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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.
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Book Review: Dead Fake (Bleak Haven #1) by Vincent Ralph
Dead Fake by Vincent Ralph introduces readers to Bleak Haven—a town with secrets, shadows, and a disturbing relationship with technology. When a mysterious website allows students at Bleak Haven High to view AI-generated “deepfake” videos of their own deaths, it initially feels like just another morbid online trend. That illusion shatters when those fabricated deaths begin to play out in real life. The story follows Ava Wilson, who refuses to participate in the craze. As the
Jan 202 min read
Book Review: Night Terror (Bleak Haven #2) by Vincent Ralph
Night Terror is the second installment in Vincent Ralph’s Bleak Haven series, though chronologically it takes place before Dead Fake . Set in 1987, the novel dives headfirst into the town’s dark past and offers readers a deeper look at the horrors that shaped Bleak Haven long before modern technology entered the picture. The story centers on 17-year-old Noah, a survivor of the town’s most devastating tragedy to date. He works at a bookstore in the local mall—until a robbery
Jan 202 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
Twelfth Night: When the Season Ends and the Old Magic Is Put Away
Twelfth Night, observed on January 5th, marks the final evening of the Christmas season. It is the threshold between celebration and return, between revelry and routine; a night traditionally filled with misrule, ritual, and the quiet understanding that the old magic must be put to rest. If Christmas is about light returning, Twelfth Night is about closure. Twelfth Night falls twelve days after Christmas Day and historically signified the official end of Christmastide. In man
Jan 53 min read
Sneak Peek! What's Next for Incredibly Strange & Completely Random Holidays
February is no stranger to some of the most unique and sometimes bizarre holidays. For those that may not have read any of my previous...
Jan 30, 20253 min read
What's Next for the Slaughterhouse? Sneak Peek for Exclusive Content Subscribers
Here we are with only a few days left in the month! February is going to be filled with lots of thrills and chills. Kicking off on the...
Jan 28, 20254 min read
Building Resilience as a Creative Professional
The creative journey is not for the weak at heart, but can be as thrilling as it is challenging. Whether you're an artist, writer,...
Jan 27, 20253 min read
Reflecting on Progress: It's Okay to Adjust Your Goals
Setting goals is a cornerstone of personal and professional growth. They give us direction, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment when...
Jan 20, 20253 min read
Book Review: We Are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis
Gigi Griffis’ We Are the Beasts offers a chilling look into the dark, oppressive world of 18th-century rural France, blending historical...
Jan 18, 20252 min read
Busy Times & Exciting Updates!
Hello, lovely readers! Things have been wonderfully busy on my end, and I wanted to pop in with a quick update on what I’ve been working...
Jan 14, 20251 min read
The Feast of the Ass
The Feast of the Ass, or Festum Asinorum, was an unusual and lively celebration rooted in medieval Europe rather than ancient Rome....
Jan 14, 20253 min read
The Power of Journaling for Writers and Artists
Journaling is often seen as a simple pastime, a place to jot down fleeting thoughts or catalog daily events. But for writers and artists,...
Jan 13, 20252 min read
Art History 101: The Enigma of Prehistoric Cave Art
Continuing with my series...Here is the next installment of my Art History 101 . Previously published on Amazon's Kindle Vella . Here's...
Jan 9, 20256 min read
How to Stay Focused in an App-Filled Digital Age
In today’s app-saturated digital landscape, distractions are just a notification away. From social media pings to work-related updates,...
Jan 6, 20253 min read
Setting Up Your Creative Space for Success: Embrace Your Unique Style
Your creative space is more than just a room or desk—it’s a sanctuary where ideas come to life. Whether you’re a painter, writer, or...
Jan 5, 20253 min read
Twelfth Night: A Celebration of Tradition and Transition
Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany Eve, is a festival steeped in history and tradition, marking the end of the Twelve Days of...
Jan 5, 20253 min read
Review of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Julia Cameron's The Artist’s Way is nothing short of transformative. This book has profoundly impacted my creative journey, and its...
Jan 3, 20251 min read
Rebirth & Renaissance: How Artists Represented New Beginnings
As the new year begins, I find myself reflecting on the concept of rebirth—not just in life, but in art. Rebirth is not a single act;...
Jan 2, 20252 min read
How to Approach Your Creative Goals for 2025
As we inch closer to 2025, the buzz of "new year, new goals" is already in the air. Countless articles, workshops, and planners promise...
Jan 1, 20253 min read
Midnight Carnival (Part 7) The Wax Museum
Welcome back to the next installment of the Midnight Carnival! Here we are at the end of January already and I am only on Part 7 of this...
Jan 28, 20245 min read
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