Chris Trefz Art Blog

New Illustration by Chris Trefz of Jason Voorhees: The Ominous Horror of Friday the 13th in October. Introduction: Friday the 13th, a date etched in the annals of horror history, has long been synonymous with spine-chilling superstitions and dark tales. It's a day where the ordinary can take on an eerie aura, and the ominous seems all too real.  This year, the stars align in the spookiest way possible, as Friday the 13th falls in the eerie month of October. To celebrate this fortuitous alignment of dates, I've created a bone-chilling artwork that pays homage to one of horror's most iconic figures: Jason Voorhees from the "Friday the 13th" film series. The Legend of Jason Voorhees: Before delving into the artwork, it's crucial to understand the legacy of Jason Voorhees. Born of the horror genre, Jason is a name that sends shivers down the spine of any self-respecting horror fan. This masked and machete-wielding slasher first appeared in the original "Frid...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz, Honoring H.P. Lovecraft's Legacy: A Tribute in Art Introduction: On this day, we pay homage to the legendary mind that birthed some of the most iconic and unsettling tales in the realm of horror fiction - H.P. Lovecraft. As an artist captivated by the eerie and uncanny, I find it fitting to create a new artwork in honor of Lovecraft's birthday. In this blog post, let's journey through the life and legacy of this master of cosmic horror, explore his impact on modern pop culture, and delve into the inspiration behind my Lovecraftian artwork. The Life and Work of H.P. Lovecraft: Howard Phillips Lovecraft, born on August 20, 1890, in Providence, Rhode Island, was an enigmatic figure whose imagination gave birth to worlds of unfathomable terror. Living much of his life in relative obscurity and facing financial challenges, Lovecraft turned to writing as an outlet for his creativity. His stories, though not widely recognized during his lifetime...

New Artwork by Chris Trefz, done for "Alien Day": Celebrating the Sci-fi, Horror Masterpiece by Ridley Scott In honor of Alien Day, here's a depiction of her royal highness herself, the Alien Queen. As seen in the sequel, Aliens, the Xenomorph Matriarch sits perched upon her egg sack, surrounded by her terrible children awaiting fresh hosts to continue their lifecycle. Inspired by Ridley Scott's cinematic masterpiece, Alien, the date April 26th was selected in honor of the infamous planet the creature was found on, LV426. Scott also directed "Blade Runner", making him one of the most influential moviemakers in the sci-fi genre. Alien Day is accompanied by celebrations aimed not only to appreciate science fiction but also to educate people about it. The day provides science fiction lovers with the opportunity to partake in everything sci-fi. It is spiced up by organizing sci-fi competitions for interested persons to win alien collectible and wearable prizes...

New Artwork by Chris Trefz, of The Feaster Bunny: Celebrating the Easter Holiday with a Horror Twist Here's some new artwork taking a humorous horror twist on Easter's normally cute holiday mascot. Be sure to leave out a glass of milk and a plate of raw meat for the Feaster Bunny. Listen for his howls in the dead of night as he rampages from house to house leaving a basket of monster eggs for all the good little boys and girls. Happy Easter! Here's a Short Story based on the artwork: Once upon a "Feaster's Eve," a young boy named Tim lay awake in his bed, his eyes wide open in the late hours of the night. His heart raced with anticipation, for tonight was the night he hoped to catch a glimpse of the legendary Feaster Bunny. Throughout the year, Tim had been extra good, and in preparation for the Feaster Bunny's visit, he had diligently left out the bunny's favorite treats: a plate of raw meat and a glass of spoiled milk. Tim had a special reque...

A jolly Leprechaun here to wish you a happy Saint Patrick's Day, just be sure to stay away from his pot of gold. The Feast of Saint Patrick, also known as Saint Patrick's Day, is a religious and cultural event celebrated on March 17, which is the traditional date of Saint Patrick's death. Saint Patrick is the main patron saint of Ireland. Early in the 17th century, Saint Patrick's Day was declared an official Christian feast day. Today, it is commemorated by the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Lutheran Church, and the Anglican Communion (particularly the Church of Ireland). By honoring Saint Patrick and the introduction of Christianity to Ireland, the day also honors the history and culture of the Irish as a whole. Celebrations typically include parades and festivals open to the public, as well as the wearing of green clothing or shamrocks. Historically, the Lenten prohibitions on eating and drinking alcohol were eased for the day, which fostered and s...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz brings to life a chilling quote from HP Lovecraft's "The Rats in the Wall". I decided to try integrating more typography into this piece, by using one of my favorite quotes from author H.P. Lovecraft, from his story, "The Rats in the Wall". Here's a quick synopsis for those not familiar:  In H.P. Lovecraft's novella, a New England man returns to his ancestral home in 1920's England only to realize his family's cannibalistic history. Distraught by the revelation and driven insane by the scampering sounds of rats between the house walls, he commits an unthinkable act. Read the story at: https://www.hplovecraft.com/writings/texts/fiction/rw.aspx Also check out other great works by the author like, "The Call of Cthulhu" and "The Shadow Over Innsmouth". 

