The Skeleton Krew is Back!

After a long overdue, I finally can share some new and old paintings from my Skeleton Krew Collection. They have been away for awhile for the Femme Noir show back in January, the show went so well and it was such an honor to be a part of the Toothless Cat Gallery right in Philly.

Click for Flickr pics from the opening night show!

I'm slowing listing paintings and also have started to bring prints to the shop, however I need to scrounge up some money for some new ink for the printer first. Soon I promise.

~ Skeleton Krew no.0039 Black Masquerade Original Painting

~ Skeleton Krew no.0021 Original Painting

~ PRINT ~ Skeleton Krew no.0023 Weeping Elora

~ Skeleton Krew no.0028 Madame Morte Original Painting

~ Skeleton Krew no.0029 Eerie Eddie Original Painting

Skeleton Krew no.028 Madame Morte

The Skeleton Krew Collection is back just in time for the ghoulish season, with a new cabinet card portrait entitled Madame Morte. Staring with the macabre behind her eyes, this face of death is lovely and magically. Madame Morte was a pure alchemist at heart and held unseen forces with nature. She lived in a small wooden shack in theLouisiana swamps and was considered mad but no one would ever cross her, for she would cast a spell on them for eternity.  

I picked this antique cabinet card up at a local flea market that surrounds the haunted Eastern State Penitentiary. The portrait measures 4.125" w x aprox 6.5" h and is painted in gouache. This portrait is a dark and mysterious, perfect to spook a friend and ready for any gothic party or personal painting collection.

IN PROGRESS: Midnight Spell Painting

One look into the mystifying eyes of Dracula; one could soon fall under the spell of doom.

She is quite dazzling and lost in a Midnight Spell, walking the grounds in search of her prey. This is new painting in the works, my second dance with oils. They are quite getting used to, I am finding that I like oils more and more, even though I had to start over about three times, I need to let myself just go with the flow instead of being constrained to tight spaces; it is so hard to be free. 

I am quite drawn to her skin, a blue magically color, looking like dying flesh in the moonlight. Her eyes I am still mastering, I have used a technique with the Linseed oil adding a thin layer and moving a paint around in flourishes, to make the feather like mask in black. I'm sure I will start over at some point, once time passes and it dries. Her eyes are some what rough at this point, but I love that I made her with two different irises, adding some color to her pale deathly look. I am unsure yet, as to whether she is going to have a bleeding neck, but we will see what spell I fall under.

Sunday, Bloody Sunday!

Pleasant days and pleasant nights sye, greetings from my pretend world of splendid melancholy and of course who cannot forget tragedy. I am into the finer things in life like jumping on the bed and jelly bellies, but it seems I've turned the corner and my world has become somber and mysterious, filled with vampires and black noir that lores me in with but a kiss. 

It is an enraptured world with vampires and dark stories, truly I've been inspired lately with Edward and my boy Bill from True Blood. So of course these handsome dark beasts must tempt me and they've seemed to snuck their way into my art, so with much adieu I present my newest painting from my Sweet Heart Collection. 

A Killer Queen is on the loose, she sits on her throne after her midnight seduction! This temptress of the night is framed in blood and has a odd look pouring from her blue eyes with a slight calm pout, to match her blood stained pearls. This petite vamp is comes in a metal frame with glass, she is a perfect delight to hang above the fire place perhaps. She is now available at Red Heart 13 and awaiting courtship to whom shall have her.

Enter to Win the June GIVEAWAY CONTEST!

Contest is from Wednesday June 3rd ~ Friday, June 12th

If you don't already know, today is the first day for the Red Heart 13 June GIVEAWAY! It has been a marvelous two years on etsy and I have made adoring friends and support from so many. There aren't enough words to say thank you, so I wanted to show some love by having my first giveaway. 

