From the Hollow

Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities—a collection of gothic history, strange traditions, haunted places, forgotten folklore, dark symbolism, and the stories hidden behind art and books.

Here you’ll find ancient festivals, eerie legends, Victorian oddities, supernatural inspiration, book reviews, collector features, and the beautifully strange details that shape my worlds. From haunted Pittsburgh to poisonous gardens, from ravens and roses to old rituals and whispered ghost stories, this is where mystery, history, and art meet.

If you love gothic atmosphere, dark fiction, and the allure of the unusual, you’re in the right place.

Mirrors as Portals: Folklore, Horror, and the Symbolism of Reflections

Few objects have earned as much suspicion throughout history as the ordinary mirror. Every home has one. We use them without thinking, trusting that the reflection staring back belongs to us. Yet for thousands of years, cultures around the world have treated mirrors with caution. They have been covered after deaths, avoided during certain rituals, blamed for trapping spirits, and imagined as doorways between worlds. Perhaps that is because mirrors challenge something fundamen

1 day ago6 min read

Painting Atmosphere in Portraits: Creating Unease

A portrait does not have to simply show a person. It can tell a story, create a feeling, or leave the viewer with a question they cannot quite answer. While expression and pose play an important role, some of the strongest emotional reactions come from what surrounds the subject: the atmosphere. A carefully chosen shadow, an unexpected color shift, or an area of empty space can transform an ordinary portrait into something haunting, mysterious, or unsettling. Creating unease

Jul 174 min read

Henry Fuseli and the Birth of Nightmare Art

Long before horror films learned how to frighten audiences with shadows, sound, and suggestion, painters were already experimenting with fear. One of the most influential among them was Henry Fuseli. His work didn’t just depict nightmares—it defined what nightmares would look like in Western art for centuries to come. I’ve always been drawn to the intersection between art history and horror. The same imagery that inspires ghost stories and folklore often shows up in painting

Jul 84 min read

Creating Monsters: How Folklore Shapes My Art & Fiction

People often ask where my monsters come from. The easy answer is folklore. The longer answer begins decades earlier, with a little girl who never seemed to tire of ghost stories. I've always been a reader, and I credit that love almost entirely to my mother. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of books filling the house, and my mom, sister, and I sharing novels to read. Looking back, I realize those moments weren't just about passing the time. They taught me that stori

Jul 14 min read

How to Build Atmosphere in a Painting

How to Build Atmosphere in a Painting (Without Over-Detailing Everything) One of the biggest misconceptions in art is that more detail automatically creates a better painting. Beginning artists often believe they must render every leaf, every strand of hair, every fold of fabric, and every brick in a wall to create a convincing image. Yet some of the most atmospheric paintings in history achieve their power through suggestion rather than exhaustive detail. Atmosphere is not

Jun 194 min read

The Haunting Power of Portraiture

Portraits do something strange to us. We know, rationally, that they are pigment on canvas, charcoal on paper, or pixels arranged into an image. And yet a good portrait can feel uncomfortably alive. It watches. It remembers. It refuses to stay politely in the background. Across centuries and cultures, portraiture has carried a peculiar emotional charge that landscapes and still lifes rarely achieve. A portrait is not merely an image of a person; it is an encounter with presen

Jun 174 min read

Behind the Art: Paint, Process, and Permission to Fail

A few years ago, I stumbled upon the trend of paint pours on YouTube. The flow of the paint was enticing. and reminiscent of backgrounds and methods I had for art in college. My first thought was how easy the pouring was (as opposed to my method with acrylics and oils) and I thought it would be clever to adapt that craft into a more modern approach with my figure art. So, I taught myself how to do paint pours. They were so much fun and an instant stress reliever that I comple

Jun 32 min read

Why Collectors Choose Original Art

Spend enough time in artist circles and you'll hear the same advice repeated over and over: create prints. Build passive income. Let third-party printers handle production and shipping. Increase exposure. Scale your business. There is truth in that advice. Prints are often an affordable entry point for collectors. They allow artwork to reach a wider audience and can create an additional revenue stream without requiring artists to mass produce enough to earn a decent profit an

May 303 min read

Creating a Gallery Wall with Statement Art

There’s a quiet pressure in home décor that insists every room needs a theme—coastal calm, modern minimalism, gothic drama, mid-century restraint. Scroll long enough and you’ll see perfectly curated walls assembled from store-bought sets, advertisement prints, or influencer-approved arrangements that feel more like a formula than a reflection. But collecting and living with art doesn’t have to follow a script. Creating a gallery wall with statement art is less about matching

May 163 min read

Why Collectors Are Drawn to Portrait Art

Collectors are drawn to portrait art for reasons that go far beyond decoration. A portrait isn’t just an image of a face—it’s a concentrated study of identity, psychology, status, memory, and sometimes mystery. Unlike many other genres, portraiture creates a direct, often unsettling relationship between artwork and viewer. That connection is a big part of its lasting appeal in private collections. One of the strongest pulls of portrait art is its intimacy. A landscape can be

