Tag Archives: Portrait

“I’m Am The Magics” a Tribute to Willow Rosenberg by Artist Living Dead Girl Nicole

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Earlier this year, I decided to rewatch the entire series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I hadn’t seen it since high school, back when I was a real-life graduate of the class of ’99, just like the “Scooby Gang.” It was fun revisiting the show for nostalgic reasons, but my main focus was to be engulfed in the “Buffyverse” once again so I could finally check Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg off my art bucket list.

Willow was always my favorite character on the show. Despite being framed as the sidekick or best friend, I was always drawn to her more than Buffy. Maybe it was our shared 90’s fashion sense, her ability to research every monster-fighting scenario Buffy was faced with, or watching her grow into her powers, but I always saw her as the true emotional core of the series and the character I related to most. She always felt less like a fictional character and more like someone I would want to genuinely hang out with.

I really wanted to encapsulate Willow’s character growth from the beginning to the end of the series. An artistic reminder that we all have the battle of good and evil inside of us and that it is ultimately up to us to choose which path we take. With that in mind, I knew this had to be one of my signature split face portraits. One half representing the sweet, quirky and shy Willow, with the other side reflecting cold, broken hearted, “I’m the Slayer now” lethal Dark Willow. A part in the series that even though she becomes consumed by her overuse of power, she finally finds the courage to express so much of what Willow fans had always wanted her to say out loud, unfortunately pushing her toward nearly destroying the world with dark forces.

In the end, however, she recognizes the darkness she is heading toward and learns to control her powers. By doing so, she evolves into her true strength as a white witch, bringing light back into the world by activating all potential Slayers and saving humanity. The underdog ultimately becoming the true hero of the series in the show’s finale.

A storyline worth picking up the drawing pencils for, I completed the piece last week and am excited to share it with my art collectors. Done in pencil and chalk pastels, I call it “I Am The Magics”….

For my art collectors who never underestimate the “side-kick”, “I have made-to-order* prints and wearable art t-shirts listed in my Etsy shop. Apply coupon code BUCKLEUPRUPERT to manifest a spell that will magically take 10% off your order! ✨

Giclee and 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.) as well as at the upcoming Unruly Art Market on May 31st.

New to my work? Be sure to check out the other portraits I have masterminded on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio website!

Stay Strange & Magical ✨
LDG Nicole

*Read more about my “never mass produced” creative process and in store discounted art prices here

“I’m Not Staying On This Farm” a Tribute to Pearl by Artist Living Dead Girl Nicole

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When I first watched Ti West‘s slasher film X, I was blown away by Mia Goth‘s dual performance as both Maxine and Pearl. I was so impressed that when the prequel, Pearl’s “X-traordinary Origin Story,” was released, I had to watch it immediately. That was when I realized that Pearl had permanently axed her way into my creepy little heart and was immediately added to my Art Bucket List!

What can I say? I admire a woman who does not take no for an answer, especially when she is fighting for her dreams. And on a more personal note, I also understand what it feels like to be young, sensitive girl who feels stuck and cut off from the world, while living under the control of a guardian who cannot see or appreciate your aspirations. That kind of confinement leaves you quietly yearning for escape, because deep down you know you were meant for something more.

And it was not just Mia’s extraordinary performances that made me love the X Trilogy, including MaXXXine. It was the way Ti West threads the characters through the three films in such creative and unexpected ways that I find absolutely brilliant. He does not simply tell a story. He visually represents each film’s respective time period beautifully, builds an entire ecosystem of themes (who else caught the Wizard of Oz references in Pearl ?) and symbols that echo from one film to the next. The overlapping identities, the mirrored moments, the way ambition and darkness ripple through each character feels both relatable and unsettling in the most fascinating way.

This piece, which I call “I’m Not Staying On This Farm,” was created in pencil and chalk pastels and is my own small tribute to that messy and magnetic desire to become more than what the world expects. It also echoes the quiet heartbreak that runs throughout the trilogy, the way a person will do anything to reach their aspirations, the unraveling from rejection, and the emotional erosion that takes over you as you start to believe you are settling for “a life you do not deserve”.

For my art collectors who wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to feed a few folks to Theda, I have made-to-order* prints and wearable art t-shirts listed in my Etsy shop. Apply coupon code IMASTAR at check out and get 10% chomped off your order! 🐊

These items are also be available for purchase in my Latchet shop for those who prefer to use that platform to make your online purchase.

Giclee and canvas prints are currently in production for my art collectors to see in person and purchase at a discounted price* at Closet Collectibles (in Crete, IL.) when I do my next art drop!

New to my work? Be sure to check out the other portraits I have masterminded on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio website!

Stay Strange & Magical ✨
LDG Nicole

*Read more about my “never mass produced” creative process and in store discounted art prices here

“Voila! No More COVID” a Tribute to Uncle Baby Billy by Artist Living Dead Girl Nicole

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If you were a kid in the 80s, chances are you also witnessed your Grandma getting a little too excited by televangelists. Those larger-than-life, comical religious figures of mega churches live on your TV screen, promising miracles galore, letting you “praise God” from the comfort of your living room… and of course, reminding everyone to send in their tithes to keep the show on the air!

So it was no surprise that when Rough House Pictures released The Righteous Gemstones, my brother Mike, already a couple episodes in, told me, “You have to watch this show!” I hadn’t even heard of it yet, but as he described the over-the-top “holy rollers” and their absurd antics, I knew I was in for a wild ride.

