Youtube has learned that I enjoy jack o'lanterns, so it recommended this video to me by the INCREDIBLE Halloween artist, Cathy LeBeau. I first saw her work before on her Instagram page, which shows off some of her amazing creations.
As far as iconic Halloween artists go, I'd say she rivals even the illustrious Pumpkinrot. She deserves to be at least as well-known as he is among the Halloween/haunt community. I mean, maybe she already is and I'm just late to the party! Enjoy this tutorial and then watch this one, a detailed walkthrough of her most recent home haunt in 2019:
It seems that she has retired from haunting, but not from her art itself. Her social media channels have been quiet for awhile, although she did post an small update to her Instagram in early September. Let's hope she posts some more of her autumn activities this year!
My brother is an independent horror filmmaker, and I have a standing offer with him to design posters for any movies he makes.
In the past few years, he's made a feature length film, Falling Angel(2018, 53 mins), and just recently, a 6-minute short called Window of Darkness (2021) that he's entered into several short horror film events.
Here are the posters I made!
(As of this post, Falling Angel isn't available to watch online)
The geniuses over at Stiltbeast Studios posted a video tutorial to make a Christmas tree costume so you can scare the bejeezus out of unwitting passersby - watch til the end to see it in action!! Brilliant!
For the past couple of weeks or so I've been working feverishly on a project that I am finally ready to reveal - my virtual home haunt.
I was asked to be an artist participant in Dutch Design Week 2020for the eventManifestations: Monsters, an international program of Art, Tech & Fun Online expo during Dutch Design Week 2020 from October 17-25.
For the fifth year in a row, Manifestations shows artists who, in a funny, spectacular or controversial way, examine the (mis) matches between people and technology and ask how technology can contribute to a sweeter, more humane world.
With more than 50 works by mostly young, recently graduated artists who put the exciting interaction between people and technology in a different light.
Visit the website for the full range and program of kids workshops, lectures and meet-ups.
We offer tours and VIP tours via pers at manifestations.nl to sign up.
Manifestations is the largest Art & Tech event during Dutch Design Week.
Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, Netherlands is the largest design event in Northern Europe and presents work and concepts from more than 2,600 designers to more than 355,000 visitors from home and abroad. (link)
Usually, Dutch Design Week and its related programs are mixed-reality events - that is to say, some occur in person on locations in Eindhoven, while others are held online and in virtual-reality space. This year however, due to the pandemic, all events will all take place online.
The main Second Life event portal for Manifestations: Monsters.
Visitors arrive here, and then can teleport to the different installations at the tall kiosks on the left.
The online portion I'm involved in exists in Second Life, a virtual 3D sandbox world. My project is based on the short story "The Masque of the Red Death" by Edgar Allan Poe, and incorporating some commentary about present-day sociopolitical issues.
I currently live in a small apartment in a busy urban area, so home haunts aren't an option for me. We don't even get trick-or-treaters, we're too near busy roads with no sidewalks. Fortunately for me, I can build almost anything I want in virtual space, so it helps to scratch that Halloween itch.
Masque of the Red Death Redux 2020 is an interactive installation in which Second Life users can visit in virtual 3D space. If you have a Second Life account, you can visit this installation by following this link - http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Kress/244/88/301
For those who don't have an account, I will post some screencaps below, and eventually will produce a video.
Here are some preview images:
When you arrive at the virtual space, you are given this backstory to give context to your experience.
You then begin your journey by 'teleporting' to the beginning chapter, and follow the paths through various scenes - not unlike a haunted house.
There's a few teaser images for you - next week, there will be a virtual event, where I will be interviewed, that will be livestreamed on Youtube. I'll share more details about that soon!
I am pleased to announce the official launch of my original Halloween designs, which for the time being is via Teespring.
There are two designs which are available in a variety of styles, sizes, and colors, as well as die-cut stickers. As an intro offer I am discounting everything at 15% off til September 30th.
The memory of this perfect pumpkin scone from one of our local favorite cafes has put me in the mood to try making some of my own.
I found a great-looking recipe on the blog Sally's Baking Addiction, but our weather over the next few days doesn't exactly make me want to deal with a hot stove, however.
Yikes. For here, that's pretty hot. It's been a mostly mild summer, even for here. Tomorrow will be fun.
I'll wait for things to cool off here and then try the above recipe - and of course will report back here with the results.
