Artist creates Legend of Boggy Creek-inspired movie trading cards based on his Fouke Monster original watercolor portrait fan art

Artist Josh Ryals of Oak Park, Michigan is a fan of a lot of things, including classic characters like Frankenstein. But he has another passion, and it involves local filmmaker Charles B. Pierce's famous movie we all know about - a Bigfoot-type creature known to many as the Fouke Monster.

Ryals is such a loyal fan that he decided to create a series of 17 watercolor paintings which have been transformed into bubblegum trading cards. Here's the surprising revelation: he wants you to use them free of charge

The Legend of Boggy Creek movie is having another moment over 40 years after its 1972 release. The film has been going through a full restoration and has been remastered in 4K (see video below) thanks to Pierce's daughter, Pamula Pierce Barcelou. Texarkana's historic Perot Theatre will play host to a premiere of the restored movie with multiple showings on June 15-16, and a new Blu-ray release will soon follow. 

One of Josh Ryals' trading cards features the now-deceased Fouke, Arkansas Constable, Ernest "Red" Walraven who played himself in the 70s cult classic movie. (photo below).

Fans of the storied Fouke Monster and the movie The Legend of Boggy Creek are devoted and loyal. In 2016, a documentary production titled "Boggy Creek Monster" was released and co-executive produced by an under-the-radar Texarkana resident who has had significant big-screen credits.

Because of the large Boggy Creek fan base, artist Josh Ryals' trading cards made from his watercolor portraits will very likely be well received in the collections of the film fandom community.

When he announced the release of the full set of trading cards celebrating the 1972 cult classic film, he decided to call the cards "Legends of Boggy Creek," and he painted the legendary characters from the film. Ryals said: "The sheet of fronts features two bonus cards:  André The Giant as Bigfoot in The Six Million Dollar Man episode 'The Secret Of Bigfoot' and Judah Friedlander battling Bigfoot."

The addition of the artist's interpretations of the frequently hatted actor/comedian, Friedlander and wrestling legend/actor André The Giant offers further appeal to the set.

Josh Ryals, artist

The artist, Josh Ryals, wants fans to print the cards and use them. He said: "If you'd like to print your own, the sheets should be printed as 10″ wide x 17.5″ long.  Straight cuts from end to end down the yellow spaces between the portraits should give you fairly well-centered cards that measure 2.5″ x 3.5″ each.  I recommend printing on card stock."

To get the cards, you can simply save the files shown at the end of this post. When you save the file, it will be larger than it appears below.  We have also placed all of the 17 individual files of the cards on this page for individual download. So if you particularly like one of the trading cards or watercolor portraits you can print it separately (and larger, too).

Josh Ryals has a special place in his heart for Fouke, Arkansas, and for The Legend of Boggy Creek as a cinematic treasure. He is very generous to offer his artwork to us at no cost and make it free to use by the public. We now have found admiration for this talented artist.

So get to saving the files and start printing the cards: The ArkLaTex premiere of the restored 4K movie The Legend of Boggy Creek, is only a few weeks away.

FRONT of "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Card Set:

BACK of "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Card Set:

1. Chuck Pierce, Jr. as Jim in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #1

2. Willie E. Smith in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #2

3. John W. Oates in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #3

4. The Creature - The Fouke Monster - in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #4

5. James Crabtree in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #5

6. Boggy Creek in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #6

7. Judy Baltom as Mary Beth Searcy in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #7

8. Three Toes in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #8

9. Dennis Lamb as farmer O.H. Kennedy in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #9

10. Travis Crabtree in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #10

11. Herb Jones in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #11

12. Dave O'Brien as Charles Turner in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #12

13. Bunny Dees as Sue Ford in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #13

14. Glenn Carruth as Bobby Ford in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #14

15. Billy Crawford as Corky Hill in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #15

16. James Tennison as Mr. Johnson - The Landlord - in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #16

17. Constable Ernest Walraven as himself in "Legends of Boggy Creek" Fan Trading Cards #17

CHECKLIST: The Legend of Boggy Creek Fan Trading Card Checklist