How did you get into thehorror prop and mask makerprofession?
It was really a natural progression of my art. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved creating; I’ve been drawing, painting, and sculpting since elementary school. I discovered horror movies around the age of 12 and instantly fell in love with them. In 1998, I decided to make a Freddy glove for myself out of copper, leather, and faux metal blades. A good friend convinced me to auction it off on eBay. At the time, eBay was still new, and I didn’t know much about it, but the glove sold for a surprisingly nice sum of money. That pretty much startedKreationX, which was originally calledThe Glove Maker.
What TV and/or film projects have you worked on previously?
I was very fortunate to work with my friend Tom Spina Designs and a crew of talented artists on aStar WarsSuper Bowl commercial for Volkswagen (2012). It was a follow-up to the previous year’s Star Wars-themed commercial. We collaborated with Lucasfilm on masks and costumes for the Cantina characters, creating about 15 aliens for the shoot. That project is still near and dear to my heart, and I made lifelong friends through the experience.
Who, within the genre, has inspired you in life?
As for horror and art, it really started with movies likeEvil DeadandKiller Klowns from Outer Space, along with creators like Sam Raimi and the Chiodo Brothers. They showed me how you can approach things differently, present them in unexpected ways, and step outside the norms of creativity.
You livestream regularly on KICK. How did you get into livestreaming, and what is the best part of creating on the platform?
I discovered streaming during the Covid lockdown. My friends and I all started playingWarzone, and one of them suggested I watch a streamer for tips. I became really interested in the idea behind streaming—the setup, the tech—so I started streamingWarzoneon Facebook Gaming. Even then, I knew I wanted to share my horror art, but I thought streaming was only for gaming. About a year in, Facebook Gaming shut down, and I took some time to figure out how to share my art in a live, interactive way. That’s when I decided to stream onKICK.
The best part of KICK? A few things stand out. It’s the only platform that truly gives creators the tools to be seen and share their content. Features and initiatives like Pitch KICK (where you can be featured on the front page), KICK Bounties (challenges to claim specific rewards), and KICK Talks (a weekly livestream with platform updates and insights) really set it apart.
Do you have a favorite creation that you’ve made on your channel?
Currently, I’m sculpting a replica of the vampire known as “The Master” from the first season ofBuffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s the fifth sculpt I’ve created from start to finish while livestreaming.
The work you do is amazing. I saw a few of your AI posts. Do you feel AI is beneficial to or hindering artists?
AI is a slippery slope. Some people are passionately against it, but I see it as a tool—one that isn’t going away. Like any technology, if you don’t learn it, you risk getting left behind. I’m old enough to remember when designers hated Photoshop, traditional photographers hated digital cameras, and writers swore by typewriters instead of computers. AI has its place. It can be used as a tool and an addition to art.
What advice or words of wisdom can you share with aspiring artists and streamers?
For me, streaming has brought new life to my passion for making monsters. Sharing the process and having conversations with chat gives me a reason to get into the shop and create. My best advice: don’t wait. Don’t worry about having the “perfect” equipment. Just start streaming, grow as you go, and—most importantly—get on KICK!
What are you working on next?
Right now, I’m focused on a Halloween contest that leads up to my new Pitch KICK feature. The contest invites anyone who follows me on KICK atkick.com/kreationxto submit a monster mask design—whether it’s a sketch, painting, or even an AI prompt. In late September, the community will vote on a winner. Then, in October I’ll take the winning design and sculpt, mold, cast, and paint a finished mask to send to them—a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork created from their imagination.
During my Pitch KICK feature, I also have the chance to be voted to livestream from the KICK Stage at theDreamHack Atlantagaming and esports festival during Halloween weekend. If I’m selected, it’ll be much more than just me sculpting, and I’ll be releasing more information about it soon.