Horror Movie Empire.com Reviews

HorrorMovieEmpire.com is continuing the horror artist interviews!  This time we talked with Rachel who runs Lips Tattoo Designs and has a DIY story anyone who does business on etsy NEEDS to read!

First off, tell everyone who doesn’t know about the hot topic situation and what it’s about

Arrrgh! Well my Twitter friends let me know that they saw a design which they thought was mine in their local Hot Topic store, and I pretty much just dismissed it to start with just because there is so much horror themed jewelery around at the moment I thought that it might be a coincidence. I then headed on over to HT and typed in Zombie necklace and sure enough there was my exact Zombie charm necklace with skulls sitting there, under-cutting me proudly on their bullshit site. So after finding out that yes it was in fact a carbon copy of a necklace I’ve been making for two years, I started a mass twitter RT onslaught to Hot Topic.

So Hot Topic rips your stuff, and it’d be hard to believe that they just picked 1 person to do it.  have other people come forward to help you or said that they got they’re stuff ripped too?

Oh god LOADS! Seriously I got 7 emails through etsy saying that they had their designs stolen, a few etsy dark siders have also contacted me in support and to share their experience, it’s unbelievable the gall these people have. I guess I’m kinda fortunate because of the sheer amount of messages my supporters have sent to HT (over a 1000 now! and rising) they had to approach me to sort it out, and they then took down the necklace first from the UK online store and then the USA store, I’m sure it’s still in the psychical stores though. I’ve also found MANY blogs that share the designs that have been ripped off by larger stores, PaperChase, American Apparel & Claires accessories too. Fucking disgusting! I have been told that HT actually encourage their designers to trawl through etsy and take designs. But yes, don’t take it lying down, I’m just constantly bombarding them with tweets, emails and blog links to show that diy’ers and Etsy sellers just won’t take it. Even if we haven’t paid to copyright our designs we still have intellectual rights.

In a way it’s gotta be kind of flattering that people want to steal your shit…but also piss you off when it happens!

I’m not so sure, I mean maybe in the case of other diy’ers when they do it, but with a compay such as Hot Topic who must have looked through all my designs to have found the zombie charm necklace, not so much. That necklace isn’t the most complicated but it’s the most on trend, it must be very easy for them to produce, it’s more about ease and financial gain rather than trying to emulate something they think is pretty or attractive.

So is it anywhere close to being ‘resolved’ have they been in contact with you or apologized or anything like that?

Well like I said the necklace has been removed from the HT websites, but I don’t know for how long. I was in touch with Lulu Williams from their legal department who in turn then put me in touch with the ‘Vendor’ e.g. the guy who found my design, brought it and then sold it on to HT as a sample, Jack Harrari at Papillon accessories but they fobbed me off with a load of crap and I’ve not heard from them since.

Do you have your own site or just use etsy?

I currently only use Etsy and Myspace for my sales, just because they are both free, keep the overheads down and all that.

How long have you been creating your own stuff?

Well Lipstattoo has existed since 2002 but back then I used to just design flyers and tattoo for people but I just never made that much cash so I decided to branch out and make accessories, bags and clothing. I’m always trying out new materials for my products and i’m hoping to work with poly clay a bit more. I’ve also been approached to make some original necklace designs for a tattoo shop here in the UK to sell which is an exciting prospect. But just for myself I want to expand the gory homewares range I have started and just get a bunch more stock in my store for the guys. I have a bunch of beater vests which I’d like to make ‘battle damaged’ so dirty, bloody and full of holes, much like John Maclane’s ends up in Die hard lol also more bandanas, keychains, pins and I’m gonna look in to making gauges for ears.

Do you have any inspirational artists you look up to or anyone that’s influenced your work at all?

I’m a MASSIVE Coop fan, adore Basil Gogos and I love the work of Roman Dirge and Vince Ray but my all time favorite artist is Eric Pigors aka Unkle Pigors of Toxic Toons fame. I think the latter has a big influence on my work. I like slimey and creepy art and it’s definately something I aspire to in my work than the very tidy lines that Coop and Vince Ray use.

I think I know this one but if you could do a collaboration with any of them but you only got to choose one who would it be?

Hehe, am I that obvious? Well it would be Unkle pigors, I think both our styles would mesh well =)

Is there any plans to one day go on your own and away from etsy, etc.?

