Chris Trefz Art Blog

New Illustration of a Cthulhu Idol by Chris Trefz, and the Final Entry into the 2021 Halloween Art Series. "The figure represented a monster of vaguely anthropoid outline, but with an octopus-like head whose face was a mass of feelers, a scaly, rubbery-looking body, prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind.  This thing, which seemed instinct with a fearsome and unnatural malignancy, was of a somewhat bloated corpulence and squatted evilly on a rectangular block or pedestal covered with undecipherable characters. The aspect of the whole was abnormally life-like, and the more subtly fearful because its source was so totally unknown." - HP Lovecraft, from "The Call of Cthulhu" Here is some new artwork of a Cthulhu Idol as the Sixth and final entry in my Halloween 2021 Speed-paint series.

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...

  "I am many things, Kal-El. You couldn't begin to imagine half of them, but for now I shall take the role of executioner." - Darkseid from "Superman: The Animated Series" Here's some new art depicting Darkseid battling with Superman, from DC Comics. Darkseid has been my favorite Comic Book villain ever since hearing him voiced by Michael Ironside in the 90's Superman Cartoon. So this was a fun opportunity to do some fanart of the alien god of Apokolips, getting the momentary upper hand on the Man of Steel.  Chris Trefz, Digital Art, Superman, Darkseid, DC Comics, Superhero, Supervillain,

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.

New illustration by Chris Trefz of the Hockey Mask-clad, machete-wielding slasher villain, Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th horror movie franchise. My procession of Halloween-related work continues with Jason Voorhees of the Friday the 13th series, back from the depths of Crystal Lake. To quote Alice Cooper : Oh, but he's back He's the man behind the mask And he's out of control He's back! My development Process for this image: Lineart Flat colors In this blog article, we dive deep into the chilling world of the Friday the 13th horror movie franchise and explore the iconic character of Jason Voorhees. Join us as we unravel the origins of Jason Voorhees, his terrifying powers, and the fascinating story behind his iconic hockey mask and trusty machete. The Friday the 13th franchise has become a cornerstone of the horror genre, captivating audiences with its suspenseful storytelling and unforgettable slasher villain. Jason Voorhees, the masked murderer, ...

New Halloween-themed artwork of a sinister-looking crow consuming a gruesome meal. The Crow is the next piece in my series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. Crows represent death, the afterlife, knowledge, intelligence, adaptation, prescience, fortune, destiny, metamorphosis, and the future in contemporary Western culture. Depending on where in the globe you are, crows are interpreted as either good or bad omens, and their symbolism is both positive and negative. One of the most frequent themes in crow symbolism is death. Because they frequently appear adjacent to dead animals and are scavengers, corvids such as crows and ravens are frequently associated with death.

New Halloween-themed artwork of a sinister serpent wrapping its coils around a grinning skull. Next piece in my series of Halloween-themed speed paintings. As Halloween approaches, our imagination takes flight, conjuring up eerie images that send shivers down our spines. One such haunting depiction is that of a snake coiled around a skull, a powerful symbol that embodies both intrigue and fear. In this blog article, we will explore the inspiration behind this chilling artwork and delve into how it perfectly captures the essence of Halloween. The Serpent: Symbol of Transformation and Mystery Throughout history, snakes have been imbued with a sense of mystique. Often associated with transformation and rebirth, these slithering creatures have appeared in countless mythologies and folklore. Their ability to shed their skin has long been seen as a metaphor for personal growth and renewal. The presence of a snake in your artwork signifies the shedding of the old, embracing change, and emba...