The Horror Issue Archives

October 30, 2015October 30, 2015

Top 5 Creepiest Women in Film

Our guest blogger is hobbyist film and TV series reviewer and writer Harry Casey-Woodward:

There’s nothing scarier than a woman, and horror films have given us an endless gallery of terrifying female characters and performances to choose from. So with Del Toro’s women-led Crimson Peak hitting cinemas, let’s have a look back at a few of the freakiest fems and chilling chicks to give us nightmares…

5. The Evil Dead Girls – Cheryl, Linda and Sherry
Played by: Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and Theresa Tilly
In: The Evil Dead (1981)

‘We’re gonna get you…’ I couldn’t cherry pick one of these girls because they’re all equally terrifying. Sure they start off as the typical sweet American college females you’d expect to find holidaying in some dank wood cabin in the middle of nowhere. But once they get possessed by those pesky forces of darkness… well where do I start? Linda spins her head 360 degrees while girlishly singing threats and she won’t stop laughing. Then Cheryl, good God, poor tree-raped Cheryl freaked me out just guessing her friend’s playing cards in some rising screeching voice. That’s before she levitates, growls doom-laden prophecies at her friends and stabs them with pencils. The film was brutal enough to make me worry about my friends being turned into grinning, screaming, vomit-spattered psycho bitches from hell.

4. The Exorcist girl – Regan MacNeil
Played by: Linda Blair
In: The Exorcist (1973)

‘It burns!’ Speaking of possession and vomit-spattered psycho bitches from hell, none will ever beat this doll. I know the infamous scenes have been talked about and parodied to death but I have seen various exorcism films and this is still the most extreme and affecting, mainly because most exorcism films that have come after are feeble imitations. For one thing Regan is genuinely sweet and appealing at the start, which is a first compared to most teenage characters in horror. So it’s quite horrific to see her gradually turn into a blaspheming, foul-mouthed, puking, ball-grabbing, crucifix-banging cockney beast. The best and freakiest thing about this character is that she (or it) is so extreme that no matter how much you’ve heard about the film, you’re never sure what she’s going to do next.

3. Mrs Carmody
Played by: Marcia Gay Harden
In: The Mist (2007)

You expect victims of demonic possession to turn evil, but all too often in horror films God-fearing women should be feared too. Take for instance Mrs Carmody, played splendidly by Marcia Gay Harden in 2007 movie The Mist. A fog descends on a New England town, bringing with it a swarm of ugly carnivorous critters and the townspeople are trapped in the store. Mrs Carmody immediately makes her extremist Christian beliefs clear and starts babbling about the apocalypse. At first she just annoys everyone and gets a slap or two. But as the situation worsens, her power grows over the trapped community until most of them are baying for human sacrifice to appease the beasts. So Mrs Carmody wins this spot not just for sticking to her bloodthirsty Biblical beliefs to the end, but for spreading them so easily over the fragile minds of her flock that they obey her every will and turn to violence without a thought.

2. Carrie’s mum – Margaret White
Played by: Piper Laurie
In: Carrie (1976)

‘I can see your dirty pillows…’ Another crazy Christian lady who happens to be the mom from hell. I guess Stephen King had a real problem with Christian women since he invented both Maggie White and Mrs Carmody. If it’s possible, Carrie’s mum is even crazier and scarier than Mrs Carmody and certainly not mothering material. For one thing, she likes locking her daughter up in cupboards (Harry Potter anyone?) and can’t handle any talk of periods, breasts (sorry ‘dirty pillows’) or sex let alone her daughter’s telekinetic powers. Carrie could really have done with a social worker. Now don’t get me wrong, Carrie is also a scary character but only at the end when she turns into some blood-drenched, prom-trashing bully killer. Her mother is scary the whole time. Piper Laurie gives such a fantastically unhinged performance that, like poor possessed Regan, you’re never sure what’s going to happen when she’s on screen. I haven’t seen the remake but as great an actress Julianne Moore is, I can’t imagine her matching Laurie’s performance, especially in the scene where she smiles so divinely when pursuing her daughter with a knife.

