The Ghost - Issue 4 Autumn 2005
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Mr. Leitsch, I would like to thank you for this interview to THE GHOST. Would you like to introduce yourself to THE Ghost’s readers?
It is an honor to be included in your fine publication. Thank you for taking an interest in my work. For those who my have not heard of me or my work here is a little information. My name is Owen Leitsch. I am a Warlock in the Church of Satan and I create unique sculptures that I call Necrosculptures. These are sculptures that are composed of animal bones, dried plant material, preserved insects and many other items.
You
are a Warlock in the Church Of Satan. How did you discover Satanism?
My journey to the discovery of Satanism started when I was very young. I had always been interested in the darker side of life. I can remember watching old Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Vincent Price films and wanted to learn more about the various characters that those fine actors portrayed. I went to local libraries and book shops looking up vampires, werewolves, murderers, madmen, and witchcraft. I read everything I could about these subjects (and more). I discovered an entry in one of the books about an intriguing man named Anton LaVey. I read about him and the religion he founded called Satanism. This article was so interesting to me because it described basic information about the religion and I identified with it. I was compelled to find the book the essay mentioned, The Satanic Bible.
What was your first impression of The Satanic Bible?
When I finally purchased a copy of The Satanic Bible, I started reading it in the bookstore. I had read the introduction before I made my way to the cashier. Since I had a basic idea of what the religion was about, and I had identified with it, I knew what I was in for. After reading it, I knew that the words I had devoured were very powerful. It has become a cliché but, when I read it, I said to myself, “This is who I am”.
Can you talk about your own created art The Necrosculpture? How all this had begin?
The initial concept of a Necrosculpture
isn’t a very exciting one. Years ago, I was looking around for art
work that was made out of bones. I searched at local art shows and on
the internet. I didn’t find any bone art, so I decided to create
my own. I knew what I was looking for and what I wanted, so I was the
perfect candidate to create art work that I enjoy. I had been collecting
bones for a long time and had quite a large collection. I started laying
out bones in patterns and the first Necrosculpture was born, The Bone
Column. And the rest is history.
I had no idea that others would like my work; it amazes me when I get
emails telling me that the writer of the letter loves my work and that
they want me to create something for them.
On
what project are you working now?
I am currently working on two new sculptures to be used as props in a horror movie based on the history of a local abandoned TB Sanatorium.
When you creating a new sculpture, how do you proceed? Do you generally create from the shape of the bones or you start with something precise in mind?
It depends. When I create
a sculpture for myself, I will usually start with bones. I will look at
them and sometimes the idea will come to me and then I will sketch it
out. Most of the time, the completed sculpture will look like the sketch.
If the sculpture is a commissioned one, I will try to find out things
about that person and if they have ideas on what they would like. Sometimes,
the will be vague like, “Something evil”, and give me free
reign. Sometimes, they are more specific. An example would be the “Angel
Baby” sculpture. The Commissioner wanted a baby skeleton with black
wings and a Baphomet background. If you look at the picture, you can see
I brought to existence what the person wanted.
Do you find that inspiration come easily?
Most of the time it does. I am constantly learning about new things through reading, viewing movies, listening to music, etc. Also, if the commissioner of a sculpture lets me know their ideas, I can usually create what they want.
I really like the "Angel Baby". How many hours do you put generally to complete a masterpiece like this?
With the Angel Baby it took roughly twenty-five hours to complete. I started off using a plastic baby skeleton. I sculpted the crevices of the skeleton to give it more of a natural look. Then I used wood stain to give it a freshly “dug up” look. I then attached fake crow’s wings and nailed the hands and feet into a Baphomet back board. My companion, Abby Brimstone painted the marvelous looking Baphomet while I was creating the sculpture.
Beside the Necrosculpture, do you have any others artistic hobbies?
When
I am not sculpting, I dabble in painting with acrylic paints. I have painted
two paintings and one was sold to a “fan” of mine. The painting
that I sold was a reproduction of a painting that was featured in a Japanese
action movie called “Battle Royale”. It is a scene of children
killing children and the victor standing in the center of the painting,
a halo of light around them.