To kick things off, I took a poll to find out what people wanted to see as the giveaway prize, I gave the option of a gift certificate, small relic locket, a Skeleton Krew painting or earrings. 85% of votes were for the Skeleton Krew painting, and I was so astonished to see so many people love my haunting original paintings. This past weekend I took some time and painted two new cabinet cards to add to the macabre family, I had a small voting poll between Midnight Matilda and Weeping Elora. The people have spoken and the giveaway prize is going to be Skeleton Krew no.022 Midnight Matilda.

E N T E R   T O   W I N

Wednesday, June 3rd ~ Friday, June 12th

The giveaway contest is simple, I thought I would make it easy this time around; though future contests may acquire some imagination! Show some love by:

~ Leaving a comment that includes your name and email address or etsy shop name.

Note: anyone who left a comment in the last two voting blogs will automatically have their names entered into the giveaway.

T H E   P R I Z E

The winner will be picked randomly out of all the ballots come late night on June 12th. The winner will be notified and will receive the painting below of Skeleton Krew no.022 Midnight Matilda. Matilda was a victim of envy. Arsenic was the vice from the hands of her sister; it was the perfect crime, mixing it into her midnight tea. 

The painting is done in all black gouache on an antique photo cabinet card measuring 4.25" w x 6.5" h, the live painted area is aproximately 2.5" w x 3.5". She comes stamped, signed and numbered on the back of the card, she is a perfect piece to add to any cabinet of curiosities or even a personal painting collection.

Leave a comment below with your contact info, so I know you stopped by!

Please VOTE for the June Giveaway Painting!

So this morning I posted a blog with the two selections for the JUNE GIVEWAY, I have been painting tonight and have finished the two portraits from my Skeleton Krew Collection. However, I am having a hard time choosing between which painting to give away as the prize, please vote or leave a comment telling me which painting you would like to see as the giveaway.

Skeleton Krew Portrait no.0022 Midnight Matilda, she was a victim of envy. Arsenic was the vice from the hands of her sister, it was the perfect crime, pouring it into her midnight tea.

Skeleton Krew Portrait no.0023 Weeping Elora, all but two years old, an angel who wept crimson tears; her innocence wrapped in the aroma of roses weeping from her soul.

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SNEAK PEEK of new painting from my Sweet Heart Collection, click here to view the painting at my flickr.

Aloysius the Orphan, Original Painting

A lonely boy that no one ever loved, Aloysius sits alone in his two year old mind and body. He is an odd one, born in England by a single mum, she deserted him when he came out looking like an elf and miniature too. He traveled as an orphan in a local circus, to only be put on display amongst a ravaging audience. He only knew love from the sideshow family like Mina the bearded lady and the Wolf Brothers. 

This original painting is from my Skeleton Krew Collection™. The painting is done in all black and white gouache paint on an antique Victorian photograph.

The photograph comes in a wooden gray frame with glass and has lovely detailing in silver. The frame is fairly old with some aging on the corners and some of the silver is wearing away. There is a hook for hanging but has some slight rusting. The painting comes signed and numbered on the back. The frame is aproximedity 4" wide x 5" high. The live painted area is 3" w x 4" h.

You can now take home Aloysius the Orphan, he is featured at Red Heart 13! Won't you give him a home??!!! This portrait would go great in any cabinet of curiosities or can even be hung with your original art collection.

Skeleton Krew no.022: Aloysius the Orphan

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Saturday I spent the day spring cleaning from 10 am - 9 pm and Sunday was quite pleasant, I spent several hours sitting outside painting a new painting from my Skeleton Krew Collection™. Last year, I had stumbled across a photograph of a lonely little boy, I had started painting it a while back, but stopped because it was one of those things I was rushed into. I thought I ruined the little chap, so I put him away. 

I call this little monster Aloysius the Orphan, after the first round he looked almost Damien like from the Omen, kinda like a bat boy mixed with one-eyed-willy. I did like that fact that I gave him elf boots and pointy ears, but he just needed some more attention.

Yesterday, I pulled him back out and actually had to erase away paint from all of his head, it was a slow process of adding water and slow blending away the paint. It was quite challenging because over time the paint has left purple spots that bled into the photo, I basically had to work around it and darken those areas with each layer of gouache. This time I was more adventurous and used some white paint to brighten him up and add some shadows to his fabric, face and booties. I still might fudge around some more but we will see.