1. Annie Wilkes
Played by: Kathy Bates
In: Misery (1990)

‘I’m your number one fan. There’s nothing to worry about…’ Actually it’s a writer’s worst nightmare. Successful novelist Paul Sheldon (played cunningly by James Caan) suffers a car crash and wakes up crippled in the home of a smiling woman claiming to be his number one fan. Unfortunately she turns out to be too much of a fan. Kathy Bate’s extraordinary role wins number one for a couple of reasons. Firstly, compared to the other women she appears harmless: a dumpy farm woman with some nursing expertise and a bit of an obsession for her beloved author and his books. But some of her more eccentric qualities (her sudden mood swings and specialised vocabulary of ‘cockadoody’ and ‘oogy’) hint at the madness within. She’s not only crazy but also controlling, calculating and not afraid to use violence to get what she wants, particularly concerning hammers and feet. This brings me onto the second reason why she’s number one creepy woman. She has a very black and white view of the world. Everything she does and believes is right and everybody else is wrong… or dead. In short, not someone you want to be disabled and helpless around. But the other thing about her that beats the other characters is that you can’t help feeling sorry for her or laughing at her overreacting: when she’s safely behind the TV screen that is.

October 26, 2015

Sarah Jane Docker: Creepy Kewpies

19-year-old Sarah Jane Docker is an illustration student, blogger and freelance artist from the Lake District. We love Sarah’s dark and gloomy style, inspired by The Horror Issue and our recent Miniature Ink II exhibition, Sarah has created a series of creepy kewpies just for us…

Do you have a background in art? I started drawing from a very early age, usually little things like butterflies and rainbows (I’m all about symmetry) which progressed into making little picture books about the adventures of my toys and writing stories to go with them. I didn’t realise there was a name for what I was doing at the time (illustrating) and carried on drawing and practising into my teens. My parents were never the most artistic of people but they always stood by me and my decision to draw and create, even when I chose to ditch the idea of A-Levels for an Art and Design Diploma 40 miles out of town!

How did you get into blogging? A few of my friends ran blogs that I’d been reading for a while. One day I thought ‘hey, I could do this!’ so I did.

What kinds of things do you blog about? Anything from lifestyle advice and DIYs to make-up and tattoos. My last tattoo orientated post talked about getting your first tattoo and what you should think about before and during. One of my most recent and favourite posts is about dating yourself and why it’s important that you should take time out to be alone, treat and learn about yourself, find out what you’re all about! I’m quite young so don’t expect people to follow my advice but the response to my writing so far has been ace. I love reading all comments and am yet to experience negativity in the blogosphere.

What kinds of things do you draw? This is a tough question! I draw a wide variety of things. Portraits, creepy little kewpies, mandalas (which I love, love, love to draw. The possibilities are endless and I can really get stuck in!) anything inspired by Eastern culture. I dabble in typography for fun now and again. A major project I just completed with my partner was our first comic book, 3 Parts Mad.

What medium do you use? Mainly pen and ink. It can be really controlled or explosive so it always fits my creative mood!

How would you describe your style? Another tricky question! Versatile, dark, floral, intricate. I’m still working on it so hopefully I’ll have developed a little by this time next year.

What inspires you? Sounds terribly elitist but feeling free or empowered. Living in the Lake District gives me the ability to hike up a mountain whenever I like, I feel most free there and take inspiration from the nature and people around me, everything in its raw state. Seeing other artists succeed motivates me to carry on creating and seeing younger people follow what they want to do, even if it is a risky career makes me remember why I’m doing this. Eastern and tattoo culture is also a massive inspiration, crazy colours, symbols and beautiful deep rooted tradition! Of course, books and magazines are an endless source of inspiration too. My creepy kewpies were drawn after reading The Horror Issue for the billionth time!

What was it about The Horror issue that inspired you? The whole atmosphere of the issue is insane, I love it! Dark yet beautiful photo shoots (yo Hannah and Emily), interviews with inspiring artists and the article on eyeball tattooing. Something I really like but could never go through with, eek! Gore gives me the creeps, but anything twisted I love and I tried to show through my creepy kewpies.

Can you tell us about your tattoos? My biggest piece is three peonies on my upper left arm to symbolise the main women in my life and my appreciation for Japanese tattoo, my other is a heart and dagger under my right boob. No meaning for that one, I picked it off a valentines flash sheet but it looks ace and I like how secret it is. I have another heart on my shin with a drawing that my friend did last year, she sadly passed away so this will always be super precious to me! Most people just ask what it is when they see it. I plan on getting lots and lots more, sorry mum.

