Halloween is coming!

Halloween is coming! I know that my kids are excited about it. How about you? This werewolf is definitely excited to be taking in the London nightlife! If you would like to see this dapper fellow more often, you can buy a print at my Etsy shop. Look to the right of the page for a link to the shop. I'll be updating it from time to time with more items. Feel free to visit again!

Thanks for stopping by!

Vampire

Taken shortly before a night out on the town, this portrait photo shows our dashing, debonair hero(?) contemplating what lies ahead, or perhaps what lies in the past, or maybe just what lies on the floor. It's hard to guess what goes on in the head of a centuries old vampire. So, go ahead, ask him. I bet you'll be surprised.

Another in the series of formal, black and white portraits of the monsters of Spookeasy.

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© Chris Chuckry

Poor guy lost most of himself in a horrible accident. He was saved by the medical team's heroic effort and a custom made containment suit. No danger of losing anymore parts now--though he has lost his heart and spirit after his fiancée broke off their engagement. Staring wide-eyed into the future, he lives mainly in the past, and the fading, golden glow of better days.

No idea how this guy came about. Must have been a coalescing of invisible man/martians, or something else swirling about my head. At any rate, he is © Chris Chuckry.

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Werewolf in disguise

We all knew someone like this in school--someone who seemed just a little different. Like they were hiding something. An uncomfortable secret? A body rash? We were never sure. However, when we revisit our yearbook photos, all the unsettling questions come flooding back.

This guy is a werewolf--really, he is. He may have been your shops teacher, but he's just a werewolf gone all respectable. Less wild and a little tamer than he was in his youth, some think he's kind of square, but he's got the nature of a beast--somewhere.

This guy is part of a series, and he is © Chris Chuckry

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Madame Obscura

When I started developing this project as a website, I began to create concept art and, in some cases, production art. I did this piece seven years ago, for the "Madame Obscura" fortune teller game. The final screen was to have various roll-over surprises and some simple animation. If a visitor clicks on the the crystal ball, a silly fortune would appear along with a suitably goofy graphic.

Going through my archives for this blog is seriously inspiring me to touch up this and other pieces--even though I had so much fun doing them the first time around. If I can find the time, I'd like to add the roll overs and animation to this piece that I had originally envisioned. As a bonus to this post, I've included Madame Obscura's alter ego.

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Madame Obscura and art is © Chris Chuckry

Hunchback

Poor old Quasimodo! He's still in love with Esméralda, even though he's reduced to buying cheap merchandising to feel closer to her--don't let a good story get in the way of family friendly merchandising!

This guy fits the format of the other Creature Company Catalogue illustrations. He's not in the original version of the book as I've yet to write his accompanying verse. He did appear in my first solo art show, "Heavenly Monsters," at the Heaven Art and Book Café, back in 1998.

Like the others, he began as a pencil sketch and was finished in Photoshop. He is © Chris Chuckry.

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Pirate Octopus!

"Arrrrr! Avast ye mateys! The monster rises from the deep! Well, not really from the deep, and maybe not really a monster either. A pirate-octopus? An octopus-pirate mutant? An inconvenience? Maybe.

I'm a little murky on the history of this charming rogue. In time, we may discover who this creature really is and what he wants out of life.

I do remember drawing him during a convention, seven or eight years ago. He was colored up in Photoshop shortly after. Like the others, he is © Chris Chuckry.

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Candy & Tentacles

Tentacles are so much fun to draw, and who doesn't like candy? This charming young girl (?!) did not appear in the original catalogue, but I'm sure she will find a place somewhere. I believe she may be more related to cthulu than a tentacled alien species, although I'm not 100% sure.

Years ago she graced my "Happy Halloween" card. More recently she's appeared on promotional postcards. So, some visitors may find her familiar. Like the other monsters, she began as a pencil sketch and was more fully formed in Photoshop. Lastly, she is © Christopher Chuckry.

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Gerald the Cyclops

I finished putting together the "Creature Company Catalogue" book, but I still kept painting monsters. Why? The reason is two-fold: one, I like monsters, and two, the project began to evolve.

I had sent copies of the book off to several publishers, without any luck. I received encouraging responses, saying that the book was clever and fun, but that they didn't publish that type of book. So I decided to explore the possibility of an online game and environment. From this exploration Spookeasy was born.

The Spookeasy is a nightclub hosted by the Magician, Gerald. Who also happens to be a cyclops. Why did I name him Gerald? It seemed to fit at the time, and at that time it was good enough.

This dapper fellow began as a pencil sketch, which was finished in Photoshop. He is © Chris Chuckry.

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Price Icons

In order to buy a monster from the Creature Company Catalog, you had to meet the price listed. These monsters were not valued in dollars and cents, rather in silly, or magical prices. Things like Bouga toads, stinkweed and skull moss are required as payment. Just in case kids were unsure of what these things were, the catalog provided icons. Here are some of those mysterious, magical items.

These all began as pencil sketches, which were then painted in Photoshop. They are all © Chris Chuckry.

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The End

"Now that you've come

to the end of our book,

I implore you to take 

a much closer look.

