Owner, Jeff Bronson "Kraven"
Responsibilities: Website design/maintenance, purchasing, site content, creative vision and all of the various joys that come with ownership.

Thirty+ years of age and happy for all of the mistakes I have made, as each one has posed a learning experience, no matter how hard things seem at the time. My lifelong childhood aspiration was to be a chef/restaurant owner. After working in some of the top establishments in the US, living and working in Amsterdam, Holland at twenty-one, and designing my own restaurant, I choose life. I took a detour into the corporate world for a few years, doing everything from Stock market sales to telecom, yet that lifestyle greatly lacks originality, and is mind numbing. After finally winding up in a hole, depressed and dead broke, I took quite a while to choose a new direction and think about what deep seated interests, unanswered questions and passions I have, and how to pursue them.

Always having had an interest in all things occult, artistic and the darker side of things, it was then clear of how I could learn, create, be self sustaining and contribute to society in a way that I, and others could enjoy. I then sold just about everything I owned, cut almost all expenses and began intently working on Obscuria. I intend to grow this project considerably to afford more time to create, be creative and experience life in a way that working for someone else just cannot allow, and in turn provide a richer experience for our guests.

Thank you for visiting what I have worked very hard and sacrificed to make happen, and I hope you find some enjoyment from our Darkly Unique Gothic Shop.

Shipping Manager, Kristy Six "K6"
Responsibilities: Packing, Shipping and Inspiration

Photos: (Click to Enlarge)

About our Website

Philosophically:
Throughout time, those things which are deemed to be “out of the mainstream, occult or of a darker” nature are usually seen as negative, wrong or inappropriate. True beauty can often be found in things that have long since lost their luster, or have never been given a favorable start in society to begin with. It has been said Man condemns that which he does not understand......

Artistically:
The design images on this site are of the utmost importance to me, and to the image we wish to portray. Although these images look cool, don't be fooled, they have a purposeful, deeper meaning. A prevalent theme in this site is the use of dark, rich colors. Black, shiny, corrosive surfaces to symbolize “new”, and the faded, muted cracked tones of “old”. Many things can be found in “old”, if one can take the time to see past the “new” and question why. As with most things, there is both a positive and negative side, with the former being explained first.

Take our main header logo at the top of the page for example. Two scenarios come to mind when I created it:

**Spiritual Death - Firstly on the left, shown is a woman's face - depicting life, yet somewhat tainted with dark eyes and a somber gaze. In the center a coffin - a clear symbol of death, but not in the physical sense. This is meant to symbolize a continuous work/process some people may pursue in this lifetime of destroying their egos, or dying to one's self to know thyself. In the end, embodying a state of pure consciousness, and serenity represented in the face of a young child. In essence there is no Death, only transition.

**The Corporation of the United States - On the left is a machine, whose symbolism should be obvious. A woman face, beauty fading and lackluster state of being, represents most of society today. Transitioning into a scene of death, shown by a coffin. The death of liberty and fairness, the gradual dissolution of individuality and hope, after failed attempts to live up to the manufactured dream. Emerging from the death is the unfortunate image of a doll face: cold, plastic and unfeeling. However, now moldable and ready to accept whatever ideals, lies or lifestyles are pushed upon it, as the means to a happy end. Set forth into the world in an effort to eagerly buy happiness, still unaware of its level of enslavement, true potential or consensual loss of liberty; the pursuit continues for what is mistakenly labeled as freedom.

Culturally:
Aside from specific time periods, post punk music, fashion and old Germanic tribes, Gothic is a state of being that in my opinion, has existed for thousands of years. This state of being seems to be comprised of several of the following themes, just to name a few:

**A strong sense of inquisitiveness in the old, obscure or mystical.
**The ability to consider an idea from many viewpoints before laying judgment.
**Appreciation of literature, art in many forms and the subtleties of nature.
**Interests in Agnosticism, Atheism, Existentialism and alternate religions/spiritualities.