Interview - Ghoulish Gary

Dotted With Hearts were lucky enough to get an interview with the very talented graphic designer - Gary Pullin!

Q. Tell us a little about yourself?

Well, I'm a monster-loving graphic designer and illustrator. I'm the art director at Rue Morgue Magazine and I've devoted my life to the genre I love most... horror!


Q. Where in the world are you based?

Toronto, Onterrible Canada.


Q. What made you get into graphic design?

I've always had an interest in art. It was a hobby for many years until I went to art school, then I took a three year graphic design course, graduated and found work in the big city.


Q. Your main focus is horror, has it always been a love of yours?

Very much so! As far back as I can remember.


Q. What have been your favourite pieces to design?

The Pray for the Monster's series was a lot fun to do. It's sort of where I'm at spiritually. Monsters are my religion!


Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

There are lots of artist that inspire me, but Basil Gogos, Charles Burns, Robert Crumb... the list goes on and on. Music is also a big inspiration. If I wasn't doing art, I would probably be doing music in some form or another.


Q. Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?

Doing what I do now, drawing monsters!





You can find Gary's artwork at the follow sites...

My Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GhoulishGary
My website: http://www.ghoulishgary.com/





Artwork © Gary Pullin. Posted with Permission.

New items from Vicki Death

New items from horror/tattoo artist Vicki Death!

Check out the Vicki Death etsy store for these items & more!

http://www.vickideath.etsy.com/

Interview - Lipstattoo

Dotted with Hearts were very honored to get to interview Rachel of Lipstatto!

Q. So tell us a little about you and your etsy store

Well I'm Rachel aka Lipstattoo ( so called because I have the rocky horror picture show lips tattooed on my stomach.) I have always been interested in art since I can remember and
as my love for all things horror it just seemed the sensible thing to merge the two loves and start creating the items that I myself would like you buy, but couldn't find. I have art degrees but it's more about learning on the job, finding what works and what doesn’t. My etsy store is just a reflection of all my loves, retro, horror, music and the macabre. it's just a bonus to me that people seem to really dig what I'm doing.


Q. Where in the world are you based?

I'm currently based in Wiltshire, which is near Stonehenge, but I actually hail from Slough in the south of England, you know, where the Uk comedy show The Office is based.


Q. What made you start creating horror inspired items?

It just came from a love of that genre of films and culture really, plus as I started to become more involved with the horror scene I was aware of how little horror themed accessories there were out there, so
it just seemed to make sense that I would start making my own. as I did people asked me where I got them or if I would make something for them and it just snowballed from there. I also make the official merchandise for the death rock and rollers
Devilish Presley which were received really well and got the Lipstattoo brand out to the very people I was trying to reach. Those guys really helped me out.


Q. You've had a great success with your 'human centipede' necklaces - what made you design this piece?

It was actually just to satisfy my childish nature, I just thought it would be funny, then I tweeted the picture ( on twitter as lipstattoo666 ) and the orders and requests just came pouring in. It's pretty much with thanks to a chap on twitter ( V_for_vienetta ) who showed the picture to Nick Frost of Shaun of the dead fame and he wanted one and then Rt'ed the link to my store and it just went mental, it's currently have 60,00 views, 37 hearts and I’ve actually lost count of how many I have sold. I was also really happy when I received a message from the head of the centipede Akihiro Kitamura who also praised my necklace as did the Human Centipede official UK twitter feed. I'm currently selling a full sequence necklace on my etsy ready for when the second film comes out!

Q. Have you always been into art and craft?
Always, more crafting than painting to start with, I would always get art materials for birthdays and Christmas and loved clays and poly clay to sculpt with, but as I got older and when to school and then college I focused more on my drawing and painting skills, so I now feel I'm a good at most artistic trades, but designing jewellery and painting portraits is what I think I'm best at, but I'm always open to trying and learning new skills.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?
Horror in any form, music, art, films, actors anything I feel I have a strong connection with is a catalyst for me to create. I'm currently getting back involved with the Rocky horror show and will be making bits of costumes and accessories for that.

Q. What do enjoy creating the most?
I Love painting portraits of people who interest or inspire me, and working with shrinkies as its so versatile.

