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On International Women’s Day, we reflect on another incredible year of celebrating Women in Horror Month and the amazing talent working in the genre.

February was an extremely busy month for us…and we loved every minute of it! Our incredible team of passionate and dedicated writers — men and women alike — went into overdrive to make sure we made the most of the month-long celebration of women working in the genre, also known as Women in Horror Month.

We also continued a tradition we started last year by sponsoring a Women in Horror Month challenge on our Instagram page. It was inspiring to see so many great choices and so much enthusiasm for celebrating the many talented and driven women who have made (and continue to make) a huge impact on the genre. 

We LOVED everyone’s responses and contributions. But we were blown away by two incredibly talented female artists who took the challenge to another level — creating jaw-dropping art for several days of the month. We are thrilled and honored to introduce you to these two amazing talents and share the brilliant work they created.


Jaymie Dylan

Jaymie’s Women in Horror Month Art:

Jaymie contributed 9 amazing pieces to the Women in Horror Month challenge.

[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”16″]

 

1. WITCH PLEASE: The Craft (1996), 2. UNDERRATED: Thale (2012), 3. LAST GIRL STANDING: Heather Langenkamp as Nancy in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), 4. BLOODSUCKING BABE: “The Girl” from A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, 5. FEMME FATALE: Elvira Mistress of the Dark created and played by Cassandra Peterson, 6. FEMINIST ON AND OFF SCREEN: The Soska Sisters ‐ Jen and Sylvia, 7. GIRL POWER FILM: The Lure (2015), 8. BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Jada Pinkett Smith as Jeryline in Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight (1995), 9. PARANORMAL PRINCESS: Winona Ryder as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice (1988)

About the Artist:

“I don’t know why my dad let me watch horror movies at a really young age, but it’s turned me into the well‐rounded weirdo I am today. Imagine being the only Goth in your small town high school, making your own clothes and being asked if you were a witch before The Craft had ever come out in theaters. Horror movies were my escape. They were a place I could be scared, laugh and enjoy an adventure.”

“As a young weirdo I spent many days alone leafing through my dad’s comic book collection. The superheroes were okay, but what I really enjoyed were the spooky Tales From The Crypt comics. One day – while I was looking where I shouldn’t – I stumbled across my dad’s collection of Heavy Metal magazines. From the very first issue, I was completely hooked. Yes, the women were sometimes comically sexy, yet they were also the heroes of these stories. And so began my love of strong female characters.”

“Drawing was my other escape. Making art meant I could truly immerse myself in the worlds and characters I created. Now I’ve grown up into a Confident Strange Lady, so I don’t feel the need to escape anymore. Instead, I feel compelled to create art because I have so many stories I want to share. My goal is to create art that makes us weirdos feel less alone, so we can enjoy being scared together.”

What Women in Horror Month Means to Jaymie:

“I was born in the 80s and grew up in a time when gender stereotypes were still deeply ingrained. In my teens, when I’d mention my love of Horror I was often met with the ignorant “you like horror? But you’re a girl!” type of comments. Even though I’d spent so many sleepovers watching horror movies with a group of girls, it seemed freely admitting you loved horror was still taboo.”

“I think a big part of that stereotype is because Horror films weren’t being made by women. When you see a behind‐the‐scenes video of special effects artists in the 80s, it’s a group of cool dudes having fun together. I wanted so much to be part of that, unfortunately I didn’t even know where to start.”

“I’ve been drawing my whole life, yet for some reason I kept putting my horror stories to the side. Seeing all the inspiring female creators being promoted this month was the kick in the butt I needed. I wanted to create these illustrations to share something with the horror community I love. That might mean introducing people to a film they’ve never seen, or maybe it’s just the joy of nostalgia they get from remembering a well‐loved film.”

“I chose to draw iconic on‐screen women of Horror, however I love how WIHM helped me discover female Writers, Directors and other behind‐the‐scenes women I’d never heard of before. Perhaps most importantly, this Month shows me I’m not alone in my love of Horror. It’s allowed me to connect with other awesome women who share my dark passion for Horror movies, books and everything creepy. I wish I’d had time to draw for all 28 days. Maybe next year!”

Where to Find and Support Jaymie’s Work:

You can buy prints of Jaymie’s Women in Horror pieces at her INPRNT shop: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/jaymiedylan

Website: www.jaymiedylan.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaymieDylan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymiedylanart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaymiedylanart


Esther Coonfield

Esther’s Women in Horror Month Art:

Esther contributed an impressive 16 pieces of art for the challenge. 

[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”17″]

 

1. WITCH PLEASE: Vanessa Ives, Penny Dreadful, 2. LOVE TO HATE: Lucille Sharpe, Crimson Peak, 3. BEST OF 2017, BY AND ABOUT WOMEN: Raw, 4. UNDERRATED: May, 5. LANDMARK PERFORMANCE: Shelly Duval, The Shining, 6.UNSTOPPABLE: Stoker, 7. YOUNG BLOOD: Sophia Lillis as Beverly March, IT, 8. LAST GIRL STANDING: Jules from “No-End House”, Channel Zero (season 2), 9. JUDGE, JURY, EXECUTIONER: Mary Mason (Katharine Isabelle), American Mary, 10. GHOST WITH THE MOST: Angry Princess, 13 Ghosts, 11. BLOODSUCKING BABE: Selene (Kate Beckinsale), Underworld, 13. GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: Vampira (Maila Nurmi), 14. FEMME FATALE: Megan Fox, Jennifer’s Body, 15. LGBTQ: Samantha (Najarra Townsend), Contracted, 15. BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Melanie (Sennia Nenua), The Girl With All the Gifts, 16. SHE SURPRISED ME: Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel

About the Artist:

“I am a freelance illustrator currently based in Philadelphia, PA. I earned a BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University in 2014. I have always been intrigued by the world of fairy tales and folklore, and the macabre truths that lurk within their cheerful prose. It is this juxtaposition of the morbid and the whimsical that inspires most of my work. I love to re-tell familiar stories in my own voice, as well as unique tales of my own.”

What Women in Horror Month Means to Esther:

“As an artist and a feminist, one of my ultimate goals has always been to find a way to blend my activism and artwork together in a thoughtful way, without one overpowering the other. When I found out about WiHM, I knew I had an amazing opportunity to do exactly that; not only would I be able to showcase my undying love for the horror genre, but I would also be promoting all of these incredibly talented women who deserve to have their hard work recognized.”

Where to Find and Support Esther’s Work:

My Website: www.esthercoonfield.com

Instagram: @esthercoonfieldart

Tumblr: esthercoonfield.tumblr.com

Etsy: etsy.com/shop/EstherCoonfieldArt


While Women in Horror Month 2018 may be over, make no mistake that our commitment to celebrating women and diversity in the genre goes on. We will, as always, continue to make this a focus and priority. So expect more women-centric interviews, features, artist and filmmaker spotlights, and more throughout the year. 

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