SOME QUESTIONS FOR LIVING DEAD GIRL NICOLE

Horror, Fantasy & Pop Culture Artist Nicole (Birmingham) Garcia.

For starters, getting a message from someone named Living Dead Girl Nicole is one hell of an attention-getter. Second, I’m a sucker for word fusion when it’s done well—and her self-described title of Artrepreneur was both unique and relatable. Third, a David Bowie quote on her LinkedIn profile? Come on. That sealed the deal for a dialogue.

We exchanged messages for a week. Her intelligence was clear, as was her deep passion for all things horror and fantasy—genres I rarely dabble in. What really struck me, though, was how seamlessly she connects those worlds with celebrity-centered pop culture. So I asked to interview her, and she said yes.

Enjoy this brief chat with an exceptional multimedia artist whose reputation in the horror and fantasy convention scene is growing fast. And yes, here’s a shared disclaimer at Living Dead Girl Nicole’s request: “No monsters, cryptids, podlings, goblins, fairies, dragons, gelflings, or unicorns were harmed in the writing and editing of this conversation.”

Can you share the moment when you chose Living Dead Girl Nicole as your artistic pseudonym—and why it felt right?

Many moons ago, before social media became the go-to way to socialize online, I was an active member of Rob Zombie’s message boards for both his music and his films. My username was “livingdeadgirlnicole,” and over time, people in the fan community began to associate me with it, especially when I posted photos of myself actually with Rob and [his wife] Sheri. Eventually, my art became connected to the name too, and it just sort of stuck. In a way, it felt like the name chose me. I've thought about rebranding from time to time, but the balance of “Living” and “Dead” really fits the vibe of my work, so I’ve kept it.

You're based in the Chicagoland area. How has the city and its environment influenced your artwork in the horror and fantasy genres?

Although I’m based in the Chicagoland area, some might be surprised to know I grew up in the suburbs and am not a big fan of the overstimulating and fast-paced energy of the city itself. Right out of high school, I studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, which was an exciting experience, but living on my own at such a young age meant I had to shift gears to make ends meet. Between commuting on the train each day to the city, needing supplies for class, and paying those hefty tuition fees, I couldn’t keep up on everything financially. So I took a more practical path when a full-time corporate office job was presented to me. Unfortunately, not quite living the dream I had intended, but survival and life will do that to a person. The key was I never stopped creating, because at the end of the day, it is and always will be my passion.

What truly helped shape me creatively, though, is the incredible horror and pop culture community we have here in the Midwest. My first convention, Flashback Weekend Chicago in 2004, opened the door and my eyes to a whole new world of folks like me. It led to a meaningful 15-year friendship with actor Sid Haig, who always believed in me and my work as an artist. His encouragement meant the world and gave me the confidence to keep creating, even during times when I questioned my path. That event also introduced me to an amazing “horror family” (aka community) and the GOAT of convention organizers, Mike and Mia Kerz. Today, I give back by volunteering as their VIP Prize Collaborator, helping other horror artists and small businesses reach passionate fans of the genre.

“No one project directly influences another; each piece is its own unique vision…”

The suburbs have also been a blessing in unexpected ways. In early 2020, just before the world shut down, my love of pop culture and geekery led me to a huge milestone as an artist. What I thought was just a quick visit to Closet Collectibles to pick up some “Pee-wee's Playhouse” vintage toys turned into something much bigger. I struck up a conversation with Chris, the amazing owner, and that moment led to him offering me a consignment opportunity. I’ve been successfully selling my creations there ever since. It’s crazy to think this year marked a five-year milestone of working with these amazing humans, and I am forever grateful as it gave me the push and confidence I needed to take things to the next level.

Your initial focus was on painting and illustration, though you now also explore a variety of mediums, i.e., clay, latex, wood, and more. How have those explorations impacted the evolution of your personal painting and illustration style?

Honestly, this is a hard question to answer because I’ve always been a multi-media artist. I’ve never really labeled myself as tied to one specific medium, because I genuinely enjoy the creative process as a whole. That’s also why I have a “Remains” page on my portfolio website for creations that don’t quite fit into any one category. For me, it’s about envisioning what I want to make, then finding the materials, whatever they may be, and bringing that vision to life.

If I’m unsure whether a certain medium will work, I’m lucky to have a network of amazing fellow artists I can turn to for advice. That’s led me to try materials I never imagined using or even knew existed, and now many of them are part of my regular toolkit. No one project directly influences another; each piece is its own unique vision, randomly born from the wacky corners of my brain where whimsy and macabre happily coexist.

One thing I will proudly label myself as, though, is a handmade artist. While I’ve done digital design work for past marketing jobs and commission pieces, my true passion lies in getting my hands dirty for my art. When they’re covered in paint (what I like to call my "artist manicures"), liquid latex, glitter, chalk pastels, or even pencil, I know I’ve had a successful and fulfilling day.

