Christmas Cards!

The 2023 design is ready, and they'll be on the way very soon!

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble uploading images - something to do with cookies and settings, and I hope to have it fixed asap. In the meantime, please visit King of Mice Studios on Facebook for the latest updates...

Back soon!

♥ Carolee

 

"Embracing Hibernation"

As my own sheltering at home passes the eight month mark now, painting this piece has been both blessing and therapy...

With winter approaching, it's been a reminder to appreciate all the small comforts which sustain me; a knitted shawl, a stack of books, a hot cup of tea, a cozy blanket (see detail)...

We can learn a lot from our friends in the natural world, who live in season, and adapt to circumstances, settling in for what could be a long winter, but still mindful of the promise of spring ahead (another detail)...

Painted in acrylics on a 12" x 36" gallery canvas, the sides of the piece are painted a deep midnight blue, so there's no need for a frame. Not limited to just wall hanging, I think this one would also look wonderful on a door (I love hanging art on doors!). 

 

It's signed at the bottom, and will come with a certificate of authenticity. This one was truly a labor of love, and my hope is that all the positive energy infused in its creation will bless someone's home through this difficult time, and for years to come. ♥

I'm accepting offers this weekend via email (carolee@kingofmice.com), beginning at $895, with shipping dependent on location.

Thanks very much for taking a peek, and I hope you and yours are staying safe and well!

♥ Carolee

It's Showtime!!

 A week late, following a major computer crash, but here's the post that WAS TO BE. Everything sold directly via email (thank you!), but I thought I'd post this here in case anyone wanted to see pics and descriptions....

 

Are you as excited as I am?

Well, maybe not AS excited as the for real Michigan show (where I get to meet you all in person!), but still, I'm pretty happy about sharing my work! So grab a cup of your favorite brew, and if you see something that strikes your fancy, please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com, and place the title of the piece in the subject line of your email to claim it. I'll do my best to mark pieces sold as as quickly as I am able, but I'm a one-man-band here, so please be patient. To be fair (and just like the in-person show), each piece will go to the first person to claim it.

So here we go... several new pieces of *magical* work, with the measurements and prices listed (before shipping, which will vary depending on location and insurance).

I'll be shipping in a few days, as soon as the varnish is dry (most of these were photographed pre-varnishing to avoid glare), and ask that payment in full be made via PayPal within 24 hours of claiming the piece.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek, and thanks for supporting the arts!

♥ Carolee

 

"Maine Coon Magic"

This gorgeous fellow is all ready for Halloween, and has left his pawprint inside the box!

4 1/2" square x 1 1/2", acrylic on wood, SOLD

 

"Seek Magic"

A mystical crow, with a reminder to always look for the magic. :)

6 1/2" x 4 1/2", acrylic on wood, accented with a Swarovski crystal, SOLD.

 

"Magical Miss Mousel" 

This adorable little mouse is bestowing Halloween blessings on her friend the crescent moon (and on your home as well!)

6 1/2" x 41/2" x 21/4", acrylic on bentwood box, SOLD.

 

 "Girl's Night Out"

Hayrides, a barn dance, and wicked good brew for the ladies of this Halloween village (and their familiars), as the Woman in the Moon smiles down!

13" in diameter x 3", acrylic on large bentwood box. SOLD

 

"Cat Sith"

The Fairy Cat of Celtic legend roams the Highlands in search of souls to steal - or will offer your house protection if you share a saucer of milk on Samhain! (Celtic knotwork border.) :)

17" at widest point, x 5 1/2", acrylic on hand turned, solid wood bowl, SOLD

 

"Magical Brew"

A *magical* Cat and Mouse tea party, complete with cupcakes, is the perfect place to store your favorite brew (or jewelry, accessories, etc)...

15" x 7" x 4 1/2", acrylic on hand made wooden Tea Chest with removable dividers. SOLD

"Fly Away Home"

6" tall x 3" wide, acrylic on wood ornament, SOLD

Thanks again for stopping by and checking out my work! Find me on Facebook at King of Mice Studios, and @kingofmicestudios on Instagram!

