Edward Gorey is one of my favorite artists (A is for Amy, anyone?). But what if he had illustrated Lovecraft’s stories or created artwork with Lovecraftian themes?
John Kenn Mortensen is an artist from Denmark whose work is very much reminiscent of Edward Gorey, and I spent some time recently looking at every single illustration at his website. I selected the ones that I felt were Lovecraftian and I’m posting them below.
These represent only a small percentage of his work, though. Be sure to visit his website and view them all; even better, buy his art book.
John Kenn Mortensen’s day job is directing children’s tv, and in his spare time he takes care of his young twins. But then, when darkness falls, he forgets everything cute and cuddly, takes out his pen and post-it pad, and wonderfully scary monsters burst forth onto the pad.
There are many more illustrations at John’s website, and you can buy his art book here.
There are many more illustrations at John’s website, and you can buy his art book here.
The Lovecraft eZine 
These illustrations would fit in many of Algernon Blackwood’s stories, specifically The Wendigo.
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Oh I do I do I do want him to illustrate Lovecraft or anything else. His own work is wonderful. Love that style.
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It’s really amazing stuff! Even though I find it all more MR James/Machen/Blackwood that Lovecraft …
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Yes Humots, and I do, too. Ann so kindly offered this information for the completionists among us:
“In the anthology Hauntings: Tales of the Supernatural (http://www.amazon.com/Hauntings-Tales-Supernatural-Henry-Mazzeo/dp/038509373X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396826054&sr=1-1&keywords=hauntings%3A+tales+of+the+supernatural&tag=u1webapp-20) the Lovecraft story “In the Vault” has three Gorey illustrations (as do all the stories in the book). This is the only work Gorey did on a Lovecraft story that I’m aware of.”
Thank you Ann!
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I loved Edward Gorey’s work, and I really like this. Besides Gorey, some of the art reminds me of Sidney Sime, who illustrated Dunsany’s work.
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Ohhh it does!!!! It reeks of Sime, you’re so right. Love his stuff
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This is great stuff! I actually searched up Edward Gorey, found this, and was intrigued. Now I know where it came from.Thanks so much for sharing these! John Mortenson is a great artist! You guys should try and work together on something in your store, or a cover for your magazine…
BRIAN
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GREAT Amazig work!
I love it!
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What if Don Martin illustrated Lovecraft (and provided sound effects?)
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Brilliant work!
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I love it! Thanks for letting the world know Mike- as usual you are way ahead of the curve!
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Awesome, thanks for posting these!
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Fabulous 🙂 thanks for this…
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Someone from IO9.com must have also thought this was a great post. They did the almost exact same post.
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He must be drawing those pictures with monomaniacal obsession.
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Just discovered this amazing art work via MetaFilter and my jaw is on the floor! I love his style, and the subject matter is fantastic. I am now an instant and huge fan of John Kenn Mortensen.
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Those are totally cool. A very gifted artist indeed! Thanks for posting!
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Very cool, very very creepy. It should be said though that this is not merely an Edward Gorey influence. The other parent of this twisted hybrid is the amazing Gahan Wilson. You can see it in the weird, floppy forms of the creatures, their overwide mouth and disturbing teeth. If you don’t know who I’m referring to, go search for his images RIGHT NOW.
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child thriller book’s artworks – its a cool
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Thanks so much for introducing me to this wonderful artist. My favorite is the one with the giant (deer-people?) walking through the fog to the cabin in the woods. Out of all the beasties shown here, those ones look the friendliest (or the least likely to kill you, anyway).
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Oh! I love the one with the big flowers over the RV! And the one with the little black heads bobbing out of the water around the dock!
Seriously, this looks like a cross between Edward Gorey and Hideshi Hino (who everyone should look up).
Lovely!
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This is so full of WIN I am speechless. Wow.
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Wowza!! It’s like “what if Edward Gorey was darker and even more sinister?” I really like this guy’s work, thank you for turning me on to him. As a long-time Goreyhead (B is for Basil!) I really appreciate the inkwork. Ordering the book asap!
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He should do “Scream For Jeeves” as a graphic novel!
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WOW!!! This is completely fantastic! I want this book!!!!!
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Dude, that’s some seriously f*cked up sh*t, yo… Love it!
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I’ve been following John Kenn for a few years now. Great stuff! I really want to buy his book! The amazing thing is that all of these are done on Post-It notes!
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