Gorey, my muse

Anyone who knows me well knows my huge admiration and fondness for all things Edward Gorey. Much of my work has an inevitable nod to his influence. I return to his works again and again  and so often find details in his drawings that I'd not seen before.

And oh, that macabre wit of his... Smashing.

My collection of Gorey includes what I consider his finest work, the Dracula Toy Theatre (not the reprint, the original spiral bound masterpiece)

I've had two - one I sold on Ebay for a disgraceful profit and the other, now depreciating thanks to the horrid aforementioned reprint, is one of my prized possessions. 

I was introduced to the book when I played Renfield in the Chantilly Theatre production of Dracula, which did a fine job of using Gorey's designs as an inspiration for the run. Years later I was able to purchase a copy thanks to the birth of the internet.

I just resound to his artwork. It doesn't just inspire me, it encourages me. It's almost addictive. 

I admit, sometimes his writing leaves me to think "What the hell?" but his art - wow. He's the master of the pen stroke in my opinion.