“Plague Doctor” masks

Latvia-based artist Krista Argale makes her exquisite masks out of papier-mâché (the process of combining paper, water and glue to create a hardened material), then hand paints them with acrylic and in some cases, adds real fur to bring her spellbinding creations to life. The masks in Argale’s Etsy Shop, MiesmesaBerni have a whimsical and somewhat creepy Victorian vibe. Since starting up almost three-years ago, Argale has sold 1,200 masks to rave reviews from their recipients. Another thing that hit me in all the right spots was her artist’s statement:

I fell in love with the idea to become someone that you are not able to be in this life time. Personally, I knew that I didn’t want to be a superhero. I want to be something different, something from the old days. Most of us are wearing masks sometimes. For a better world - leave on the mask you need.

Indeed. Masks range in price from about $60 - $150 bucks.
 

“Wedding guest” goat mask
 

Panda Bear mask
 

White cat mask
 

“Peter Rabbit” mask
 

Sheep mask
 

Goat mask
 

Fox mask
 

Woodpecker mask
 

“Doctor” mask

Bear mask

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Demonic and Dramatic handmade masks of dragons, owls and horned demons