Scott Jackson Monsterman Graphic

07/05/2026

“You just can't keep a good man down.” 🧛

Honored to paint the latest cover of Scary Monsters magazine ( #141).

Inspired by Christopher Lee's unforgettable portrayal of Dracula in Hammer Films' "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave" (1968).

Thoroughly enjoyed bringing one of horror's most iconic vampires back to life.

Long live classic horror. 🩸

This Digital Prints item is sold by MonstermanGraphic. Ships from Kimball, WV. Listed on Jul 5, 2026

07/03/2026

🎸 FROM THE JOURNEY: My First Fantasy Art Show

1988 – Kenosha, Wisconsin

After spending the summer painting signs at the Bristol Renaissance Faire—and after an unforgettable visit to TSR—I came away with an idea.

What if fantasy art could be presented like a rock concert?

While working days as a printer's assistant at Nosco Printing in Waukegan, Illinois, I saved up and rented the historic Eagles Ballroom in downtown Kenosha.

Then the real work began.

I recruited local artists, including Jon Statema, who was working for DC and Marvel Comics. The artists known as "Ye Olde Art Dogs" generously loaned original fantasy artwork—including pieces that had appeared on Dungeons & Dragons products and Heavy Metal magazine covers.

A longtime Bob Kane collector even contributed original Batman artwork for the exhibition.

On the music side, I invited bands I'd designed artwork for—or had become friends with—to perform throughout the afternoon and evening.

Tickets were sold through the local record store.

The ballroom came alive with fantasy art upstairs, live bands, lighting, sound, and an audience willing to take a chance on something completely different.

When it was over...

I'd paid for the ballroom, security, bartenders, sound and lighting, and the bands.

I walked away with just under $1,000 in profit.

My father dismissed it as "just a fun show."

But someone else's words stayed with me.

Johnny Mod, owner of the Port of Kenosha, laughed and said,

"Of course it sucked. It was your first one."

Then he smiled.

That was all the encouragement I needed.

Sometimes success isn't measured by how much money you make.

Sometimes it's proving an impossible idea can actually happen.

And once you've done it once...

You realize the next idea isn't nearly as impossible.

Looking back now, I had no idea this first little show would eventually lead to much larger exhibitions and events in the years ahead.

✨ Thanks for following the journey.

#1988

07/02/2026

🎨 FROM THE JOURNEY: My Portfolio Review at TSR 🐉

1988 – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

While working as an on-site sign painter at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, a vendor mentioned that TSR—the creators of Dungeons & Dragons—was only a few miles away in Lake Geneva.

I called the art department and asked if someone might be willing to review my portfolio.

To my surprise, they said yes.

With portfolio in hand, I made the drive to TSR, hoping for a few minutes with the artists whose work had inspired me for years.

A young staff artist greeted me at reception and led me through the halls, past display cases filled with TSR’s most legendary games and artwork, into the art department.

The bullpen was empty.

Drafting tables were covered with paintings in progress, reference books, brushes, and the kind of artwork I had studied since my teens. I was told the artists were in a brainstorming meeting.

A few minutes later, the room came alive.

Larry Elmore, Keith Parkinson, Jeff Easley, and Clyde Caldwell returned, gathered around my portfolio, and offered an honest critique.

Their advice was simple:

“Keep painting… you’re on the right track. Just give it a few more years.”

Before I left, Keith Parkinson shared a painting technique using Krylon over acrylics as a varnish — one of the most valuable technical lessons of my career.

Back at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, I was surprised to discover those same artists exhibiting together as “Ye Olde Art Dogs.”

What began as a portfolio review turned into ongoing conversations throughout the season… and sparked an idea:

“If they could bring fantasy art directly to the public… why couldn’t I?”

That inspiration would soon lead to organizing Kenosha’s first Fantasy Art Show and Rock Concert.

But more on that next time…

🎨 Thanks for following the journey.

