Please take a few minutes to read this page THOROUGHLY.
It may very well answer your questions. If not, you can send me an e-mail.
1.
How Much Do These Cost?
Click here to view the list of current prices and sizes.
2. Are They Available Framed?
As of August 30th, 2003, these are no longer available in frames. But they
cost less to ship and insure unframed, so it works out best for all of us
this way.
3. How Do You Make These?
I'm sorry but I never discuss my secrets. Suffice to say that it
is an expensive, time-consuming process that is best left to those with the patience of a saint
(and the imagination of Lucifer!)
4. Do You Accept Credit Cards?
Yes, I can now accept Visa and Mastercard in my on-line store. I should be able to take phone
orders in the near future, as well. Look for the "Buy it Now" buttons on each character's
individual page. California residents must add 8.25% sales tax.
5. How Do You Ship Your Items? Will You Ship Internationally?
I usually ship out via U.S.P.S. Priority Mail. Your item will be sent insured with a tracking
number and a signature required for delivery so that it won't just be left on your porch.
If you are not there when it arrives, they will leave a "delivery attempted" slip and
you'll have to pick it up at your local post office. Or they may attempt another delivery.
My shipping rates can be found
HERE!
"Handling" covers the cost of the high-quality packing materials, as well as the time it
takes to pack your portraits securely. I use EXCELLENT packing materials to ensure that
your item arrives in one piece. The portraits ship flat in bend-proof packaging. I am willing to ship to the U.K. and Canada, and perhaps other countries, as well. Contact me and let me know if you are interested and I will get you special rates.
6. How Long Will These Take To Arrive?
Please
allow between 10-14 business days for your order to be processed, packed, and shipped.
This may vary as the October holiday season draws nearer, so get your orders in early!
But please note that I have often shipped out much faster than that! If you need them
by a certain date, please let me know that and I'll see what I can do.
7. Do you Do Custom Portraits? Can you turn me into a monster?
I thought you were one already! (Just kidding) I've done a few custom portraits, but they
are much more expensive than my characters because I can only sell them once after all that
hard work! Thus, custom portraits are $800.00 each (one person in the photo only).
I only do a limited number of them each year and will have to turn people away when
orders become overwhelming, so if you want one write today!
You will receive one 16" x 20" of yourself transforming into whatever you creature you desire
(zombie, vampire, demon, skeleton, etc). You should supply me with a clear photo of yourself,
but at the same time it should not be too "flashbulb bright." Try to copy some of the moody
lighting on the old "before" photos you see on here.
8. Is There a Discount for Purchasing Multiple Portraits?
Maybe. It depends on how busy I am.
Each one is made to order and I sell out so quickly that I rarely have stock lying around.
But reasonable offers are always considered!
9. Will You Have More Characters in the Future?
Most definitely, but I cannot say
precisely when. I have to be inspired to make good art. Although I've averaged about one
per month so far this year! If I wanted to I could become a hack and make dozens of shoddy
characters, but for me quality is much more important that quantity.
I will create no characters until I am truly inspired, so rest assured that you are getting the best work
I can do.
10. What Sizes Are Available?
Most characters are available as 16" x 20" portraits, some are available as 11" x 14"
portraits, and some are ONLY available as 11" x 14" portraits. You can view each character's
size availability on their individual pages.
11. How Do These Changes Appear?
The portraits change depending on
your perspective. For example, if you stand still, they do not change at all. But when you
walk past them, either left to right or right to left, you will see them transform into hideous
creatures of the night or macabre apparitions! It is a truly amazing effect which must be seen in person to be truly
appreciated
(or un-appreciated if you weren't expecting it!) No batteries, electricity, or special lighting is required.
12. What Made You Think of Doing This Project?
Changing portraits have been around for decades, but the software for the home user to make them has only been around for about five years. The first time I saw this technology applied to scary images was when Disney sold little 4x6 versions of their Haunted Mansion portraits in 1999.
I can tell you that with the exception of the Disney cards I never saw anyone else offer anything like this before me. Everyone that saw my work was impressed and told me how unique it was, so apparently they didn't see anything like it before either.
I was inspired to create my own line of these when I saw a rather creepy-looking old portrait
in an antique shop. I knew that my photo restoration skills were there, but I had never tried
to create a scary person with it before. The Haunted Mansion has paintings that turn creepy,
but I thought it would be interesting to have an actual photographic image turn scary. I took
the portrait home and began to work with it and the result was "Granny Glick."
