vejigantes

This head sculpt is inspired by the Vejigante masks prominent in Puerto Rican culture. They are typically used during regional patron saint festivities. This particular design draws from masks crafted from coconut husks in the town of Loíza.

Originally, the Vejigante represented a type of “boogeyman,” a demonic creature intended to scare people away from committing sinful acts. Over time the character of the mask  was reshaped by the confluence of Spanish, native Taíno, and African cultures that clashed as the “New World” was colonized and exploited. Today it has been adopted among some groups as a symbol of resistance against oppression and injustice.

For LegionsCon 2024, Brian Burke invited me to collaborate on a special project. The idea was simple but exciting: I would come up with a concept for a head sculpt, and Brian would bring it to life in his distinctive style.

For this piece, Brian imagined what the “real” demonic creature behind the traditional Vejigante masks might look like — a creature that could have inspired the folklore in the first place. He printed 20 heads in total: 10 I personally painted, and 10 left unpainted for collectors who wanted to customize their own.

The response was great — we completely sold out on the first day of the convention! The earnings even covered the cost of my hotel room, making the whole experience that much sweeter.

• Heads: Von Burke Studios Vejigante

• Paints: Apple Barrel acrylics, Vallejo surface primer, Army Painter Speed Paints

• Completion Date: November 2025