World Horror Convention 2008 Update.

 I’m borrowing my friend Stephanie’s laptop, posting live from WHC 2008. I stayed up way to late this morning talking with my old buddy Newton Ewell, my new “secretary” Stephanie, and tons of people at an after party. Some fantastic story ideas were thrown around. I am now functioning on four hours of sleep.

 If you’re in downtown Salt Lake, swing by the Radisson and check out the WHC. There’s some fantastic art in the art room, some great writing panels, and a sweet booth in the vendor’s room called MonsterhedZ.

Nightmares and New Products.

 Had another nightmare last night about my new sculpture. It’s really not that different from my others, but for some reason wakes me up in a cold sweat. Maybe I need to change the filters in my respirator again. Or the night-time, screams may have to do with stress over finishing up everything for the World Horror Convention, 2008 next week (check it out  here). Speaking of the WHC, here’s a rundown of new stuff that will be at the MonsterhedZ booth:

T-shirts: Three different styles, all designed here at the shop. There’s an Ankh, Wolf-Che (typical Che t-shirt, but as a werewolf), and a skull and rune design (I dig this one the most).

Heads: Along with the orc and vampire on the site, there will be a new unicorn (smaller, more compact model), and the vampire skull from the WHC 2008 logo.

Key Chains: They’re a buck and made in China.

American Vampire: Ahhh, the work from my nightmare. Giver-of-the-screamin’-meemies. Monster under my bed. The sculpt is the first in a new series that I’ll go into another time.

None of the new items are on the site yet, if you’d like to get a sneek peek, let me know and I’ll send some pics.

Upcoming Conventions, shows, and stuff.

 Here’s a tentative schedule for where you can see MonsterhedZ in the, er…flesh.

 World Horror Convention: Salt Lake City Downtown Radisson, March 26-30.  We’ll be located in the vendor’s area, can’t miss us.

 Into the West Fantasy Festival: University of Utah Union Building, April 26. Vendor’s area. This is a very cool little festival. Last year, there was one of the best special effects make-up symposiums I have ever seen.

 CONDuit 2008: May 23-25. Tentatively we’ll be in the vendor’s area again.

 Springville Museum of Art: Springvile, Utah April-July 2008. You’ll see some of my original stuff here, pending the admissions of the jury

McFarlane’s Twisted Christmas

 Check out the newest line from McFarlane Toys, McFarlane’s Twisted Christmas. Very cool line, each figure has a story or two behind it. I’ve been a fan of the line for years. This series follows his Twisted Fairy Tales and Twisted Land of Oz figures. I read a rumor that the Twisted Land of Oz will be made into a film, though very toned down.

 Check it all out at www.spawn.com.

Christmas orders all filled.

 The shop will be in a lull for a bit, after filling the most orders ever during a holiday season. Thanks to all those who bought horns, hammers, and heads for their loved ones to open during the holidays.

 The site has been updated, let me know what you think.

 We know you have a choice when choosing a provider for your gory, head-on-the-wall needs. We thank you for choosing MonsterhedZ. Have a safe and Happy Holiday!

 Ronnie.

Post Convention Depression.

 I attended Mountain-Con over the weekend in Salt Lake City. For the first time ever, I was at a convention without a MonsterhedZ booth. This allowed me to relax and enjoy the con more than I normally would. It was a celebrity-heavy convention; I met with Darth Vader (David Prowse), Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), and Leeta (Chase Masterson). I’ll post pics later in the day.

 I also had a chance to talk with my friend, online cartoonist Howard Tayler (www.schlockmercenary.com). Howard introduced me to Jake Black, writer for TMNT, Chaotic, and Smallville. I had a great conversation with Jake (Look for Supergirl in the next season of Smallville).

 As is the case at these events, I try to fit too much in and don’t have enough time to visit. There was a gentleman I met that worked in movie special effects with great tips for sculpting. For the life of me, I can’t remember his name.

 Pics will be up shortly.

Rare dryer fact.

Did you know that if you pump 220 volts of electricity through a dryer and the heating coil is touching the metal plate on the back, you can WELD the coil right to the plate, with all kinds of kick ass sparks and sizzles?
Everybody keep tabs on me, I’m goin’ for round two.
I’m fixing my dryer, btw.

How these things are made.

 I’m asked countless times at sci-fi and fantasty conventions what these things are made of.  This is a basic run down of how I make the MonstehedZ. A detailed description will follow later, with photos.

 The process starts by sculpting the basic head shape from clay. I prefer Roma Plastina medium-hard clay, but any non-drying clay will work. Depending on how big the head is, the time to the finished sculpt can be anywhere from a day, to several months. When satisfied with the sculpt, a mold is made of the head. For fine detailed works, I like to use a thixotropic silicone rubber, then back it with a fiberglass mother mold. For larger, or less detailed work, I use just the fiberglass. The last step involves mixing a polyurethane foaming compound, and pouring it in the mold. After the piece cures, teeth and eyes can be installed, and the head as a whole mounted on a back board.

First official post!

 This is the first official blog post of MonsterhedZ.com. Please feel free to comment anytime here, for good or bad. Onto business at hand…

 The dragon head is churning forward, slowly but surely. It no longer sits on my living room floor. I am finishing the second half of the mold right now. Weather permitting, I should have a finished head by sunday. Thanks for all the questions regarding it. I’ve had more buzz about this project than any in recent memory. Thanks!