Artist Interview November 2017: PunkinPrims

To find where Barb sells her wares visit her on her artist page on HAB. 

Interview with Barb Rondello-Butcher of PunkinPrims:

Which pieces of your artwork are you most proud of, currently for sale or sold? Share an image of it if you have one.

I am most proud of the pieces that got into Somerset Studio Gallery Magazine. It was a dream of mine to get in one of the Stampington magazines. (see photos)

Name an artist(s) whose work you admire and what influence have they had on your art?

Well my most favorite artist really has nothing in common with my art, but Norman Rockwell was amazing. I have studied (which means poured over and looked at all details) of his amazing paintings. Not only is every little detail perfect but are they are amusing and capture our human condition.

What would you consider the highest honor or greatest goal you would like to achieve with your art?

It is an honor that people love my folks. That they come back for more and have “collections” of them!!

What Halloween costume that you got to wear in childhood was your favorite and has the fondest memory for you?

My parents had his and her costumes of prisoners. They were black and white striped with a matching hat. I remember watching them leave to go to a party with them on when I was a little girl. When I got big enough to fit into one I wore it and loved it!!

What is your favorite Halloween icon? Why do you identify with its imagery?

I love all of Halloween icons. I am not into scary/gorey tho. I like whimsical happy Halloween.

If money and wherewithal were not an issue, what would be your dream way to spend Halloween?

If I had the money I would totally transform my house each year. I have more Halloween decorations than Christmas now, but I would totally transform the house inside and out!

Haunted Forest Art Event 2016

Here you will find interpretations of the theme Haunted Forest from participating HAB members.

Haunted Forest Art presented by the following:

Jynxx Designs
Art By Sarada
Twilight Faerie

HAB online shopping catalog:

HAB on Etsy

HAB on Etsy:

HAB on Etsy

Featured Artist Interview October 2016: PunkinPrims

To find where Barbara of PunkinPrims sells her wares visit her on her artist page on HAB. 

Interview with Barbara Rondello-Bucher of PunkinPrims:

At what age did you discover your love of Halloween?

I have loved Halloween as long as I can remember! When I was very young, and that was a LONG time ago!, I had a bulletin board in my bedroom. I would cut out and decorate Jack O Lanterns and pin them on my board in the Fall. And of course, there was the CANDY! We used pillowcases and went out begging for hours. I just love the colors of Halloween and Fall. I don’t know what the draw is to them, but it feels just right inside.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?

Pouring all the candy on the floor with my brother and trading the pieces we didn’t like. Also he didn’t care about the pennies so I always traded candy for the pennies, which is surprising since I am a sugar addict!!

How do you celebrate Halloween?

I have as much Halloween decorations as I do Christmas and that’s A LOT! I get a little carried away. There are orange lights all over the place too! I don’t have kids but somehow, there ends up being at least 8 carved pumpkins on my porch and stoops. Hehe! I put on a cape and witch hat and pass out candy. I just love the whole season.
P.S. I have Thanksgiving decorations too….

When did you start creating in your medium and what training have you had?

I have no training at all. I have always been creative and a vintage “collector” so making little pumpkin folks out of old junk just came naturally. And honestly, the hunt for more junk is just as much fun as the creating. I can be at a garage sale and see an old funnel and think GREAT DRESS FOR A WITCH!

What was the inspiration to create what you create when did you know
you wanted to create Halloween?

I bought a huge box of clock gears at a garage sale years ago and they just looked like collars to me. Next thing you know I was making pumpkin and witch heads out of clay so the gears could be collars. It just took off from there.

Featured Artist Interview September 2016: Sauvage Raven Creation

To find where Debbie of Sauvage Raven Creation sells her wares visit her on her artist page on HAB. 

Interview with Debbie Sauvage of Sauvage Raven Creation:

At what age did you discover your love of Halloween?

Out of the womb, in the womb? I loved Halloween as a child but I think growing up in the ancient era of the 1950’s-60’s I was subjected to the National Enquirer and Chiller Theater on channel 9 out of New York. I loved all things scary and weird way back when!

What is your fondest Halloween memory?

I loved the days of yore (again the 1950’s-60’s) when you were invited into houses and did apple bobbing contests and such. You could eat anything that was given to you without fear, such as homemade goodies!

How do you celebrate Halloween?

How do I celebrate Halloween? Have you ever been to Facebook and seen my pictures? LOL I ADORE Halloween and decorate to the max for the kids and maybe a bit for the adults too! I love to dress up and this is my night to be…the real me!