May 83 min read

Buying Art From An Artist and What You Should Know About Copyright

Buying art directly from the artist is one of the most meaningful ways to collect artwork. Instead of purchasing mass-produced décor, you’re investing in a one-of-a-kind piece created with intention, skill, and a personal story. If you’ve never bought original art before, here’s exactly what to expect along with an important note about copyright that many buyers don’t realize. A More Personal Buying Experience When you purchase art directly from an artist, the experience is o

Apr 133 min read

How to Start an Art Collection Without Feeling Intimidated

There’s this unspoken belief that collecting art is reserved for experts, insiders, or those with deep pockets. Walk into certain galleries or scroll through high-end auction results, and it’s easy to feel like you need a degree in art history, or a trust fund, just to begin. The truth is much simpler: art collecting is for anyone willing to trust their own taste. You Don’t Need to Be an Expert One of the biggest barriers people face when starting an art collection is that th

Mar 233 min read

Starting Your Journey in Beginner Art Collecting

Embarking on the path of beginner art collecting can be both exciting and overwhelming. The world of art is vast, filled with diverse styles, mediums, and histories. As someone who has navigated this journey, I understand the importance of starting with a clear mindset and practical knowledge. This post aims to guide you through the essential steps, helping you build a meaningful collection that reflects your taste and values. Understanding Beginner Art Collecting: Where to S

Mar 74 min read

Collecting Original Art in Uncertain Times

There are seasons in life when everything feels loud. The headlines. The markets. The endless scroll of opinions and predictions. In times like these, people often pause large purchases, delay plans, and tighten their focus to what truly matters. But something interesting happens during uncertain seasons: we begin craving permanence. And that is where original art quietly steps forward—not as a luxury, but as an anchor. Original Work Holds Emotional Permanence A print can be

Mar 23 min read

How to Read a Portrait

A portrait is never just a likeness. At its best, portraiture is a conversation—between artist and subject, subject and viewer, past and present. Long before photography promised accuracy, painters understood something deeper: a portrait could reveal inner life, social power, vulnerability, devotion, grief, or defiance. To read a portrait well is to learn its quiet language. That language speaks most clearly through three elements: gaze, light, and compassion. The Gaze: Where

Jan 123 min read

Artemisia Gentileschi: Baroque Power, Trauma, and the Art of Survival

By J.S. — Traditional Fine Art Portraiture Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c. 1656) is a name that resonates deeply with art lovers who value both technical mastery and emotional intensity. Though often overshadowed by her male contemporaries, Gentileschi’s work is a testament to resilience, brilliance, and the raw power of narrative in Baroque painting. For collectors, artists, and enthusiasts of traditional fine art portraiture , her story and art offer a compelling example of

Dec 29, 20253 min read

The Magnetic Appeal of Art Exhibitions Importance

Art exhibitions hold a unique place in the world of creativity and culture. They offer a space where artists and audiences come together to experience, appreciate, and reflect on artistic expressions. Over the years, I have found that attending these events is not only inspiring but also deeply enriching. The magnetic appeal of art exhibitions lies in their ability to connect people with art in a tangible and immersive way. This connection fosters a greater understanding of t

Dec 26, 20255 min read

Captivating Time-Lapse Art Creations

Creating art is a journey that often unfolds over hours, days, or even weeks. Capturing this process in a condensed, visually engaging format has become increasingly popular through the use of time-lapse videos. These videos reveal the transformation of a blank canvas into a finished masterpiece, offering viewers a unique perspective on the artist’s technique and creative flow. Understanding Time Lapse Art Techniques Time lapse art techniques involve recording a series of ima

Dec 20, 20254 min read

Why Some Art Feels Haunted: Symbolism, Shadows & Emotional Resonance

By J.S. — Traditional Fine Art Portraiture Have you ever looked at a painting and felt an almost eerie presence, as if the subject’s eyes were following you, or the shadows whispered secrets from another time? Some art feels “haunted,” not in a literal sense, but in the way it resonates emotionally and psychologically . This experience, rooted in centuries of artistic tradition, has fascinated collectors, viewers, and artists alike. The Power of Symbolism Art has always been

Dec 19, 20252 min read

How to Care for Original Fine Art: A Collector’s Mini Guide

By J.S. — Traditional Fine Art Portraiture Owning original fine art is more than a purchase—it’s a relationship. Each painting, sketch, or portrait carries the artist’s vision, energy, and craftsmanship. Proper care ensures that these works retain their beauty, vibrancy, and value for generations to come. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just beginning your journey, this mini guide provides essential tips for preserving your artwork. Care for Original Fine Art 1. Handl

Dec 15, 20253 min read