Can people buy your art?
Yes! I have a Facebook page where you can message me about any piece you like and I’ll give you a price! Or you can find me on my Etsy page which is empty at the mo but keep your eyes peeled for creepy Kewpie prints soon.

October 20, 2015

Jessica Sharville Illustrations

Jessica Sharville is a 30-year-old freelance illustrator who also manages Tattoo Workshop in Brighton. Jess uses a pastel palette to transform what she sees around her into eye catching illustrations and tattoo covered characters. Inspired by The Horror Issue she has created two drawings, titled ‘Maneater’ and ‘The Pact’ especially for Things&Ink. We chatted to Jess to find out more about her tattoo inspired drawings and her ever expanding tattoo collection…

How would you describe your style? I think its realistic with a kind of exaggerated stylized feel, it has moments of fashion illustration and traditional tattoo art but with stories behind the illustrations. Romantic and sometimes quite sad.

What inspires you? I get told that people see me in a lot in my illustrations so I think I am inspired by people or events in my life possibly more than I realised! But apart from things in my life I would say that what inspires me the most is just people and moments I see in day to day life, perhaps a couple walking down the street laughing or someone crying on the phone and me wondering if they are going to be ok. (I am a bit of a people watcher). I work five days a week at Tattoo Workshop, and when I’m there I’m surrounded by so many incredible artists who all happen to be bloody ruddy good eggs too.

Maneater

What medium do you use? I use heavy weight paper as I draw very heavy handed, and I only use Pentel 0.9mm mechanical pencils. I then scan my work and sit on photoshop using my Wacom bamboo graphic pad and do a bit of colouring in! It allows me to keep my original illustration and work with colours and effects and not spoil the drawing.

What do you like to draw? It’s probably obvious I love drawing people and tattooed people but I also love drawing patterns and text too. I have painted a few murals and large pieces in the last few years and found a new love for that. I think I just love little details and it has been great doing large scale things to push myself. But if I sat down with a blank piece of paper, I am nearly always going to draw a couple in bed.

The Pact

Do you have a background in art? I have a degree in Illustration from Plymouth University and a family full of illustrators and graphic designers. I have worked lots of different jobs to support my illustrations throughout the years and luckily most of them have been creative which has helped push me with my art.

Are there any artists you admire? I am a huge Norman Rockwell fan and Charles Keeping who are my two favourite artists when it comes to capturing moments between people and creating illustrations which just silently tell stories. I also admire so many different tattoo artists and the amazing creative bubble inspires me, just being around these amazing artists (who all work substantially quicker than me!)

Can you tell us about your tattoos? If you don’t have any are you planning to? What do you think of them? I have possibly too many to explain but I have a few favourites, I have a couple of Kate Mackay Gill pieces, my feet are my favourites which are a mouse on a powder puff on my left foot and a perfume bottle on my right. Then I have a Kola Hari (from The Circle) Buddhist temple on my leg, a very new Peony on my knee by Jack Thomas Newton at Into You Brighton, lots of music related ones such as ‘Well I Wonder’ my favourite Smiths song, a few sneaky Arctic Monkeys related ones and many more.

I love my tattoos but I actually can be quite private about them. I enjoy having the choice of having them on show or not and sometimes people might not even realise I am tattooed at first. I also just love wearing black and layers!

Wolves in my Bed

October 14, 2015

The Horror Issue: Meg Langdale

The Horror Issue of Things&Ink features a music playlist by apprentice tattooer 28-year-old Meg Langdale. We visited Meg at The Burton Tattoo Collective in Leiceter for an evening filled with creepy yet cute kewpies. As our editorial assistant Rosie was being tattooed, we chatted to Meg about her developing style, how she started out and her tattoo collection…

What first attracted you to the tattoo world?
I’ve always known I wanted to do something creative but I just wasn’t too sure what. I did a fashion and design degree at university, and at the time all the design and illustration jobs I looked at just seemed like glorified office jobs, which wasn’t for me. Tattooing has given me the freedom I wanted creatively and in an environment I feel comfortable. I think my illustration work was the stepping stone into the tattoo world. Meeting my boyfriend, who is a tattoo artist, of course had a huge influence. I feel like it’s what I was meant to do, it maybe just took me a little longer than others to realise.

How did you get your apprenticeship?
I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity by my boyfriend, which I will be forever grateful for. I started my apprenticeship in September last year and I’ve only been tattooing around four months. So far I have really enjoyed tattooing lots of floral pieces, but a lot of my illustrations are quite dark and creepy, I want to bring this into my tattooing. None of it would have been possible if it hadn’t been for the support from my whole family. I feel very lucky how things have worked out.

