EHHSTEPH

Welcome, curious stranger.You've wandered into a peculiar corner of my imagination. Don't worry, the creatures are mostly friendly.I'm a first-generation American with Peruvian roots. Growing up behind the cash register of my immigrant parents' business taught me about hard work, community, and entrepreneurship. But my imagination? That began with my mother, who could transform ordinary things into something extraordinary. My grandfather's humble beginnings taught me resourcefulness, and as a kid, I could turn paper plates into an entire circus. Who needed a fortune when imagination was free?Then came the discoveries! Movies, music, dance, horror, aliens, paranormal mysteries, folklore, and nature. I found artistry everywhere. From Pee-wee Herman, Mister Rogers, and Mr. Wizard to Jim Henson, Vincent Price, Frida Kahlo, Janet Jackson, Rick Baker, Stan Winston, Guillermo del Toro, and above all, Michael Jackson.And Thriller? Oh, what a glorious nightmare! The music, the choreography, the creatures, and that unforgettable werewolf transformation. I was hooked on the magic behind it all.My mother shaped my imagination. The world revealed its possibilities. Every person, discovery, and experience became part of the blueprint that helped me find my own.In my twenties, I reconnected with an old high school acquaintance, Chad, through our shared love of Thriller and Johnny Cupcakes. With more imagination than experience, we took a leap of faith and created School of Rejecks. What began as a T-shirt company evolved into original characters and eventually a comic book. An unforgettable adventure in friendship, creativity, and entrepreneurship.Years later, I discovered practical special effects through artist Tyler Green, exploring prosthetics, sculpting, and creature creation. Meanwhile, after nearly 20 years in healthcare and countless coffee-fueled overnight shifts, ordinary mugs became my next canvas. Thus, Mug Oddities was born.During COVID, while navigating loss and infertility, my love for Frankenstein inspired my Nocturnals. My strange little kids, born from imagination, emotion, and pieces of myself. Sometimes the things we create help us understand what words cannot.Today, my Peruvian heritage, Incan ancestry, and fascination with the unknown continue to inspire me. From creatures and potions to D&D artifacts, upcycled oddities, and art that speaks to women's empowerment and individuality, my imagination refuses to settle on one medium. I also love encouraging others, especially kids, to discover that creativity doesn't require a fortune.SO, WHO AM I?An artist. An immersive creator. A curious soul with an affection for the peculiar and the impossible.I don't just want to make things. I want to create little worlds people can get lost in. There's a certain magic in watching someone's curiosity take over, whether they're discovering a strange little mug at my vendor table, examining a creature I've sculpted, or stepping into a fantasy world I've brought to life.That moment when imagination becomes an experience? That's what I live for.I create because I can't imagine a world where I don't.And if you've made it this far, dear stranger, perhaps there's a little weirdness in you, too.Welcome to my weird little world.