This shoot was very fun and deeply personal for me. What has always drawn me to Gorey's work isn't just his distinctive visual style, but the authentic creative spirit behind it — his fearless blend of whimsy and darkness, his playful approach to the macabre, and the way he created his own unique universe without concern for artistic trends. His work embodies a creative freedom that speaks to something essential about making art on one's own terms.

A curator friend who bears an uncanny resemblance to Gorey played him in our shoot. My niece portrayed the young girl, and the other character is a dear collaborator and friend. I loved creating scenes with these characters — there's a wonderful creative tension that emerges when you inhabit Gorey's world.

The image at the front of the house with the ballerinas is another favorite, inspired by Gorey's famous obsession with the New York City Ballet, which he attended religiously for nearly thirty years. His dedication was legendary — in one season, he attended 39 consecutive performances of The Nutcracker.

I loved putting myself and my friends into his world. The woman in black with the umbrella walking away is me. Gorey's unwavering commitment to his own distinctive style without apologies continues to inspire not just me, but countless artists who aspire to that same creative authenticity. This is what art is all about — creating exactly what you love with no thought of how it might fit into society's expectations.