How would you describe your style?
My style is still evolving but its super illustrative, and it includes flaws and imperfections. I really want my tattoos to look like illustrations. When I draw, I like that my designs aren’t perfect, don’t get me wrong I spend hours drawing and redrawing designs. But I sometimes like the little wobbles in lines and lack of symmetry. I also weirdly like tiny little flaws in my own tattoos. I’m lucky enough to have some beautiful pieces down by amazing artists but I quite like that in most tattoos you can find tiny little imperfections. It’s not a question of liking or having bad tattoos, mine are perfect to me and I love them. But I think flaws make them real. I’m not perfect and neither are my tattoos.

What inspires you?
I’m really critical of myself and my work, so that in itself inspires me to want to keep improving and keep pushing myself. I really hope to be respected as an artist by other artists too, and not just for drawing pretty stuff. I want to be able to put in solid lines, and produce really nice quality tattoos.
I also collect old reference books; I adore medical illustrations in old anatomy books, and simple line drawings in books of wild flowers. I like combining quite delicate floral stuff with elements of darker stuff. I’d much rather draw from real life or old books than have to rely on the internet.

How did it feel doing your first tattoo?
Terrifying. I tattooed pig skin a lot to build my confidence initially. Then myself which was just dreadful. It’s so hard to overcome inflicting pain on yourself to focus on putting in decent lines. My first tattoo on someone other than myself was on Dane’s brother in law, it was so nerve wracking. He’s always been really supportive of my work and was quick to offer up some skin for me to practice on. At the same time I just remember thinking this is it, this is what I’m going to be doing forever now. I get nervous before I tattoo, but I’m always fine once I start and I just get into my little zone. My confidence has definitely been one of my biggest hurdles.

Can you tell us about the tattoos on your body?
My own tattoos are a combination of styles, mostly black and grey. Weirdly enough I don’t have any that are that similar to my own style, but I’m saving my right arm for lots of illustrative floral bits and bones, I’m just undecided on who I want to do it yet. I’ve been lucky enough to get tattooed by some amazing artists in the last couple of years, and of course Dane, he’s done a lot of my favourite pieces. I do have a few colour tattoos too, currently no plans for any more, although I had considered having some really muted colours on my legs in-between lots of black of course.

Photographs by William Kirk

October 7, 2015October 7, 2015

Inkluded: Witch Tattoos

27-year-old Beccy Rimmer is the founder of Inkluded, a blog that explores tattoo culture, who also works as an arts marketer in Leamington Spa. Celebrating the launch of The Horror Issue we chatted to Beccy about why she started blogging and her witch tattoos inspired by her pagan mother…

How did you get into blogging? I always loved writing – when I was a kid, it’s what I “wanted to do when I was older”. I always looked at the world through a certain (weird) pair of goggles and this became more apparent as I grew up. I studied English at University, which I loved, and then found my place in arts marketing. Over the last 6 years I have worked for various different theatres and venues, and love it still, but was starting to get that itch to write contemplative editorial again. I was going through a tough time some months back and was starting to re-evaluate many aspects of my life and I suddenly thought, where am I going, what do I really want to do? The answer was within me all the time – write!
Tattoos are such an interesting and rewarding thing to write about. We have this beautiful creative industry of artists in this country, and the media doesn’t give justice to it. There’s so much to talk about and explore together – why do people get tattoos? Where do they go for information? Who are some of the best artists working in our country today? What do artists feel about creating a piece of artwork for someone else? How do the rest of the public view tattoos? Is the industry changing? Why?

When did you set up Inkluded? Why did you create the blog? I created Inkluded in November 2014, as I mentioned above, to fulfil my love for writing and tattoos, and because I felt there was a lot to talk about… but not just because of that. Inkluded’s mission is make people feel part of tattoo culture, not alienated. I wanted to create a place online where tattoo art was appreciated, explored, discussed and celebrated. The process of getting a tattoo is so complex and interesting, it’s not like anything else in the whole world – it’s not fashion, it’s not just a lifestyle, or a trend, it’s not even just about the art. It’s also, to me, not about profit, and that was a strong thought it my mind when I launched the blog. Inkluded doesn’t make any money and so I manage it in my evenings, weekends (and lunch breaks!) alongside other jobs. I would love to be able to run it full time in the future, but I think when you’re setting up a blog, it’s important to have your respects for the industry come first, and then see what follows in the future. A good blog is built on genuine passions and interest, rather than any kind of profitable plan.

