The Bride of Frankenstein

The Bride as portrayed by Elsa Lanchester in James Whale's 1935 classic "The Bride of Frankenstein."

Yet another classic make up by Jack Pierce. This was probably the most challenging portrait I have done to date, and hopefully you all find it worthwhile and will excuse the absence of my previously mentioned Lovecraft portrait. I saved over 60 screen grabs while painting this piece, which (if there is any interest) I plan on using in a post to show the behind the canvass process...

Elsa Lanchester was born Elizabeth Sullivan on October 28, 1902 in London, England.

Ah Elsa, she who singlehandedly jump-started my life long obsession with Goth Girls, quickly to be reinforced by the likes of Vampira, Morticia Adams, and Carol Borland. But Elsa was the first.

After re-watching this classic recently, I was struck by how graceful and dancer-like her movements where, the entire sequence where The Bride meets The Monster is pure ballet. After doing more research is came as no surprise considering she studied at Isadora Duncan's School of Dance, in Paris. Next time you watch it, look past the birdlike head gestures and concentrate on the more subtle fluid motions of her body.

A few interesting pieces of trivia from the IMDB:

Elsa Lanchester was only 5'4" but for the role was placed on stilts that made her 7' tall. The bandages were placed so tightly on her that she was unable to move and had to be carried about the studio and fed through a straw.

Elsa Lanchester's shock hairdo was held in place by a wired horsehair cage.

Elsa Lanchester said that her spitting, hissing performance was inspired by the swans in Regent's Park, London. "They're really very nasty creatures," she said.

Happy Birthday H.P. Lovecraft!

"That is not dead which can eternal lie,
And with strange aeons even death may die."

Today is H.P. Lovecraft's 116th birthday, and unfortunately I didn't get my portrait finished in time so you get to enjoy this gorgeous piece of art by my favorite artist Mike Mignola instead.

Take the time to listen to Lovecraft:

"The Dunwich Horror"

"The Outsider"

CBS Radio Myster Theater 's "The Horror Within"

Or read some Lovecraft:
The Writings of H.P. Lovecraft

Sir Alfred Hitchcock

"Good Evening"

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980)

While researching this portrait it occurred to me that no other filmmaker (including actors or actresses) has ever had the number of character driven publicity photos that Hitch has. And although I chose a more serious side of the master, I urge you to seek out his publicity photos to see what I mean.

Hitchcock was a huge influence on me when I was a wee monsterkid. He was probably the first filmmaker that I became aware of, and sought more info about, and he helped instill my (sadly unfulfilled) desire to be a filmmaker.

This portrait goes out to one of my favorite customers, Carrie Whipkey.

Also, if you are so inclined, be sure to checkout my early rendition of Norman Bates here.

As always, limited edition signed and numbered prints of this and all of my work are available through the store. Order yours today!

Lily Munster

Lily Munster as portrayed by Yvonne De Carlo on tv's "The Munsters."

Born Margaret Yvonne Middleton in Vancouver, British Columbia, She took the part of "Lily" on "The Munsters" to help pay husband Bob Morgan's medical bills. Morgan, an actor/stuntman, had suffered near-fatal injuries while filming "How the West Was Won." By her own admission, Ms. De Carlo never imagined, at the time, that "Lily Munster" would become her most famous role.

I will be continuing my set of Munster portraits very soon, if you missed my rendition of Grandpa, be sure to check it out here.