Justin Mabry: Behind the Mask Interview

Check out this interview with Justin Mabry, owner of Night Owl Productions, and Art Director for Trick or Treat Studios...

Maskfest '14 Recap

It's hard to believe that Maskfest '14 has come and gone. Personally, it's my very favorite weekend of the calendar year, and these past few days only helped to strengthen this sentiment. The room full of rubber masks alone is simply stunning, however, the people really make the weekend what it is. Hanging with the friends, family, fellow collectors, and fellow artists is what really makes Maskfest the over-the-top can't-miss-event of the year.

I have little in the way of photos to share. After all, it is very difficult to take pictures with a beer in one hand and a mask or two in the other. It's also all too easy to get lost in endless conversation during the show hours. All of these things take priority over picture taking for me. I'll definitely be on the look out for the influx of Maskfest photos that have likely already started popping up online.

Here's a brief recap of what I did manage to capture... This life-size green ghoul was there to greet us as we began to unload the truck and setup the table. The smell of a room full of rubber masks immediately let us know that Maskfest was underway, even though the doors wouldn't officially open for a few more hours...

Even before setup was complete, my first priority was to secure a copy of Lee Lambert's Illustrated History of Don Post Studios. Apparently, this was everyone else's priority too, as the 50 copies that Lee had at the show were sold out within 20 minutes of the early-access pre-show. I have only made it through the first three chapters, but I'll post a review of the book soon...

...Our Devil's Workshop display went up quickly and the fun began...

Here's a quick shot of my cousin Matthew "Hamm-ing" it up behind the table. This was Matt's second Maskfest, he fits right in with the rest of the weirdos at this show and was a huge help this year...

Here's a glimpse of a few of the Maskfest exclusives we had including a 1-off orange Terror Tomb Zombie, a 1-off Glow-in-the-Dark Ghoul, and 1-off Green Creature...

I busted out the old Devil's Workshop "Dead Head" mold made back in 1997, to make this greenish ghoul...

I made two purchases from Justin Mabry on the first day, both of the one-eyed zombie variety...

By the time the show was over, my Mabry scores included a Frank, and a Rob Zombie Mask from Trick or Treat Studios...

The Rob Zombie mask fits like a glove and is super creepy when worn. I'll be answering the door with this one on this Halloween. This is me posing behind our table...

Before the show would wrap up on day 2, I had purchased a Raging Zombie Studios Critter, and then backed it up with a second Raging Zombie piece on Sunday, the gorgeous green "Slimey Steve" melting man bust...

In addition to the show, a lot of really weird shit happened in the after hours along the way...

The three days were long, and we only procured about 4 hours or less of sleep each night, but the time flew right by. Before I knew it the truck was loaded and we were heading home...

Night Owl Quicksand Zombie

The Night Owl website has been updated with a few goodies including one of my favorite masks from this past Monsterpalooza... the Quicksand Zombie, a homage to the soggy corpse from the cover of Tales from the Crypt #24...

Night Owl Flyer

This fun spook show styled flyer could be found at the Night Owl table at Monsterpalooza 2011...

2005 Night Owl Production Ads

From the same magazine issue as yesterday's post, here's a pair of Night Owl ads from 2005. The Night Owl Ghoul himself was kind enough to respond to a query yesterday and verified the names of this creepy quintet... From left to right: Shock Zombie, Vengeance, Mutant, Sackopath, and Haggard Hank.

Mabry Franken Fink Photos

I was talking with Justin Mabry from Night Owl Productions last weekend and he mentioned the Franken Fink Mask that I bought from him at Monsterpalooza this past Spring is still the only one he has personally finished. Having heard this, and realizing that the photos I originally took and posted were with a poor quality point and shoot camera, I thought it would be a good idea to take some new hi-resolution shots with a decent camera.

In the original shots it's very difficult to see the detail in this amazing mask. I think these more accurately showcase the craftsmanship and the care Justin put into the piece...

 The Ghoul & The Fink - This is where the Fink usually hangs out in the basement.

Night Owl and Twisted Toybox Ads

Two half-page ads from the mask makers responsible for the mask in yesterday's post. These were scanned from the first issue of HorrorHound back in the winter of 2005 / 2006...

Night Owl Mask Ad

Twisted Toybox Mask Ad

4 Days Until Maskfest...

With a mere 4 days left, I'll be posting some pics of my favorite individual mask sightings from the past two years. First and foremost, the Night Owl Shock Monster. In my humble opinion, the best modern version of the classic Shock Monster. An absolutely spot on replica from Mr. Mabry!

Two Weeks to Maskfest...

The Count Down to Maskfest 2011 continues on with a quick look back at the Night Owl Productions table at Maskfest I. In my humble opinion, Justin from Night Owl "gets it" more than any other independent mask maker when it comes to creating pure masks. Most of Justin's work contains a wonderful retro mask flare combined with a modern twist. The sculptures are top notch as are the paint jobs. Nothing is over done, they all still feel like masks, which is exactly why I love these.

The Night Owl Maniac,  Sewage, Briefer's Frankenstein Monster, and Shock Monster

Wrightson Monster, Vengence, and Night Owl Shock

Night Owl's New Site

	Night Owl Productions has a new updated site that features some killer retro style masks and some modern maniacs! The Lurker and the Zombie are destined to become all-time collectible classics. Check 'em out creeps!