Hey kiddies! This is a recent project I photographed for Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine called PICKMAN’S MASTERPIECE.
This sequence of images is based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft called PICKMAN’S MODEL. This story was originally published in 1927 in Weird Tales. I was attracted to this project because of the character of Pickman – who in Lovecraft’s mythology is a brilliant but marginalized artist notorious for his horrifying artwork. Due to the graphic and disturbing nature of his work, he is shunned by his fellow artists.
All of this struck me as eerily familiar.
With limited time and budget, I chose to focus on the moment in the story when Pickman brings Thurber, the narrator, into his underground studio to show him his Masterpiece – his greatest and worst work – the one that can never be shown in public.
Instead of creating one heroic image, I wanted to create a sequence of images as if they were shots from a scene in an old Hammer movie.
The character of Thurber was played by Damian Blake, a talented performer and professional Charlie Chaplin impersonator. He was able to provide his own vintage wardrobe and grew a handlebar moustache just for this project. Here you can see Damian standing in for a lighting test while still wearing his coat. The basement location was very cold.
The character of Pickman was played by my friend and regular actor Bob Barber.
My friend and regular assistant Demien Vela, as well as my lovely bride Jen Cogar (who played the lead in LADY BATHORY) acted as crew. Here you can see Demien running the fog machine and moving the sheet into position using fishing line.
Pickman’s artwork was provided by fellow Horror Photographer Chad Michael Ward. To see more examples of his work (which ranges from Horror to Erotica) check out his website at DigitalApocalypse.com
Thank you to Phil Kim at Famous Monsters for inviting me to shoot this project. See you next time!
April 1, 2011 at 4:43 am |
Brilliant as always. Keep this up and you’ll be added to the MOMA for a stunning body of work. If they haven’t already done a retrospective it’s a shame.
April 2, 2011 at 12:03 am |
[...] series of photo play out like a vintage horror movie. Check out how it all went down with this series of images from the shoot, and all the behind-the-scenes via Hoffine’s official [...]
April 4, 2011 at 6:28 pm |
Amazing as always. I grinned at the limited time and budget because one would never know by any of your work.
April 6, 2011 at 1:33 am |
[...] Check it out here: PICKMAN’S MASTERPIECE [...]
April 7, 2011 at 4:36 pm |
[...] Bilder gibt es natürlich auf den dazugehörigen Blogeintrag des ehrenwerten Herrn Hoffine. Kategorie Fundstück | Keine Kommentare [...]
April 7, 2011 at 7:02 pm |
[...] hat-tip to Lovecraftsman for pointing out Joshua Hoffine’s new photo series illustrating Pickman’s [...]
April 10, 2011 at 4:04 pm |
[...] Joshua Hoffine: Pickman’s Masterpiece [...]
April 13, 2011 at 6:41 pm |
the test lighting photo was one of my favorites lol
April 22, 2011 at 12:51 pm |
Absolutely amazing series as always, that room is amazing.
April 26, 2011 at 5:46 pm |
[...] Pickman’s Masterpiece « Joshua Hoffine Horror Blog. [...]
May 31, 2011 at 6:28 am |
very nice! i love this article.
June 9, 2011 at 11:24 am |
Just amazing..The lighting is just so incerdible.
July 15, 2011 at 5:29 pm |
Wow, I can’t remember how I stumbled on your site but I’m so glad I did. So incredibly refreshing to see horror elevated to the status of art, this is wonderful work. Very painterly, very in touch with the source material – I’m hooked..
July 23, 2011 at 4:00 am |
Filming a movie? Still doing weddings? I like to think you and Jen killed a man….or taking a technology break. Hope you and yours are well. Can’t wait to see what is next.
August 7, 2011 at 1:36 pm |
Wonderful shots.
August 9, 2011 at 3:46 pm |
WOW Awesome! I really like the face expressions. Nice to see some special effect tricks.
October 5, 2011 at 10:20 pm |
so cool! very reminiscent of old Hammer films! spot on!
if you dig horror/thrillers, you should watch this short film in the ABC’s of Death competition, hosted by the Alamo Drafthouse!
http://26th.theabcsofdeath.com/t-is-for-teddy/
feel free to leave a comment, and vote also!
November 23, 2011 at 10:00 pm |
Have you done anything recently? I love your work and miss seeing your monthly posts! Much respect.
January 22, 2012 at 8:23 pm |
Mesmerizing!
November 2, 2012 at 11:18 pm |
Reblogged this on HORROR BOOM and commented:
Another great piece on a great series by Joshua Hoffine. This time he doesn’t take on Jack the Ripper – he takes on Lovecraft’s Pickman’s Model, and knocks it out of the fucking park. Don’t miss this!