I then made "Grandpa Esbat" and several more vampire characters before adding the skeleton
bride, a zombie man, a hanged woman, and all the other creeps that now reside here.
I pride myself on the unique style of my creations and I now offer the portraits signed on
the back so you'll know you got an "Eddie Allen Original!" A signed "Certificate of Authenticity" will be
included as well.
Click here to
read a little bit about my life and this project!
13. What are your credentials? Are you really qualified to do this?
I don't know if one must be "qualified" to be an artist, as everyone should be free to express themselves creatively. However, for this project I suppose it helps that I am a lifelong fan of Halloween, ghosts, witches, skeletons, vampires, etc. I was also blessed with a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination. Fortunately a lot of people are entertained by my nightmarish visions and that's why I've enjoyed such success with my work.
I’m generally not comfortable singing my own praises, but I must admit that I am very proud of this project and the positive responses it has generated. I never worked for Hollywood per se, but my work is featured in that city and is owned by several musicians and effects artists. Several of my clients are admired film and music celebrities, as well.
Ultimately I believe that my artwork should speak for itself,
for that is what will be hanging on your wall, not my credentials.
14. Do You Recommend Glass?
I do not display mine with glass, as that would obscure the image and lessen the impact of the change. If you are putting these in a maze and fear vandalism, then I would use a non-glare glass. Otherwise they should be fine without it. Just don't scratch the lens.
16. How Do You Keep Them Clean?
If the lens gets dusty and you need to clean it, I recommend spraying a small amount of Windex onto a paper towel (not onto the portrait), then gently wiping upward or downward, NOT side-to-side.
15. Any Suggestions on How to Display Them?
The spirits can be displayed in a brightly-lit room, but don't hang them where the sun beats directly upon them. Of course they prefer dark, gloomy environments the best! They look especially good by candlelight and a flashlight-only tour of your gallery will prove highly effective--especially for those who have never seen them change!
If you have read this page THOROUGHLY and you still have questions,
you may contact me by visiting my
CONTACT INFO page.
Use Your BACK button to return to the Previous Page.
Please take a few minutes to read this page THOROUGHLY.
It may very well answer your questions. If not, you can send me an e-mail.
1.
How Much Do These Cost?
Click here to view the list of current prices and sizes.
2. Are They Available Framed?
As of August 30th, 2003, these are no longer available in frames. But they
cost less to ship and insure unframed, so it works out best for all of us
this way.
3. How Do You Make These?
I'm sorry but I never discuss my secrets. Suffice to say that it
is an expensive, time-consuming process that is best left to those with the patience of a saint
(and the imagination of Lucifer!)
4. Do You Accept Credit Cards?
Yes, I can now accept Visa and Mastercard in my on-line store. I should be able to take phone
orders in the near future, as well. Look for the "Buy it Now" buttons on each character's
individual page. California residents must add 8.25% sales tax.
5. How Do You Ship Your Items? Will You Ship Internationally?
I usually ship out via U.S.P.S. Priority Mail. Your item will be sent insured with a tracking
number and a signature required for delivery so that it won't just be left on your porch.
If you are not there when it arrives, they will leave a "delivery attempted" slip and
you'll have to pick it up at your local post office. Or they may attempt another delivery.
My shipping rates can be found HERE!
"Handling" covers the cost of the high-quality packing materials, as well as the time it takes to pack your portraits securely. I use EXCELLENT packing materials to ensure that your item arrives in one piece. The portraits ship flat in bend-proof packaging. I am willing to ship to the U.K. and Canada, and perhaps other countries, as well. Contact me and let me know if you are interested and I will get you special rates.
6. How Long Will These Take To Arrive?
Please
allow between 10-14 business days for your order to be processed, packed, and shipped.
This may vary as the October holiday season draws nearer, so get your orders in early!
But please note that I have often shipped out much faster than that! If you need them
by a certain date, please let me know that and I'll see what I can do.
7. Do you Do Custom Portraits? Can you turn me into a monster?
I thought you were one already! (Just kidding) I've done a few custom portraits, but they
are much more expensive than my characters because I can only sell them once after all that
hard work! Thus, custom portraits are $800.00 each (one person in the photo only).