New illustration by Chris Trefz celebrating the winter season with a horror twist. Here's one last speed painting to wrap up 2022. Celebrating the winter season with a monstrous snowman who roams the fridged streets at night, devouring those lacking in holiday cheer.

New Illustration by Chris Trefz, Turkey Surprise: An Alien-Inspired Thanksgiving. Here's some new artwork I created in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, inspired by the movie Alien, and the hilarious Farside cartoon by Gary Larson.  Here's a Short Story based on the artwork: My wife had just returned home from the supermarket with everything we needed for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day feast. “That’s a big bird,” I remarked hefting the turkey breast from the trunk of her car. “That must have racked up the bill.”   “Don’t worry about the bill, dear,” my wife assured me. “It was free. The store was having some kind of holiday promotion for this new brand, Weyland-Yutani meats.” “Never heard of them,” I replied. “But you can’t go wrong with free, I suppose.” The following morning my wife asked me to stuff the turkey before it went into the oven for cooking. After taking another sip of coffee, I put my mug down to oblige. After removing the giblets, I began to take han...

The final entry for my 2022 Halloween Art Series, is a sinister spider descending in search of its next victim. Here's a short poem I wrote inspired by the picture. On spindly legs, it crawls over walls and ceilings. Its many eyes ever watchful, never shutting. Long fangs dripping venom, upon its web it waits, ever cunning. A death's head crown's it's back, as it bears down its prey, unsuspecting the attack. The Halloween 2022 procession continues with The Spider.

New Artwork by Chris Trefz of Freddy Krueger: Embracing the Nightmare Realm Final Image "One, two, Freddy's coming for you Three, four, better lock your door Five, six, grab your crucifix Seven, eight, gonna stay up late Nine, ten, never sleep again" Continuing Halloween Season 2022 with new artwork of the dream demon himself, Freddy Krueger, from the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series. See below for the development process: Line Art Flats Colors Basic Shading Introduction: Enter the world of nightmares with the iconic slasher villain, Freddy Krueger, from the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series. With his hauntingly burned face and his signature bladed glove, Freddy Krueger has terrified audiences for decades. In this blog article, we will explore the origins of Freddy Krueger and the first film in the franchise, delve into his unique abilities to enter dreams, and take a closer look at my digital painting that captures the essence of...

Kicking off Halloween Season 2022 with a New Illustration by Chris Trefz of Michael Myers: The Original Slasher Villain.  “I met him, 15 years ago; I was told there was nothing left; no reason, no conscience, no understanding in even the most rudimentary sense of life or death, of good or evil, right or wrong. I met this… six-year-old child with this blank, pale, emotionless face, and… the blackest eyes – the Devil’s eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up, because I realized that what was living behind that boy’s eyes was purely and simply… evil.”  - Dr.Loomis, Halloween Continuing my series of Halloween-themed illustrations for a 3rd year, but taking a different approach. Instead of doing multiple quick illustrations, I'm aiming for a smaller number of more detailed pieces, centered around famous horror movie villains. Last year, I did Jason Voorhees, so this year I'll be starting off Spooky Season 2022 with Michael...

The land is plagued by eldritch abominations spawned by the blackest of magic. Only one warrior has the skill and ferocity to send these nightmares back to the pits of Hell from whence they came, and his name is Conan! Newly completed artwork of Conan the Barbarian doing battle with a monster inspired by John Carpenter's masterpiece, "The Thing". Conan the Barbarian, also referred to as Conan the Cimmerian, is a fictional sword and sorcery hero who first appeared in pulp magazines. Since then, he has been transformed into books, comics, movies (including Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer), television shows (both animated and live-action), video games, and role-playing games. The character was developed by Robert E. Howard in 1932 for a collection of fantasy tales that appeared in Weird Tales magazine. Conan, a fictional character created by Robert E. Howard, first appeared in the 1931 short story "People of the Dark" as a heroic black-haired barbarian....

New artwork in honor of 50's B-Horror movie classic, "The Crawling Eye". Updated 2/28/23 "The nightmare terror of the slithering eye that unleashed agonizing horror on a screaming world!" My illustrated tribute to "The Crawling Eye", also known as "The Trollenberg Terror" from 1958. A series of decapitations on a Swiss mountainside appear to be connected to a mysterious radioactive cloud, but it's hiding something far more sinister. This black-and-white creature feature is one of my favorite classic movies. When I first saw it as a kid, the creature design captured my imagination. As an adult, it's a bit more goofy than scary, but it has a charm that makes me like it even more. It also has a Lovecraftian vibe from the tentacled space invaders to their ability to telepathically enter your dreams and manipulate humans. See my below for my development process of this image: Sketch Lineart Basic colors Original final ver...