What inspires you? I’m inspired by everything. I’m wide-eyed, impulsive, inquisitive, analytical and I question everything. I used to hate that part of my personality but as soon as I realised I could channel it into writing – I found my way. The world is overwhelmingly meaningful and beautiful; history, patterns, cultures, art, people, our past, our present, our future, the universe. There is so much to philosophise about, and that in turn makes me think, write and get tattoos of the things I think are important. To quote my favourite film American Beauty, I always ‘look closer’ – it doesn’t matter what inspires each person, but the fact that we all take meaning from different little things, is so special, and what makes us human.

Can you tell us about your mum and pagan upbringing? My mum is a pagan and reads tarot cards professionally. She is a real eco warrior in a way, like many of her time (the early 70s, when witchcraft was just taking off) so she has always ‘worshipped’ nature, the planet and the elements. She uses certain Gods and Goddesses in her work and is particular drawn to the Morrigan, a Celtic Goddess of Ireland.

Growing up, I didn’t know this, as my mum has never tied to force her belief system on me, but she always instilled certain morals and ideals in me that have stemmed from her pagan beliefs – such as the power of positive reinforcement to attain something you desire. In other words, asking the Universe for something and believing wholeheartedly that you can get it. This is the art of spell craft. I have done many spells with my mum to great success!

What does she think of your tattoos? She loves all of my tattoos and was inspired this year to get her own, on her 60th birthday. It was a beautiful watercolour raven, one of her favourite animals and symbols, and she loves it.

The raven is the symbol of the Morrigan and it is her witch name – ‘Morianna Ravenswood’. Ravens and crows symbolise the power of prophetic sight, which is important to her in her tarot work and divination.

Can you tell us a little bit about your tattoos? I have been collecting tattoos for the last seven years or so and they all have different meanings. I have quite a lot of roses, most of them red – the rose is my favourite symbol because of what it signifies, and I am also a Lancashire red rose and feel connected to my heritage and family. I’m also fascinated by nature, the symbol of the skull, mandalas and pattern work, meaning a lot of my tattoos are floral (some bright, some dark), intricate and almost quite henna-like. Some have quite a personal meaning, but some are just because I love the design or artist. I’ve always been quite impulsive with my tattoos. I don’t give them too much thought, but like to analyse and think about them afterwards, and question the process of getting tattooed, which is what led me to want to blog about tattoos.

What was your first tattoo? Do you still love it? I got my first tattoo when I was 20 years old, and it’s an Egyptian ankh on my leg. It’s tiny, it’s wonky, but I love it and would never cover it up. The symbol has meant a lot to me since I was a little girl, and I am in the process of adding another one to my witch-themed sleeve. I would like to add to the original ankh maybe and create some sort of huge epic Egyptian piece one day!

Are there any artists you admire? And want to get tattooed by? Some of my favourite artists are Keely Rutherford, Joanne Baker, Charlotte Timmons, Paula Castle, I could go on forever! I love traditional tattoos, but also abstract styles and anything bold, colourful, girly and bright. I think some of my favourite tattoo art at the moment is coming out of Poland – I went to the Krakow Tattoofest last year and it was the best convention I have ever been to, just because of the atmosphere and the art. The next artist I want to book in with is definitely Keely – I have lots of cool ideas that are right up her street, I hope!

Have you got any tattoo plans? I really want something Blackpool themed, as the seaside town’s symbols (the tower, the piers) represent nearly all of my childhood memories (as I grew up there and Rimmers have lived there for generations. I’d also like a colourful, kawaii Caribbean piece and something to signal gambling and Las Vegas – again, both things that have family and memory significance. I’m also still working on my pagan witch themed sleeve with artist Alex Rhodes, we have tarot cards, a raven and a few other symbols to add to it, then it should be finished. Alex has a beautiful, clean, bold traditional style so I have quite a few tattoos from him, including the roses on my chest. Most of my other tattoos, including my other sleeve, were done by Adam Frame.

Inkluded is also presenting a tattoo art exhibition, in Leamington Spa, in the Midlands, running from the 3rd to 20th of October.