The terrifying fog of the fest has almost receded so I wanted to thank everyone who dropped by my booth at the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear this past weekend. We had another great year. The crowds had doubled and the place on Saturday was an absolute mad house, but I just so happen to think that’s a good thing. I also want to thank my lovely lady Nicole who went above and beyond to help make things go smoothly, our good bud Aaron Beam (who took first place in the contest that night for his deadly Leatherface costume) and my brother Jay of the Dead for all their help. Hope you’re all fully recovered. I know I’m not!
I enjoyed talking with fellow exhibitors, like My Ghoul Friday, who is now in the know of the “Billy Connelly moment”. I met a few new artists like this guy here: Jason Edmiston. Check out his Creature taking a bubble bath and Monster Cereals meet “the real deal” prints. Amazing stuff. Another artist I’ve always dug is Emily Thomas. Fans of old-school tattoo flash, dangerous dames and vintage monsters will appreciate her work. I like her use of vibrant colours and simple compositions. My buddy at Rue Morgue, Justin Erickson, was also there selling his ghastly gallery to monster lovers all weekend. It was really great meeting and hearing feedback from Rue Morgue readers, talking shop and monster movies, my favourite subject if you didn’t know. But the big highlight just may have been when Udo Kier stopped by for a few minutes. Definitely one of the most surprisingly nice guests of the event and certainly the most entertaining. He really liked the poster I did for the Sunday night event at the Bloor, which I regret missing, and he even grabbed a Coffin Joe print to take home!

Rue Morgue also had the September issue available (#93) before it hit stands, which features an illustration I did of An American Werewolf in London. Upon seeing the sneak peek, director John Landis said “The cover is creepy and good. I called this the ‘opera’ make-up’.” Not exactly sure why they dubbed it the “opera make-up” but regardless, it’s a cool little fact. For me, those dream sequences (along with the horribly evil Nazi Were-Zombies) are the most startling and disturbing images from the film. The issue celebrates the reissue of A.W.I.L. which includes Beware the Moon, a killer doc which will be included as a bonus on the Full Moon edition. American Werewolf is one of the all time great monster movies and remains a true horror classic.

Well, have a good night fiends and don’t forget – stay clear of the Moors!

Ghoulishly,
Gary