"I love to create things. I will get an idea from the deep dark depths of my brain and just start building. Leather is a perfect medium for me - it has an inherent sensual mystique that is intoxicating. I have been a leatherworker for a long time, starting when but a wee child.

I crafted my first leather mask back in 1987 complete with bovinian horns and a Hermes like helmet, but I did not really pursue mask making seriously until 1997. Now I have evolved into a full time mask-maker and leather accessories crafter. The human face is a wonderful thing and I love to decorate it..................

...........blah blah blah...tastes just like chicken. "

I could wax on in more silly quasi- poetic and vomitous fashion as above, but the truth is that is not my style. I like things clear and to the point. I make high-quality masks and other assorted items with clean sharp lines and a very distinctive personal style that is obvious. I am a stickler for quality and I will only use the finest materials available (or the best I can afford at the time...)

Who is Maxx Empire?

After escaping from the foster care system, I grew up as a skateboarding punk in Hell's Kitchen, New York City - back when it still was Hell's Kitchen.

As a kid I started working at a theatrical stable in mid-town N.Y.C. that supplied animals for film, television and theater. I wrangled animals for all sorts of events and shows including; the Metropolitan Opera, ABC, CBS and NBC, Macy's Parade, Radio City and Broadway shows. The back stage excitement gave me the theatrical bug.

After getting noticed on the street by the legendary Eileen Ford (of Ford Models) -with an empty bottle of whiskey that I was disposing of (really!) for my ex-con friend, at 12 years old I was then forced in to the deadly world of child fashion with a brief career as an underwear model. Leaving that lucrative profession behind (Idiot!) through my teens I did everything from sign painting to stunt work and coach driving to jousting. These varied and unfortunate events combined with a serious lack of formal education lend me a unique outlook that may or may not be present in my work.

After professionally performing fully armored jousting for many years and subsequently creating three beautiful children with my hot wife, I decided that something less painful had to start paying the bills (although I do still joust on occasion...).

Having worked with leather, creating saddles and costumes for the joust -on a whim I turned those skills towards leather art masks. After several odd works that came out looking either like Jesus or O. J. Simpson (therapy anyone?) I found my style in the comic book; super hero/villain style doodling of my warped childhood.

I specialized in fine leather masks for over 10 years but dabble in other mediums and projects that I occasionally will show here.

My Clients include Cirque Du Soleil, The New York Shakespeare Festival, MTV, the WWE, NFL Films, and Broadway shows with several incognito celebrities thrown in -but enough name dropping, I am most proud to have my works purchased here online by you.

Thank you very much for visiting my site and feel free to e-mail me with any questions and/or comments... Now please go purchase five or six of my fine works.

-Maxx