By YASMINA KETITA
When walking into Steve Bellamy’s garage in Stoney Creek, Ontario, you get whiffs that are reminiscent of Halloween stores. His shelves are full of masks, busts and props from horror movies galore, with a space on the table for his labradoodle Georgia’s bed. I was first acquainted with Bellamy’s work at Toronto’s Fan Expo years ago, and was fascinated not only by his skillful aptitude but because it echoed many of my favorite horror characters. The attention to detail and colors drew my eye away from other tables, and made me an immediate Instagram follower.
Bellamy, who operates his one-man business, THE DEVILS LATEX, from his home, also runs a booth at the Niagara Falls, Ontario, conventions Comic Con and Frightmare in the Falls. His proclivity for mask making was spawned out of his passion for monsters and killers from horror movies. Bellamy toured me around his workshop and living room, where I grew vehemently envious of his Boglin collection but stayed away from his pet snake Abigail (I don’t trust reptiles). I was shown the adroit process of eyeball application and had the chance to learn more about his creative process and influences.
What inspired you to get into making masks – was it a particular movie or a character’s design?
When I was young, my mother would take me to a legendary video store called “It’s Show time” in my small town of Bradford, Ontario. Horror movies were only $1 each during happy hour, so my mom would rent me three or four at a time. I always had a thing for ’70s and ‘80s horror slashers. I used to have a collection of Fangoria, Heavy Metal and Gore Zone magazines that I read religiously.
What year was THE DEVILS LATEX established and where do you operate from?
It all started in my dad’s furnace room, painting eBay hockey mask blanks around 2008. Then I worked out of a shop in Caledon, Ontario for around six years. Today, I make masks in my garage so I can listen to music and chill with my dog Georgia.
What’s your process for creation and what materials do you use? Do you set a specific timeframe for completing a project, or do you just go with the flow?
Sometimes I make things for commercials or films, so those will definitely have a specific timeframe that I have to have them done by. I use latex, silicone, resin and ABS plastic to cast things. The process for the creation is sculpt, mold, cast and paint.
Is most of your work made from personal fandom or do you feel the need to keep up with trends to create what would sell better?
To be honest, I just kinda make what I like. I don’t really keep up with trends. I like old-school horror.
Do you do commissions? If so, what’s the weirdest piece you’ve been asked to make?
I do commissions all the time. One of the weirdest things I’ve ever made is a blobfish for a documentary in England. Apparently, people really like blobfish. I put a video up on my TikTok and it has almost a million views.
Do you do any work for the film industry?
I’ve done props and masks for a small handful of films. I’m just a monster maker, but I’m OK with that. I enjoy my job.
For those interested, where can they buy your masks, and where all do you ship?
You can find me on Facebook and Instagram. Hit me up for info. I’ve shipped to almost every continent on earth. I’m a lucky guy. It’s wild to think one of my masks is sitting on a collector’s shelf in Dubai right now!
What was the most ambitious and laborious piece you’ve made?
The camp killer torso busts would be the most ambitious and laborious pieces. They are 1:1 and the molds are cement. Slush casting those molds are like wresting a black bear. Trust me – I know from experience!
What’s on your docket for your next piece?
I’m currently sculpting a super-cool, one-eyed monster from one of my favorite ’80s films and a Frankenstein bust that will be offered in black and white, green or (Famous Monsters of Filmland artist Basil) Gogos’ style.
Follow THE DEVILS LATEX on Instagram and Facebook for more info.
