I started getting film developed by Eastern Standard Photo, who also does a monthly film club. This summer month’s prompt was PORTRAIT.
Mower, Vicious Blade, & Wraith at Rock Room 2/4/23
This latex mask was inspired for the upcoming METAL IMMORTAL FESTIVAL II in Pittsburgh, PA. It is based on Iron Maiden’s Eddie from the “Piece of Mind” album. Eddie is modeled by my awesome friend Kevin. Vest and cuffs- model’s own. Strait Jacket- bag costume.
I have a special kind of love for Glenn Danzig. So I was stoked when asked to contribute to the DANZIG issue of SKREE ZINE by Corey Corcoran. The end product was a replica of DANZIG’s Lucifuge pendant with “How To” tutorial and a collage of DANZIG
SKULLFEST 12 returned to Pittsburgh this past weekend after COVID hiatus. I was not ready to attend all the shows, but I always try to go to at least one…. I decided to walk to the outdoor, dirt bike event to snap some photos.
This is my first attempt at a latex headpiece. I made a series of 5 of them to sell; all named after various gods and goddesses. The amazing and magical Deb Levine is modeling her LOKI piece. Cape, crystal ball, candles, and wreath are all her props. The setting is a nice, little wooded area at the entrance to my neighborhood.
Bill and I got to go back to Ocean City, MD this summer. We stayed a whole week, which was much needed. Thankfully, it has not changed much and did not disappoint. I usually take more photos, but only took my actual camera out a few times.
This was a quick photo shoot I did for all the pieces I made for the DARKSOME Halloween market in Mount Moriah Cemetery October 2021. Unfortunately, due to COVID, I had to cancel my trip there. My lovely ladies, Deb and Hollie, were kind enough to model for me in the Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA. Costumes all random pieces of mine… If you like any of these pieces, they are all for sale!
Behind the scenes photos of the Vicious Blade music video. And some shots from the show at Black Forge-McKees Rocks, PA
This is the EYE mask; inspired by my LIPS mask I made last year. I added some spikes to this one in place of plastic eyelashes. The amazing Clarissa is modeling with a mace from Pakistan and her own wardrobe.
This is the 7th latex mask I made from an original sculpture. For this mask, I wanted to try something a little different from my regular, monster themed masks. I was thinking about doing a giant eyeball; but then, bright red lips came to mind. Lips have an iconic appeal and I guess subconsciously I was inspired by my love of Tim Curry in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Two of my lovely ladies modeled them with their own red lips, turtle necks, and wigs.
Metal Mutants is a zine I made for Metal Immortal Festival in Pittsburgh. This is my 3rd set of latex masks I made from an original sculpture.
This is the 4th set of latex masks made from an original sculpture. I decided to try out a 3/4 mask for these cyclops creeps. For the photos, I was going for a kitsch, over-the-top, occult vibe. (basically, some weird local, mutant cult) . My friends where kind enough to don hooded robes and wade through Girty’s Run in Millvale, PA. The pendants are a symbol I made up and crafted with Super Sculpey.
Always over the 4th…
This is my 7th shoot and 2nd mask made from the vampire mold. I was going for a swamp creature style by suggestion from a friend. I completed the piece with plastic, fish tank seaweed for hair. My friend Mike pulls off the kimono quite nicely in the Millvale creek.
This is the third mask made from my vampire mold, but morphed into a devil. Instead of a full mask, I used a half mask with hood and hair combo. Tracy is gracefully modeling with pitchfork in a friends’ backyard.
This is the 4th latex mask I made from the skull mold. My friend Hollie was kind enough to model it for me at the abandoned school up the street from my house. I added some bloodiness to this shoot with a tank-top, gloves, and a battle bat. All other wardrobe is Hollie’s own.
This is the 5th latex mask I have made and my 2nd original design. I was trying to create a vampiresque creature that is not really male or female or completely human. My friend Mike is modeling this one in front of the great, blue water tower in nearby Robert E. Williams Memorial Park. Wardrobe is his own; complete with whips and a walkie talkie.
Ghoul 3 is my third set of photos I took of my latex skull mask. This is the third mask from the skull mold, painted green and black. My friend Twiz is modeling it in his back yard with various props.
This is the second set of photos I took of the skull latex mask. This was my first cast I ever did. It is a full face latex mask, painted in the traditional white and black.
Ghoul 1 is my first set of photos I took of my latex skull mask. This is actually the second mask I made from the mold. It is a half mask of the skull, painted black and red. My friend Rebby is modeling it in all of her own gear and white wig.
My husband and I have made a tradition of going to Ocean City, Maryland. We try to go every summer, even if it's just for a long weekend. The Atlantic Hotel is our home there; it's one of the oldest hotels and in a prime location. The Atlantic has an amazing balcony that overlooks the boardwalk. We probably spend more time here than on the beach. It's a great spot to drink a margarita and people watch, day and night. Ocean City is a sort-of timeless place; you can't really tell if it's present day or the summer of 1995. The vibe here is laid back and unpretentious. All are welcome in Ocean City. We always feel comfortable, nostalgic, and stoked to be there. I guess that's why we go back every year.
Halloween, my favorite time of year. The only time I get excited for the holiday displays at stores. And the only time of year when the things I enjoy most; skulls, blood, demons, vampires, masks, etc, are accepted by all.
This fire occurred on a rainy, summer night in May 2017. My and husband and I were watching the new season of Twin Peaks and heard some weird noises coming from outside. This particular episode was even stranger than most, so when we opened the blinds to see a large fire blazing, we were very confused. At first, we thought the church was on fire! We ran up to the roof to have a look. It was not a fire in the church, but an abandoned house in the alley parallel to the church and our street. We watched from above as the firefighters attempted to put it out. Neighbors came out from all of the surrounding streets, gossiping about the cause and drinking beer while looking on. It was one of the biggest things to happen in a while! I decided to grab my camera to capture the surrealness of the situation. It took a long time for the fire to be maintained. Only one person was hurt, a firefighter, who hit the power lines with the ladder of the truck...
Deb, the front woman of Lady Beast (the best metal band in Pittsburgh), had Lady Beast bodysuits made from Speed Clothes. She wanted photos of some ladies modeling them to get the word out and asked me to take them; I was honored. These ladies were all so bad-ass, and the results were better than I could ever imagine! To buy one, and see some other great metal wear check out https://speed-clothes.com/
I've been going to Century III Mall since I was a kid. At that time, it was so exciting. I usually got to check out the toy store, look a the puppies in the pet store, and get some fast food or a salty snack at the food court. As a teenager, it was a place to go hang with your friends and get away from parents. You could get a band t-shirt, the latest punk rock comp cd, or maybe some tie-dyed tapestry. After, you'd go make out in the parking lot. As I got older, I went less and less. When I did go, stores, kiosks, and restaurants were missing. Over the past decade, the mall has fallen into disrepair. The roof is leaking, the parking garages are crumbling, areas are completely closed off, the food court is no more. The crowd has turned into older people walking laps for exercise. It's kind of sad, as this place is nostalgic for me. But things change, for better or worse. I guess this is just an end of another era.
The man in the first photo works at the mall. He warned me I'd get yelled at if "they" caught me taking pictures. He then asked me to take a picture of him pretending to yell at me. (as long as I put it on social media)