Baby Deadbeet

I received my vinyl Baby Deadbeet in the mail the other day and couldn't wait to paint him.

This fella was designed by Scott Tolleson and sculpted by George Gaspar. And this particular Deadbeet is custom painted by yours truly. The detail on this sculpt is outstanding. I love this figure and had a blast painting him. Thanks for looking.

4square Exchange

I frequent the October Toys forum and got in on an art exchange. My secret artist was an awesome dude named Charles Marsh who goes by the name Monsterforge. I'm so happy to have received his piece in the mail today. I'm really glad to be a part of  this online community that challenges me to create. And it's cool to get free art by talented individuals. Looking forward to the next exchange.

Here's the piece I did. I drew and colored it in a four inch square, then got a good print made, and finally glued it to a board for a border and put magnets on back. To see a finished pic and the other awesome works of art check out this link: http://www.octobertoys.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=12048

Shitfer Brain & Buddy Dung

Like many kids growing up in the 1980s, I played with Madballs. My mom was always picking up those gross little squishy toys for me and my brother as Christmas and birthday presents. But not just Madballs; she would also buy us Weird Balls and many of the generic plastic rip offs that were coming out at the time. I still have one of the plastic ones. It managed to survived over the years, not being made from the cheap foam material like the original line.  I wish I still had all those gross balls that I cherished so much as a kid, but thank God there's always eBay. I've been able to track down a couple of the originals and some of the new ones that were released about a decade ago. I'm also waiting for a Rude Ralph to arrive in my mail box.  So I've been reliving my childhood a bit with my two boys lately while we seek out more of these rare creatures. 

In the meantime, I've created my own Madball. His name is Shitfer Brain, and he comes with a little companion named Buddy Dung. These disgusting oddities were cast in resin and each hand painted. I've released seven sets so far, two of which are just now available in my online store. Check 'em out!

Set #1

Set #2

Set #3

These first three sets had painted eyes. For the next four I added plastic doll eyes, which I think is a better look for my design.

Set #4

Set #5

Set #6 and #7 (which as I'm writing this are available in my store)

Each set comes with an over sized postcard with the set number and signature.

Thanks for looking, and a HUGE thanks to those who have purchased these guys from my store already. These will most likely be the only sets I cast and paint this year. I have new ideas ready to be brought to life, but will most likely cast some more in the months to come.

The last of my OOAK sculptures:

These are my one of a kind holiday sculptures I created during October and December of 2011. I'll be selling them at the Harley Poe booth at Horrorhound Weekend in Indianapolis on Sept. 6th through the 8th. Come say hello to the band and take a look at some of these. I've been getting into casting lately and probably won't be selling too many more OOAK sculptures, so grab one for your holiday decorating this year.

Also, I just got my over sized postcards in today for my new Shitfer Brain and Buddy Dung resin sets I'm selling in my store. Take a look: joewhiteford.storeenvy.com

Thanks guys! Hope to see some of you at Horrorhound Weekend!

Bucky O'Hare Repaint: Toadborg

I was bored the other night, but didn't really feel like working on my Shitfer Brains and Buddy Dungs, so I went ahead and painted up Toadborg from the Bucky O'Hare universe. Forgive me, I forgot to take a photo of him before I began painting, but in my humble opinion I have saved another character from a hideous color scheme. Thanks for looking.

I'm beginning to get a nice little collection of custom painted robot figures from the late 80s/early 90s. I so enjoy this.

Harley Poe: Pagan Holiday (lyrics)

LOOK WHAT CAME IN THE MAIL THE OTHER DAY!!!

There it is, the new Harley Poe album. It will be available at HorrorHound Weekend in Indianapolis this Sept 6th. The band will be playing at the event on the 7th, so don't miss your chance to get the album as soon as it's released. Get your tickets here: http://www.horrorhoundweekend.com/ 

Harley Poe's Pagan Holiday is the first album released on Horrorhound Records, and the band is thrilled to be a part of this new endeavor from our friends who run this fabulous magazine, convention circuit, and record label (which is off to a great start). Pagan Holiday will be released digitally, on CD format, and on limited edition vinyl in three different colors.