When did you start creating in your medium and what training have you had?

I don’t really know when it all started. BUT I think I have always have had a creative side; it just never “came out” until the 2000’s. I have had no training. Do they offer training somewhere for weird?

What was the inspiration to create what you create when did you know
you wanted to create Halloween?

What wasn’t my inspiration? Vampyr, horror, scifi, witches, ouija, ghosts, skeletal remains, ravens, crows, dark, light, day, night, dreams, antiques, old dolls, bones, Tim Burton, Edgar, Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Christopher Lee, Stephen King, James O’ Barr, Shakespeare, the moon, stars and you know the rest!

Going to the Masquerade Ball

Going to the Masquerade Ball-By Barb Rondello-Bucher

I have been on a roll with masks lately. One of my favorite folks I made I call Going to the Masquerade Ball. Which got me curious about these balls. So I found this article by Savannah Fox.

Dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries, the Masquerade Ball began as part of Europe’s carnival season. Less high society and more cirque du célébration, villagers would gather in masks and costumes to take part in elaborate pageants and glamorous processions.
Quickly spreading across France like wildfire, some of the most notorious balls of the day would be held to celebrate Royal Entries: the grand occasion of welcoming kings and queens into their cities. In fact, so audacious were the masked balls that in 1393, Charles VI of France held the first ever “Bal des Ardents”. Translated as “Burning Men’s Ball”, the event transformed the more orthodoxly decadent costume ball into a night of intrigue and risk.

In celebration of the marriage of the queen’s lady in waiting, King Charles and five of his bravest courtiers dressed in masks and flax costumes and danced the night away as wildsmen of the woods. The only catch was that if your sashaying edged you too close to one of the many flaming torches that lined the dance floor, your look would be smoking–and not for the right reasons.

Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t until much later in the 16th century Renaissance period that masquerade balls became associated with Italy, but that never deterred masked members of the Venetian aristocracy from taking full advantage of a scandalous night of anonymity as if it were their own creation. Tied with the Venetian Carnival celebrations, the balls were rife with decadence, gluttony and a large amount of lust. Sadly their reign was rather short-lived, and after the fall of the Venetian Republic in the 18th Century, the masquerade balls began to shrink from the ballrooms of Venice until they were nothing more than a sequined memory.

See the full article by Savannah Fox here.

Barb Rondello-Bucher is proprietor of PunkinPrims. Check out her artist page to find links to her shops and her whimsical kinfolk assemblage. Visit again next month for more from HAB members contributing to the Spooks Gazette.

Featured Artist Interview May 2016: Wicked Alterations

To find where Denise of Wicked Alterations sells her wares visit her on her artist page on HAB. 

Interview with Denise Mattox of Wicked Alterations:

At what age did you discover your love of Halloween?

I guess like most it was in grade school, dressing up and going out after dark. Walking house to house getting candy. Being chased by older kids in plastic masks.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?

Being out way past bedtime because it fell on a Saturday. My folks let me spend the night with a friend and we were out way late, walking and giggling like grade school girls do. Until my friends’ mom noticed we weren’t home yet. Oh boy, trouble! But it was worth it.

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Now, in my 60th year, everyday is Halloween. I wear skulls on my clothes. I paint and create things that I use to see only in October. I watch horror movies when I can find them on Netflix. Tim Burton is my modern favorite and any classic old horror movie is romantic to me.

When did you start creating in your medium and what training have you had?

The little shadow boxes I started doing a few years ago. I started collecting doll parts, charms, really anything that creeps people out, and putting them together. I’ve been painting for years. For a long time I was a closet painter, not very many people knew. No training unless you count a few art classes in high school.

What was the inspiration to create what you create and when did you know you wanted to create Halloween?

My inspiration, I guess is Tim burton; it’s ok to be dark, funny, and loving all at one time.

Featured Artist Interview April 2016: Plum Batty

To find where Plum Batty sells their wares visit them on their artist page on HAB. 

Interview with Carole Eggum of Plum Batty:

At what age did you discover your love of Halloween?

I was quite small when I got very excited about Halloween. Probably because first, I loved candy ( and still do), nut mostly because it was an exciting night when we could dress up and run around our little town of 400 residents and Trick or Treat. At school we were allowed to wear our costumes and out parents didn’t have to worry about taking us out because every one knew everyone else and if you were misbehaving, you could bet your parents would hear about it immediately.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?

