Dark Friends Series

Casey Cole

It’s hard to imagine how I’ve lived in the Asheville area for as long as I have without seeing Casey Cole’s wonderful papier mâché work.

Casey bartended at The Mothlight, a well-known and beloved venue for live performances in Asheville, which unfortunately closed for good during the Covid pandemic. But maybe that was good for us, because now Casey works on her art full-time.

Casey was born in Tampa, Florida, but has lived in Asheville since 1996. Prior to creating the papier mâché art for which she is now known, she used her drawing and painting skills to make promotional art for bands.

Casey’s work can be found in various galleries and art shows in the Asheville area, but links are provided for you to see more of her work online.

The Interview

I think one might safely assume based on many of your creations that you are a horror fan. 

Have any specific horror films or books inspired your work? 

Yes, definitely. When I was younger, I was obsessed with horror/monster movies. I remember seeing Alien when I was very young and that made a big impression on me. 

One of my newer pieces is inspired by the character of Kane in Poltergeist 2, played by Julian Beck. Not that the movie as a whole was particularly scary, but he was really striking. Much of my creepier artwork is based on things I have seen in my dreams/nightmares.

I know all of your art isn’t dark, but some of it is delightfully wicked. Have you always been interested in dark, creepy stuff?

Oh yes absolutely. As a kid, I was really fascinated with any supernatural stuff, ghost stories and hauntings in particular. I guess I still am, haha.

One might assume that you are a horror fan. Have any horror films or books inspired your work? If not, what are some of your favorite scary movies and/or books?

Yes definitely. When I was younger, I was obsessed with horror/monster movies. I remember seeing Alien when I was was very young and that made a big impression on me. One of my newer pieces is inspired by the character of Kane in Poltergeist 2, played by Julian Beck. Not that the movie as a whole was particularly scary, but he was really striking. Much of my creepier artwork is based on things I have seen in my dreams/nightmares.

I would guess that you enjoy Halloween more than the average person. Have you ever made large papier-maché props for Halloween?

My favorite holiday for sure. I’ve made some masks and costumes, have some papier mache zombie heads and mummies…planning on making a full size mummy at some point.  

What is a typical Halloween like at your house?

Not as exciting as you might think..haha. Usually just me bugging the rest of the family to watch some scary movies. Every year I say that i’m going to go nuts with the decorations but never get around to it. Maybe THIS year.

What is the inspiration for the animal pieces? They aren’t really dark–in fact some seem gorgeously lifelike and innocent–but are there some folk horror back stories going on with any of them? (I mean, some of those rabbits…right?)

The animals are a funny thing…I never have a plan of what they are going to look like.  They just take on their own lives once I start. I was set up at an art market recently and a woman walked by and said “even the ones that are supposed to be cute are creepy”. To me that was a great complement.

Do you have any favorites among your creations?

Some of the large Krampus heads that I made a few years ago are my favorites, and there are some rabbits out there that I had a hard time parting with.

Have you ever made creepy papier mâché puppets? If not, can I talk you into making some?

Haven’t done it but would be totally into it.

Ok, Dark Friends. You heard that. Stay tuned! I sense a collaboration in the works!

What do you use to make the armature for your sculptures, that is, what do you actually put the papier mâché on?

I try to use discarded bags that are non-recyclable as much as possible or newspaper. I ball them up and wrap ’em in tape to form the main shape. I’ll also use tin foil sometimes if I need something more solid.

Something larger like the Forest Reckoner has a wire armature with foil and paper taped around it to give it more strength.

I love the Forest Reckoner! How big is he?

Thank you. He’s a little over three feet. My biggest project so far.

It looks like you might have incorporated some moss into that piece. Do you use natural materials like moss or wood in your sculptures?

Yes, he does have moss added to him. I’ve used moss on some of my older creepy ogre heads for hair, as well as horse tail hair. Recently I finished a woodland series, which were all mounted on maple bark from a tree that fell in my yard. I love to use anything I can find!

Where can we find more of your work?

My work can be seen at Horse + Hero in downtown Asheville, NC. I’ll also be vending at The Big Crafty in Asheville July 11th, with another show coming up very soon in Hendersonville at the Continuum Art and Craft Market. In October I’ve got a show at Harvest Records in Asheville which will have a very spooky Halloween theme. I’m super excited about that!!

(These dates are for 2021.)

Much more of Casey Cole’s work can be seen on her Facebook page and purchased on her website, Casey Cole Art.

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