| Interview with Casey, The Blood Artist By: Blissfulviolet |
Blissfulviolet: Greetings how are you and things in sunny
California?
California?
Blood Artist: When you're poor and living in the desert, how
good can things really be? Between the gas-prices, the cops,
and the Mexicans, it's a blast!
good can things really be? Between the gas-prices, the cops,
and the Mexicans, it's a blast!
Blissfulviolet: Your persona over the internet is very
mysterious; can you tell us your real name and some of your
interests outside of your artwork?
mysterious; can you tell us your real name and some of your
interests outside of your artwork?
Blood Artist: My name is Casey, I'm 30 and my interests
outside of art are all normal except they all involve
'schadenfreude' in some form or another.
outside of art are all normal except they all involve
'schadenfreude' in some form or another.
Blissfulviolet: Anything else you wish to tell us about
yourself?
yourself?
Blood Artist: Not too much, I try to keep my enemies
guessing. I used to go by the name "Jack Crowley,” until I
started to get paid for my work. My real name became
guessing. I used to go by the name "Jack Crowley,” until I
started to get paid for my work. My real name became
Blissfulviolet: What about your artistic background, are you self taught or have you taken art courses?
Blood Artist: It's a little of both. I went to art school for special-fx and college for fine arts, which was
really just a huge waste of time and money. Like I've said in the past, I've found out that art school is
just college for drug-addicts. All I did was party my ass off.
really just a huge waste of time and money. Like I've said in the past, I've found out that art school is
just college for drug-addicts. All I did was party my ass off.
Blissfulviolet: What artists or subjects have influenced you, and how?
Blood Artist: Some artists and people that influence me, for obvious reasons, are Aliester Crowley,
W.S. Burroughs, Hunter Thompson, Giger, Dali, Bosh, etc...
W.S. Burroughs, Hunter Thompson, Giger, Dali, Bosh, etc...
Blissfulviolet: How did you begin to experiment with the use of blood in your artwork?
Blood Artist: I got the idea in college while I was on acid at a museum. It made me sick to see all the
crap that passes for ‘art’. I'm only impressed by shit that I CAN'T do. When a dolphin or turtle paints a
picture, and it sells for $10k, I wanna fucking puke.
crap that passes for ‘art’. I'm only impressed by shit that I CAN'T do. When a dolphin or turtle paints a
picture, and it sells for $10k, I wanna fucking puke.
Blissfulviolet: How long have you been creating this type of artwork and have you always had a taste
for the macabre?
for the macabre?
Blood Artist: Due to the lack of availability of blood, I've been painting off and on for about 10 years.
I've always had a taste for the macabre, and I blame it on Ray Harryhausen, Dick Smith, Tom Savini, and
Rick Baker. Their work set me on the path.
I've always had a taste for the macabre, and I blame it on Ray Harryhausen, Dick Smith, Tom Savini, and
Rick Baker. Their work set me on the path.
Blissfulviolet: I think most people reading this are dying to know…where do you obtain the blood that
is used for your work and how is the final product kept safe?
is used for your work and how is the final product kept safe?
Blood Artist: For a while I used the blood of rattlesnakes that I would catch in the desert. After
draining their blood and cleaning them, I’d cook them on my Forman-grill and eat them. Now I have a
friend that's a nurse, and she draws my blood into a vile. It's just like giving blood. It's completely clean
and HIV FREE. I keep it safe by sealing the paintings with 3 coats of a thick-sealant, which encases it in
a fresh looking state forever. This way, you will never come into contact with any blood.
draining their blood and cleaning them, I’d cook them on my Forman-grill and eat them. Now I have a
friend that's a nurse, and she draws my blood into a vile. It's just like giving blood. It's completely clean
and HIV FREE. I keep it safe by sealing the paintings with 3 coats of a thick-sealant, which encases it in
a fresh looking state forever. This way, you will never come into contact with any blood.
Blissfulviolet: With such bizarre art and the use of blood to create
most of your pieces, have you come across any shocking or negative
feedback by people who simply don’t understand your work?
most of your pieces, have you come across any shocking or negative
feedback by people who simply don’t understand your work?
Blood Artist: Surprisingly, I don't get to much negative feedback, but
I love it when I do. Most of them are Jesus-freaks, so pissing-off those
assholes is just comedy to me.
I love it when I do. Most of them are Jesus-freaks, so pissing-off those
assholes is just comedy to me.
Blissfulviolet: Has any of your work been featured in an art gallery?
Blood Artist: I've had a few shows in LA, but I stopped doing them
after never making any money from them. My sales are 99% online.
The kind of people that are interested in my brand of "art" are usually
broke.
after never making any money from them. My sales are 99% online.
