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Muirin007 — The Grotesque
Published: 2011-03-21 04:11:34 +0000 UTC; Views: 20713; Favourites: 448; Downloads: 725
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While I was being such a diligent student and totally NOT wasting my time over spring break, I found this photograph of Canadian model Rick Genest: [link]Rick's intricate skeletal tattoos have gained him international attention. I'm not a tattoo person, but you've got to admit, from an artistic standpoint, those are unbelievable.
And of course, who was the first person I thought of when I saw him?
I have problems.
I wanted this to look like an old medical photograph. Sort of Joseph Merrick-esque, although I doubt Erik ever sat still long enough for someone to take his picture. "Say cheese" wouldn't exactly work in this situation. In any case, you know my love of all things Victorian, and there is nothing more eerie than old medical photographs. Or Victorian post-mortem photography. Yeesh. I've seen too many creepy things in my day, to the point where I'm almost desensitized, but those photos just give me the heebie jeebies every single time.
For me, this was about portraying Erik at his most vulnerable and casting the things that mark him as "grotesque" in harsh light. That probably explains the lack of hair. For some reason, bald just seemed to work here.
Poor guy.
As if things couldn't get any worse, I took away his hair. The Phantom of the Opera is © Gaston Leroux.
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Comments: 81
Poor Erik, he needs to go to someone's mom's house for Thanksgiving
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I am writing a short story called "The grotesque" and would like to use this piece of art as the cover while on wattpad. do you have any complaints or requests as to who I should attribute the art to?
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I've always wondered what a decent appetite would've done for this man... *hugs* Well, we love you anyway, Erik, and it breaks our hearts to see/hear/feel your pain and despair. Ye gods, I so want to take flamethrowers to each and every cretin who's ever so much as looked at him funny. I wouldn't be an "Angel with a Shotgun," but a whole freakin' arsenal, thank you. Who's first? Christine? Fiery enema... hm...
Yes, massive protective streak here, and dearest Erika gets extra doses.
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You can definitely sense his vulnerability and deep sadness. But despite Erik's "deformities" you still made this beautiful
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It puts me in mind of "The Hunger Artist" by Franz Kafka.
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Hey, my slight fascination with Rick Genest was born of the mental connection between him and Erik. It would seem we have similar problems.... And Erik, put your shirt on! It's simply not fair of you to seduce all your phangirls by being both shirtless AND tragic! But before said shirt is replaced, I think somebody needs a hug! ;D
....... Yup, so that's how you make a trained killer uncomfortable.
Beautifully done!
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...
How much do you wanna bet that he's in a hospital for malnutrition and has to be near-constantly intravenously fed?
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Lol I thought the same thing too! You don't have problems, it's just in every PhantomPhans nature to relate everything to Erik. I always thought that if Erik could appear in our time I'd say hey...you think it's terrible to look like a skeleton? Look at this guy...he wants to be you! Haha
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Most accurate picture I have ever seen of him. Great job.
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Somebody get him a bacon IV, stat! That's all he needs. Bacon. Bacon shall awaken his dormant appetite!
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...MY POOR BBY.
Sorry, that's just my fangirl-ness. It happens.
Honestly, though, this is gorgeous. You have incredible talent.
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Thank you so much! (No, no, I'm the same way. Sometimes when I draw Erik, I get this stupid, sad, sappy expression on my face and all I want to do is give him a hug.
And an extended hospital stay.)
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BBY. Seriously, Erik, you need to eat more. It's not healthy, you precious bby. -is totally a mother- -even though she doesn't like children-
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Gahh, I really need to read the book 
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Oh, you should, it's great! Voldy and Erik are birds of a feather, I think.
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I know that this is from Phantom of the Opera and isn't Voldemort, however when I first saw this picture, my initial thought was, "Oh dear Lord, this person managed to draw up an absolutely breathtaking Voldemort. He looks exactly how I've always envisioned him. I must comment and tell them just how amazing they are."