06/05/2026

🎸 FROM THE VAULT — 1990

As Metallica continues filling stadiums around the world, it seemed like a good time to revisit one of my earliest published pieces for Rock 'N Roll Comics.

This cover appeared on Metallica #2 (Second Printing, 1990) for Revolutionary Comics. By this point, I was beginning what would become a four-year run illustrating over 150 covers for the publisher.

This particular copy was later signed by Kirk Hammett, making it a favorite piece from the collection.

Looking back, it's interesting to see the blend of portraiture, fantasy, and heavy metal imagery that would later find its way into much of my poster, album cover, and horror work.

06/03/2026

🎨 FROM THE PROCESS — circa 1982–83

Long before the album covers, convention posters, and magazine work, there were projects like this.

Created for longtime friend Mark Last and his band, "The Chase", this hand-painted backdrop was designed to hang behind the drum riser during live performances.

Looking back, it's interesting to see themes that would later find their way into my cover and fantasy work—dreamlike landscapes, dramatic skies, and otherworldly imagery.

At the time, it was simply an opportunity to create something larger than anything I'd attempted before.

Every journey starts somewhere.

05/31/2026

🖤 BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (Alternate Poster Concept)

One of my favorite things as an artist is discovering forgotten pieces of horror history and imagining what they might have looked like if fully realized.

This piece was inspired by a small 1935 trade advertisement for Bride of Frankenstein that I first encountered years ago in Denis Gifford's "A Pictorial History of Horror Movies". The striking image of the Monster and his Bride always stayed with me, and I eventually decided to bring the concept to life as a fully painted poster.

Rather than simply reproducing the original advertisement, I expanded upon it, adding color, atmosphere, and detail while remaining faithful to the mood of the classic film.

The artwork later evolved into a more minimalistic version created for "The Annual Halloween art exhibit" in Chicago, but this original painted interpretation remained largely unseen.

Pleased to finally share it.

🖌️ Scott Jackson / Monsterman Graphic

05/29/2026

🎃 FROM THE VAULT

Here it is — my first paid album cover.

Created in 1987 for Wrath's "Mutants", this project arrived while I was still in college, learning airbrush techniques and finding my footing as a professional illustrator.

The experience opened doors beyond the artwork itself, including meeting legendary guitarist and producer Ronnie Montrose and getting a firsthand look inside a professional recording studio.

Interestingly, the album was initially released in a different form as "Nothing to Fear" with alternate packaging. Years later, it was gratifying to discover the material being re-released in a form much closer to the band's original vision.

The artwork itself was painted in acrylic on illustration board, with the title hand-painted on acetate and overlaid during production.

One of three album covers I was fortunate enough to create during those early years.

🤘

05/27/2026

🎨 FROM THE PROCESS — circa 1987–88

First year into college at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, just beginning to learn airbrush techniques… and landing album cover work during the infancy of thrash metal.

Working on the cover painting for Num Skull’s “Ritually Abused” as the album headed toward its June 1988 release — a record that would later go through several re-releases and become something of a cult favorite in underground metal circles. 🤘

One of three album covers I was fortunate enough to create for a major record label during that era.

05/24/2026

🩸 THE UGLY (1997)

New cover art created for Unearthed Classics’ collector Blu-ray release of the cult horror film "The Ugly".

It’s great to see the film finally receive a 4K restoration and collector’s edition release.

Many horror fans may already be familiar with this unsettling psychological nightmare, which was also featured in Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation (Universal, 2001). 🎬

https://www.unearthedfilms.com/catalog/classics/theugly.php

05/22/2026

💀 FROM THE VAULT

Album cover artwork created for MonsterTrux’s "Grind" back in 2002.

Acrylic on Bristol board, painted during a time when horror punk, monster culture, skate graphics, and underground music scenes were all colliding in the best ways possible.

The band’s lead vocalist Matt was a friend from Chicago, which made this one especially fun to create.

And yes… there’s even a Svengoolie song on the album. 🔥