Welcome. I’m a painter, and mask maker who resides in Phoenix Arizona. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communications with an emphasis in Illustration from Northern Arizona University in 1988 and Master of Fine Art in Painting from Arizona State University in 2013. My paintings have explored themes of representation and perceptions of the natural world, to figurative work focusing on themes of aging, memory, and mortality.
For reasons I can’t exactly explain, and for as long as I can remember, I have always loved Halloween and monsters. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, I became enthralled with monster movies, science fiction and fantasy in any form of media that was available to me (comics, books, magazines and movies). This developed into a life long love affair with the art and craft of monster making, masks, and special effects make-up.
Over the years, while pursuing a career in Illustration and fine art, I occasionally indulged in making a mask or helping a friend with make-up for halloween or making myself up as a vampire or a bug guy or something. But only as a hobby or as a gag (goofy teeth) for friends. However in 2016, I decided, since I’m not getting any younger, The time was right to get serious about mask-making. Although I was already engaged in producing some masks, I signed up for a workshop in Los Angeles from acclaimed Hollywood creature designer Jordu Schell. That same year I had my first vendor booth for my masks at a halloween convention in Phoenix. Keen Halloween 2016. In 2018 I made my first formal foray into the industry by participating in Mask-fest X, in Indianapolis Indiana, the countries biggest annual celebration and sale of monster masks and horror related artwork. It was a great success and a fantastic experience, so much so, that I returned for 2019. Since then I have continued on participating in various monster/horror conventions vending latex masks, two dimensional art, sculpted magnets and trophy mount display pieces.
I hope you enjoy the work you see here, If you any questions please feel free to email me, edkennefickstudio@gmail.com. My work is ever evolving, to see what I’m currently working on, please check out my Instagram feed @edkennefickstudio