You have sold or gifted your works to several celebrity actors, singers, and creators who also engage in or have engaged in the fantasy and horror genres. Who’s the one dream celebrity you haven’t sold/gifted your work—yet? And why them?

Oh, I definitely have a list, but many of those pieces haven’t been created yet. If I had to choose just one of my more recent works that’s already complete and still in my collection, it would be my “Insect Politics” split-face portrait, which I drew in 2023. It was inspired by David Cronenberg’s 1986 adaptation of “The Fly.” To be able to give that piece to Jeff Goldblum in person would be an absolute dream. He seems to have such a fun, quirky personality, and I can only imagine that whole “artventure” being completely unforgettable.

Who is the one dead celebrity or known historical figure you would have liked to have sold or gifted your work to? Why?

Now this is a hard one, but my heart immediately says Jim Henson. Since I was a little girl, I’ve been completely captivated by everything he created. His work wasn’t just entertaining, it was magical, heartfelt, and endlessly imaginative. He opened our worlds to a genre of art and entertainment we didn’t know we needed! I would have loved the chance to tell him how deeply his vision influenced me, not just as an artist, but as a person.

My piece “The Lovers. The Dreamers. And Me.” is my personal tribute to him, an expression of the love, joy, and inspiration he brought into the world over the years. It combines elements of whimsy and nostalgia with my own artistic twist and gifting it to him would’ve been the ultimate thank you for everything he unknowingly gave me.

I think it also would’ve been a lot of fun to show him photos of my costume creations from the times I dressed up as Dr. Teeth or Mokey Fraggle for Halloween. I’d like to think he would’ve appreciated the handmade spirit behind them and probably had a good laugh seeing his characters come to life in full human adult size. I even have a sketchy watercolor tribute tattoo of him and Kermit, done by the very talented Dave Togtman, a permanent thank you, and a daily reminder of the magic he sparked in me as a little girl and continues to inspire even into adulthood. It would’ve meant the world to show it to him in person, to let him know that he truly achieved his dream of making the world a better place because he’s been a guiding light throughout my lifetime.

David Bowie and Alice Cooper clearly left their mark on your work. But who’s the musical influence no one would guess—someone who might shock fans?

I think I’ve always naturally gravitated toward the rebellious spirit of rock music which most would not be shocked by. Before I was sketching pictures of Steven Tyler in high school to support my Aerosmith obsession, my very first portrait, done back in junior high, was of Kurt Cobain, while trying to process his untimely death. As a product of the ‘90s alternative rock scene, I also created a quick tribute portrait of Shirley Manson for Garbage’s “20 Years Queer” art contest. Some may be surprised to know that I’ve actually listed a redo of that piece on my “Art Bucket List,” because I’ve always felt that if I hadn’t been rushed to meet the contest deadline, it could’ve been a lot more epic.

More recently, my “I Am The Somebody. I Am The Fire.” portrait piece was inspired by my new found love of Riley Keough’s portrayal of Daisy Jones in “Daisy Jones & The Six,” which tapped into my longtime love for Fleetwood Mac and the array of so many amazing bands from the ‘70s. I even had a blast dressing up as Stevie Nicks once for a retro-themed party and ironically didn’t need to buy a thing, since she has definitely influenced my fashion sense.

But the musical influence that some may not know about is the band One-Eyed Doll. I was a big fan and got the chance to meet Kimberly Freeman at one of their shows when they came through town. We hit it off right away and stayed in touch. I eventually created a portrait of her, and that led to her asking me to do a collaboration where my artwork was turned into official band merch including handmade items I created that were sold worldwide through their website. It was a huge milestone moment for me as an artist, especially during a time when I really needed that kind of encouragement. I’ll always be grateful to Kimberly for believing in my work and giving it a global stage.

I’ve also been very involved in the local rock scene in the past doing photography and designing logos, merch, promo materials, and the website for my husband’s former band, Axe Man’s Bridge, as well using my creativity to support my friends’ bands like Further From, Expired Empire, and my nephew’s band Year 18. I’ve donated artwork to local venues for shows and charity events, too. Supporting the music that inspires me, especially through the local scene, has allowed me to uplift the dreams of some incredibly talented loved ones, which makes it all the more meaningful.

Have you created artwork for yourself or others outside your preferred genres, and do you see yourself expanding or navigating more in such a direction?

Oh yeah, absolutely. Over the years, I’ve been asked to create all kinds of work beyond my usual go-to styles. Eventually, I realized I needed search engine optimization to work in my favor, so I did an overview of what most of my art was drawing from. That led me to see how deeply rooted my work is in pop culture, fantasy, horror, and metaphysical healing, especially for my more spiritually themed pieces. I often describe myself as a “whimsical goth” because I love that magical, fairy-tale-like energy just as much as I adore the dark, eerie, and macabre.

“That creative block had become a heavy weight I hadn’t yet had the energy to release, and in an odd way gave me a sense of hope.”

