A Wicked Halloween

Rising spirits seek your soul

They breathe the devil's air

Careful not to risk your life

By taking on their dare

They'll entice you with excitement

For which you've never known

Into the night, they're taking their flight

Their victims soon scream and moan

Hissing cats, flying bats, evil is lurking everywhere

Mind your thoughts, your child-like hearts

For terror is found here!

Who knew that joy could be found in the scariest of places? Steven Edward, that's who!

This special effects makeup artist and "spook-ist extraordinaire" has always been obsessed with Halloween. He recalls that his love of all things scary began before he could read. My parents frequently tucked me in by reading "Scary, Scary Halloween" by Eve Bunting. I can still see those giant green eyes staring back at me, and I love it."

As this curious young man grew, so did his passion for the peculiar. At age 13, he received a book from his grandfather entitled, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," by Washington Irving. "My pops said it was a classic, but he didn't realize just how influential the book would become to me." Irving's character, "The Headless Horseman," was the first character this talented artist had ever attempted to create.

As a shy high school student, Steven spent most of his evenings and weekends creating and perfecting masks and prosthetics and manipulating everyday household items. "I wanted to push the envelope and be the best in what I believed to be my calling."

For nearly three decades now, Steven has been creating illusions... he has used cosmetics and appliances to make the frightening appearance of dismembered bodies, deformities, mutations, oozing blood, and much more. He has been charged with creating monsters, zombies, sci-fi characters, and all creatures large and small, using makeup and prosthetics, often made of latex, silicone, or rubber. These are the tools of his trade. Steven has traveled to exotic locales and has been paid well for his efforts. He is living his version of happiness and is grateful for that.

What frightens you? Is it not doing the thing or things that bring you great pleasure? Does fear stand in your way? If so, break out those tools of your trade and get to work because the monster, aka "fear," that has been holding you back might just be an illusion!