I don’t know if I have one in particular, probably the Halloweens when I was older and knew what it was all about. I loved the decorations and the stories. I was brought up in the 50’s and 60’s, along with my sister, Sheila and the Halloweens weren’t as involved then as they are now. I don’t remember our house being decorated; just that we got to wear costumes and run around like crazy people. A bunch of us would get together and go to tall the houses and maybe, play a few tricks. We were all good kids and did;t get into too much trouble.

How do you celebrate Halloween?

Now I go all all out, I love to decorate the house and the yard. Unfortunately where I live there aren;t many kids that come to the house but that doesn’t stop me from decorating the place up. My grandson does come trick or treating and of course gets the whole bowl of candy with his parents anticipating going through the his bag later. I’m not into horror movies but I love to watch all the Food Network shows about Halloween and anything that has to do with the holiday.

When did you start creating in your medium and what training have you had?

I really didn’t get into creating Halloween/Spooky art until just a couple of years ago when I retired. I have a degree in Art so wanted to put that degree to good use, so my creations tend to involve watercolors and sculpting. I like to try my hand at different things and Sheila is particularly good at sculpting and is trying her hand at sugar skull sculptures. My sister never really got involved in Halloween, she does the more contemporary and whimsical art.

What was the inspiration to create what you create and when did you know you wanted to create Halloween?

Anything that involves Halloween is an inspiration; I love old graveyards, the sugar skulls and Day of the Dead. Nothing too scary but that has and edge to it or that spookiness that could give someone the shivers.

Featured Artist Interview October 2015: Crazed Poppet Creations

To find where Deborah Decker sells her wares visit her website Crazed Poppet Creations. 

Interview with Deborah Decker of Crazed Poppet Creations:

At what age did you discover your love of Halloween?

I do not remember ever not loving Halloween. It was still a big deal when I was a kid during the late 1950s to mid-1960s. The churches, communities and schools all still celebrated. People would make their own costumes and decorations, and some would even make goodies to give to the trick or treaters. It was a more innocent era, and I sure miss the handmade aspect of it all.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?

It was Halloween day, and my school hosted an after-school Halloween party. I was 5 years old and in kindergarten, and I dressed up as a Gypsy. Somehow, I missed the school bus home and then decided I could walk home by myself. I recall walking in a field towards home as the sun was setting. It was truly one of the creepiest feelings I have ever had. Something about the shadows and the way the light was playing out in the sunset. I still get the shivers when I think of it, and crazily enough I would have to say this is my fondest memory because it was a true Halloween experience!

How do you celebrate Halloween?

These days after I host the trick or treating on Halloween evening with the grandchildren, I light candles and think of my ancestors, look over the past year and think about goals and things I want to achieve in the future. I usually try to stay up until after midnight but as I get older that gets harder. Halloween is when I celebrate the New Year and it is a very special day for me. My family even calls me on that day to wish me a Happy New Year!

When did you start creating in your medium and what training have you had?

I do not have a specific medium and am mostly self-taught in whatever I do. I have been creating gothic and Halloween art since at least grade school. It has always been an interest of mine.

What was the inspiration to create what you create and when did you know you wanted to create Halloween?

I get inspiration from all kinds of places, from stories, poetry, and history. I prefer the old style Halloween items that were popular from around the Victorian era to the early 1950s.

When did I know that I wanted to create Halloween? That’s a tough question. It seems like I have been creating Halloween since I started school. It’s not like I woke up one day and decided that Halloween was what I liked creating. There are people who say that Halloween is a lifestyle, and in many respects I do think that is true. Because I can’t simply take Halloween and set it outside of me as a stand-alone subject. It is just too much a part of me.

I have to give kudos to a fellow HAB team member, Twilight Faerie, who saw some of my works, pushed me to create more, and urged me to sell some of what I create. In the past, I used to see the different Halloween artist groups and wish that I could be a part of that kind of community. You can imagine how very exciting it was to become a member of Halloween Artist Bazaar!

Featured Artist Interview June 2015 with Twilight Faerie

To find where Twilight Faerie sells her wares visit her artist page on HAB. 

Interview with Michelle Angelique Duncan of Twilight Faerie:

What inspired you to start the Halloween Artist Bazaar group?

There are those who are Halloween people. At some point they fell in love with that day that falls on October 31st. For them Halloween isn’t just a holiday that comes once a year and then it is done. For Halloween people it is part of who they are. They surround themselves with, and some have a passion to create, Halloween. Halloween Artist Bazaar was started to preserve the spirit of Halloween for those people who create and those who collect. What we do is a very special niche in the art world.

