David Schmuckler

“I do the paintings for Halloween. The best is monster blood, because monsters are killing people. I do monsters. I make paintings for Halloween. I am the director of the movie about Halloween. I do it myself. I have a lot of work to do.” – DMS

David Schmuckler has a passion for horror that runs deep in all the work he makes. A seven hour track of spooky Halloween sounds often accompanies him in his workspace, where he designs and creates a myriad of bizarre characters. He often slips into the characters he creates, and in sculptural work uses his own body as a mold for his characters.

In large format compositions with bold design elements, Schmuckler’s paintings and drawings convey an appreciation for his characters through a combination of reverence and satire. With an aesthetic that captures elements of mass-market horror and neo-expressionism, Schmuckler’s work is unique, accessible, and thought-provoking.

Schmuckler is currently focused on the character of Krampus, an evil Christmas spirit with horns and a beard.

Selected Exhibitions

2022

Face Space: Work by ten Artists of CCW, Woodmere Museum, Millard Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

Vampire Evil Devil Demon Monster: David Schmuckler, virtual three-part video performance presented by Hook&Loop, Philadelphia, PA

2019

Outsider Art Fair, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY

2018

Halloween, Gallery 241, Wynnewood, PA

Monster Blood, Philadelphia EyeWorks, Philadelphia, PA

Outsider Art Fair 2018, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY

2017