We’re all familiar with the Zodiac signs that have been part of human culture since the Babylonian era. Alongside the twelve star sign names came their classic symbols, each inspired by the constellations above. But just because these characters have stood the test of time doesn’t mean there aren’t bold new ways to reimagine them.
Damon Hellandbrand, a talented U.S.-based artist, has taken this challenge to a surreal new level. He transforms each zodiac sign into a twisted, nightmarish fantasy creature in his series of digital artworks. Most of his creations are literal interpretations. Leo becomes a monstrous lion, Pisces a sinister pair of fish, and Taurus a hulking ox-like beast. Even the air signs of the Zodiac: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius — have been reimagined as eerie, otherworldly figures that look like they stepped out of a dark fairytale.
Hellandbrand does much of his unique art with various digital illustration programs. Still, some scary monsters are born as pencil drawings or watercolors – or “basically whatever medium I’m in the mood for.” He writes that he is inspired by artists like Ralph McQuarrie, Boris Vallejo, and Frank Frazetta, and it’s easy to imagine that Guillermo Del Toro might also be among his influences. Read on for Hellandbrand’s answers to Bored Panda’s questions about his zodiac signs as monsters below!
Aries
"I have a fondness for anything fantasy related or anything that doesn't exist in reality," Damon Hellandbrand told Bored Panda, "and mythology certainly has that in spades."
Taurus
"I also think because those were some of the first stories I remember as a child in the school that they just stuck with me."
Gemini
"I basically took what I knew the signs represented regarding their name (i.e., Cancer = Crab, Leo = Lion, Pisces = Fish, etc.) and proceeded to illustrate them as human/animal hybrids creating the Zodiac monsters."
Cancer
"I did this by doing a black, and white pencil drawing on paper and then scanning the illustration into a drawing/painting program called Corel Painter to color and paint."
Leo
"I didn't do as much research on these dark Zodiac signs as I should have and I've gotten a lot of responses as such, so needless to say I'll be making a few new pieces to redeem myself."
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