For instance, if I’m not networking at a horror convention or flipping through Fangoria magazine and affiliating for them, you might find me wandering a Renaissance Faire or escaping to a cozy hobbit cabin with my husband. What I love has always guided what I create, and over time, that naturally evolved into my brand. That said, I’m always open to any ideas that get my creative blood flowing!

When you're working and in the zone, what’s your beverage of choice?

You know how some say that tea drinkers are a different breed than coffee drinkers? As weird as it may sound, if I go to someone’s home and they offer me a hot cup of tea instead of coffee, I know they are my kind of people. I blame it on my English and Irish ancestors, but I’m not mad at them for it. Tea has a magical way of healing the mind, body, and soul. To me, there is nothing quite like escaping to my art space on a dreary day, listening to the rain outside my window while embracing a hot cup of tea in one hand and a paintbrush in the other. My favorites are Bigelow’s Salted Caramel and Vanilla Chai.

What is the one movie that you found so scary that it made you laugh, and would you recommend it to others? Why?

“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” is the perfect example of a movie that’s so over-the-top and bizarre that it ends up being more hilarious than scary. The concept alone of killer aliens disguised as clowns could be terrifying if you take it too seriously, but the film completely embraces its campy, outlandish nature. The absurdity of killer clowns using cotton candy cocoons and popcorn guns is so off-the-wall that it’s impossible not to laugh, even as you’re cringing at how terrifyingly weird it is.

What I love about it is how it plays into that '80s horror-comedy vibe, where the horror is exaggerated to the point of absurdity, but the humor makes it all the more fun. It’s the kind of movie that’s so unapologetically silly that you can’t help but enjoy the ride, but at the same time, the soullessness in those clowns’ eyes still leaves you with a strange unease.

I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of cult classics or horror-comedy. It’s not scary in the traditional sense; it’s more about the fun, bizarre experience of watching something completely ridiculous unfold. Plus, I make custom cotton candy cocoon ornaments, so if you become a fan, I’ve got you covered!

Last one—what’s a surprising fact about you that your fans would never expect?

Most people are shocked to learn that I no longer have a large intestine. In 2013, after over 8 years of digestive health issues that over a dozen local doctors couldn’t diagnose, I finally had to travel out of state to be treated at the Mayo Clinic. It turned out I had severe bowel paralysis and a tortuous colon that had doubled in length in an attempt to compensate. I underwent major surgery to remove it, but serious complications soon forced me into a second operation, setting my recovery back to square one. Thank goddess for my husband, Frank, who never left my side.

About a year later, I was still in recovery but eager to get my life back. I attempted to make my first con come back at Flashback Weekend to meet “American Mary” directors Jen and Sylvia Soska. I had hand-made “American Mary”-themed Dead Girl Decay hair barrettes and really wanted to give them to them. Unfortunately, I had to cancel at the last minute due to an unexpected third surgery, this time to remove my gall bladder. I emailed them on the off chance they might see it, just to share what had happened. To my surprise, they replied. I was able to mail the barrettes instead, and when they received them, they not only responded again to thank me, but they also sent back photos of themselves wearing them and included warm wishes for a speedy recovery. I was even more surprised by that incredibly kind gesture, and they included warm wishes for a speedy recovery. It truly lifted my spirits. My body had really been through the wringer, and I needed that pick-me-up more than ever, especially since, being in constant recovery for such a long period of time meant I hadn’t been able to create anything new in such a long time. That creative block had become a heavy weight I hadn’t yet had the energy to release, and in an odd way gave me a sense of hope.

In 2017, I finally met these amazing ladies in person at a Days of the Dead con and not only did they remember me, they told me the barrettes were on display in their special altar space. It was surreal and hilarious to see how excited they were when my husband Frank pulled up a photo of my removed large intestine on his phone. (Yes, I asked the surgeon to take a picture. I had to see the thing that caused me eight years of pain and distress. It was mine, after all, and I’ll never get another.)

In 2019, I saw the Soska Sisters again at another Days of the Dead event and gave them a new gift: an original artwork I created called “Twisted,” a portrait of them as the Demon Twins of Berlin from “American Mary.” It was my way of thanking them for being so kind and supportive during such a heavy chapter of my life. For me, art has always been more than expression, but also connection. Whether through a pair of handmade barrettes or a drawing, I have found that it's a great outlet to express love, resilience, and appreciation.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through all the twists, turns, sidetracks, and surreal moments, it’s that art isn’t just something I do; it’s who I am. It’s how I’ve stitched myself back together, time and again, with paint, glitter, scars, and soul. Whether someone finds my work haunting, heartwarming, or just plain weird, I hope it reminds them there’s power in embracing exactly who they are, even the parts that don’t make sense to anyone else. Because that’s where the real you lives, and that’s what makes art so incredible.

Visit Artwork by Living Dead Girl Nicole to see more of her art for purchase.

This interview has been edited for clarity and fully approved by Living Dead Girl Nicole.