The Sculptress of Scare

The Sculptress of Scare, known to the online Halloween community as Lauriebeast, has talent overload! Her pieces are extremely detailed and lifelike. Each one is eerily beautiful! If you are around the Wrightwood, CA area be sure to stop by Pinker Place, an antique store where Laurie’s creations are currently being displayed!

CZ: I already know that Halloween is the most awesome holiday out there but my readers may not, so can you give us your opinion why it is?
LB: I love this holiday because it allows for so much creative freedom. How bad can a holiday be where you can dress up however you would like, beg for candy, and scare the hell out of people.

CZ: When did you start “haunting”?
LB: I've always passed out candy but didn't really get started doing a yard haunt until 2005, although I decorated the inside much earlier than that....just love the colors, smells, and feeling of the holiday.

CZ: Creepiest man behind the mask – Michael Myers or Jason?
LB: They're both equally creepy.

CZ: What is your favorite prop/decoration and why?
LB: That's a very difficult question to answer. I would have to say "The Bride" because she was my first anatomically accurate sculpt. I learned so much about anatomy during that sculpt which then led to even more creative freedom and accuracy with Vampiress Morbidia, Ophelia the Witch, Elfula Helmut, and my current project, Zelda the Witch...all favorites. :)

CZ: You must have one absolute favorite memory about your haunt - tell us what it is.
LB: That has to be the guy standing in front of Vampiress Morbidia for about 15 minutes waiting for her to blink, hehe.

CZ: What’s the ultimate Halloween candy?
LB: Snickers bite size candy....mmmmm.

CZ: How much time goes into your haunt each year?
LB: I start putting up the graveyard fence the first week in October along with the scarecrow. After that I just keep adding tombstones, ghosts in the trees, bats, spiders on the house, dead branch trimmings and cobwebs. I don't put my 8 main characters out until the big day and do a dress rehearsal the night before to check the lighting. Total time spent just on the outside is several hours each day for at least 7 days.

CZ: From whom or what do you draw your inspiration?
LB: Until I joined HalloweenForum, I never realized how many people out there actually made a major production of their haunts. I was, and still am, blown away by the talent and camaraderie of these folks. I was introduced to the sculpting talents of Mike Melillo which then led to my feeble attempt at sculpting my first witch (the green one with no ears and no name). Since then, I've met a tremendous amount of very talented and creative folks, all of whom I draw inspiration from.

CZ: Morticia Addams or Lily Munster?
LB: Love 'em both....equally!

CZ: Is your family supportive of your haunting obsession or do they think you’re insane?
LB: Yes and yes :D

CZ: What does the future hold for your haunt?
LB: That's a tough question to answer at the moment since my husband and I are selling our home. Where we're planning on moving to is in a mountain resort area and the kids don't trick or treat in the traditional way since there are no sidewalks or street lights. Plus there are lots of long uphill driveways, not to mention wildlife including bears, bobcats, and mountain lions. However, I'm told that the kids walk up and down the main street and collect candy from the 20 or so stores that stay open for them. I'm most likely going to set up a display with my characters in a fabulous antique shop and blow everyone away....they won't know what hit 'em! :D I won't have a graveyard or fog but may use some of the rickety fencing to stage the front of the store. The owner is giving me complete freedom to do my thing (be afraid...be very afraid)

CZ: Any links you’d like included?
LB: http://halloweenforum.com/
http://hauntforum.com/index.php
http://www.garageofevilnetwork.com/
http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q77/Lauriebeast/