You are guiding this group into being much more than just an Etsy team, where do you see HAB headed?

Halloween Artist Bazaar was never intended to be Etsy-centric. When the group was formed it just happened that a lot of contemporary Halloween artist were selling on Etsy. Forming an Etsy team for the group made sense as a valuable tool. Halloween Artist Bazaar was always intended to be a cross-platform group with members who sell from all kinds of online venues and our own selling catalog. I hope that HAB will be able to establish itself as an online shopping catalog where Halloween collectors will find one of a kind handmade Halloween works that embody quality craftsmanship, unique character and sincerity.

What is your fondest Halloween memory?

I can not say there is only one fond Halloween memory, more of an amalgamation of Halloweens from childhood. Growing up in the 1970’s Halloween was a big deal in my neighborhood. Nearly the whole neighborhood participated. All the houses would be decorated with a least a lit Jack o Lantern or a sheet ghost. Kids and grown ups all dressed in elaborate costumes, most of them home made. At dusk the streets would fill up with the excitement of trick or treaters, screams and music could be heard from makeshift yard and garage haunted houses. It was as though the entire neighborhood magically transformed into something different and we were all celebrating on Halloween.

How do you celebrate Halloween?

I used to throw elaborate Victorian style costume parties complete with silly party games, costume contests and an Autumnal feast. My situation is different now, so gone are those days.

I still dress in costume, usually as a cat. The yard gets decorated and house get decorated. We carve pumpkins and I bake Autumn treats. A few friends will come by for the evening. We burn a fire in the fire pit, grill sausage wraps on the smoker and give out bottles of water to neighbors who stop by. There is a huge bucket I fill with candy and hand out to kids. My rule is to get the candy the kids have to yell TRICK OR TREAT as loud as they can, and they must have on a costume of some sort. We host a food drive on Halloween night where folks can drop off donations in big decorated boxes that I set out in the yard. The neighborhood I am in has a lot of kids and some years we have a huge turn out. Most of the houses are decorated and folks hand out candy.

When did you start creating in your medium and what training have you had?

My family was filled with artistic people, so I was always around art and art supplies. There isn’t a time I remember in which I wasn’t drawing, cutting paper or gluing glitter on to things. I received a lot of instruction from my family when I was very young. I took art classes through out junior high into college. My floral work comes from 15 years in the floral industry; the decoupage comes from a love of cutting and gluing. The joke I make is that the floral work supports my glittery Halloween habit. Even when I was very young I painted; however, it wasn’t until 2014 that I finally got brave enough to try and sell the paintings. I created Twilight Faerie and started selling the Halloween and floral pieces in 2003.

What was the inspiration to create what you create and when did you know you wanted to create Halloween?

The inclination to create Halloween came back when I was nine years old. Deciding the household did not have nearly enough decorations (and my parents didn’t see the necessity of buying more), I decided to create my own to hang about.

There were tissue paper ghost and construction paper bats that dangled from yarn and paper Jack o lanterns with cut out tissue eyes that hung in the windows. I had started constructing a scarecrow from scratch. He was drawn in pencil and colored with watercolor markers. He stood about 4 feet tall and his head arms and legs where cut out and attached to brads so that his joints would move. Making these decorations for the house became a huge project that lasted for three weeks building up to Halloween night.

The scarecrow was an undertaking. It took me a very long time to get him just right and time was running out. I worked feverishly as soon as I got home from school that Halloween to get him finished to hang on the door before the trick or treating started. Somehow I felt he had to fulfill his Halloween destiny and be displayed before dusk. It was that Halloween, when it got dark and I was hanging the scarecrow on the door that I knew some day I wanted to do something to contribute to the world of Halloween.

All my life I have loved Halloween and the imagery of folklore and fairy tales. I was inspired to create ornaments and decoupage pieces as a way to preserve the imagery that is so dear to me. I didn’t want those magical images to be lost to the world. It was as if the images from the past had to be put out in the world for another foray. Back when I started there were only a handful of Halloween artist and only a scarce few who where creating pieces from vintage images. The paintings I paint echo that love of Halloween and fairy tales; there is always a need to get the images that frolic around in my head to paper and out to the world. I suppose I am hoping that Halloween and whimsical imagery might mean as much to others as it does me, and might give those images and creations life that is passed down through generations to come.