ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE is intended to put a name (and sometimes face) to the talented men and women who created the most iconic images to adorn horror VHS boxes and posters from ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Their art is vital; it’s the reason I (and many of you, certainly) fell in love with horror movies in the first place. This is not only intended as a tribute, but also a minor compendium, meant to collect their works in one single spot. Corrections, additions, or other info? Email me.
It’s not unusual for an illustrator, working under the tutelage of a creative agency, to occasionally find themselves freelancing for the same production companies every now and again due to the contractual obligations between the businesses. Furthermore, if a filmmaker with enough pull feels a certain artist’s work represents their vision faithfully, they might make that artist their go-to designer, especially if the product and its visual representation end up becoming inextricably tied – such as the working relationship between Drew Struzan and George Lucas or Steven Spielberg.
But it’s almost unheard of for someone to become a sort-of “in-house” artist for one specific production company – yet that’s exactly what happened with Tricia Zimic and the low-budget schlock purveyors Troma Entertainment. For just two short years, from 1986 to 1988, Tricia created over 25 covers for Troma, including the iconic Surf Nazis Must Die artwork, as well as the memorable covers (to hardcore fans at least) for The Toxic Avenger Part III: The Last Temptation of Toxie and Blood Hook – as well as a slew of others. To give the volume of her work with Troma a bit of context: it was more than Drew Struzan created for Lucas and Spielberg combined.
Like the other artists I’ve featured before, Tricia is a multi-talented creator who has churned out sculptures, paintings, and book illustrations, and she’s still hard at work creating awesome works of art, all of which are found on her website.
Below is a small collection of the work she produced for Troma. Tricia was kind enough to email me these images directly, and as far as I can tell Camera Viscera is the only site to amass this much of her Troma poster art in one place – so thanks, Tricia! Everyone else: enjoy!
Sources:
All images obtained via IMP Awards, FILM ON PAPER, and Wrong Side of Art, unless otherwise noted.
Camera Viscera 
A very nice tribute to a very creative and authentic artist who is always working! She does it because it’s fun!
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