Hello Fiends! Fear not, Miss Death still lives! I haven't updated this beast since September so I think now is the time to do so. The past 6 months have been a bit crazy to say the least. I moved house 3 times in 3 months followed by losing my shitty job and gaining a slightly better one (can't really complain about that part). But now I've settled back down in a new crypt it's time to pick up where I left off. I haven't been too creative over the past few months, mainly due to time and lack of space to do so. But i'm back with vengeance and determined to make a menz on the art front! So hold tight! But with all these happenings, Miss Death hasn't slowed down too much. She's still been touring around the country (where possible) in her spare time to gigs and rocking out like a motherfucker... So not all is lost.
I also think now would be appropriate to introduce you to the pieces I have managed ti create since my last post. So sit back, grab a brew, have a smoke and turn up the volume on your stereo/computer/iPod/whatever and brace your eyes for some artistic endevours!
Hand painted Black and Red Swallow shoes. UK size 5 - £28.50
Hand painted Skull and Bones travel bag - SOLD - I still have two more in stock, get in contact if you wish for your very own custom travel bag.
Hand painted Zombie Cupcake Money Box - £26.50
Hand Painted Black And Red Día de Muertos Skull And Cross Bones Money Box - £27
Horror Cupcake Original Art, Framed - £32
Hand painted Love/Hate Tattoo Shoes. UK size 4 - £23.50
Hand painted Snake and Roses Box - SOLD - I can get these boxes in stock. Contact me for more information
Ruby Dagger Original Art, Framed - £40
Bloody Eyeball Hand painted Trinket Box - £13.50
The Wolfman Original Hand Painted Coffin Art - £27.50
Zombunny Original Art - £30
For more information in regards to the items above, please feel free to add me on Facebook or alternatively, email me at vickideath@hotmail.com
There is more work available for sale... To view it all, visit my facebook (link above).
Hello Fiends! Just a quick update as to what has been happening in the world of Death!
I know a lot of you have been requesting a follow-up to the 'God Save The Queen' punk music post... Hold tight, it's coming sometime in the near future. I've also returned home after an awesome weekend away for Bedlam Breakout. Apart from giving me a rest from art for a few days (hey, everyone needs a break now and then) I also got to watch some ace bands and catch-up with some cool people.
I have a few new items at my Etsy store too, hand painted zombie figurines to paintings to hand painted purses and more! Plus, all my limited edition photo prints are now only £1.00! You can visit my store here: The Art Of Death
In the mean time i'm starting a new project. A more personal project. I have a sketch book that I wish to fill with pretty much just portrait work. I plan to do atleast 20 or so (hopefully before Christmas, but this is wishful thinking). I find portraits a very good way to practice a variety of art techniques as well as just general drawing practice. I'm looking for people to draw, preferably from the music/film world. Or, if i'm more precise, music and film that I myself enjoy. But I am open to any ideas or suggestions. This is were you guys come in. If there is anyone you'd like me to draw specifically, or if you yourself have a high-quality portrait photo then send it this way. When using images for reference material, I enjoy ones that have interesting contrasts with light and shadow. If you're a photographer that likes to take shots of bands or pin-ups or whether you'd like to see me draw a certain horror movie character, then let me know and hey, it might just happen!
Non of the original portraits will be released for sale, sorry. But, if in high demand, I may make some limited edition prints of a few.
All credit will be given to reference photos used, so those photographers out there, fret not, Death will pimp your work ;)
Hello my dear fiends! And how are we all this evening? Thought it'd be wise to give this blog a hearty update, as well as kill my Saturday evening.
After a long hard think, i've decided to write about music... To be more precise, the songs that inspire me and influence me the most. You know? Those songs that mean the most to me.
Before I go any further, I wish to stress that these are songs important to ME. So don't go whining at me for leaving your fave tune out. Also, i'll probably do this over a number of posts, some kind of series. There's far too much to list in one post. I shall start off with Punk. And probably work my way through the other genres at a later date. So stay tuned!
Anyway, here goes:
To start off, i'm opening this baby up with a familiar classic. The Sex Pistols 'God Save The Queen'. This was the song that pretty much got me into punk. As a child (around the age of 7 or 8) I recall watching this on Top of the Pops 2. Papa Death told me to turn it off because he hated this song. Being the rebellious little shit I was, I kept it on and fell in love. I have a lot to thank to this humble tune. I also feel it expresses my view on the UK perfectly. Amazing how a song written 34 years ago can still be related to in this day and age. In my opinion, I think Johnny Rotten should run for Prime Minister! Hell yeah!
This next one goes to X-Ray Spex 'Artificial'. Polly Styrene had a knack for writing and singing some of my favourite punk tunes. For those who know Miss Death, you know I love a bit of X-Ray Spex. She had the political side but also a fun side to her songs too. A lot of tongue-in-cheek. One of the first ladies of punk, Polly had her own unique style that is to die for. RIP Polly.
As a big fan of Black Flag, I won't leave these guys of the list. It's tough to narrow them down to one tune, but it's safe to say that 'Nervous Breakdown' has to win it for me. A song that aided any teenage angst I had. The stresses of everyday life etc etc. as well as being too damn catchy! I prefer the earlier Black Flag. Although most people refer to Henry Rollins as Black Flag's main singer, I feel the Rollins days of the band weren't as raw in sound as the earlier stuff. So I present to you a bit of Keith Morris (probably better known for the Circle Jerks fame).
