macabre | SheWalksSoftly

Archive for macabre

Dr. Mutter’s Marvels

Posted in Books, macabre, medicine, oddities, wish list with tags Books, macabre, medicine, oddities, wish list on December 10, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

If you’re looking for a holiday gift for lovers of oddities and medical marvels, Dr. Mutter’s Marvels might be perfect.

The book is a mesmerizing biography of the brilliant and eccentric medical innovator who revolutionized American surgery and founded the country’s most famous museum of medical oddities.

Even having been to the museum a few times (it’s an incredible place), I still don’t know very much about Dr. Mutter himself. I’d definitely like to read this. Have you been to the museum? Read this book?

Dr. Mutter’s Marvels

Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies #2

Posted in art, Books, craft, halloween, macabre, monsters, photography, retro, toys, vintage with tags art, Books, craft, halloween, macabre, monsters, nature, photography, retro, toy, vintage on October 27, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Who had these as a kid? (Thanks for reminding me of them, Colleen!)

Not sure if this is what The Weather Girls had in mind when they belted out “IT’S RAINING MEN! HALLELUJAH!”

Side note: if you haven’t seen the video for It’s Raining Men in a while (or ever), I highly recommend you go enjoy the neon chaos at the cardboard weather station.

There’s something I really love about this. Perhaps the simplicity.

Why didn’t I think of this? Next year…

That Pumpkin.

It looked so much cuter in her head when she thought she wanted to look like a doll.

I wish they still sold these!

Gorgeous Green Man.

The shading on Cruella is absolutely impeccable.

I feel this has meme potential. Why don’t more memes involve vintage monster illustrations?

Poor kitty…

4 Comments »

Halloween Countdown: Desktop Goodies #1

Posted in absurd, anthropomorphic, art, bats, cats, comics, craft, day of the dead, dolls, ephemera, halloween, horror, macabre, monsters, photography, sculpture, skulls and skeletons, undead, vintage with tags absurd, anthropomorphic, art, bats, cats, comics, craft, day of the dead, dolls, ephemera, halloween, horror, humor, macabre, monsters, photography, sculpture, skulls and skeletons, undead, vintage on October 11, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Don’t know the origin of this, but I love the extra written touch.

This kid’s face is not exactly what I’d call “joyful.” At least the trees are happy.

Awesome.

A very intricately done Day of the Dead hanging bat!

This seriously looks like she’s wearing her sister’s skin.

A little macabre for a greeting, no (that pumpkin is crying actual tears while getting murdered). What’s with the gleeful spectators? Is this some kind of Gladiatorial event for squash and…elves?

The source said this is a real Victorian postmortem, but I have trouble believing it’s not doctored. Still…maybe the photographer was just really, REALLY late.

Gorgeous custom Monster High doll!

I wish this item hadn’t been taken down for sale/display. I would’ve done a feature post on the crafter of this fine wooden witch carving.

At first it looks like a strange pose, but my black cat Dr. Morbius does this gravity defying move all the time.

So long kiddies…pleasant dreams…

8 Comments »

Halloween Countdown: Bloody Brain Cake

Posted in anatomy, cake, food, halloween, inspiration, macabre with tags anatomy, cake, food, halloween, inspiration, macabre on October 7, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

This would be the perfect cake for a Halloween party (the “bloody” syrup coating is a nice touch).

Apparently this was done in honor of The Walking Dead (which I admittedly stopped watching a couple seasons ago because I started getting bored with it…zombies are very overdone these days so it takes a lot to keep my attention).

I’d love to try my hand at this cake. Watch the tutorial video!

3 Comments »

Halloween Countdown: Creepy Makeup

Posted in body decoration, halloween, horror, macabre, makeup, monsters, skulls and skeletons, undead with tags body decoration, halloween, horror, macabre, makeup, monsters, skulls and skeletons, undead on October 5, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

This is not your average Halloween makeup. Are you ready to see some stellar skills and masterful makeup illusions?

The effect itself is great, and I imagine it must be extra surreal to see the human mouth talking within this design.

Brilliant use of an add-on prosthetic chin!

Wow…

See a few more at the Source

2 Comments »

James Flaxman

Posted in art, macabre, satire with tags art, macabre, satire on September 5, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

If you happen to be looking for someone to artistically desecrate the beloved pop culture icons of your childhood, James Flaxman can deliver!

His portfolio is rife with pale, sickly, decayed, obese, oozing characters.

…And, of course, cultural commentary/satire.

He has a great gift for creating truly grotesque, unsettling creatures.

James Flaxman

2 Comments »

Invictus Designs: Tooth Fairy

Posted in craft, macabre, sculpture, toys with tags craft, macabre, sculpture, toys on August 4, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Upon hearing the words “Tooth Fairy,” most of us probably conjure up sweet, fluttering little fairies. Invictus Designs has a different idea:

Yes, kids…all the times you thought this was visiting you in your sleep…

…it was really THIS!

Shhh…don’t tell the others.

Invictus Designs

6 Comments »

Brian Smith

Posted in art, macabre with tags art, macabre on March 14, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

Brian Smith is a gifted painter of tortured souls.

Vaguely humanoid creatures are stretched, torn…twisted and tormented. He has a remarkable talent for painting agony.

For me, his work evokes a kind of richly textured empathy; a visceral connection to the raw realms of physical and emotional anguish.

Many of his subjects seem like lost souls at the mercy of forces greater than themselves.

And he makes a hell of a Joker.

Brian Smith

Davide De Agostini

Posted in art, macabre with tags art, macabre on February 27, 2015 by shewalkssoftly

A while back, I went right-click crazy and saved a giant folder of
images by Davide De Agostini. His work can be unsettling to look at in some cases, but is nonetheless utterly compelling.

I poured through these beautiful, macabre images and admired his ability to fuse warm aesthetics with chilling, haunted faces and bones.

I’m reminded of Stephen Gammell pieces, brought to life with color.

Oh Lordy, I’ve been here…

Davide De Agostini

2 Comments »

Halloween Countdown: The Creepshow- Sleep Tight

Posted in halloween, macabre, music with tags halloween, macabre, music on October 14, 2014 by shewalkssoftly

I was going to make a pre-Halloween mix of murderous songs to post, but I’m not sure I’ll get to it. So here is a wonderful “rockabilly doo wop” ballad, by a gal who met an untimely end at the hand of her ex lover…and haunts him as her body lies hidden under his floorboards.