The Ve Magni

Halloween pictures

The Ve — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:23:57 +0000

For some reason, I thought I posted these already… But alas! The photos of my glowtastic costume have not yet been shared.

As for what it is, I can’t really say. It sort of looks like a futuristic space harlequin or something. But what it isn’t is Lady Gaga (people did dress in crazy costumes before her, you know). So this is what 30 feet of el-wire, four gross of rhinestones, a silver bodysuit and some neon tulle look like:

And there it is!

Flashback: Halloween ’06, aka The best and worst Halloween ever.

The Ve — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 04:44:11 +0000

This week has been bananas, so I haven’t had time to post… But before the big day tomorrow, I wanted to share my favorite costume of all time, and the story behind it.

In the fall of 2006, I wanted to do a couples costume, but since I was single at the time, I needed another person. So I posted a bulletin on Myspace (back when we still used that) for a “Halloween Boyfriend”. This is how I met my friend Viktor, who graciously answered my ad and collaborated with me on a gorgeous concept based on the romantic era esthetic, as well as a dark cabaret/magician-and-his-assistant vibe.

About two weeks before Halloween, my childhood cat, Marilyn, became fatally ill, and so I distracted myself from her imminent death by working on my costume. She died two days before Halloween, and it destroyed me. After her death, I dropped about 20 lbs and was just sickly and miserable for some time. But Halloween was lovely, and I thank Viktor for being supportive and patient, as well as rocking his costume. It was freezing on the Blvd, and I was miserable, but in spite of it all, I still consider this to be the best Halloween ever.

This is still one of my favorite makeup looks that I’ve ever created. I’ve recreated it in various incarnations since, but I don’t think I’ve ever done it quite as well as I did that night.

And there it is!

Halloween look #1: graphic mask

The Ve — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 05:12:46 +0000

I went to the first and second parties of the Halloween season last night and decided to try another style of mask, this time a graphic pink/yellow design with black borders. It’s hard to see in the picture, but at the junction of each diamond is a dot of black glitter that very subtly caught the light. If I didn’t force myself to leave the house, I would have gone over all of the black lines with black glitter. But it was getting late. Next time! (click photo for full size)

Hollywood: No love in an elevator

The Ve — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:49:42 +0000

I kind of accidentally moved into an apartment right off Hollywood blvd a few months ago (long story). My building is, in a word, bananers. For the first few weeks, I sat rocking in a corner, saying, “What have I done??” But now that I’m getting used to it, I’m really starting to appreciate the subtle beauty that is life in Hollywood. And so begins a new series of posts about life on the blvd.

I took this photo in my elevator a couple days ago. This is how the tenants in my building generally respond to everything.

Makeup Test: Metallic Masquerade

The Ve — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:19:35 +0000

Before you get too impressed with this one, you should know that for the first 30 minutes or so, I just sat at my mirror, poking through my makeup kit going “Uummmmmmmmm” before I did anything cool. It wasn’t until after two layers of metallic prints that I had an actual plan. That said, here is a good alternative to a traditional costume: just make yourself a bitchin’ mask with makeup! (Helps to have a plan first, fyi.)

Now I have to go wash this off. Sigh.

Flashback: Princess Aura, 2008

The Ve — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 07:11:42 +0000

In June 2008, I flew to Berlin from Chicago to live as Princess Aura from the 1980 Mike Hodges version of “Flash Gordon” for a two-week performance installation/character exploration/surreal-ass-experience called FICTIVE DAYS, curated by my dear friend Sergio (of Halloween 2008 fame). This photo was from a makeup test before I left.

Haiku: An important thing

The Ve — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:24:11 +0000

An important thing
I housed specifically–
Where the hell is it?!

I prayed to Walkie

The Ve — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 09:29:17 +0000

I prayed to Walkie*
Twenty-four pairs of clean socks–
All matched, no orphans!

*a trans-dimensional disembodied leg on planet Ooomgarbluck.

Flashback: Skizum spooky, Oct ’09

The Ve — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 03:28:39 +0000

My friend (and photographer of my headshots/web site photos) Justin Harris and I collaborated on this shoot last October. We shot in the dark in Justin’s room at Skizum, using different colored flash gels.

Makeup Test: Urban Samurai

The Ve — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 06:50:44 +0000

Today’s makeup test is inspired by this Halloween’s “Cabaret of the Future” theme. This character must fight for survival on the city streets between cabaret gigs. (click for full size)