So, that being said, do you mind if I just pretend this is a beautiful picture of Voldemort and love it forever?
Sorry, I imagine this isn't what you're hoping for in a comment, but I really do adore this artwork, you are truly amazing. I dream of someday being able to do artwork like this. You are just so wonderfully talented (and I have an unhealthy obsession with Voldemort, hence all the rambling in here about him and how I think this picture would really fit him, well).
Anyway, I'll shut up now...
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Wow.... that is so cool. I may have gagged a little at the reality of your drawing. I really love it. Nice job, for real.
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Ha, thanks! He's certainly no Mr. Universe, I'll give you that!
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Please tell me I'm not the only one who has told you that he looks beautiful.
Because this is absolutely beautiful. He looks so sad and vulnerable here. Lonely even.
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When I saw that model that was the first thing I though of too!!!!! YAY!
After that I got mad at the tatoo man like: "Erik suffered due to his uncureable uglyness and then you go and do it to yourself just to be cool!!!! You JERK!"
lol
This is amazing though!!! total favorite!
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Thank you so much!
I know, I am such a Phantom geek. Every single time I see a skull, I'm like, "My Erik senses are tingling!"
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YAY! I'm not the only one!
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This comment is going to sound insanely weird but I envy your ability to draw ears.
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Maybe it's cause I'm southern and fancy myself a Paula Deen in training, but once the OH-GOD-WHY heebie jeebies passed, I just *really* want to feet him...
Fantastically done, of course.
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Awesome. I've always loved drawing Erik in varying stages of nudity ^_^ His bony ass is fun to draw hehe <3
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The detail on this is BEAUTIFUL.
Extremely thought provoking this is.
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Poor Erik~
This is really brilliant, once again your art is simply astounding.
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You know, being totally bald is less pathetic looking than ". . . All the hair he has is three or four long dark locks on his forehead and behind his ears." (Which sounds like serious comb-over hair if I ever heard of it. 
I LOVE this. The expression you've given Erik is so world weary - especially his eyes - so defeated (all the sadness of the world?) that one can't help but feel compassion for him (especially all us phangirls. 
And what a great job of showing us the reality of boniness, too. I think most PotO fangirls have NO idea what that's truly like.
Barb
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I totally got what you said about this being like an old medical photograph... almost too heartbreaking and "freaky" for even I to look at! Really great job at doing just that.
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This looks totally amazing... especially his head <3 great job
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Aren't Rick's tattoos inspired by Lon Chaney?
On another note, I think this is beautifully done! I really admire your talent.
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He looks so pensive...I think he needs a hug
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This is gorgeous. Gawd, you never cease to amaze me. Truly <3
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Mmmm, Erik just the way I like him! Lovely picture and that picture of Rick Genest is definitely pretty awesome. I'm not a tattoo person either and my reaction was just the same!
...Yeah, Victorian post-mortem photography is pretty interesting! >.>;
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This is absolutely lovely. I always enjoy looking at your work, and all the detail you put into it.
And I agree, post-mortem photography is some creppy shiz. Especially the ones where the dead are photographed in "living tableau" with other living members of the family, like having your dead older-brother's arm draped around your shoulders while you had to sit there for half an hour as the photo developed! That would scar me for LIFE!
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I simply adore your art skills. This looks so true to the original character. Absolutely amazing and the detail here is exquisite. It truly does appear as an old photo of some sort.
You are right, I doubt Erik would be caught dead having his picture taken.
The intricate tattoo design is simply astounding.
This reminded me of the Kopit version. Where he asks not to be put on display.
Marvelous job as always, keep up the magnificent work.
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Perfection. I am SO TIRED of the drawings of Erik with a six pack and perfect face, except for a small red patch. I do believe that the disfigurement is not at all limited to his face, which may artists fail to capture. You could live a normal life with a slight facial disfigurement. You couldn't with this sort of body. This is love. 
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This is amazing!! Incredibly sad and moving, but still amazing!
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is it weird that i still love him? Because I do...
and this is really good btw
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