New Halloween-themed Illustration of Chris Trefz, of an Eerie Abandoned Church with a Mysterious Green Glow.  Three nights ago that eerie green light appeared inside the old abandoned church up on the hill. We dared Johnny to go in and find out what it was. It's been over an hour since he squeezed in through one of the boarded-up windows, but he still hasn't come back out.  The Old Church is the 5th entry in my Halloween 2021 Speedpaint series. Exploring Urban Decay: Unveiling the Beauty in "The Old Church" Introduction: Urban decay has always fascinated me—the gradual deterioration of once vibrant structures, the passage of time leaving its mark, and the hidden stories they hold. In this article, I want to delve into the allure of urban decay, the practice of urban exploration, and the inspiration behind my artwork, "The Old Church." Urban Decay: A Captivating Symbol of Time's Passage: Witnessing the decline of once-majestic buildings and structures...

New Halloween-Themed Illustration by Chris Trefz of a Ravenous Werewolf.  Transformed into a bloodthirsty beast by the rise of the full moon, the Werewolf is the 4th entry in my Halloween 2021 Speedpaint series. Introduction: Werewolves, those mythical creatures that embody the fusion of man and wolf, have captured the human imagination for centuries. The concept of the werewolf, often associated with the full moon and a transformative curse, has permeated folklore, literature, and popular culture. In this article, we delve into the origins of the werewolf myth, explore the lore surrounding the werewolf curse, and examine the enduring presence of werewolves in popular culture. Origin of the Myth: The legend of the werewolf dates back to ancient times, appearing in various cultures and civilizations. It was believed that individuals possessed the ability to transform into wolves, either voluntarily or through a curse. The exact origins of the myth are shrouded in mystery, with diff...

New Halloween-Themed Illustration by Chris Trefz of a Shambling Zombie. Doomed to roam the earth in a state of undying decay, tormented with an unending hunger for the flesh of those who yet live. The Zombie is the 3rd entry in my Halloween 2021 Speedpaint series. Unleashing the Undead: Exploring the Mythology and Symbolism of Zombies. Introduction: Zombies, those relentless and decaying creatures, have become a staple in horror and popular culture. Originating from ancient folklore and legends, these undead beings have captured the imagination of many, representing fears of death, disease, and the crumbling of societal order. In this article, we delve into the mythology and roots of zombies, their symbolic significance, and their enduring presence in popular culture. The Mythology and Historical Roots: The concept of zombies finds its origins in various cultural and religious beliefs. In Haitian folklore, the zombie is believed to be a reanimated corpse controlled by a sorcerer,...

A lost soul, bound to this plane of existence by past regrets. The Ghost is the second entry in my Halloween 2021 Speed-paint series.

New artwork of internet terror, the Slender Man, to kick off my 2nd series of horror-themed illustrations celebrating Halloween (2021). October has returned, and so has my series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. I think I will try to make this an annual thing, as Halloween is my favorite holiday.  We kick off the 2021 spooky series with Slender Man, the creepypasta meme turned pop culture icon. The Slender Man, often known as Slenderman, is an imaginary supernatural figure that first appeared online in 2009 as a creepypasta meme made by Something Awful forum user Eric Knudsen. He is shown as a tall, slender, featureless humanoid wearing a black suit, with a white head and face. The Slender Man frequently stalks, kidnaps, or traumatizes people in stories, especially children. The Slender Man has become a pop culture figure, although he is not limited to a single story and instead appears in a variety of other fiction works, most of which are written online. The Slender Man has a...

New artwork based on the Elder Things, an alien race from HP Lovecraft's Novella, "At the Mountains of Madness". Final Image “I am forced into speech because men of science have refused to follow my advice without knowing why. It is altogether against my will that I tell my reasons for opposing this contemplated invasion of the Antarctic—with its vast fossil-hunt and its wholesale boring and melting of the ancient ice-cap—and I am the more reluctant because my warning may be in vain. Doubt of the real facts, as I must reveal them, is inevitable;” ― H.P. Lovecraft, At the Mountains of Madness Published in 1936. the story details the events of a disastrous expedition to Antarctica, and what is found there by a group of explorers led by the narrator, Dr. William Dyer of Miskatonic University. Throughout the story, Dyer sheds light on previously untold events in the hope of deterring another group of explorers who wish to return to the continent. These events include the disc...

Closing out my Halloween-themed art series with new artwork of a malicious Witch brewing a caldron of some evil potion. The Witch is the final entry into my 2020 series of Halloween-themed Speed paintings. Song of the Witches: “Double, double toil and trouble” BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (from Macbeth) Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the caldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and howlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then the charm is firm and good.