The backbone of any decent Halloween store is its collection of rubber masks, and the backbone of any rubber mask collection is the premium, top-of-the-line masks. Most people can't afford them, but they're great for getting people into the store.
This year is understandably light on pricey masks. People are worried about the economy.
That's not a bad thing if it nudges people into making their own masks. Home-made masks are always better than what you can buy. Of course it doesn't hurt to reference ethnic masks for inspiration.
There's no limit to what you can make yourself.
Here's a home-made skull pumpkin.
Graphic designers haven't disappointed this year.
I'm always curious to see what the Panamanians come up with...
...and it's hard to beat the Africans.
Picasso meets the Incas!
We need a good Ub Iwerks mask!
The people who made these (above) call themselves Commanches, but I see Aztec and carnival instead. Good costumes, though!
An oceanic mask (above). How do they manage to make these things so spooky?
Upward-tilted masks always look great!
More oceanic (above), but it's only one step removed from African. Once the Oceanic and African people found out about each other, the two styles were bound to blend. That's my hunch, anyway.
Uh oh! The Africans got hold of Jack Kirby and Picasso! Sigh! It was bound to happen sooner or later!
In case you were wondering what I'll be wearing on Halloween, here it is...sort of. John gave me some lederhosen a while back, which should go perfectly with this.
hahaha, man! great expressions in those photos of you! haha.
ReplyDeleteYou look great Eddie, can't wait to see WITH the lederhosen! this halloween is gonna be FUNNNNNNNN
ReplyDeleteWhat, no mask? The "Hans" costume is funny, especially with the facial expresssions! Sehr amusant, mein freund!
ReplyDeleteGreat costume Eddie! I'm trying to go as Adam West's Batman this year, but I don't think it's in the budget ( damned economy! ).
ReplyDeleteWhat were the circumstances for John giving you lederhosen? Are they left over from Ren and Stimpy's Secret Club?
- trevor.
Eddie,This is really funny.Lol!Are these your more recent photos?
ReplyDeleteYAY!
ReplyDeleteI hope the lederhosen are leder. Nicely fitted leather, a bit of filligree. Authentic.
ReplyDeleteBut the real stuff is so expensive.
And the fake adult costume one size fits all lederhosen are so pathetic as actual clothes.
Eddie & John, wearing lederhosen? (shutters) It’s without a doubt, that while you and John represent the finest of the cartoonist species, the very thought of the two of you wearing such pieces of clothing can conjure up nightmares. I will admit that you look charmingly goofy in those photos.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what are your thoughts on Japanese masks, Uncle Ed? I may be in the minority, but the Japanese had created some brilliant masks, especially the ones that are based on the demons from their folklore. Take a look.
Japanese Mask
And for the sake of it, here's a scan of a drawing session that you must have participated at one time. BTW, it’s a bit late, but congratulations on receiving first prize on that Kirk Douglas study.
Have a good one,
From an aspiring animator/ artist
Jennifer: Sehr amusant!? Very amusing? What language is that?
ReplyDeleteTrevor: I can't remember if it was for Christmas or a birthday, anyway it certainly was a nifty present!
The suit later saw service when I appeared as Uncle Oogle in a letter column in the online Spumco magazine.
Anon: Definitely real leather!
Bruce: Traditional Japanese masks I've seen have been unexpectedly disappointing, which is odd because that island produces so many beautiful things. Your link was re-directed to another site which had some great pictures, but I didn't see any Japanese masks!
Denise Recent!? I took them yesterday!
Wow, I'm so happy that you liked the Old Man Mask I designed!
ReplyDeleteHere's the link for anyone who wants one, to go and download it! http://piratecore.livejournal.com/92138.html
Thanks so much again! And have a fantastic Halloween!
Please wear that wig more often.
ReplyDelete"Your link was re-directed to another site which had some great pictures, but I didn't see any Japanese masks!"
ReplyDeleteThat’s odd; maybe it's just me, but both of the links seem to be working.
Oh well, I'll just post some other examples of some of my favorite masks from the land of the Rising Sun, in case if you want to look at them.
I do agree to a certain extent that not all traditional Japanese masks aren't as brilliant as the others you’ve had posted. I usually prefer the Hannya masks (they represent a vengeful and jealous woman that was turned into a demon), the Usobuki (comedic masks) and my favorite of them all, the Hikami masks, which of course, are demon masks that are based off the creatures of Japanese folklore.
And not to worry, I'll make sure these links aren't broken!
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/89120204_de7ce66ee3.jpg?v=0
http://www.yesterday.sg/attach/noh/05.jpg
http://www.noh-masks.com/
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/89120206_4e954758a8.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/184/377353836_893584bbf2_o.jpg
http://www.art-export.com/theater_masks/masks/bagus/mask1.jpg
http://u1.ipernity.com/1/79/70/237970.165a5068.l.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2506648306_3433d6e86a.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/212761387_7b31d2a800.jpg
From an aspiring animator/ artist
Bruce: Wow! This is the best collection of Japanese masks I've ever seen! If I'd known about these I wouldn't have been so disparaging in my comment. Thanks for posting them, and I hope you won't mind if I use some of those pictures here.
ReplyDeleteRosemary: Nice mask, and thanks for not getting mad when I used it!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how the upward leaning mask works. Does the neck go floating around in front of you and you stick your head in the back somehow?
ReplyDeleteAaron: Actually I cheated on the upward-facing mask. It's not a mask at all, just a scupture. I included it because a long time ago I really did see a mask that faced up, and where you looked throught slits in the neck. It was ackward and must have been uncomfortable, but it was appealing to look at. There must be a way to make masks like that practical!
ReplyDeleteAn upward-facing turkey mask, worn during a downpour, would make for one hell of a ballet.
ReplyDeleteHaw! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteCool stuff here Eddie! Hey do you happen to have a front view of Kowolski like those you have posted below?
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD Eddie I can't wait to see you in your full costume!! You must take photos !!!!!! I also agree Ub Iwerks mask is in order, maybe with Flip the Frog hanging out of his ear or nose
ReplyDelete"Sehr amusant" is German, Eddie-just like the lederhosen : )
ReplyDeleteI've got picture of you in that old lederhosen Joh gave you, at work on Halloween. From 1990.
Whoops-that's John, not "joh". or Johann. ; )
ReplyDeleteRyan: Sorry. I can't find the frontal picture of Kawalski.
ReplyDeleteFreckled: Well, you'll get your wish, unless the full picture makes me look fat. Why must cameras always use fat-enhancing lenses?
BTW, I just took a look at your blog and it's great! Do you mind if I steal a couple of pictures...with attribution, of course?
Jenny: Uh-oh...er, that picture doesn't make me look fat, does it? Can you send me a scan of it?
Thanks for checking Eddie
ReplyDeleteHey Eddie,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like em! Feel free to steal from any of my 3 blogs!
Freckled: Thanks!!!!!!
ReplyDelete"Jenny: Uh-oh...er, that picture doesn't make me look fat, does it? Can you send me a scan of it?"
ReplyDeleteI'll post it & you tell me. : )