During a visit to a Philadelphia comic convention, I stumbled upon an artist’s booth that stood out amidst the usual vibrant, superhero-themed displays. This booth was filled with striking black and white prints that seemed to hold a slightly eerie yet captivating allure. One particular print caught my attention: a skeleton lounging in a bathtub, wearing a shower cap, with a morose expression on its face. It was quirky, unsettling, and somehow beautiful all at once. This marked my first introduction to the hauntingly charming artwork of Shawn Dubin.
Shawn is likely already familiar to fans of dark literature, especially through Dreary & Naughty, a book series he created with John LaFleur. The series follows the son of the Grim Reaper and the daughter of the Devil as they navigate the challenges of high school life while being far from ordinary. While this series is one of his more well-known projects, Shawn’s artistic pursuits extend far beyond these books. He’s currently working on a new Dreary & Naughty installment, along with a coming-of-age fantasy that explores parallel universes and the destruction of worlds. Additionally, he and his wife have collaborated on a short holiday story, The Dark Elf on the Shelf, which follows a Dark Elf working under Krampus.
One of Shawn’s more recent releases is a haunting print series called The Forgotten Children. These eerie images of skeleton children evoke a haunting mix of innocence, loneliness, and unease. “The inspiration for these pieces came from hours spent sifting through old photographs in antique shops in Philadelphia, combined with multiple visits to the Mütter Museum, where I spent time marveling at their skull collection,” Shawn explains of the series.
When it comes to his art style, Shawn describes it as “darkly illustrative.” He has a unique approach where spooky or monstrous creatures are often depicted performing mundane, everyday activities, which adds an endearing and whimsical quality to his work. This blend of the ordinary with the supernatural is what makes his artwork so alluring—it feels both familiar and otherworldly at the same time.
Though Shawn’s work is heavily infused with dark themes, his sources of inspiration are varied and not always as grim as one might expect. Early on, he was influenced by watching black-and-white Creature Double Features on Saturday afternoons. Over the years, artists like Shel Silverstein, Hayao Miyazaki, Jim Henson, Mike Mignola, and Salvador Dalí have also shaped his artistic vision. And it’s perhaps no surprise that Shawn now lives near two cemeteries in Louisiana, a setting that surely provides endless inspiration for his eerie yet captivating creations.
A common motif in Shawn’s artwork is the skeleton, a subject that has appeared in many of his pieces. He finds skeletons particularly intriguing and fun to draw. “Skeletons are universally recognizable,” Shawn explains. “No matter how different we may be, we all have skeletons beneath our skin. It’s a great unifier, and I think that’s why they resonate with people.” This perspective on skeletons highlights both their simplicity and profound symbolism.
For those who haven’t yet experienced Shawn Dubin’s artwork, I highly recommend taking a look. You can follow his creative process, random sketches, and concept designs on Instagram, and purchase prints directly from his online shop at shawndubin.bigcartel.com. Stay updated on his latest projects through his Facebook and Twitter accounts. Fans of Dreary & Naughty should keep an eye out for the next book, Home for the Hellidays, which will be released next fall. Shawn promises that while this installment will delve into deeper themes, it will still carry the same fun and spooky spirit that fans have come to love.
Shawn Dubin’s art offers a dark yet charming view into a world where the macabre and whimsical collide, and it’s a world worth exploring.
