Bela Lugosi, "Dracula"

Bela Lugosi - Dracula

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

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The first talkie horror film and the movie that launched the golden era of Universal's horror films.  Lugosi was a renowned stage actor and his presence on the screen is undeniable, he defined the Dracula character for generations to come with his stage and coinciding film performances of the character in the 20's and 30's.  While the latter half of his career was fraught with difficulty and typecasting - none of this diminishes the fact that Lugosi will be remembered for a long time to come for amazing portrayal of Dracula and so many other classic horror characters!

Boris Karloff, "Frankenstein"

Boris Karloff - Frankenstein

Portrait, 15 x 18 in.

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While most people remember Dracula has having kicked off the golden age of Universal Horror films there were several movies before and around the same time that cemented their role as priceless pieces of Americana; Frankenstein was one of those films.  If it hadn't been for Karloff's kind and naive portrayal of Frankenstein's monster and Lon Cheney Sr. performance in The Phantom Of The Opera I have little doubt that Dracula would have been a flash in the pan.  With Karloff referred to the monster as his "friend" and was glad to have played the role that made him a legend, though I doubt he enjoyed it nearly as much as those of us who have spent countless hours watching and re-watching his films.

Robert Englund - A Nightmare On Elm Street, "Freddy Kruger"

Robert Englund: A Nightmare On Elm Street - Freddy Krueger

Portrait, 12 x 14.5 in.

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Robert Englund here as the face that's haunted  my nightmares since I was six years old, Freddy Kruger!  From his first appearance in the original Last House On The Left, We Craven had big plans for Freddy, though I don't think even Craven himself foresaw just how popular the character would become.  With a 2010 sequel in the bag I was really excited, until I found out that they had recast the Freddy Kruger part after nine films.  This is my little way of saying thanks to Robert for all the great years and scares we've shared, long live Kruger!

Rob Zombie, "Hellbilly"

Rob Zombie - Hellbilly

Portrait, 14.5 x 10.5 in.

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Years ago when Rob Zombie was first making his transition out of White Zombie there were a lot of people that weren't sure he was going to be able to make it on his own.  While Zombie is a talented lyricist he's always relied on the cadre of extremely talented musicians he surrounds himself with.  Any doubts were shattered when the ground breaking Hellbilly Deluxe album came out.  Dragula, Living Dead Girl and Demonoid Phenomenon invaded the radio waves and the deal was sealed.  His look has constantly evolved like his music but looking back, I will always fondly remember the Hellbilly Deluxe years as the ones that defined what he looked and sounded like to me.

Mos Def, "Hood"

Mos Def - Hood

Portrait, 8.5 x 11 in.

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Mos Def is with out a doubt my favorite Hip-Hop artist out there.  He's also one of the few musicians turned actors that I've ever seen that isn't only decent, but I think he's actually a hell of an actor.  Something The Lord Made was an absolutely stunning film and his most recent album, "Ecstatic" is a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end!  This piece pays tribute to the cover of his first album Black on Both Sides where images were heavily contrasted against each other in a black and white fashion, but depicted in color.  It was a neat photo and I covered half of his face to give it that same sort of dark, shadowy, cloak and dagger feel.