I’m really not sure, the support you get from fellow Etsy sellers is critical and a big catalyst for many of my sales, the forums are also important as is Etsy’s dark side, so I think i’ll just stick where I am at the moment. It’s a very big and yet close community. I have no problem recommending some other artist to a customer if I don’t think I can carry out what they have requested. I also shop with other sellers too and have bought some amazing goodies from some very talented people.

Favorite band?

Awww man just one? I can’t, I love The Death Riders (Blasko’s band) Scum of the earth, Ghoultown, RevCo and anything horror/surf/psychobilly.

For whatever reasons have you ever just said to yourself ‘this diy shit ain’t worth it i’m gonna get an office job?’

Yeah, well the reason I don’t work in an office or a shop is because I’m trying to get my Bi-Polar under control. I don’t think I could cope in that environment just yet. So my art is not only my income but also my therapy so when little idiots like HT screw me over it doesn’t just affect my sales it affects my health too.

Favorite movie of all time?

Surprisingly I’ll probably have to say Pulp Fiction. It got me in to loving movies as much as I do now. Everything about that film is right in my eyes, from the costumes to the soundtrack. I want to be Miss Mia Wallace lol!

Any pet projects in the works besides the etsy stuff??

Well I conduct interviews and write reviews for www.horror-extreme.com, I have my own blog ( which is currently undergoing a refurb) and I do the occasinal film review for www.geekplanetonline.co.uk. I’ll also be writing a monthly feature on www.buyzombie.com about zombie shopping in the UK. Damn i’m busy lol.

What’s your take on remakes??  hate them, love them, or necessary evil to keep the horror genre alive until someone comes up with something good?

My view is that they have ALWAYS been and always will be about. The Fly, The Thing even Frankenstein was a take on The Golem to complain about them without giving them a chase is very blinkered, but saying that there has been some awful shit that didn’t need to be remade. Those films I just mentioned have been improved because of the tech that has advanced through the years. I saw the NOES remake and it hurt my soul, plus I think the future of decent horror lies in indy film makers hands not Hollywood.

Anything you want to say or promote or talk about?

Hmmmm well I’m part of the Undead Bazaar which is by the company www.zombieandstoys.com promoting all artist involved with zombies and is running through the whole month of may, my interview and feature hasn’t come up yet so keep and eye out on twitter!

BUY RACHEL’S STUFF ON HER ETSY STORE!

Recently HorrorMovieEmpire got the chance to sit down with a REAL artist (no really!).  A lady that creates all kinds of horror artwork from Herman Munster paintings to zombie virgin Mary statues to tattoo-inspired work and all kinds of other things.  Her name is Vicki Death and she’s here for one thing…..to steal the souls of the living!

If you could resurrect ANY horror actor/actress and live with them for the rest of your life, who and why?

Holy crap… Thats a tough question. Hmmm. Probably Lugosi. Why? Because you can’t get much more awesome than Lugosi… In my opinion anyway. But seriously, he’s one of my all time favourite horror actors. I love all the depth and passion he poured into his acting. You just don’t get people like that anymore.

What gives Vicki Death nightmares?

Very few things give me nightmares… But I did have one horrific nightmare about being locked in a small room, and someone started pouring all these frogs through a little slot in the door. I woke up in a cold sweat and had to check the room to make sure there where no frogs… Yes, Death fears frogs!

Munsters or Aadams family?

Munsters… Simple as!

Who is/was the biggest influence on your artwork?

I don’t think I have one particular person or thing thats a big influence on my art. It’s more a concoction of my interests in Horror, Tattoos, the weird and the wonderful. There are some artists I look up to, and think highly of their work. But I think my biggest influences are the things that surround me.

Who do you look up to?

A variety of artists, tattoo artists such as Allan Graves, Dan Smith and Phil Kyle. Then the more ‘lowbrow’ style artists such as Johnny Ace & Kali Verra, Vince Ray, David Vicente and KRNPX

Oh, and not fogetting the awesome Basil Gogos.. Of course!

If you weren’t an artist or ever stop doing artwork what would you be doing with your life?

Damn, I can’t imagine not creating art! It’s about the only thing I truly enjoy. But, for arguments sake, if I had no choice but to give up the art i’d probably choose to work with animals. I wanted to be a vet when I was a little kid, so i’d probably go back to that idea

What’s your favorite drink, either regular or alcoholic?