At the monsters presented

for sale on these pages,

before choosing to part 

with hard earned wages.

For you may discover

that there's nothing worse

than finding your monster

is more blessing, than curse.

And the joke you may wish

to play on a friend,

with your monster,

may come to a curious end."

So, that's it for the original book. The back cover sports a delivery truck, on it's way with someone's order. A delivery that may not arrive at it's intended destination, by the looks of it. I've still got a lot to post on this blog. I continued to create monsters and concept art for potential video games, books and online communities, based around the Spookeasy concept. So, although this post is titled "The End," the real end is some ways off in the distance. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Art and words are © Chris Chuckry

Bone Daddy Horseman

"This charming bone daddy

in clothes somewhat ratty,

is definitely not for the meek.

His looks are quite chilling

and he's perfectly willing

to scare every day of the week.

If he pays you a visit,

don't shout out 'Who is it?'

especially if you're all alone.

Keep very quiet,

to stay off his diet

for he's always in need of more bone!"

This pale horseman seemed like the perfect ending for the catalogue. The movie is over, and he's got his riding boots on. He's got places to go, and people to see. First, he might want to get that scythe cleaned up. After all, first impressions do count! 

Like the others before him, this guy began as a pencil sketch, and was then finished in Photoshop. Going over these illustrations now makes me want to go in an repaint parts of them and do some touch ups. Think I might just do that when I have a spare moment. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Words and picture are © Chris Chuckry

Sea Creature

"Out of the deep

this monster will creep,

if he's the one you desire.

Cold, slimy and wet,

he will cause you regret

if your devious plans should back-fire.

This menacing fish

won't end up on a dish, 

and will see every task to completion.

But try to stay sharp,

for this monster's no carp,

and watch out for his mucous secretion."

This playful fellow can be yours for the low, low price of a five gallon pail of Nine Frog Soup! Like many of the first batch of monsters, I created this guy in 1997, or so. He began as a pencil sketch and was then painted up in Photoshop. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Words and pictures are © Chris Chuckry

Frankenstein

"Made with black arts

and spare body parts, 

this monster is quite a steal.

Some things you should know--

he is mighty, but slow

and his odour may cause to reel.

Just give him a jolt

on his rusty neck bolt,

in order to bring him to life.

Then on your demand,

he will follow command,

causing mischief, mayhem and strife!"

No monster catalog would be complete without some kind of man-made monster. This gentle giant came to "life," in 1998. Like the other, he started as a pencil sketch that was painted up in Photoshop. 

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Art and text © Chris Chuckry

Demon

"Not one to perspire

in high heat or fire,

he has a quite obvious talent

for spinning a curse,

turning bad into worse,

quite frankly, you'll find him repellent.

But if you're in need

of some nasty misdeed,

don't hesitate one moment longer. 

With each passing week,

you will find that his reek,

becomes nauseatingly stronger."

Kiss the cook indeed! Sausages aren't the only things roasting where this toothy fellow is from. Sometimes I wonder is he is too scary but, he's received good reviews from the kids who have seen him. So, maybe my concern is unnecessary. This guy came around in late 1997, I believe. 

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© Chris Chuckry

Ghost!

"When a bump in the night,

gives you a fright,

and you feel something cold in the air.

When unexplained clattering

sets your teeth chattering,

better hope that it's just a nightmare.

If you need a specter

as a phantom protector,

if you search for the disembodied

Then order our ghost,

it will do it's utmost,

to leave you pale-white and weak-kneed."

This ghost can be yours for the low, low price of one head of Groaning Cheese, (yes there is such a thing!). I remember having a lot of fun painting this ghost, or maybe it was the graveyard? I thought it was kind of spooky, but hopefully not too unsettling for the kids. 

Thanks for stopping by!

© Chris Chuckry

Dragon

"Ancient and wise,

he's the best of our buys

coming all the way from the Far East.

His great social skill,

will give you a thrill,

as he dines on a twelve person feast.

If he comes after you,

with his fangs or Kung Fu,

there's really no place you can hide.

If you remain still,

you can bet that he will

eat you up with the whole countryside."

The next monster in the catalogue is a Dragon. Striking fear into the hearts of many, while sporting purple pajamas. Seems he is a wingless variety of dragon, unless his wings are cleverly concealed beneath his stylish ensemble. At any rate, he's sure to make short work of that charming little house.

Thanks for stopping by. 

© Chris Chuckry

Vampire!

"Hey diddle, diddle,

he's fit as a fiddle.

See him tap dance 'round the room.

Hear your friends scream,

as they see his teeth gleam,

by the light of the silvery moon.

This Vampire Dandy

will come in quite handy

at the end of your rope, or your wit.

But treat him with care.

Don't leave your neck bare,

or you might be the one who gets bit!"

Just like the Vampire, this blog is coming back to life. This charming fellow was created back in 1996. Once again, the illustration started as a pencil sketch that was finished in Photoshop.

The verse took a little more time to write, but was just as much fun to compose as the illustration was to paint. I don't often take time to write, these days, but I should. I seem to recall that I enjoyed writing.

Thanks for stopping by!

The illustration and verse is © Christopher Chuckry.