As soon as I started watching the show, I was hooked and began tuning in every week. My husband and I would sarcastically announce, “It’s time for church!” every Sunday evening when the show aired. I was captivated by the comical “behind-the-scenes” lives of those running a megachurch, their greed, theatrics, and absurd charm all rolled into one chaotic spectacle. Watching it all unfold reminded me why, as an adult, I’ve taken a more spiritual path over Grandma’s traditional, organized religion.

But there was one character I couldn’t get enough of and every week hoped he would make an appearance, and that was Uncle Baby Billy Freeman, brilliantly played by Walton Goggins. His outrageous antics, sheer audacity, and hilarious one liners reminded me why I never got good vibes about Grandma’s TV miracle workers.

The first time I recall seeing Walton was as Officer Naish in House of 1000 Corpses, where his demise became a silent, chilling, and unforgettable moment that will forever go down in horror movie history. Every role I’ve seen him in since has been incredible and no matter what character he’s given, he knows the assignment. I mean, just look at Venus Van Dam in Sons of Anarchy! And here’s a funny one: while rewatching all of Beverly Hills 90210 to get my Brenda Walsh/Shannen Doherty fix, I had the mind-blown moment of realizing I was 44 years old when I discovered Walton had a small role on the show. Needless to say, Walton’s range, charisma, and sheer presence make him endlessly fascinating to watch and made it impossible not to add him to my art bucket list. I had hoped to finish this piece before the last episode aired but life got in the way and although the show is no longer on I wasn’t going to let that stop me from completing my vision. So here it is…

I call this piece “Voila! No More COVID!” a line Baby Billy uses to sell viewers on his smooth coconut elixir that is blessed by God and ready to heal all your ailments. Just like your Grandma used to love. This split face portrait of Walton and his televangelist alter ego was created using pencil, chalk pastels, and colored pencil.

For my art collectors who wish they could’ve been a contestant on Baby Billy Bible Bonkers, I have made-to-order* prints and wearable art t-shirts listed in my Etsy shop. Apply coupon code MISBEHAVIN at check out and get 10% slashed off your order!

These items will also be available for purchase in my Latchet shop (once they are imported) for those who prefer to use that platform to make your online purchase.

Giclee and canvas prints are currently in production for my art collectors to see in person and purchase at a discounted price* at Closet Collectibles (in Crete, IL.) when I do my next art drop!

New to my work? Be sure to check out the other portraits I have masterminded on the Spitting Image page of my portfolio website!

Stay Strange & Magical!
LDG Nicole

*Read more about my “never mass produced” creative process and in store discounted art prices here

Bid On My Rare Autographed Hatchet Art in The Movie Crypt’s YORKIETHON 9 Charity Auction!

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I have been biting my tongue for weeks, dying to announce my latest “Backbones” charity mission, and if you’re one of my art collectors drawn to the horror side of my work, this is your chance to own something VERY killer, while supporting an amazing cause at the same time. Especially if you’re an animal lover like I am.

So with that all being said, I am beyond thrilled to finally be able to announce that my Victor Crowley/Kane Hodder tribute piece, “Daddy” has been selected by Arwen 🐾 with the help of filmmakers Adam Green and Joe Lynch to be a part of The Movie Crypt‘s silent auction for YORKIETHON 9, a charity event where 100% of the proceeds going to the Save A Yorkie Rescue!

For those not familiar with the annual event, it is a free 3-day LIVE fundraising variety show featuring celebrity guests, comedy, music, and more on the ArieScope Pictures website.

This year the online event will take place Friday July 25th – Sunday July 27th, and during the event you can go to Arwen’s Silent Auction Page and bid on exclusive horror memorabilia, art, collectibles, and more to help raise money for the cause, including the 16″ x 20″ canvas print of “Daddy” that I have donated (pictured with me above).

And it gets even better… Not only will the winning bidder receive my limited size canvas print signed by me as the artist, but it will also be autographed by legendary horror actor Kane Hodder and Hatchet creator Adam Green!* Making it a VERY exclusive art piece to own in your collection!

😉 For those of my art collectors that want to get first dibs before the live variety show starts this weekend, you can do so by starting your BID HERE!

Coming together with fellow horror icons and fans to support a cause like this is a powerful reminder of why the horror genre has always drawn me in. It’s not just about the guts and gore on screen, but about the incredibly passionate and heartfelt community of fans and celebrities I’ve had the privilege of encountering over the years. A community that has welcomed me with open claws and is always inspiring me and helping me push the limits of what I can do as an artist.

If you can’t afford to bid right now, please take a moment to share this post with those who may be interested. It’s not only a personal creation tied to a franchise I adore, but as someone who has always admired the creative minds of Adam and Joe, and whose work has deep roots of inspiration in the horror genre world, having my artwork selected by them to be part of this event is truly an honor. Even more meaningful is the opportunity to use my talents to help save the lives of sweet, deserving dogs like Arwen!

Stay Strange & Magical!
LDG Nicole

* Kane Hodder and Adam Green will be signing this piece at Flashback Weekend Chicago the weekend AFTER this auction has closed. Therefore the signatures are not visible in the photos provided. The item will be autographed and then shipped to the winner.