I was toying with the idea of painting yet another set of The Addams Family for Halloween this year, but this time with the adorable Cousin Itt. But someone presented me with the idea to bring the cast of Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” to life, I said, “Let’s do it!”
For an entire week my workroom was all things Stephen King. I listened to the audio book version, watched the film twice, and even managed to get my hands on the TV miniseries version too!
We threw a few ideas around and decided that the famous modular carpet pattern is almost a character itself since it’s so iconic. I painted a small version of it (almost freehand since rulers and I are not exactly the best of friends). It’s almost like the ninth doll here!
Heeeeere’s Johnny! I mean, Jack Torrance.
The very jittery Wendy. Well, you would be too if you’re trapped in the middle of nowhere with Jack Nicholson.
My favorite psychic of all time, Dick Hallorann.
Lloyd the spectral bartender.
As a joke, I swapped the Jack Daniel’s whiskey label around to accommodate the subject at hand. I was trying to paint a mini version of the Overlook hotel in there, but that didn’t work out too well.
The Party Bear, one of the phantom guests at the Overlook Hotel masquerade.
Danny Torrance, my second favorite child psychic (my first favorite will always be Caroline from Poltergeist). He’s here with his imaginary friend Tony.
We also kicked around the idea on how to represent the ghostly twin girls until I found another little doll to fit inside the one before it. It’s a bit untraditional, but then again, nothing I paint is remotely traditional.
Well, I hope you and yours are enjoying yet another Halloween. If you’re too old to go trick or treating, why not sit yourself down to a horror film or two? I highly recommend The Shining.
