Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell. Drawn for Little Shoppe of Horrors #37.

 

 

 

Mary Shelley; Mother of the Monster

I was gonna go on at great length about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. But today I'm too tired and stressed to find time or adequate words.

I LOVE it.
I LOVE IT!

Loved it when i first read it. Loved it the last time i read it. Simple as that.

So it was an easy choice when Steven Gettis invited me to contribute to his very splendid website Hey, Oscar Wilde! It's Clobberin time!

I visualized my piece as a cover to an old paperback edition, the kinda art that was popular in the 60's and early 70's. In an alternate universe this is what i do for a living, and I'm a very happy man.

Friday Frankenstein

This is part-art from an abandoned pin-up. It's easily the best part because it features the Frankenstein monster, the rest isn't so good, that's why I'm not showing you.

The finished, full colour piece, was to be a back cover for a new US horror anthology; the editor invited me/asked me, it was my creepy bag, i said 'yes', he said 'cool', and i did what i do.

...or i tried.

It was giggle at first, then Mr. Pleasantenthusiastic editor turned into a fascist control freak who wanted to neuter everything about my art that makes it my art.
At every turn he had a list of suggestions, nit picks and 'corrections' waiting for me, most of them contrary or contradictory, most of them incongruous, or simply dumb - the guy knows little about art or what he likes.

All this was especially aggravating since i was not getting any cash up front(just merchandise and a possible cut from down-the road royalties).

So, i ended up redoing and tweaking until i hated the fucking thing.
...and when it came to 'de-emphasizing' the nipples and cleavage of the resident cheesecake vampire, well, i chucked in my sweaty skull-adorned towel.

But, i did get to draw the Frankenstein monster, and that's always a good thing.

Gris Grimly's Frankenstein

'It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.'

CLICK.

HO!HO!AARGHHHHHHHH!!

Well, i never did get Channel Evil #2 finished by the end of November, and looks like i won't be getting there before the new year arrives.

I tried, damn it i tried, but little seems to be going right in my world.

Won't go on at great length about illness and low morale and the general day-to-day frustration/despair, but i obviously feel shit about letting everyone down, most especially my ever-patient editor Alexander Finbow.

I have problems, and I realise I've got to get myself in a fit shape, not just physically but mentally. Some of these problems are deep-set and have been with me for many, many years, don't think I've ever really addressed them or taken them seriously enough. Agen, too complex to go into, and too personal.

I love storytelling, i love taking things outta my head and seeing them come alive on paper, and it's what i want to do for the rest of my life. And if it wasn't for the love and support of my friends, parents and guiding light Suzanne, i would've crumbled to dust a long time ago.

Thankyou all.

See you in 2010, where you'll be meeting a new, much improved Shane Oakley.

Hope you have a splendid Xmas.

Friday Frankenstein

More Hammer

Two spot illo's i did last week, for Little Shoppe of Horrors #21. It's the first time(and not the last) I've contributed to Richard and Nancy Klemensen's lovingly produced magazine, a personal favourite, and required reading for anyone who cares about Hammer, or British horror movies in general. It's a fanboy thrill to participate.

#21 will focus on The Curse of Frankenstein , out in September.