Chad Savage / Sinister Visions inc.'s Page

In 1988 I was 20, a sophomore in college in Dallas, TX, obsessed with vampires (thanks to Anne Rice and The Lost Boys) and still very new to gothic/industrial culture (which was itself pretty new, all things considered). I occasionally pine for those times. Being young and beautiful forever seemed like a realistic goal; custom fangs and an enthusiastic vampiric subculture made it moreso. It's easy to point and laugh now, but at the time, we were all suckered in by the glamour.

In 1998 I was 30, driving from Syracuse, NY to Chicago, IL with everything I owned in the back of a couple of trucks - literally on my 30th birthday. I was still vampire-obsessed (although it was blossoming into a more all-horror-inclusive mindset), worked for Corporate Masters, and the internet was more of a curiosity and novelty than anything else. I was also twice-divorced and very jaded.

It's 2008 and it's my 40th birthday today. I just moved from Chicago a bit east to a small town in Indiana, where my mortgage payment is less than 1/2 of what I paid in rent in Chicago. I own a horror/Halloween/haunted house cottage industry and still think vampires are cool, but have opened my heart to zombies as well.

I have survived, either inflicted on myself or my spouse: Foreclosure, bankruptcy, stitches, broken bones, cancer, tumors, death, disease and unemployment.

I have enjoyed an amazing wife, beautiful children, The Sweetest Dog Ever, a successful homegrown business, great clients and good friends.

I spend my days creating spooky imagery for haunted houses and other horror/Halloween businesses. I offer up thanks EVERY DAY for that. If you had told me in 1978 that this is what my job would be, 10-year-old Chad would have been overjoyed, since drawing and designing spooky stuff is all I've ever wanted to do.

So bring it on, Life. You don't scare me, and I figure if medical science continues the way it's been going for the last 50 years, I'm only about 1/3 done on this planet. I intend to wind up as a Futurama-style head in a jar, dispensing wisdom to them what'll listen in 1000 years.

On that note, my tombstone will read:

HERE! IN THIS GRAVE! THAT GUY I WAS!

Come help me celebrate my 40th this weekend at METAL-MERGENCE 2 : Networking event for the Heavy Metal Industry. Open to metal fans & pros! Saturday, July 12. The Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago. Doors open 8pm. Show 9pm. $10 admission, 21+. Live metal, CD artists, label reps, DJ showcase & more! Join us for a night of heavy music & connecting at the legendary Double Door in the heart of Chicago! Live Performances by: CYANOTIC, MINDWARP CHAMBER, JUNGLE ROT, SMOKE

BUY TICKETS (TICKETMASTER)

"The new graphic is orgasmic!!! Holy hell that's good :) I'm super happy!!!!!"
- LazarusMaze.com, on their 2008 marketing artwork

"We wanted to take a moment to thank you for making this a great experience and for your patients. We are very...no extremely happy with all of the work you have done for us and we are looking forward to working with you in the future."
- Nights of Fear, on their 2008 marketing artwork

I've been informed that there is a rumor that the reason for my move to Mishawaka is that I/Sinister Visions has been hired full-time by Imagination Publications (owners of 13th Hour Magazine). This is not true.

Sinister Visions is doing some work for 13th Hour Magazine, and they happen to be based in Mishawaka. Apparently somebody just took their own assumptions as fact and started flapping their gums. Feel free to correct anybody you hear spreading this rumor, preferably with a flyswatter or, at least, lots of pointing and laughing.

The move is complete and the Savage Clan are settling into our new house near South Bend, Indiana (90 miles east of Chicago, home of Notre Dame University). I know I owe a lot of people calls and emails, and I'm working on that - everybody's patience is greatly appreciated. I'm typing this in my spacious new office, surrounded by boxes. Stay tuned...

I'm relocating from Chicago to Mishawaka, IN (home of 13th Hour Magazine!) this week and then heading straight into Flashback Weekend. My internet access will likely be spotty after Wednesday for a few days - if you need to get ahold of me sooner rather than later, call me at 312-912-3015.