I only do a limited number of them each year and will have to turn people away when
orders become overwhelming, so if you want one write today!
You will receive one 16" x 20" of yourself transforming into whatever you creature you desire (zombie, vampire, demon, skeleton, etc). You should supply me with a clear photo of yourself, but at the same time it should not be too "flashbulb bright." Try to copy some of the moody lighting on the old "before" photos you see on here.
8. Is There a Discount for Purchasing Multiple Portraits?
Maybe. It depends on how busy I am.
Each one is made to order and I sell out so quickly that I rarely have stock lying around.
But reasonable offers are always considered!
9. Will You Have More Characters in the Future?
Most definitely, but I cannot say
precisely when. I have to be inspired to make good art. Although I've averaged about one
per month so far this year! If I wanted to I could become a hack and make dozens of shoddy
characters, but for me quality is much more important that quantity.
I will create no characters until I am truly inspired, so rest assured that you are getting the best work
I can do.
10. What Sizes Are Available?
Most characters are available as 16" x 20" portraits, some are available as 11" x 14"
portraits, and some are ONLY available as 11" x 14" portraits. You can view each character's
size availability on their individual pages.
11. How Do These Changes Appear?
The portraits change depending on
your perspective. For example, if you stand still, they do not change at all. But when you
walk past them, either left to right or right to left, you will see them transform into hideous
creatures of the night or macabre apparitions! It is a truly amazing effect which must be seen in person to be truly
appreciated
(or un-appreciated if you weren't expecting it!) No batteries, electricity, or special lighting is required.
12. What Made You Think of Doing This Project?
Changing portraits have been around for decades, but the software for the home user to make them has only been around for about five years. The first time I saw this technology applied to scary images was when Disney sold little 4x6 versions of their Haunted Mansion portraits in 1999.
I can tell you that with the exception of the Disney cards I never saw anyone else offer anything like this before me. Everyone that saw my work was impressed and told me how unique it was, so apparently they didn't see anything like it before either.
I was inspired to create my own line of these when I saw a rather creepy-looking old portrait in an antique shop. I knew that my photo restoration skills were there, but I had never tried to create a scary person with it before. The Haunted Mansion has paintings that turn creepy, but I thought it would be interesting to have an actual photographic image turn scary. I took the portrait home and began to work with it and the result was "Granny Glick." I then made "Grandpa Esbat" and several more vampire characters before adding the skeleton bride, a zombie man, a hanged woman, and all the other creeps that now reside here.
I pride myself on the unique style of my creations and I now offer the portraits signed on the back so you'll know you got an "Eddie Allen Original!" A signed "Certificate of Authenticity" will be included as well.
Click here to read a little bit about my life and this project!
13. What are your credentials? Are you really qualified to do this?
I don't know if one must be "qualified" to be an artist, as everyone should be free to express themselves creatively. However, for this project I suppose it helps that I am a lifelong fan of Halloween, ghosts, witches, skeletons, vampires, etc. I was also blessed with a strong creative streak and a vivid imagination. Fortunately a lot of people are entertained by my nightmarish visions and that's why I've enjoyed such success with my work.
I’m generally not comfortable singing my own praises, but I must admit that I am very proud of this project and the positive responses it has generated. I never worked for Hollywood per se, but my work is featured in that city and is owned by several musicians and effects artists. Several of my clients are admired film and music celebrities, as well.
Ultimately I believe that my artwork should speak for itself,
for that is what will be hanging on your wall, not my credentials.
I do not display mine with glass, as that would obscure the image and lessen the impact of the change. If you are putting these in a maze and fear vandalism, then I would use a non-glare glass. Otherwise they should be fine without it. Just don't scratch the lens.
16. How Do You Keep Them Clean?
If the lens gets dusty and you need to clean it, I recommend spraying a small amount of Windex onto a paper towel (not onto the portrait), then gently wiping upward or downward, NOT side-to-side.
15. Any Suggestions on How to Display Them?
The spirits can be displayed in a brightly-lit room, but don't hang them where the sun beats directly upon them. Of course they prefer dark, gloomy environments the best! They look especially good by candlelight and a flashlight-only tour of your gallery will prove highly effective--especially for those who have never seen them change!
If you have read this page THOROUGHLY and you still have questions,
you may contact me by visiting my
CONTACT INFO page.
Use Your BACK button to return to the Previous Page.