by Dot Cannon

(Graphic courtesy of 7 Hells, and copyright 2014, Bill Rude. All rights reserved. Image used with permission.)

Uh-oh.  There’s a great big furry Krampus–complete with horns and chains–headed for Burbank.

And he hopes you’ll come by and get a picture with him.

That would be artist Bill Rude, beginning his “Krampus rounds” for Christmas season 2014 on Friday, November 21, as Burbank celebrates their “Holiday in the Park”.

Bill,  you’ll recall from our earlier interview, creates a world of “welcoming retro horror”, reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm and pulp fiction.   His exploration of horror (and fun!) includes participation in the Krampus Los Angeles troupe, which is the first and largest Krampus troupe in the western U.S.

Now, the easiest way to describe “Krampus” is as a “Christmas devil”.  He’s the darker part of the St. Nicholas legend, based on European folklore.  But you can ask him more about his history when you meet him.

And you might also like to see his unique Christmas cards.   In addition to the Krampus, Bill creates illustrations of the lesser-known Christmas legends and folklore.  His Krampus cards and spiders on the Christmas tree are popular, and this year, he’s also added a new one.

“Just got some (Frau Perchta cards) boxed last night,” Bill emailed. “I figured all the nice people who seek me out as Krampus every year deserve some additional variety to their card selection.”

No, we won’t tell you the legend of Frau Perchta here.   Bill does that much better than we can.   But we will tell you that you’re in for a vintage-clothing and local-art great time, in addition to the whole-family “Holiday in the Park” festivities.   Bill says there are all types of creative independent businesses in the area, including a lot of little retro boutiques and galleries.  He mentions 8 Ball, which is a vintage/rockabilly store that includes a gallery, along with a total of THREE Halloween town stores in the area.   Also, Bill says, Dark Delicacies, the horror store in which he’ll be appearing as Krampus, not only sells local artists’ work and goth-horror themed perfumes (how’s that for a unique gift?) but  hosts half a dozen signing events almost every week, featuring artists, filmmakers, authors and musicians.

Bill Rude’s  “Krampus” will be on hand Friday,  November 21, from 5 to 9 pm at the Dark Delicacies store in Burbank, located at  3512 West Magnolia, between North Cordova and North Avon.  In all probability, he will be snarling, rattling chains, hugging, posing for pictures–and he’ll have his unique Christmas cards available and may tell you a Christmas legend or two.  Be especially nice to him, though–Krampus has been known to carry “naughty” kids of all ages off in a basket on his back.