Spooky Shack

[WesternOutlaw]

Spooky Shack was sort of an after thought to Grave Stone. Fascinated with sets like Rocky River Retreat, I wanted to blend the Mohave Desert of the Wild West with more of a wilderness/mountain set like a cabin one might find in the woods. The result was this Spooky Shack. Never having constructed a tree before, I had a whole pile of black 1 x X plates and wanted to use them for something. The product was the spooky black tree standing next to the house. I realize a rounded trunk would have looked a lot better, but I was working with bricks that I had available at the time.

The story of this MOC introduces a hint of the female witch character that I always wanted to add to Grave Stone. While I didn't have a witch/spell-caster, nor a broom for her to ride, I envisioned her flying above the Spooky Shack with a skeletal face. This particular story is also one of the darker stories surrounding Grave Stone definately not intended for younger fans. I particularly liked the name Harold Axewood as the mountain man wood chopper. I may have also drawn some inspiration from the Johnny Cash song,

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The Story:

Near the outskirts of town, not far from the desolate town of Grave Stone, a spooky old shack stands next to a dead black tree. It is rumored that someone or something was buried under that old black tree years ago before the gold in the hills that surround Grave Stone went dry. Harold Axewood, a rugged mountain man, lives in the spooky old shack. Some say that Harold was once married to a woman by the name of Millicent Clemens and that he drowned her in the well near his shack, burying her in a shallow grave under the old black tree. Her spirit haunts the shack and she can sometimes be seen as a witch flying above the tree. No one visits Harold Axewood anymore, but on any given day, he can be found chopping wood outside the Spooky Shack.

[Captain Green Hair]

And a very spooky looking shack it is, nice work!

The tree might look better in dark grey, to give it a little more contrast in the colors. But that's personal.

[Lego12]

That looks great Brickster! It looks real spooky, especially with the background. :skull: I really like the door you used and the barrel. May I ask where those pieces are from? If I'm not mistaken the barrel is from Fabuland or the 4+ Pirate theme, right?

[WesternOutlaw]

The tree might look better in dark grey, to give it a little more contrast in the colors. But that's personal.

I wanted the tree black to represent an old rotting/dead tree similar to a tree used for Halloween decorations.

May I ask where those pieces are from?

All of the background photos used throughout the Grave Stone collection are from the same place; an actual place (except for maybe one or two). That's part of the mystery that surrounds Grave Stone, and that I'm still not ready to reveal.

If I'm not mistaken the barrel is from Fabuland or the 4+ Pirate theme, right?

The barrel is used throughout Lego's Wild West theme. The black door comes from Fort Legoredo.

[Captain Blackmoor]

You are a busy one.

Another MOC in a short period of time, and still even nice.

The tree is my favorite part and you've proven yourself again being an expert of photo editing.

Again, I see the red-eyed bat, in the tree.

The only improvement:

Swap the red jumper brick on the top of the roof to a black one.

[Batbrick]

How did I miss this!? My apologies TheBrickster, I really need to focus on this subforum more. Anyway, onto the creation:

I love it, it really fits into your other Grave Stone creations but like the others has its own feel. You've definitely succeeded with the Log Cabin look, what with the tree, well, rock and general small look of the place.

The tree looks very imposing too, like oyu said I reckon rounded bricks would look better, but that doesn't dilute the effect is has. I especially like the way you've done the black branches off the tree, I've never seen such a simple yet well working technique.

The shack itself is a neat little thing, the simplicity of it really works, and I like the set of horns at the top. I think one of my only criticisms here is the blue window, I just don't think that colour gels very well with the rest. The wheel and tools out front are a nice touch too. I think that's something I always enjoy about your mocs TheBrickster, just the little things.

Oh, and Harold Axewood looks very suitable. I'm not sure about the skeleton in the barrel though, I'm guessing that's a trespasser, not his wife yes?

Anyway, another great creation, I'll now go and comment on your others!

Batbrick Away!

[Lego12]

All of the background photos used throughout the Grave Stone collection are from the same place; an actual place (except for maybe one or two). That's part of the mystery that surrounds Grave Stone, and that I'm still not ready to reveal.

Really? That's interesting, thanks for sharing. Do you take the pictures yourself?

EDIT: I'm certain that I know where the pictures are from, but I won't spoil the mystery.

The barrel is used throughout Lego's Wild West theme. The black door comes from Fort Legoredo.

Ok, thanks. I'll have to order some of Bricklink.

Edited February 15, 2009 by Lego12

[Sir Dillon]

Hey Brickster, nice work with these editing jobs. I think for this one something a little less black, such as dark grey, might work better though, to help the creation blend a little with the background instead of clashing with it.

I don't want to step over you, but would these fit better all in the same thread? Considering they aren't actually new creations, but just new editing work, I'm not sure each needs a new thread.

[WesternOutlaw]

I don't want to step over you, but would these fit better all in the same thread? Considering they aren't actually new creations, but just new editing work, I'm not sure each needs a new thread.

Well, if you'd like me to, no problem. But I am sharing quite a bit about each creation, its inspiration, and information not previously shared when I released these a number of years ago. I'd like to keep them separate for this reason, if that's okay. Otherwise, the thread will be pretty lengthy and I doubt any one would want to read so much about many of these creations, all at the same time. In addition, I don't have all of them photo-edited to post them all at once.

EDIT: I could perhaps consolidate a few if that's better?

[Millacol88]

Very well done. That tree's shape is very "Tom Thompson-esque" if you know who that is.

Edited February 16, 2009 by Millacol88

[WesternOutlaw]

Another MOC in a short period of time, and still even nice.

The only improvement:

Swap the red jumper brick on the top of the roof to a black one.

Just a photo-edited picture of a MOC from a few years ago. I'm not that fast.

Yes, I used one of the red pieces from Fort Legoredo not thinking that it stands out a bit.

I love it, it really fits into your other Grave Stone creations but like the others has its own feel. You've definitely succeeded with the Log Cabin look, what with the tree, well, rock and general small look of the place.

Anyway, another great creation, I'll now go and comment on your others!

Thanks Batbrick. I always enjoy reading your comments (positive or negative). You're really good at critiquing.

Really? That's interesting, thanks for sharing. Do you take the pictures yourself?

EDIT: I'm certain that I know where the pictures are from, but I won't spoil the mystery.

Yes, I took the pictures along a hike a number of years ago. I doubt you know where this place is though, in that it is remote and not visited very often. Perhaps it looks like another location in the Mohave.

Very well done. That tree's shape is very "Tom Thompson-esque" if you know who that is.

Thanks Millacol. I had to look up Tom Thompson as I do not know who he is. I see what you mean about his art. Thanks for the comparison.

[Klaus-Dieter]

Again a totally awesome MOC, TheBrickster!

I really it!

The house is very well designed! I even like the big black tree (great color for a foliage plant in a Ghost Town subtheme! ) and the fountain! And again a great story behind it!

Does the cottage have an interior, too?

Very, very well done!

Klaus-Dieter

Edited February 17, 2009 by Klaus-Dieter