Aloysius is a bit more friendly now but the sadness still remains in his eyes, which I love! He is like a lonely child that no one wants to love, poor little baby is so small too, I would say only a year old. He will be arriving at Red Heart 13 later this week, I'm in search of a frame to suit him. Won't you take him home!

The Traveling Wolf Brothers!!!

An odd case of curiosity and travel sideshow acts, The Traveling Wolf Brothers were twins both born with a thick coat of hair that covered their entire body, they suffered from Hypertrichosis. Simon and Alexander, were born in Poland in 1875 to normal parents. Both were entertainers since age four and traveled all of Europe until the end of the century. Simon was the mysterious one and Alexander spoke five languages. Simon out lived his brother and died alone 2 years after; he died from a broken heart.

This original painting is the last portrait of the two brothers, it is from my Skeleton Krew Collection™, the portrait and frame are over 100 years old, and the painting is done in all black gouche on an antique Victorian photograph. You can see more photos of The Traveling Wolf Brothers at Red Heart 13.

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The Skeleton Krew Collection™ is back with a new deadly portrait entitled no.0021.  

Staring with the macabre behind her eyes, this face of death is lovely at that. Her lips have been stitched together forming a fake smile looking happy in her horrible situation. She comes in a paper frame and comes stamped and numbered on the back. I've included a portrait of her before she was painted, quite an odd young woman! She is painted in gouache and oil and was just listed in my shop.

Back From the Dead

The other day I was moving some old books around on my desk, and what do you know, I found two lost Skeleton Krew portraits that I've been searching for the past year. I also found an unfinished painting in the book as well. The two macabre ladies are back from the dead and are newly listed in my shop.

~ Skeleton Krew™ portrait no.009 this woman finally has peace, parts of her face have been painted to look like stitches, if only she had that smooth porcelain skin she once had before her accident. The portrait is an antique cabinet card painted with gouache and ink.

~ Skeleton Krew™ portrait no.010, a thin face with hungry eyes and fear of death; poor starved soul. This tinotype is surrounded by a cream paper and a pink border.

If your on myspace, stop by the Red Heart Cult for more from the Skeleton Krew™ Collection.

Lucy and Other Treats

It is Monday again, and I have spent several hours this weekend creating, while getting over this horrible virus that I had. Along with 11 new jewelry pieces I have also finished a new painting from the Sweet Heart Collection. I thought I'd share my process with you and give you the scoop on some new arrivals coming this evening at Red Heart 13.

I introduce Lucy, she is based on the lovely Lucy Westenra from Bram Stoker's Dracula. Lucy Westenra, was Mina's best friend. Being a vivacious young woman, she fell under Dracula's spell, and turned into a vampire where she had banished her soul from the promise of eternal rest. In the end Van Helsing's crew hunts down the vampress she has become and slays her and returns Lucy's soul to her body and to heaven.

 

LEFT: This is Lucy in the second stage of painting. I picked her up in Salem, MA at this fabulous jumbled antique store. She was originally bw and had a very gray undertown, it was actually a journey to bring out her paleness, I had to eat away the film of gray that was on her face; but in the end the I left some of the film as her shadows around her neck, eyes and nose. The image to the RIGHT: is another portrait I picked up in Salem, this is the third session with this deathly lady. She is going to be added to my Skeleton Krew™ Collection once she is complete. I am still in the process of figuring out her hair, so hard.

I finished Lucy over the weekend and she is just marvelous, her eyes are so striking and is perfect for any bloody Valentine. She comes in an antique wooden frame with a gold border, glass and cute red bow at the top. She is now available at Red Heart 13.

N E W  A R R I V A L S:

Stop by this evening around 10pm for these new pieces at Red Heart 13. I have also changed my shop sections around a little bit, I've added a Valentine's Day and Sweet Heart Collection section. Hopefully it will be a little bit easier to navigate.