On your website (www.necrosculptures.com/ who is really well done by the way!) we can find a lot of information about the Necrosculptures and you...Could you reveal to The Ghost's readers a fact about yourself or about the Necrosculptures that you've never revealed before?
Thank you for the compliment on the web site. I can’t take all the credit for it. My companion, Witch Abby Brimstone, created the site and maintains it for me. She is an excellent web designer. She writes a column for another magazine, “The Trident” and she has a personal web site, http://www.bewitchingbrimstone.com.
Who's your favorites artists in any domain and why, if any?
I like many artists in many forms of media. I could list them, but it would probably take up many pages, so I won’t bore the readers with a list. However, a couple of my favorite artists off of the top of my head are Rev. Steven Johnson Leyba (mixed media, performance art, and musician) and Joe Coleman (painting).
Back in the 90's there were a lot of Satanic magazine/paper like The Ghost...Do you think this kind of media have always IS place in the internet world of today?
I enjoy print media very much,
the texture of the paper and the knowledge that I can always go into my
library and re-read it. I also enjoy the internet. It is an excellent
tool for promoting projects that one is involved in. I use it for my sculptures.
I think that as long as there are people who enjoy the printed page, there
will be room in the world for various publications, like this one.
Do you have special superstitions or rituals when you created yours masterpieces?
When I am creating my sculptures, I don’t perform any “rituals” per se, but when making them, I sometimes get “into the zone” where I don’t know where I am or what I am doing, and I don’t acknowledge my surroundings. I would consider it more of a magical working than a ritual.
Do you listen music when you create yours magical work? Who are yours preferred artists?
I do listen to music when I create. I enjoy all types of music, from classical to country and all genres in-between. The two most played genres in my CD player are classical and industrial. Two of my favorite classical composers are Wagner and Mozart. One of my favorite industrial artists is Ministry. I have created many of my works while listening to them.
What are your impressions of the music of Le'rue Delashay and High Priest Peter H. Gilmore?
To be honest, I haven’t heard much of Mr. Delashay’s compositions. I have heard a few and I like what I heard. High Priest Gilmore’s work is incredible! His work evokes powerful emotions. I think it makes wonderful ritual music.
Is the Satanic Rituals have an important meaning in your life?
I enjoy performing the Rituals very much. I have participated in several of them when I was involved with a local Grotto, The Order of the Black Star. That was many years ago and I regret to say that I haven’t participated in any since.
I am certain there is Necrosculptures in your ritual chamber...Your ritual chamber look like what?
My ritual chamber houses several
of my creations, The Goat Skeleton, The Bone Column, and The Spiral. Also
in the chamber is an altar with a hand painted Baphomet on the wall. There
are also candles, swords, daggers, statues, and other items.
Are you enjoys reading? Which are yours favorites books? Why?
I enjoy reading very much. I would call myself a bibliophile (a lover of books). My library consists of 800 volumes and is still growing. Other than the works of Dr. LaVey, it is hard to pin point my favorites. I consider all of them my favorites. If I had to choose, I would say that my original publication of P.T. Barnum’s’ “Struggles and Triumphs” is one of my personal “precious treasures”.
Where can we buy yours products and masterpieces?
Go to my web site, http://www.necrosculptures.com. You can see my sculptures, updates, contact information, etc. Also, if you click on the heading “Owensoddities”, you will find my merchandise section containing t-shirts and art prints. I would also like to note that I am always open for trades.
Warlock Leitsch, it had been a great pleasure for me to do this interview and learn more about you. Would you like to add anything else for The Ghost readers?
Thank you for including me
in your fine publication. I look forward to seeing upcoming issues of
The Ghost.
If the readers want to see more of my work, just go to my site: http://www.necrosculptures.com.
Take a look around and feel free to contact me.
Hail Satan!
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