Apr 15, 2024
WolfSkullJack – aka Michelle Harvey – is the artist behind several Metallica posters, but most recently, the visual interpretation of 72 Seasons. In honor of this release, I wanted to learn more from Michelle about this art, her past, and her future.
Content warning: references to suicide, self-harm, and grief.
BACKGROUND & CREATION OF THIS ART
The piece references “Screaming Suicide” and “Crown of Barbed Wire.” Four skulls are included to represent the band members (something I try to do in every poster for Metallica), and the number “72” in Roman numerals is hidden there too. I like to try to have a narrative in my artwork, and I was intrigued by the concept of a tortured soul caught up in the branches of family trauma. He is a warrior, so the outfit was inspired by medieval armor, and the sword is based on this cool Viking sword that got dug up recently. His insides are the same color as the light. There’s hope in there; cut down the bonds that hold you, not yourself.
This is probably the darkest poster I’ve done, but metal music doesn’t shy away from mental illness, and that’s probably what I found so comforting about the music when I was a teen and discovered metal for the first time. I am concerned about those battling through something serious, so I want to echo the words that James has said many times – you are not alone – and direct anyone in need or interested to the UK-based mental health services site.
As far as how the piece came together, I like to give my clients three different sketches, and then management and the band choose which direction to go. I then revise the chosen sketch a few times to get a composition that works. The piece is digital and inked up on the iPad Pro, making changes a lot easier. This art, in particular, evolved quite a bit from its sketch to the final outcome. Initially, the warrior was more angelic and human in appearance, but I decided to make the warrior more monstrous.
This is also the first piece I’ve done for Metallica where the feedback was something like, “James loves the art. It’s approved…” I think I almost fell off my chair!
MICHELLE’S “72 SEASONS”
I read that the meaning behind 72 Seasons is all about the first 18 years of your life and then reflecting on those years as an adult. I think I was a weird and sensitive kid, and it was only through therapy as an adult that I realized that I had a lot of undiagnosed anxiety as a child, as well as panic attacks. My sensitivities to crowds, light, and noise were viewed as tantrums or crying fits, but I didn’t have the knowledge or vocabulary to explain myself then.
My father, who is a very kind and gentle man, was in the military, and we moved around every couple of years. I have no siblings, which meant that I grew up to be very independent and comfortable in my own company, and I had the space to really explore my imagination. I would get those huge packets of computer paper and sketch all day, every day, but I didn’t know at the time it was even possible to draw for a living!
I discovered Metallica when I was 14, and albums like The Black Album, Master of Puppets, Ride the Lightning, and S&M were the soundtrack to my teenage years. My favorite album of all time is S&M, so when I somehow landed the S&M2 poster job as my first Metallica poster, I was absolutely floored. It’s strange how these things circle back.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024
2024 for me? Right now, I’m seeing it as a year for personal reflection and processing. My family and I lost two very important people in our lives just four months apart: in October 2023 and only two weeks ago (February 2024). Although I’ve dealt with some pretty heavy mental health episodes in my life overall, this level of intense grief is new to me and, for the moment, is still very much ongoing. It’s hard to see past it, but I know logically that it will start moving forward in time and with patience.
As for work, things are always waiting to go live for one client or another! I very rarely know when something gets released unless it’s a tour date. There are projects waiting to go live that I can’t talk about, but I’m excited for them to see the light of day.
Andrew Cremeans has created a haunting new piece for the 72 Seasons poster series. Here, he explains its motivations and meanings, plus what his own 72 seasons were like.
With screaming eyeballs prominent, Munk One’s 72 Seasons series contribution is an intense piece. Here, he offers thoughts on the art and his own rather more cheerful “seasons.”
Zeb Love’s piece for the 72 Seasons project looks as much like a painting as a poster. Here, Zeb offers insight into his process, why he likes to print his own work, and how happy his personal 72 seasons were.