”….
The entire time drawing it I knew I wanted to call it this because I feel like if these characters crossed paths they would be dressing up as homicidal maniacs together, rummaging the cemeteries, trying to join the dead in the nether world and capturing sheets with no feet on film . And on top of it I secretly wish I could be a part of it.