The band is excited about this record for a number of reasons. Not only does it focus on Halloween, among other dark themes such as revenge, loneliness, depression, and death, but we've brought in two new members to help us achieve our vision this time around. Listeners can expect Harley Poe's usual raw, acoustic sound, but with a few surprises thrown into the mix. For Wretched. Filthy. Ugly. we picked up some electric guitar and keyboards and took the more punk route with a solid drum beat. For Satan, Sex and No Regrets we unplugged our instruments, calmed down on the drums, and went for a more simple, folk vibe. Pagan Holiday, in our opinion, is a perfect combination of the two. I again went to the studio and laid down the songs alone, recording vocals and acoustic guitar simultaneously without a click track. Gregg threw down upright bass, Wes flavored with his guitjo, and Cris banged away on his kit (with mostly brushes). Afterwards, Greggy had free reign to shine as he brought in Jake Strakis on accordion and Wesley's cousin Jordan Ingle on mandolin. Rejoice fans, for that creepy little instrument that graced the first two Harley Poe CDs has made its return, and I can't see us letting it go again anytime soon.

We hope you dig this new record as much as we do. We feel this could possibly be our best effort, and I especially am very impressed with what the boys did to my simple little songs that were no doubt recorded out of key and off tempo. I'm aware that I've been extremely lucky in finding awesome people to back my band and release my albums, but more than that I'm grateful for the super talented musicians who continue to put up with my idiosyncrasies and enhance the second rate bullshit I try to pass off as music.

Lyrics by Joe Whiteford

Vengeance the Demon (Instrumental)

Close the Door

Jebodiah, close the door. We don't want him comin' round no more. He's got a hex on his life. Think about your kids and your wife. You've always been a good man. You always help when you can. But we suggest you mind your own. Don't want that thing near our home.

We all were good and she was bad. We blamed an innocent man. The fires did not take; they just got her mad. It's better only one face her wrath.

Jebodiah I'm gonna let you go. Ain't no room for heroes at this show. Don't you know that you can't win. He's been marked, there ain't no saving him. You interfere, you'll die as well, if you're gonna tempt the gates of Hell. Don't you worry, we'll watch over your kin, 'cause we're never gonna see you again. 

Keep away from Pumpkinhead unless you're tired of living. His enemies are mostly dead; he's mean and unforgiving. Laugh at him and you're undone, but in some dreadful fashion. Vengeance he considers fun and plans it with a passion. Time will not erase or blot a plot that he's been brewing. It's when you think that he's forgot, he'll conjure your undoing. Bolted doors and windows barred, guard dogs prowling in your yard, won't protect you in your bed--nothing will from Pumpkinhead. (Pumpkinhead poem by Ed Justin)

Outcrowd

I wake up in the morning and I fry myself a couple of eggs. She walkin' round the kitchen showing off them lovely legs. The boys are in the living room watching all their morning shows. I sit down with my coffee, watch them super heroes battle their foes.

And Oh! I gotta go! I gotta make somebody my foe, 'cause I'm just a lonely man. 

Part of the outcrowd; it's just me. Part of the outcrowd; I'll always be. No matter what I do I'll always be part of the chosen few. Part of the outcrowd, but it's just me. Part of the outcrowd and I'll always be. I'm doin' it alone, but I'm doin' it for all of you. 

Now who is wrong and who is right? What's the plot? Why do they fight? Those villains got me feelin' like maybe I ain't so bad. And there's something in my heart, it hates the light; I can't find my place so I stay up all night, walkin' round from room to room with a knife in my hand.

Gorehound

She's always askin' why I like watching people die, and why I get my kicks while others scream and cry. And my friends think that I'm sick, or maybe uneducated. And my family doesn't want to admit that they are related. Now monsters and madmen who rape and mutilate are perfect entertainment when I take her on a date. You can shove your sparkly vampires and family comedies. Give me blood and beasts and boobs; them sacred triple Bs.