My favourite non-alcoholic drinks are Tea and Dr.Pepper. My fave alcoholic drink is Jack Daniels mixed with either Dr.Pepper or Dandilion & Burdock. Although, recently I have become fond of German beer. Germans do make some awesome beer!

Greatest horror movie of all time?  maybe not your favorite but the all time best??

Another tough question. I’m going to go for Evil Dead II though. That film has everything you could want! Horror, comedy, gore, action and Bruce Campbell!

vampires or Werewolves???

Vampires… They don’t smell as bad, plus i’ve never seen an attractive werewolf to date!

Should Halloween be a national holiday??  either in the UK or U.S.?

Halloween should be an International holiday! It’s about time it gets the recognition it deserves!

What pisses you off most about other artists?

No matter what day and age it is, you’ll always get artists who forget what art is really about… And thats having fun. Far too many artists these days are TOO serious about their work, they only do it for the money, not for the fun and satisfaction I seem to gain from it. Relax and enjoy the art! If you go into art thinking you’re going to make big bucks, then you’re in the wrong business!

Favorite horror-themed band?

Deffinatly Calabrese… They truly are the Worlds Greatest Horror Rock Band!

What’s your favorite subject to paint/do artwork of and your least favorite?

My favorite subject seems to change, I go through phases of wanting draw a particular subject over and over again, then it’ll change. At the moment I seem to be in some sort of Zombie mode. They’re so fun to paint, and you can draw them in a million different ways. As for least favorite, i’ll have to go for Tribal tattoos. I’ve been asked in the past to design them, and hated every minute of it! I just find it dull. All it is is lines and fill. Theres no meaning to it, and in my opinion, it looks a little tacky. It’s just dull to draw. I need to draw things that have something to say, one way or another

I asked about nightmares earlier, what’s a Vicki Death dream?

A Vicki Death dream contains attractive men fanning me with palm leaves, serving me beer and cigarettes! Haha, I kid, a dream consists of doing well in my art, i’d like to release a book some day with a bunch of my artwork in it. That’d be pretty rad I think!

Are you a fan of remakes, hate them, or indifferent?

Usually I dislike them. There might be one or two remakes out there that I think are ok, but in my opinion, nothing beats the original

Ever interested in making your own horror movie?

I have thought about it in the past, but I think it’d suck. I’d have no clue where to start, I did dabble in movie making ever so slightly when I was in University. Wasn’t anything great though. Perhaps if I had the time, money, knowledge and a decent/original story line, then it’d be cool to do.

Favorite horror magazine?

I don’t read a great deal of horror magazines, mainly for the reason that the UK horror mags suck, and the American ones are hard to come by over here, and when you do manage to get your mitts on them, they cost a fortune!

Ok, it’s 2am, you are throwing the biggest bash in history.  Everyone is mad and wants to watch a great horror movie, what do you put on???

A nice dose of Texas Chainsaw Massacre would do. It’s a film with many memories for me, a fond fave, and I never get sick of watching that it! Watching a crazed man chasing people with a chainsaw whilst wearing a mask of human skin is the way to go when the beers at full flow!

Nice choice!  I think that would work!  What would you do if Leatherface came after you?

Poke him in the eye, then run like theres no tomorrow!

What’s the best compliment you can get on your art?

Man, someone just saying my art is ‘ok’ is a compliment in my book!  Just someone taking their time out to look at my art is a compliment. But the biggest compliment is when someone purchases my art. You can’t get a bigger compliment than that!

I think I know the answer to this but if someone told you you’d never make another dime off of your art, would you still do it?

Of course i’d still do it! I have tried to give up the art before, but it wasn’t long until the urge to pick up the pencil and sketch book kicked back in. I think it’s about the only thing that keeps me ’sane’. I don’t do my art for money, I do it for the passion. Withou passion, there is no art.

Wow, a true artist!  who knew!!!

Do you watch internet porn??

Can’t say I do… Sorry to dissapoint the audience reading this.

Any particular horror director you fancy? Their work AND their looks

Haha, if it’s the work AND looks, then none

Ok just work

If it’s just the work, then i’m saying Fulci, Argento, Landis & Hooper

What music do you listen to while working on your art?

I listen to a variety. Usually whacking the music player onto ‘random play all’ does the trick. The music styles usually consist of horrorpunk/rock, Psychobilly, Rockabilly, 1950’s/60’s R’n'R, Punk, Metal and some other things sprinkled in here and there.

Lady Gaga??

