"As artists, we are defined by the art we create, our portfolios. I suppose I couldn't be understood completely without acknowledging a semi-obsession I have with a 1974 horror film titled Black Christmas. I know that sounds peculiar, for even I don't understand it, rather I just accept it, and periodically create a new artwork which attempts to satisfy the beckoning.

Stemming from strong childhood memories, fear, the emotion the film evoked in me has manifested itself over the years now acting as a possible outlet to express darker emotions and feelings. Since Black Christmas had epitomized fear, then as an artist, when I've attempted to depict fear, Black Christmas had reared it's beautifully ugly head within the myriad of my art. I can't shake it, but I have tried over the years to put it on the back burner in my mind, hoping the insatiable urge to create further images had been satisfied, like a passing phase in my life. But no such luck, it's part of me.

Over the years, aside from being known for my Black Christmas art, I have the inadvertent distinction of being known as the webmaster of the very first Black Christmas website (more on that below). This was a title I may have earned but did not seek. You see, if I may try to explain briefly why I closed down that original website, is that, in the end, I am an original artist who merely was inspired by another's art, that being the film Black Christmas. Yes I do see it as art, but it's not my place on this planet to stand in the shadows of anothers' creation, but rather to create my own, self-standing pieces which cast their own shadows and touch others. I am an artist who is inspired creatively by the film, and who will carry the film's emotions on through my art. That is my intent."

June 1994: The idea first struck me, like an epiphony, to create a Black Christmas painting. I was 29 years old and thus began my journey to find the location of the Black Christmas house which I knew resided in Toronto, the city in which I lived. I wanted to do a photo shoot as reference for my painting.

Dec. 1994: After locating the elusive, sacred horror house, I did the photo shoot accompanied by my dog Zemmie.

Feb. 1995: Wrote a letter to the Editor of Fangoria Magazine, Tony Timpone, suggesting that they consider running an article on Black Christmas. I believe it was within a month that Fangoria's Managing Editor, Michael Gingold, called me on the phone to discuss their interest in running such an article.

Sept. 1995: Completed the first painting of the house. It was a winter's night scene, the house decorated with Christmas ornaments accurate to the film.

July 1996: Began a second painting of the Black Christmas house, a daytime scene.

Sept. 1996: Wrote a follow up letter to Fangoria's Managing editor, Michael Gingold to supply negatives for a photograph of the Black Christmas House to be reproduced in the upcoming article, as well as letting them know about the (then) current renovations going on at the house.

Nov./Dec. 1996: Fangoria Magazine, issue #159 (cover date of Jan. 1997), is published and distributed, featuring an interview style article on Black Christmas featuring one of my photographs of the house as well as featuring other information they had gathered from our conversations (back in Feb./March 1995 & Sept. 1996). To my knowledge, this was the first major media attention Black Christmas had in more than 15+ years, and the first public acknowledgement of it's achievement as a major influence to the horror genre which followed.

Oct. 1997: Completed my second painting of the Black Christmas house, the daytime scene which offered more visual detail of the house.

Nov. 1997: Began developing and building a Black Christmas website.

Dec. 1997: Officially opened the internet's first website solely devoted to Black Christmas. The Black Christmas WebGallery was how it was appropriately titled.

April. 2000: After an approximate 2-1/2 year stint, I officially closed down the Black Christmas WebGallery website to pursue other pastures. As I stated above "I closed down the original website because I did not want to stand in Black Christmas' shadow, but rather focus on creating my original, stand-alone art, which casts it's own vast, vibrant and bold shadows."

Dec. 2002: Met a guy who was even more obsessed with Black Christmas than even myself, Dan Duffin, a charming Englishman. Dan Duffin was the webmaster of a new Black Christmas website, and we got along very well. I showed Dan where the Black Christmas house was located. Dan & I introduced ourselves to the current owner of the house, and were granted permission to return within a few days for us both to conduct a full day photoshoot (and videoshoot). And we both happily did just that.

My association with Dan Duffin turned into a fast friendship. I suppose his natural enthusiasm for the film Black Christmas rubs off on me and keeps me further inspired. He likewise draws from my creativity. So our friendship is complimentary. His site, It's Me Billy.com has now gone on to become The offical Black Christmas website.

Nov. 2003: I created my next artwork, partially painted and digital collage. It was titled The Bedford Gazette. Dan's photo is used as Officer Dan Jennings (far right). I also revised my 1995 painting, adding further dimension to it.

Dec. 2003: Because of Dan's efforts with Tartan Videos, my first two paintings (of the house) were reproduced in the UK DVD release of Black Christmas, in the 'Extra Features' section. Click here to see a screen shot from the English DVD.

June 2004: Began penciling my latest Black Christmas illustrative artwork. I took plenty of artistic liberties in delineating Jess in distress. I completed my most recent illustration in the third week of November, that same year. This is the 4th Black Christmas inspired artwork for me to date.

Nov. 2004: Another of Dan's efforts, this time with Soapbox Productions, had each of us interviewed briefly for inclusion on Bravo! TV Canada's documentary, titled 'On Screen: Black Christmas'. It's first airing was October, 2005. This program will also be included in the upcoming Australian DVD release of Black Christmas, as part of it's 'Extra Features' section. You'll have to wait for the program's final 5 minutes to see us though.