Mike Egan - Tiny Death 9

I am now the proud owner of an Ohio artist Mike Egan original painting! I pulled the trigger on this beautiful painting from his Tiny Deaths series, a collection of 100 small paintings offered up in early November.

I had perused what pieces I could see in the teaser photos, making a mental note of the pieces that stood out and caught my eye. And as the paintings sold off quickly as the online sales started, I selected Tiny Death 9. A bold, solid piece featuring a skeleton in a maroon hooded cloak and scythe on a flat, light green field, painted in Egan's signature bold and colorful folk art style.

I really liked the starkness of this particular piece with its block shapes and flat colors. It stood out from the rest of the more colorful and busy pieces, and is going to look absolutely great on my home office wall, where hopefully future pieces will also reside.

Support independent artists and visit Egan's website to pick up original paintings, prints, toys, books and merch (unfortunately the entirety of the Tiny Deaths series has sold out). Just in time for the holidays!

Death: The Life of Mike Egan (The Documentary)

The theme of death is so prevalent in Egan's art. It symbolizes the transformative nature of change, where a part of ourselves dies to make way for something new. Throughout the doc, Egan is painting a custom built coffin. with every brushstroke, he reveals his deepest memories. The images on the coffin serve as a visual representation of his journey, capturing pivotal moments, emotions, and experiences from his life. Using his bold line work and vibrant colors to tell his story, the coffin becomes a canvas for his self-reflection. The images and his stories remind us that our lives are filled with countless tiny deaths, moments that shape us and propel us forward in life.

In the same vein, we show his death. We see Egan’s lifeless body lying in a cadaver lab, signifying the moment where he finds his voice through art. And then in the middle of a solemn chapel, surrounded by silence, Egan's painted coffin is placed in the center, standing as a testament to his life, encapsulating his story. He lays inside the coffin while also standing in front of it, staring at himself, which symbolizes the quiet moments of self reflection and change. This powerful visual ties together the theme of life and death in Egan’s art. This approach takes us on a journey that transcends traditional storytelling, while allowing us to intimately connect with Egan’s thoughts, emotions and what drives him.

I have been following Mike Egan and his incredible, stylistic art for the past few years now. This brand new documentary is an interesting look into the struggles, dedication and rationale behind his fascinating work. It's a candid and vulnerable look into both the artist and the person, and the creative process involved in becoming "established." Enjoy!

  

GrimQuiet’s Vintage Halloween Skeleton Trick or Treater

Last week, I posted about GrimQuiet's incredible new collection of 10" handmade Vintage Trick or Treaters. Four folk art-inspired figures, all with grotesque faces, unique, drab, and tattered costumes, and each with a wonderful pumpkin pail. Every character a feast for the eyes.

And, like most of Eric's cool offerings, these figures sold out in roughly four minutes...

But somehow I managed to grab this absolutely amazing Skeleton Trick or Treater! As soon as I saw the preview images, I knew this was the one that was going into my collection.

The twisted skull face and creepy pumpkin pail are fantastic, but the absolutely awesome skeleton costume really set this one apart. The worn, vintage costume looks like something straight out of the 1930s. So well done, all around. This one has taken its rightful place in the heart of my creepy collection.

  

Grimquiet's Vintage Trick Or Treater Figures

Okay, one more post before the big party because this is just too good not to share! As I look at my watch, it's currently 3:00 pm EST and there are just 2 short hours before these absolutely incredible figures go live.

Eric has REALLY done an exceptional job on these handmade vintage trick or treater figures. He perfectly nails the disfigured creepiness of each sculpt, and then completes each with a drab, tattered costume and twisted pumpkin pail. So much unsettling folk art moodiness and simplicity in each piece...

The Witch

The Ghost

The Skeleton

The Clown

These pieces go on sale at 5:00 pm EST TODAY over at the Grimquiet Bigcartel page. Get there quick, because these WILL sell out!

Good luck (but please save a Skeleton figure for me)!

  

Sam Heimer's Etsy Art Sale

Is there an artist today whose work better encompasses the spirit of Halloween than Philadelphia illustrator, Sam Heimer? A whimsical, organic, earthy, vintage and spooky illustrated style with heavy lines akin to woodcut prints, I drool over each new print and toy figure that is released. And ever so slowly, my collection of Heimer prints and toys grows...

If you're a long-time fan of Heimer's work or are just interested to see more, now is definitely the time to pay attention.

Because starting today, everything in Heimer's Etsy shop is on sale for 20% off. Apparently Etsy will be raising their seller fees, to the dismay of Heimer, and he's decided to bail. So from now until July 15, simply use the very cheeky code "FUCKTHISIMOUT" and get 20% off everything in your order. And with a large array of incredible Halloween prints, books and clothing, NOW is the time to start your collection or grow it even larger!