Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Makayla Shrader. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Makayla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I first learned silicone and resin arts / props in the winter of 2020, without many funds or proper gateways into this industry I immediately took to online classes, YouTube, and the harsh lessons of trial and error. After many mistakes and messes, I began to better understand how these chemicals worked together as well as how to create these full pieces that portrayed the beauty of horror and death. During the early months of learning, most obstacles included finances. The chemicals I use are costly, especially for the artist who is guessing the measurements and is 80% self taught! The waste of chemicals far outweighed the amount of final product worth showing the world. However, without these barriers, I would not be nearly as well versed in the industry as I am today. Having the opportunity to learn my skills through trial and error has been the leading tool in my prop art education, this tool gave me the chance to test my creativity and find out what works for me as an artist. I am eternally grateful to my bosses for always supporting me and proud of how I got to where I am today. I would not change it for anything.

Makayla, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Makayla, I am a 23 year old Creative Director and prop artist out of southern Ohio. I first started at All Hallows Eve LLC during their first season in 2019 with my aunt. She had been working as a manager at their location and invited me into the haunt world without knowledge that it would spark the beginning of the love for my career. I have always loved horror movies and the macabre as well as how these horror movies were made behind the scenes. It wasn’t until our prop artist had to move back to his out of state home that my current position opened up. I was asked by the owners if I had any interest in learning how to bring their horrific visions to life by making silicone and resin props, without hesitation I jumped onto the online Stan Winston classes and began experimenting with small amounts of chemicals and molds. My first full piece was a purple tinted silicone head life casted right off of my own body! It was strange to see myself right in front of me, but I knew right then that I was hooked. However, I had a very long way to go as the head was not supposed to be purple! After a long three years of research, practice, time, tons of chemicals, and more support and love than I ever could have imagined, I have seen my art featured on live television, movies, music videos, and have taken part in interviews, podcasts, conventions, and shipped to most U.S states for others to enjoy the beauty and mystery in death!
I know that my art may not be for everyone, but I find comfort in knowing that I can provide lifelike replicas of human anatomy for those who found a cozy home in even the darkest of arts!

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I believe that the most misconstrued concept of people pursuing a creative career from non-creatives is that it is not a “responsible” or “smart” path to base your entire future on. Artists will be the first to admit that money is not a guarantee in the creative industry, it takes countless hours of constant work, self marketing, and materials just to make $1 that won’t even be considered profit after all the cost of overhead. It is a fact that money is something that clouds artists minds every second of every day, however that does not mean that a creative career path is not “responsible” or “smart” simply because it involves taking risks and working much harder than most may think. Without independent artists, large production companies, small business creators, and more, we would not have near the level of entertainment and detail that we do in movies, TV, videos games, music, and even companies like zoos, restaurants, and more! The world is packed full of art and creativity in things we overlook everyday from the coral you see in the shark tank at your local aquarium, to the architectural design of the largest building downtown. These few examples took a group of artists hours of work just to give society a joyful experience for even a small second. It is not a competition on what occupation or career takes the most preparation and daily work, every job is uniquely important to society. Nevertheless, artistic careers are uniquely important to humanities souls and happiness, and in no way does that make it an irresponsible or unintelligent path to take at any age.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Personally, I find the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to entertain and witnessing the always expanding idea of personal preferences. My art is something that may only entertain the general public in the form of a quick scare, or to others it could be admired the way I do as it sits in their living rooms! The idea that art is so subjective and expansive that there really is something for absolutely everyone, it makes all art seem almost personal for some of it’s consumers and I am proud to be a part of that. I adore the idea that my pieces have the opportunity to be admired and used whether at a haunted house, a movie set, or just adding a hint of Halloween into someone’s home!

Contact Info:

• Website: AllHallowsEveLLC.Com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makay.lee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AllHallowsEveAttraction
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@allhallowseve5753
• Other: Etsy: https://allhallowsevellc.etsy.com

Image Credits
All Hallows Eve LLC and Makayla Shrader