Don't ask me why, 'cause I don't know. Don't close your eyes; enjoy the show.

'Cause I'm a gorehound, hellbound, horror movie lover. I like my voyeurism with a glass of red rum. 'Cause I'm a gorehound, hellbound horror movie lover. Good and evil are just colors on the spectrum.

1,2,3,4. Nail her to the bedroom floor. 5,6,7,8. Rape and kill and mutilate.

Now who could kill a child? Whoever slew Auntie Roo? Someone's knocking at the door and they're here to visit you. Now baby don't look now, but I'm sure there's nothing out there, but horror rises from the tomb and traps you in your nightmare. Now girlfriend come with me to a land of make believe. Or is it based on facts? It turns me on when I should grieve. You say my head is fucked, with a dark and twisted heart. Well I say that it's cathartic; just another form of art.

Halloween Theme (Instrumental)

Pagan Holiday

Part 1: A Celebration

Part 2: Dormant

Part 3: Revenge

Black cats, scurrying rats, flapping bats and heart attacks. Paint your faces green and act obscene, 'cause it's Halloween. Goblins, spooks, and vampires too. Werewolves come to chew on you. The jack-o-lanterns start to grin, so let the tricks and treats begin on HALLOWEEN.

Fires crackle while I hold you tight. The witches cackle as they fly the night. The devils all come out to play and frighten children 'til night is day. Now let's go visit the haunted grave. Take my hand, we must be brave. And afterwards we'll get our fortunes read, but when the sun comes up we'll both be dead until next HALLOWEEN.

The sky is gray. The leaves are falling on the ground and old man winter's comin' round. One festive night and then it's gone without a sound, but death follows me around. 

I don't know if I can take another year. It's so cold and I know my faith is dying here. You tease me with what I know I'll never reach. I pray thee, but I won't cry I won't beseech. 

I'm rolling up in my cocoon. I'm changing with the fullness of the moon. Don't take away the only love I know. My sacrifice if I ever want to glow. So I can't win you're making me choose between my love and my sin. 

And I thought I was an angel, but I was wrong. I'm with the others and I've been here all along. Will you punish me because I'm made in your blood? Do I fly in the storm, or do I wallow in the mud? 

'Cause I've been lost for years, but I'm not coming back. The guilt suffocates me and turns my soul black. So don't blame the Devil for the shit that you've done. You've made this mess and you're just having fun with those who are able to see.

She was a pretty girl; a treasure to him. She was the purpose of his life. And when they came they took his flower from him. Those wicked men they killed his wife. It was on Halloween when they found their way in. He wasn't home, they were aware. She prayed for death as they indulged their sin. When he returned he found her there.

So now's your chance, it may not be right. Do you run and tell or do you stay and fight? Rage fills your mind; you were a man without sin. It's two against one; you'll never win.

But you just can't care. There's blood everywhere.

It was a could night when you let yourself in. They both were armed, you did not care. And one by one your torment seized each culprit. Police found no bodies anywhere.

There was no mercy shown when they broke into your home and ravished your lovely wife before taking her life. There's a beast in all who dwell on this Earth that is our hell. Suppress it if you can, but it's inside every man. Did you feel no remorse when you disciplined with force? Was it justice from above? Did you punish them with love? Or was it could hard revenge? Did you earn your way to Hell? Will God forgive your sin? Well that depends on who you tell.

There was blood everywhere, but you just could not care.

Paint It Black

Terror Trippin' 2

Poop Head

I've begun casting these zombified rotten heads along with little poop characters that fit snugly within each head. They'll be available at my store in a few months. Each order will run around $60 and will include Shitfer Brain and his little friend Buddy Dung along with a postcard and a button or sticker.

Shitfer Brain and Buddy Dung were both sculpted and cast by yours truly, and each piece will have its own unique custom paint job.  

If you're like me and grew up playing with gross toys like Madballs and Mad Scientist monster sets and enjoy potty humor in the vein of Garbage Pail Kids, then stay tuned.