Cheyne Gallarde: Breathing Vintage Life into Modern Horror
by Justine Norton-Kertson
In the vast and varied world of horror art, Cheyne Gallarde stands out as a visionary artist who fuses the nostalgia of vintage comic aesthetics with the thrillingly macabre energy of contemporary horror culture. With his intricate line work, saturated colors, and storytelling flair, Gallarde captures the very essence of what makes horror fans tick: a perfect mix of spine-tingling dread and joyful genre celebration.
Gallarde’s horror movie illustrations are a love letter to both retro comic art and the cinematic scares that define modern genre storytelling. Take his reimagining of Trick 'r Treat, for example. Gallarde uses a bold color palette and expressive character designs to transform the story's terrifying childlike figures into a menacing crew of vintage misfits. The piece is more than just art—it’s an invitation to revisit the rules of Halloween with a chilling sense of glee.
His Welcome to Freddy's illustration, inspired by Five Nights at Freddy's, captures the unsettling blend of animatronic whimsy and lurking danger. Gallarde skillfully uses contrasting tones, highlighting the eerie joy of Freddy's larger-than-life grin against the backdrop of static-filled screens. The use of comic cover design not only nods to 1980s aesthetics but also evokes the fractured narrative style of the games themselves.
Gallarde’s Gremlins Christmas-themed poster balances humor and horror, depicting the chaotic gremlin invasion with a festive yet unsettling charm. The mischievous creatures climbing the Christmas tree while chaos erupts around them embodies Gallarde’s strength in capturing motion and energy within a single frame.
Another favorite is Cheyne’s take on Terrifier. This piece is a psychedelic nightmare in the best way. Using vivid colors and exaggerated expressions, Gallarde transforms the already horrific Art the Clown into a larger-than-life villain who seems to leap off the page. The design’s bright, campy rainbow contrasts with the grotesque imagery of dismembered limbs, encapsulating the juxtaposition of terror and absurdity that makes the Terrifier series unforgettable.
More broadly, Gallarde’s ability to merge LGBTQ+ culture, drag artistry, and vintage superhero aesthetics gives his work a unique voice, especially within the context of horror. His illustrations are unapologetically bold, bursting with character and dripping with love for genre. Whether you’re a fan of the classics or a modern horror aficionado, Cheyne Gallarde’s work is a must-see. It’s not just art; it’s a celebration of everything that makes horror nerds rejoice.
With a National Advertising Award under his belt and a history of collaborations with iconic brands like MTV, Penguin Books, and VH1, Cheyne Gallarde’s career is as vibrant as his artwork. His contributions to the queer, art, and horror communities are invaluable, and his pieces are certain to become cult classics. For anyone who loves horror with a nostalgic twist, Gallarde is an artist to follow—and treasure.