8 NECKLACES:

Crossbones and Pearls necklace

Fawn Sweetheart necklace

Royal English Rose necklace

Nautical Daydream necklace

Folsom Prison Blues necklace

Cupid Adornment necklace

Dark Love necklace

The White Rabbit and Queen of Hearts necklace

3 PAIRS OF EARRINGS:

Heart of Black earrings

Golden Dollop earrings

Pink Blush Darlings

The Royal Vampress

A lovely lady named Marie Louise sits looking abroad to the unknown with a slight red smile to match her blood stained pearls and gown. She was the second wife of Napoloen Bonaparte, and was born in 1791 and died as royalty with an unknown death in Parma, Italy. Could she have been seduced by the undead…her dark secret lover vampire. 

This Royal Vampress comes framed in a black aged flourish wooden frame with glass, with a black velvet backing with stand. This painting is from my Sweet Heart Collection, and is perfect for any Valentine's gift for that dark duchess you love. She is available at my etsy shop Red Heart 13.

For more from this bloody countess collection, click here.

Skeleton Krew™ Portrait no.019

The Skeleton Krew™ Collection is back with a new family member, this lovely lady has the macabre behind her eyes. I present portrait no.019. Has she gone mad after the years of traveling the road as a gypsy…or has she fell into a deep mourning?

The portrait is painted in gouache on an antique cabinet card from good ole Wilmington, DE. The back is signed and stamped with the Skeleton Krew seal. You can find this portrait at Red Heart 13; she is looking for a new home, especially any curiosity collection! And just in time for Valentines Day, I will be unveiling a new painting from my Sweet Heart Collection™.

Santa Carla Twilight

Hello everyone, booo Monday! On a happy note though, I was able to make a treasury, please check out this gray moonlight madness treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32899

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Also please stop back tonight at around 10pm at Red Heart 13 for 6 new jewelry arrivals and a new cabinet card painting from my Skeleton Krew Collection™.

N E W  A R R I V A L S, please click!

Modern Mourning necklace

Pale Honeycomb necklace

The Second Coming necklace

Forbidden Fruit necklace

Cutie Pie Bow necklace

Skeleton Krew Portrait no.019 

Frosted Enchantment earrings

S.A.M. Some Artist Man Named Viktor

It is a new year for the Red Heart Cult™, and from the depths of my heart I am honored to present a dear friend to bring in the new year. Viktor Brazfield aka S.A.M. Some Artist Man is a spookish fiend that expresses his work through haunting sculptures, grim paintings and childhood memories turned into assemblages.

Viktor grew up experiencing the beaches, mountain cultures and the city life of what is Southern California, and the lakes and flat lands of Northern Ok. and New Mexico. Due to the traveling as a child, Viktor wondered if he was a gypsy, but in reality he was a Native American boy with English and Irish blood. Viktor later grew up, and received his art training right out of high school as an illustrator for the county. From there, he received formal training in the Air Force as a civilian working in their engineering department. He also took classes at the local junior college, some university classes, artist workshops and learned from his uncles who worked on carvings, sculptures and paintings.

Much of Viktor's work is of a more spiritual inspiration. However, living in Los Angeles has afforded him the opportunity to meet and share with other like minded individuals, who in essence have become his art family in the sense that they all have a deep understanding and respect for his creations; that has inspired and encouraged him to keep creating to a certain degree.

 

The Seeker. Original art scultpure by ©Viktor Brasfield 2008. Created from wood, glass, plastic, rice paper mix and metal.

The Mommy, Frankenstein & Ghost In One. Original art by ©Viktor Brasfield 2008.

Viktor's process is quite interesting… he usually sketches for a few weeks before one of his sculptures or assemblages begins to take form. The sketch ideas come from dreams or images that he sees in nature. He then gathers materials and begins to juxtapose them together. Sometimes the objects will allow him to guide them and sometimes they will tell him where they need to be placed. In between that process, he journals all his thoughts on each project. That process is pretty much like the process a scientist would keep when doing research or working on an invention. He also does research to see if there is any historical significance to his work. For instance, the piece that he created entitled “The Tenth Muse of Metal” which he made for the Art Core: Honoring Metal Through Art Show, involved research on Greek Mythology, Musical Theory, and Muses that allegedly inspired the arts. During that process he realized that there were 9 muses, so naturally Viktor's became the tenth muse of Metal Music.