Q. Do you have any new projects coming up?

Devilish Presley have a new album coming out so I will be working on a new range of merchandise for them, they have a new song called Horror movie head, which is conjuring up all kinds of wicked delights for me to get designing. I'm also hoping to trade at more craft shows. I'm also going to start a new range on my etsy store, but you'll just have to keep your eyes open for that =)

You can find Lipstatto on the following site

Etsy: http://www.lipstattoo.etsy.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=541286878#!/profile.php?id=541286878
Myspace: www.myspace.com/lipstattoodesigns
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lipstattoo666

Interview with Amanda Norman

Dotted with Hearts interviewed photographer -Amanda Norman

Q. Please tell us a little about you and your website

I love Gothic and horror photography, which can be seen on my website at http://www.amandanorman.com/.
I’ve been described by those who don’t know me as morbid and a bloody weirdo for my love of photographing cemeteries and taking dark portraits, but I just find humanity amusing sometimes. Don’t you?
I have a passion for the ‘dark side of life’. I love to feed my thirst for knowledge and I don’t believe that anyone should stop learning things in life, especially those things that are unknown. I like how the unknown scares the mundane amongst us.
I love to do Tarot readings for friends and I have a strong interest in vampires, but I hate Twilight.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I’m based in the land of the Cheshire cat in a town called Warrington, which is in the North West of England.

Q. What made you become a photographer?

I’m not a professional photographer yet, but I hope to be one day. I just love trying to capture the dark atmosphere of places I see.

Q. Your photography focus's on the Dark side of
things, has this always been your main focus?

It’s ALWAYS been my focus as I have a love of old Gothic Horror films like Hammer Horror that inspires my work. I’ve also witnessed true horror in my lifetime and perhaps that’s why I see things differently, but the challenge is getting the atmosphere right so that viewers of my photography can see it as well.

Q. Whats you favourite thing to photograph?

It has to be cemeteries as I could spend all day in some of these places, especially the old Victorian ones. It’s a shame, but as the years roll by and the stone work crumbles and there’s no living relatives left to pay for the upkeep of these grand tombs, we will lose these places and all that will remain is the odd cemetery and lots of photographs.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?

I love Simon Marsden’s photography and as I said earlier, other inspiration comes from watching Hammer Horror, Amicus and Universal Horror to name but a few.

Q. Do you have any future projects coming up or new additions to your shop?

I’m currently working on an exciting project at the moment with zombie portrait artist @ChrisZenga. He’s given me his ideas for the sketches he wants to do and I will take the photographs for him to work with.

In regards to additions to my shop, I’m always coming up with new prints at http://www.amandanorman.com/cart and there’s currently an offer on of a free button badge when purchasing a print.

All greeting cards, business cards and invitations that can be fully personalised can be found at my Zazzle store at http://www.zazzle.com/mandy_norman

Interview with Vicki Death

Dotted with hearts was lucky enough to interview the amazing horror artist - Vicki Death!




Q. Tell us a little about you and your etsy shop.

I’m an independent artist based in the North West of England. My Etsy store is aimed at selling original horror and tattoo inspired art for affordable prices. I’ve sold art on and off over the years through various means, but finally opened my Etsy store in Novemeber last year. You can also find various other items featuring my art at my store, including; bookmarks, jewellery boxes, ceramic items, greeting cards and gift tags.

Q. Where in the world are you based?

I’m currently based in Warrington, UK. You can find my online store here: www.vickideath.etsy.com.

Q. What made you get into painting? Have you always painted horror themes?

I’ve been painting for as far back as I can remember. As soon as I was able to grasp a crayon I was scribbling and doodling. It evolved from there. I’ve always found art my way to express myself, vent anger and as a means of relaxation. It’s like my therapy. My favourite cartoons as a child was Count Duckula and The Real Ghostbusters, so I was always drawing vampires and ghosts as a kid. My grandmother would always let me watch classic horror films at her place, which led me to drawing the characters from them also.

Q. What do you enjoy creating/painting most?
It depends what mood I’m in. Some days I’ll be wanting to draw a monster, the next it’ll be a classic pin-up girl. I always have fun creating zombies, there are just so many ways you can paint them, and they’re also a great subject to use for experimenting art techniques.

Q. Who or what is your inspiration?
I have a variety of inspiration, mainly classic and b-movie horror, traditional western tattoos, pin-up and hotrod art as well as the music I listen to; Horrorpunk, rock‘n’roll, psychobilly and punk bands. And not forgetting the artists who I adore. Tattoo artists such as Allan Graves, Jeff Rassier, Bob Tyrrell and Dan Smith. Plus Lowbrow artists including Vince Ray, Johnny Ace/Kali Verra and KRNPX. The list in endless.


Q. Do you have any plans or new projects coming up?

After many inquiries and requests, I’m hoping to get some prints made by the end of the year. As well, as starting to plan a project to release an art book. I’m also hoping to getting some of my work shown in galleries too!

You can find Vicki Death on the following sites:

Etsy: http://www.vickideath.etsy.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/VickiDeath

Blog: http://www.vickideath.blogspot.com/