The kind of people that are interested in my brand of "art" are usually
broke.
Blissfulviolet: You have some interesting infamous icons presented
in your online ‘Gallery of Blood’ portfolio. Just about everyone from
Crowley, G.W. Bush to GG Allin can be found. How do you go about
choosing who to create blood portraits of and do you take special
requests as well?
in your online ‘Gallery of Blood’ portfolio. Just about everyone from
Crowley, G.W. Bush to GG Allin can be found. How do you go about
choosing who to create blood portraits of and do you take special
requests as well?
Blood Artist: Depending on the quantity of blood I have on hand, I have to choose my subjects by what
I think will sell the fastest, and what I won't mind sitting on if it doesn't.
I think will sell the fastest, and what I won't mind sitting on if it doesn't.
Blissfulviolet: Aside from your blood portraits, I was able to check out youtube footage of ‘Fiji Fish-
Boy.’ Who is he, what types of materials were used to create him and how did you come up with the
concept?
Boy.’ Who is he, what types of materials were used to create him and how did you come up with the
concept?
Blood Artist: The 'Fiji Fish-Boy' is just a side-show gaff I made from a crappy plastic skeleton and
some cotton and latex. I've always loved Carnival freak-shows, so I created my own. It's hilarious to
read peoples comments on YouTube that think it's real. My '2-Headed Baby' gets the most morons
commenting on how it deserves to be buried.
some cotton and latex. I've always loved Carnival freak-shows, so I created my own. It's hilarious to
read peoples comments on YouTube that think it's real. My '2-Headed Baby' gets the most morons
commenting on how it deserves to be buried.
Blissfulviolet: You did an excellent job, they look authentically real. Tell us about your latest projects
and what you are trying to achieve with them?
and what you are trying to achieve with them?
Blood Artist: The latest and most interesting thing that I've done is a portrait painting for Danny
Bonaduce. I'm hoping one day he'll kill someone, and they will find my painting at the crime scene.
Bonaduce. I'm hoping one day he'll kill someone, and they will find my painting at the crime scene.
Blissfulviolet: Out of your many projects, which are you most proud of?
Blood Artist: I really like my side-show gaffs and the portrait of Crowley I did. That's the only painting I
regret selling.
regret selling.
Blissfulviolet: You have an extensive set of Richard Ramirez artwork, letters and autographs. What
are your thoughts on Ramirez? Do you still keep in touch with him and does he own any of your work?
are your thoughts on Ramirez? Do you still keep in touch with him and does he own any of your work?
Blood Artist: I corresponded with Ramirez on a friendly level for about 7 years straight, then one day
he completely stopped writing back, and I've lost contact since then. I know 5 other people with the
same story, so it's kind of strange. The only thing I can figure is that he lost his mail privileges and we
lost contact. Of all the art that I've collected from him, my favorite is the picture he drew of my tattoo that
I designed. For a long time I was sending him information on black-magick and the Goetia. That is,
when I wasn't sending him Asian-foot porn. I liked that idea of twisting an already evil-mind with the
information of my choice.
he completely stopped writing back, and I've lost contact since then. I know 5 other people with the
same story, so it's kind of strange. The only thing I can figure is that he lost his mail privileges and we
lost contact. Of all the art that I've collected from him, my favorite is the picture he drew of my tattoo that
I designed. For a long time I was sending him information on black-magick and the Goetia. That is,
when I wasn't sending him Asian-foot porn. I liked that idea of twisting an already evil-mind with the
information of my choice.
Blissfulviolet: Macabre art is rare and extremely underground, what
type of advice would you give to those interested in stating such a
career?
type of advice would you give to those interested in stating such a
career?
Blood Artist: The only advice I can give is that you should forget
about making ANY money from art, and go to a trade school. Art is for
losers.
about making ANY money from art, and go to a trade school. Art is for
losers.
Blissfulviolet: What does the future hold for The Blood Artist?
Blood Artist: Due to legal reasons, I dare to say what will become of
me. Don't worry though, I won't let you down when I snap. It will only
drive up the price of my "art", right?
me. Don't worry though, I won't let you down when I snap. It will only
drive up the price of my "art", right?
Blissfulviolet: Thanks for this interesting interview, any final
comments?
comments?
Blood Artist: Thank you for your time.
| With an interest and thirst for the macabre, California's 'Blood Artist' has been shocking all. From his intriguing side-show gaffs to customized portraits, made with real blood, the 'Blood Artist spills all on his bizarre endeavors. |
important for cashing checks. The 'Jack' was a reference to Jack the Ripper, and the 'Crowley' was a
reference to Aleister Crowley.
reference to Aleister Crowley.