An artist creates different face masks every day inspired by artists, historical figures, and '80s movies

Kretschmer worked for years in the newspaper industry, but found that he was burnt out, frustrated, and rarely seeing his children. He decided to become an artist in 2013, going to trade shows and holding exhibitions across Europe.

"I wouldn't say I'm famous, but it's enough to live from it," Kretschmer told Insider.

When Austria ordered a lockdown in early March, most of Kretschmer's events and commissions were canceled. He's spent the time at home caring for his two sons, but he needed an outlet for his imagination.

"It was quite a spontaneous thing. I couldn't sleep," he said. "I had too many thoughts in my mind. I just had the idea to make a funny mask and put it on Facebook for some of my friends."

Kretschmer estimated that he has, at the time of interview, created around 42 masks. When he finishes a mask, he'll post it on social media for others to see.

"I just needed something to paint, to be active, to be creative, to be productive, not to go nuts," he said.

Kretschmer said he was inspired by the movies that he used to watch as a teenager.

"You got Rocky Balboa. You got horror movies in it," he said. "Some of the masks are movie characters I like or remember."

European countries were supposed to have a celebration that marked the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, but it was canceled due to the pandemic. Kretschmer decided to create a mask to mark the occasion.

"Some of the masks are a reaction of my thoughts of current happenings in politics and this coronavirus thing," he said.

"Shame on me I only made one female mask so far and it was Frida. I wouldn't say she's an ideal for me as an artist, but she was unique," Kretschmer said. "She made a brand out of herself."

To celebrate Easter during the lockdown, Kretschmer created a mask of an Easter Bunny to share with his friends.

"It's a simple idea, and it keeps me entertained," Kretschmer said.

Kretschmer said he's already reserved three masks for a museum in Austria.

To create their famous beards, it took Kretschmer two nights.

"I had to make the beard. I had to color it. I had to let it dry," he said. "Then I still had to comb it."

To create the full image of the band, Kretschmer Photoshopped two versions of himself together.

One of Kretschmer's artistic pursuits is three dimensional collages that he creates out of items like forks, spoons, and ammunition. Kretschmer included elements of his work in one of his masks, creating a layer of spoons in a semi-circle.

Through the mask, Kretschmer captures the little wooden puppet's most famous feature – his ever-expanding nose.

Though he decided to recreate Pennywise from the new adaptation, Kretschmer confessed that he's yet to see the movies. Instead, he loves the old 1991 mini-series with Tim Curry.

For his recreation of the Clown Prince of Crime, Kretschmer was clearly inspired by Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal in the 2019 film "Joker." For his performance, Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

"Sometimes when I write to people, 'Happy birthday,' they'll write me back, 'great mask,'" Kretschmer said.

"If it gives them a smile once a day then I guess I did quite good work and that's quite motivating," he said.

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