 

Assemblage alter for the Congregation of the Forgotten Saints. ©Viktor Brasfield 2008.

Jesus Box Rockabilly Style. Original art by ©Viktor Brasfield 2008.

In Viktor's (spare) time he likes to go to art shows and Pow Wows the Rockabilly, Hellbilly scene , he loves to get on his bobber and drive to nowhere. Researching the paranormal and mental illnesses also intrigues him, supernatural inspirations can be found in some his most bizarre paintings like the one above. A while back Viktor played the harp in a couple bands, lately he has been thinking about getting back in the scene. He also loves to encourage other artists of all ages to just keep doing their work. To quote Tim Gunn, “Make it work, people”. The Red Heart Cult honors Viktor's dedication to his work and loves that he is truly supportive of other artists.

Here is Viktor in his studio.

"When it comes down to it, I do my art work because it reflects my childhood and encompasses both good and not so good memories. Something funny if you go see the moive the Unborn remmeber me…hehehe!"

In the last six months Viktor has had shows at the following Los Angeles galleries: Congregation of the Forgotten Saints, Artcore, Art Slaves, The Hive, The Koos, The United Cats, Safari Sam’s and The Barnsdall Park Gallery. We hope you enjoy our featured artist for January, Viktor is a dear friend and I wish the best of luck to him and hope to travel our to L.A. one day to see his immaculate work in person. Thank you Viktor!

Happy New Year from the Red Heart Cult!

A happy new year to all our friends and supporters here at the Red Heart Cult. We are happy to welcome the new year with open arms!

We have alot in store for 2009, including our new featured artist Viktor Brazfield aka S.A.M. Some Artist Man. I meant Viktor through myspace and was immediately blown away by his work, I am honored to have him bring in the new year and share his art with RHC.


Please check out our new featured artist for the month of January.

U P D A T E S:
RHC's myspace has been updated hopefully making it a little easier to load, and soon you will be able to see all of our past featured artists on the left as well. And we have some great links you can find on the left nav for our blog The Heart Chronicles and our etsy shop Red Heart 13.

I will be creating more relics of vamps and bloody babes from our Sweet Heart Collection in February and you can find some new paintings from the Skeleton Krew Collection, including a collaboration piece with artist J. L. Schnabel for her Feb art show in Philly.

I am truly looking forward to the new year, I wish the best to everyone in 2009!

The Skeleton Krew is Back!

SK no.0017, antique cabinet card painted with gouache and signed / numbered on the back.

We have two new unveilings from my Skeleton Krew Collection: The Backbone to the Dead. These macabre family portraits are finally back!

Skeleton Krew portrait no.0017 is surely sweet with a twist of madness. What is behind this child's eyes? This lovely little girl stares at the viewer, and is painted with black gouache. There are no markings on the back of this photo but I believe it is circa early 1900s. You can purchase this portrait at Red Heart 13. Take home a part of this collection!

This lonely boy reminded me of Damien from the Omen, so innocent yet there is evil behind those eyes, or was his soul lost in a tragic accident. Stare into his piercing eyes and imagine how he lived in the 1800s. Did he have a brother or maybe a twin? SK no.0018 will be arriving in my shop in a week or so, I am in search of a odd frame to put him in. If you would like to reserve this portrait, please feel free to contact me and I can put him on hold. 

Skeleton Krew portrait no.0018, antique photo 3.5" w x 5" h, gouache paint.

I love doing these portraits, and often never want to let them go. I wonder how these people once lived, are they still living or have they passed on to another dimension in which they try to connect with us by these little pieces of evidence from their lives. If you would like to see more from the Skeleton Krew Collection please click here!