PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio– For many of us, Halloween comes once a year. We dress up in spooky costumes, hand out candy, and watch scary movies. For one Portage County man, Halloween is 365 days of the year at his home.

John Thomas is a monster mask maker and monster movie collector. He made his first monster mask almost 15 years ago.

"I started collecting first, and then in 2005, I was like, well, I'm gonna try my hand at sculpting. It took me a year for my first sculpt because I didn't know what I was doing, and I was way too meticulous," said Thomas.

Since then, Thomas has created thousands of demons, beasts, zombies, and much more.

"Everything's handmade by me, it starts as nothing, and then it becomes a thing, and I do all the finishing work," said Thomas.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Now available for a limited time and in limited quantity.... Maba Zombies Dracula or Vampire large figure cast in solid purple plastic and standing 3 inches tall. This figure was sold in 1987 in Japan only and goes for hundreds of dollars if you can even find an original. Here's your chance to own one cheap for a limited time. Bottom of the figure will be sanded smooth and any plastic flashing will be sanded off like the back of the cape collar. Combined shipping available on multiple items purchased. Buy it at www.ieatyourface.com Or click the link in my profile. #maba #mabazombie #mabazombies #madscientist #madscientisttoy #madscientisttoys #madball #madballs #ugglies #meettheugglies #monstertoy #monstertoys #halloweentoy #halloweentoys #halloween2019 #monster #monsters #monstertoy #monstertoys #boglins #deadlydelivery #retroband #japanesetoys #japanesemonsters #bootlegtoys #80stoys #knockofftoys #designertoys #resintoys

A post shared by @ andraculoid on

 

Thomas says the mask making process starts with reference photos so he can get familiar with every angle of the face he's sculpting. He then uses clay and sculpting tools to make the head. He layers it with plaster and burlap, fills a mold, and dries it out for 48 hours. For one mask, it could take at least a week to perfect. 

Thomas says his favorite part is painting the mask and adding details before shipping it out to customers.

"I like to paint. I could be fall-down tired and still knock something out like it's just, that's something I do every single day, and when you do something every single day, you get pretty good at it."

Thomas' monster-making business, Green Face Dracula, is done entirely from his basement in Portage County. The self-taught artist has sold his creations to big names in entertainment such as filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro, musician Jack White from the White Stripes, and TV Director Greg Nicotero, known for the Walking Dead.

"Yeah, it's, it's strange, I've had a lot of luck just haphazardly people finding me, you know, not living in California, finding my work on eBay on Instagram on whatever," said Thomas.

Thomas' work is on display throughout his home, but beyond the monsters lies an even bigger collection. From top to bottom, almost every room is filled with collectibles, a monster movie fanatic's dream.

"This collection started as like the top of a dresser, or just like some things and how minimal it was, and then I started going to toy shows and comic book conventions and I feel like every place I've moved to it's just doubled in size, and then I move somewhere else and it grows again so, I keep trying to contain it but it can't be contained," said Thomas.

His love for Halloween and monster movies began at a young age, and at 41-years-old, he's fortunate his hobbies are also his life's work.

"I think at some point I was just like, yeah, this is who I am, and this is like, I'm in 100%, this is what I'm committing to, so I'm happy to be. I put on my business cards; it says monster maker, so that's what I consider myself and maybe a descendant of Frankenstein."

Thomas' monster-making business is growing, and through his online store, you'll always find something new. Now, he's expanding into the toy business, creating a little shop of horrors for even the smallest of monster fans.

"Every couple of months, I try to get something new because I get tired of doing the same stuff over and over and over again. If you're able to do something that you love for a living, life is short, I've seen it a ton of times, just go do it. Don't talk about it, you know, just go do it, said Thomas.