In all honesty, I didn't really listen to the Ramones properly until my late teens. When I did sit down and started to listen to them properly, a song that stood out to me was 'My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg)'. A song that has a lot to say. It has inspired me multiple times on the art front. A general hit at politicians and their shit ways = An instant love for Miss Death.
This next tune has fond memories for me. I went to see The Casualties in 2007 for my birthday. They played at TJ's in Newport, and 'On City Streets' was just epic live! It was the tour that they were promoting this album. Everyone in the room just went for it and joined in. A unity of punks as well as those who looked a little uncomfortable and perhaps out of place there too. A song that can do that makes me happy. I also got to have a chat with Jorge (the lead singer) afterwards. Possibly one of the most hilarious and entertaining front men I've ever met! I have admiration for this band, and especially this tune.
I now move on to another chick singer. A lady who has influenced me greatly. I sadly never got to see this band live whilst they were around, and for that I hate Kelly Osbourne for (it's a long story, I shall save it for another day). But I have to add The Distillers to the list. Brody Dalle, apart from being one hot mama, also has one hot voice. One of my music idols for sure. We need more ladies in punk.
Leading on from The Distillers, I shall go to Rancid. As a bassist, Matt Freeman is like some kind of God to me. Haha. His bass riffs are awesome! Fast, furious and manic. I dream of the day I can play like him. An ace band live, full of energy and a good sing-a-long!
Back to Britain we go for The Clash and 'I Fought The Law'... A compelling band that were able to mix punk with reggae, ska, funk, dub and rockabilly. Bringing another sound to the punk genre. A band that captured the 1970's/80's perfectly. Listen to their lyrics and get a feeling of Britain (and even the world) in that day. Love!
I'm going to finish off this post with The Bronx and 'False Alarm'. Apart from being a sweet tune, the video is super cool too! B-Movie love! Haha. This is a band I spent a chunk of my later high school years listening to. Many happy memories and an superb live band! Highly recommended!
That is all for now. I'm sure the other genres shall follow soon.
Let me know what you think and leave your comment/opinions/thoughts etc!
Just a brief update.
As I feel i've neglected my blog, I thought i'd give all my lovely fiends a quick update of what's happening in the world of Death.
No idea why, but recently i've been lacking inspiration on the art front. It sucks! I feel as there is nothing left to inspire me. Perhaps I just need a break... Like get away from home and travel? If only I could afford to. Nope. Still stuck in the cruddy North West of England. But please forgive the lack of art recently.
There's still loads of one of a kind, original Horror, Tattoo and Rockabilly inspired pieces available for purchase at my store: http://vickideath.co.uk At the moment you can save an awesome 25% on all items when you use coupon code GIMME at the check-out! Offer ends this Friday (15th July), so hurry over and grab a bargain. As always there is Worldwide shipping, and you even get a free one of a kind gift with every order! Neat huh?!
I think I need to listen to a tonne more music, last time I was feeling this low on the art front, it was this song that snapped me out of it and got back into the swing of things:
But since then, I struggle to listen to this tune without giggling, ever since my adolescent mind took over and ruined the meaning of the lyrics for me! But that's another story. It did however encourage me to create one of my favorite art pieces i've ever created... One of the few pieces I refuse to sell (unless you're willing to make an offer that contains a rather nice sum of money, haha)
But really, I need a new tune to snap me out of it and get the ball rolling again... It always seems to be one of those magical moments when you least expect it. I feel i'm talking crap now.
Good evening boils and ghouls! It's that time of year again, so listen up to hear how you can get your hands on a CUSTOM piece of artwork from Vicki Death!
I'm opening up this competition a few days earlier, because i'm nice like that :D
Throughout the month of May make ANY purchase made at my Etsy store to be automatically placed into a draw to win a custom piece of art by Yours Truly! Custom being YOU get to choose the subject/design of the piece!!! How awesome is that?! The piece will measure 15" x 11" - Thats a damn decent size if you ask me! Usually these pieces retail for between £45 - £70 (or $74 - $115 for my American fiends)! So it's one hell of a sweet prize. There will also be two runner up prizes! Woop!
All you have to do to enter is make a purchase from my Etsy during the month of May, and you shall be automatically entered into the draw! Easy peasy! So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to my Etsy Store now! http://vickideath.co.uk
Death has good news! The thieving toe-rag who stole my art to use on her jewellery without my permission seems to have taken down her ripped off items from her store!
After much hard work, i'd like to thank everyone for their support! You guys rock!
As a little thank you, for a limited time only, i'm offering a FREE limited edition Pure Fury art card with all purchases made at my Etsy store. No minimum spend required either
Head on over to my store http://vickideath.co.uk and support a living, breathing, original artist!
Hello my dear fiends! Yesterday, whilst I was checking my Etsy store I was made aware of a girl who also has a shop on Etsy. This girl has been using my original artwork for her jewellery products and selling them through her Etsy shop. After reporting her to Etsy, as well as messaging her personally requesting she stops using my art and selling these products, i've had 0 result. I call for your help, my dear fiends!
This girl has been stealing my art to make jewellery and profit for herself. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Calavera138 Please DO NOT buy from her. Report her to Etsy! Simply click the link above. On the left hand of the page you'll see a button that says 'Report this shop to Etsy', please click and report her. This isn't the first time people have stolen my work and used it without my permission. And sadly, it probably won't be the last. But, as Etsy don't seem to care about this, then i'm asking you guys to help me out!