Lord no! Death has taste!

You can buy Vicki Death’s artwork on Etsy HERE

    Bianca Barnett is a talented actress who has starred in such horror films as Albino Farm. She has been gracious enough to answer a few questions, so read on to meet a very interesting woman!

    Where did you grow up and were you introduced to the horror genre as a child? If so, can you remember how?

    I grew up in Garland, which is a suburb of Dallas, Texas. I’ve heard King of the Hill’s Arlen was based on Garland, and that’s really what it was like being raised there. So, being the weirdo that I am, I felt like I did not belong there at all. At all!

    My father had a company called Lunar Models, which specialized in sci-fi and horror model kits. I had the opportunity to meet people in the film industry when I was very young and that had an impact on me. I became mesmerized by special effects and movie magic. I really wanted to be a part of that amazing, fantasy world.

    As for horror, I was always interested in it, though it scared me to pieces. Some of the first movies I remember seeing were The Howling and The Shining… and the first film I rented as a kid was The Lost Boys. The people at Blockbuster made me go get my mom, and she asked me, “Are you SURE you want to watch this?” Ha! After that, I rented every horror movie that our local Blockbuster had… I mean EVERY one they had!

    Have you always wanted to be an actress?

    I knew that I wanted to do something in the entertainment industry. Initially, I began working as a runway model as a young teen because I was tall. New Year’s Day of 2000, I was in New Orleans and asked a psychic which career path she felt was best for me. She said not modeling because I had too much to say. She was correct; I do have a big mouth! I still model for photo shoots because I love it, but I want to focus on acting because it is more challenging and rewarding.

    What caused you to move to Los Angeles?

    I wanted to pursue a career in film, and Hollywood was the place to do it. At the time, I wanted to be an independent filmmaker so I could star in my own productions. I quickly realized that I was better suited as an actress because that is where my true passion lies. I would not mind producing films one day when I am more financially capable.

    Did you have to audition for the character of Pig Bitch in Albino Farm or was it offered to you?

    Oh, I had to audition for the part! Jason Barnett, who headed the special fx makeup for the film, did a screen test of me in the makeup for the director and producers. The transformation blew them away and I was given my first real film role!

    How long did it take for the prosthetics and make-up to be applied to you each day and what was that experience like?

    The most difficult part for me was the life cast made of my head. I am claustrophobic, so I had a panicked feeling when I was unable to move or breathe through my mouth.

    Did you have a lot of fun playing her?

    Yes, when I was on set, I was having so much fun running around and freaking people out. The most exhilarating part was doing my own stunts and having a choreographed fight scene. I definitely want to transition into action films in the near future.

    What have your experiences been like being a woman involved in the horror genre?

    I haven’t had any negative experiences, really, but I have turned some people off because I am very firm about my limits and my rates. I feel it is important for everyone, male or female, to stand up for yourself and only do what you are comfortable doing. So many people have written me saying their movie is going to be the next this or that, and tried to con their way into my pants. It is such bullshit and I let them know it! From this year on, I am only working on projects with people I trust and that pay me what I deserve. I am the creator of my own destiny!!! (I better not get struck by lightning for that.)

    Are there any other movie genres that you would love to work in?

    Definitely- I would love to do action films, drama, and comedies, but it would have to be something very well written and a bit sarcastic. Okay, that is not true because I’m a total ham and goofball, so it could be something zany. I will always work in horror films, though, as they are my first love!

     Do you have anything in the works right now?

    Yes, I have a cameo in Michael Colburn’s “The Toy Box” which is based on John Glatt’s Cries in the Desert. It’s a true story based on actual accounts of an American serial killer, so it is my first step into a serious role. I am so honored that Michael wants to work with me because this project is quite personal to him.

    I have another cool role coming up that is a little bit horror with some kick ass action! I can’t wait to talk about that one, but I can’t say anything just yet. Keep checking my website for updates soon.

    Is there anything that you would like to add?

    Yes, please feel free to visit me as I am always looking to network and meet new friends – http://www.BiancaBarnett.com  http://www.myspace.com/bianca-barnett  http://www.facebook.com/bianca.a.barnett http://www.twitter.com/biancabarnett

    What scares you?

    So many things, but dying before I have the chance to accomplish everything I want to accomplish is probably my biggest fear right now. That being said, I hope you all enjoy what I do and want to see me in more films in the future!

Bloofer Lady
Horror Crypt