GUEST BLOGGER CHRISTOPHER BONNETTE: Monsters in Art

Monsters have been around as long as man, probably even longer. From legends, prophecies on cave walls, and to present day, monsters are found in every culture.

I have always been interested in odd and bizarre creatures. Whether it is made up Hollywood monsters or actual cryptids, I find them all fascinating. I believe it was the Ray Harryhausen films Jason and the Argonauts (1963) and Clash of the Titans (1981) that really got me into mythology. After seeing those movies I bought up all the classic mythology books I could find.

My brother, who is 10 years older than me, would force me to watch scarymovies late at night. Of course it would always lead to nightmares. I occasionally still get night terrors. However, I have built up a tolerance to monsters. I now love them and pursue to make a career illustrating them. I want to update the pictorial history on the creatures of legends.

I try to create the illustration as accurate as possible but still keep them whimsical, stylish, and modern. If the image is not fully accurate to its original description, I will state it as an artistsinterpretation. No one knows exactly how these creatures may have looked. I am dedicated to keeping the tales of the past known so they are notforgotten. I still hold the hope that mankind has a lot left to discover.

I am now at number 38 in a series of 100 paintings that I hope to publish it into a book. After seeing the response of the mythological paintings on the site (http://www.macula.tv/main.htm), I am sure it will go way past 100 and continue for the rest of my life.

To get children to like monsters I have started a series of papercraft to go along with the paintings. Several schools from around the world now know the tale of the Krampus. I have also included tutorials to help them build each creature. Children and adults alike have fun crafting and learning about fantastic creatures.I have also been lucky enough to make new friends due to this project. With the help of Richard Freeman a real cryptozoologist I can get the facts on cryptids as accurate as possible. So stop on by and have funbuilding and learning about things that go bump in the night.

Christopher Bonnette

http://macula.tv/main.htm