“The Many Characters in Debb’th”
Illustration by Donna Massa 2013
This illustration was created in Honor and in Tribute to Mr. Johnny Depp, the most innovative and inspirational Actor, and multi talented Artist of our times. This priceless piece of framed artwork was sent to Mr. Depp in October of 2013.
Normally I don’t make a habit of going after celebrities and creating illustrations for them. In April of 2012, I was projecting towards the future, and what project I was going to do after being engaged for so long with the MJ Series and book. This voice if you want to call it that, came through loud and clear with a name “Johnny Depp!” I was shocked, stunned and quite leery. I said to myself, “I don’t even know this very private man there is no possible way.” However, what came through was rather disturbing, “he is in trouble, and in danger.” I don’t read tabloids or go online snooping around about celebrities, I value their privacy, but this was different. For me, this was like a calling that I was asked to do, and for whatever reasons I was to consider it.
The way an illustrator begins to tell a visual story is through research, creativity and imagination, what I mean be this, is how my story will impact the actor in a way that only he can truly appreciate and understand. For whatever reasons pertaining to trouble or danger, I chose to reach out to him by telling his story to inspire him, and to try and convey a symbolic message. I felt by visually studying his story it would initiate his sense of worth, and purpose, and that is to be of “Service to Humanity.”
This is a magical tail of nine characters that have a direct connection to each other and are brought together for a reason. I also needed to put these characters in a particular place where all of them could meet and relate to each other. The perfect setting was 152-3 Fleet Street in London, England. The legendary shoppe had two chairs one for a barber and the other for hair cutting. Sitting in the barber’s chair is a prominent well dressed gentleman in a fitted, long, red, velvet coachman jacket, a paisley ascot around his neck, lovely leather brown boots and an unmistakable Top Hat! His name is Mr. Willy Wonka, he owns a well established popular Chocolate Factory in town. Sitting in the hair cutting chair is a very interesting, yet eccentric fellow wearing bizarre clothing, his name is Mr. Mad Hatter, who resides on Alice in Wonderland lane. He is having his wild red hair trimmed by an innovative, and highly experienced hair cutter, Master Edward Scissorhands. This young man is noted for his excellence in precision and can cut almost anything you place in front of him. In case your not aware, it is tea time according to the distinguished clock on the wall, Mr. Hatter lifts his tea cup and enjoys the wonderful aroma and taste of this fresh brewed tea. On the far left is a rather notorious barber who’s reputation is a bit sketchy, his name is Mr. Sweeney Todd. If you know the story of Mr. Todd there has been rumors of his customers mysteriously vanishing or simply disappearing out of sight. Beside Mr. Todd is a very interesting and quite curious Pirate who happens to have walked into his shoppe. He is impressed by Mr. Todd and interrupts his work, charming him persuading and coaxing him to study his magical campus that he treasures. Mr. Todd is intrigued and has been disrupted from his work. In the center of the room is a very peculiar gentleman with a white face, deep piercing black eyes, unusual hair style, wearing a black cloak, and an impressive red medallion broach hanging from his neck. His name is Mr. Barnabas Collins he has come to join the gathering to have his favorite glass of deep, rich, red wine. He raises his wine glass and makes a toast, “Here’s to the floor and what lies beneath may we get what we deserve not what we need.” If you notice his left hand it is unhurriedly reaching for the Mad Hatter’s magical Portal Hat! In the dead center is a rather scholarly gentleman carrying a black leather strap bag. His name is Mr. Ichabod Crane, he is dressed in a long, heather brown harris tweed coachman jacket, button down vest, crushed ivory silk ascot, and two-tone high leather boots. He has come into the city to investigate a murder. He is greeted by Mr. Collins in a welcomed cheer! Mr. Crane is in dismay, he is unsure of the appearance of Mr. Collins, as he is skeptical even a bit fearful of this character directly in his face. He then wonders, “how in hell did I ever land among such strange characters…”
Along the back wall there is clock who’s hands are on a specific time, a four pane window, and a wooden framed wall photo of Tonto a Native American from the Potawatomi tribe. His name means “Crazy One” in Spanish. As the story goes, Tonto is the last surviving member of the wandering Potawatomi Native Americans. His tribe was massacred when he was a young boy. A white boy named John Reid finds Tonto barely alive and cares for him until he heals. Before they parted ways Tonto gives Reid a ring and called him “Kemosabe,” this means “Faithful Friend.” Years later becoming a great tracker and hunter, he comes upon the scene of an ambush in Bryants Gap, finding five dead Texas Rangers and one barely alive. He recognizes the living Ranger who helped him when he was a young boy. Tonto digs six graves, to make the outlaws believe all six men died. Reid not to show is true identity wears a mask and is called the Lone Ranger. Tonto vows his loyalty to his friend and joins him in pursuit of law and order. It was very popular in those days to have framed photos of great Native American chiefs and warriors hanging on their walls, Tonto was among one of them, and was well placed in Mr Todds barber shoppe. In the center of the back wall there is a window with four glass panes. There seems to be a man passing by, his name is Mr. John Shooter. He is a prominent writer in town known for his unsolved mystery novels. He cannot stop himself from hearing all the commotion in the shoppe. He stops, and peeks in through the tiny window, not wanting to expose his identity, he secretly without a peep stares at these most unusual creatures. He is puzzled and confused wondering if they are actually real or only a figment of his imagination…
I have but one favor to ask, after viewing this illustration please leave your comments and answer one question, who has the golden ticket?









