“To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go” Mary Oliver

Melpomene came into being after viewing anatomy books where half the body would show a transparent view what’s inside of the human body. It’s fascinating to see how the body works, how it’s structured but more than anything… it seems a constant reminder that death is right around the corner. That escalated quickly!

Like Aislin, Melpomene was an exercise in using forced perspective. Even though I wanted a fade in effect of her skull exposed as if it were a Photoshop filter, I still wanted parts of it to look like it was really there. It’s easier to do this in flat face sculpts like Spectra, Cupid and Ghoulia but Draculaura has an actual eye bump and curvy features which make it a little difficult to create a consistent look when viewed from all angles.

As long as the lighting is soft, it seems to work well enough.

She’s so elegant and creepy looking that it’s a lot of fun to pose her involved in witchy activities…

… Spouting Shakespeare to a spoon.

For more photos of Melpomene, check out the gallery. She is available at Etsy.