I would just like to start this off by saying that the real horror story begins when that “back to reality” feeling sets in Monday morning after being away in la la land during an amazing, extended weekend with your local horror community. The struggle is real, and my husband and I are definitely feeling it today after another memorable Flashback Weekend Chicago!

So needless to say I am happy to relive the adventure while sharing my latest post horror con recap …

So one thing I learned this weekend was that after 27 years, your 90s teen dreams can still become a reality. The inner teen that is still left inside my 42 year old body was all sorts of giddy gifting my “The Exorcist Was On” portrait to Billy Loomis himself.. Skeet Ulrich. He was in awe that he got to keep the original and thanked ME for making HIM look good (who would’ve thunk it). He got a kick out of me telling him that he was the reason I started watching Riverdale and told me that I was very talented and I definitely need to keep up the great work. I guess you can say he was encouraging the “psycho” in me to keep being “more creative” (pun intended).

Mad props go out to my husband Frank who was a trooper during all of this. He took these pics that I will cherish and didn’t end up threatening a divorce afterwards 😆. However, I think he had his special moment when Rose McGowan (who we’ve met before) voluntarily lit his cigarette when he was standing outside the hotel having a smoke break with our friend Ben.

This weekend we also got to reconnect with David Howard Thornton. The last time we saw him was when I gifted him my original #SELFIE art piece at Days Of The Dead Chicago in 2018. It truly was an eye opener to see the difference 5 years can make and how a sequel to something could actually go surprisingly in the right direction. When we first met David back then we were able to walk right up to his table and shoot the shit with him. However, now that Terrifier 2 has come out and people are starting to discover Art The Clown, we actually had to stand in a decently long line just to say hi. Not to mention the main cast members from both films were there so it was quite the “terrifying” event. For me personally I was excited that the cast reunions included Damien Leone who is not only the creator and director of the film, but also the special fx artist who developed the Art The Clown character. In a world of remakes and reboots, he literally gifted us a new horror icon and from what I have witnessed of the franchise growth over the years, I am not the only fan of the horror genre that has been craving his originality.

With that being said, I gifted both David and Damien wearable art print shirts of my #SELFIE piece. They both really liked them and thought it was great they got to keep them. The woman working at Damien’s table was even impressed by them and asked if I had more of them. Once again Frank gets mad props for capturing these candid images while I was talking with and gifting to them.

We waited to get an actual posed photo with them because we already had reserved a ticket for their in costume photo op that was an absolute must. It was so great to see Damien’s work up close and see David in full character. Just like in 2018, I made sure to get my hands on Art’s horn again. He flipped it around all funny to give it to me and then we all laughed and took the photo. David himself stayed in character the whole time on mute. It was pretty epic. The best part was that we didn’t know he made this face until we got the print out of the photo and it’s pretty damn priceless. Don’t worry I gave the horn back to him..this time 😉

We also had the opportunity to catch up with our dear pal and master of “dark, sticky fun”, Ron Fitzgerald. He is a local entertainer and illusionist that I have been following for close to 30 years. This is all thanks to my Dad who took me to be in the audience of Ron’s live tv/cable access show when I was in 6th grade. I have been catching up with him ever since at cons, events, and even around town. He is one of the nicest, and stylish guys you will ever meet. Frank bought one of his bad ass engraved razor blade necklaces to further support his work.

We made some other purchases from the vendors but the highlight was finally finding an “Audrey II” inspired plant that was impressive enough to buy! I have been on a search for a decently sized one for quite some time for a deadly plant display for our home. Most of the ones I have found are cheaply made plastic and overly priced, but thanks to Archives of The Underworld my search is over. This artist hand sculpts and paints each one beautifully. Of corpse Frank insisted on buying me the biggest one she had and I was not complaining. 💕

We took a break from all the lines and crowds to sit back and watch the costume contest hosted by horror host Svengoolie. To our surprise the room was packed this year and there were quite a few contestants. These being my top faves.

I of corpse had to get a pic with the fellow rebel in the amazing Pee Wee cosplay…

Being a musician, my husband Frank was very happy to be able to talk with composer Alan Howarth who has done music for a lot of the movies he really loves, including They Live. To top it off Frank was in awe that he was signing his autographs like sheet music. He had a ruler and was making the lines and adding the notes. For me, it was his shirt. I could not get over how awesome it was and need one in my life.

We unfortunately missed Alan’s live show because we were attending the Private Gala Cocktail Reception for the Ultimate ticket package holders and the celebrity guests. As someone who has been attending and supporting this convention for almost 20 years I joined forces with Mike and Mia (owners of the con) and donated bloody framed art prints which I put into 4 horror swag bags for party raffles. These bags included not only my artwork but prizes donations from my fellow fiends at Closet Collectibles, Fangoria, Creepy Acres, September Son Films, High On The Hog The Movie, Zombie Pumpkins, Resin Glitz Jen, Metal Movie Nights, Olivia Frankenstein, and Dead Sled Brand.

Zombie Army Productions‘, Chad Savage (the incredible artist who designed our Save The Date Cards for our wedding in 2009 and the Frankenskull lapel pins we display on the curtains of our Frankenhearse), and John LaFlamboy (haunted house extraordinaire) were announcing all of the raffle ticket numbers and handing out all of the prizes at the event. Mike got on the microphone and announced who I was and how I have been attending and supporting their convention since 2004 which made my creepy little heart happy. Then he handed the microphone off to me to plug my work and those who donated. Shoutout to everyone who kept this introvert laughing the whole time and for John making it a point to purposely “get my name out there” over and over again when he announced the winners. I truly appreciate your hilarious determination to help this ghoul out.

It was great to see the prizes being such a big success at the event after all the hard work that went into them. The attendees who won them really lucked out thanks to all the amazing boils and ghouls who joined forces and donated for them. Frank and I had some drinks and mingled a bit at the party but neither of us were comfortable pushing our way through the folks who were hoarding over the celebrity guests to get selfie party pics with them. Frank and I figured we would give them a break from their already long day of fan photos and let them be humans for the rest of their evening. Unfortunately, this made it hard to be able to just shoot the shit with any of them as they were sort of congregated to one spot with a crowd around them. However the party was a really nice perk for con attendees and we were truly honored to get to be a part of the whole VIP experience.

I would like to end this by saying thank you again to Mike & Mia and the crew at Flashback Weekend Chicago for all the hard work you put into making this such an immersive and unforgettable event each year. You guys are killer and we are so grateful for all you do and have done over the years to support our Midwest horror and art communities!

Stay Spooky & Magical,
LDG Nicole