 

 

 

The Witch's Apothecary

 Well, it's been a little while, hasn't it?

I'm afraid I've been so immersed in Facebook, Instagram, and just LIFE (and now pandemic life) that blogging sort of fell through the cracks. I won't promise to get better about it, because well - I've tried that, hehe...But for what it's worth, I do promise to try. ;)

If you're visiting to get a peek at the new Witch's Apothecary Cabinet, you've come to the right place.

  

This piece was truly a labor of love and inspiration, and the first of its kind I've painted in well over five years - since before John passed, in fact. It brought back a lot of memories of him checking on my progress, complimenting the outcome, and joking about how if I didn't stop obsessing and adding detail, I'd end up making about ten cents an hour on the piece, lol. :)

 

This one has been a good couple of weeks in the making, and I'm really proud of it. I think he would be too...

 

  

The cabinet itself is made of wood, hand crafted by an Amish woodworker here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, painted in acrylics, and finished with a clear, acrylic varnish. You may find tiny imperfections in both wood texture and brushstrokes, as is the nature of hand made, rather than manufactured pieces, but I think that adds to the charm.

 

The piece measures 26 1/4" x 15 3/4" x 7". It's signed it on the bottom, and will come with a signed and dated certificate of authenticity. I think it would look wonderful mounted on a wall in kitchen, dining room or living room.

 

 

Since there's been a good bit of interest in this one, to make it fair, I'm accepting offers, with a minimum of $950, via email to carolee@kingofmice.com. The best offer will capture the piece, and I'll leave it open until tomorrow evening (August 13th) at 8PM. Depending on the offer, I will consider splitting it into two payments (via PayPal). In the event there are identical best offers, I will contact the collectors and let them have the opportunity to revise. Shipping will vary depending on location, but it will come to  you via UPS, professionally packaged and fully insured. Depending on the best offer, shipping may be included.

 

  

Finally, thank you sooooooo much for all the kind words, comments and interest in this piece on social media. It's such a blessing to work on something I truly feel will be a future heirloom, and there's no better feeling in the world than thinking my work will bring a little *magic* to someone's hearth and home for generations to come. ♥

 

 

If you have any questions about the piece, feel free to email, or contact me on Facebook, and do feel free to leave a comment here - I love hearing from you! 

 

 

Artful blessings, much love, and stay safe...

♥ Carolee

Saint and Icons, Cats, Bees, and Loss.

Hello there!

Yes, I'm back... sweeping off the cobwebs, dusting things off, letting some sunlight in... It's been awhile (six months maybe?) Apologies, but well....LIFE. 

And Facebook. I tend to forget that not everyone is on Facebook.

I've been busy though, between LOTS of ornaments this past holiday season, trying to catch up on long overdue commissions, and these two new paintings...

Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, in yet another incarnation. I just love painting her, and what could be more perfect than a patron saint of cats and gardeners? I went a little crazy with the floral border on this one, but it was such a fun project. And I've heard from so many people who say this one or that one looks like their cat, which is pretty cool. :)

 She's available as an 11" x 14" print in my Etsy shop, and will be drop shipped directly from the printer. :)

The next project is Saint Gobnait - a sixth century Irish saint (hence the Celtic knotwork border) who is the patron of bees and beekeepers. And Lord knows, they NEED a patron saint right now, *sigh*...Seriously, we need to SAVE these magical creatures - our planet depends on it. Anyway, it was such a blessing to paint this one, and while the original found a good home right away, I'm hoping her prints will follow suit. I think a print would look fabulous in either a simple black frame, or maybe something in a honey colored wood...

 Prints of St. Gobnait are available in TWO sizes in the Etsy shop; 8" x 10", or 16" x 20"....

Spring and summer promise to be busy with both commissions and new work, and hopefully a bit of traveling in the fall... Which brings me to a sadder subject - the recent loss of my best buddy Cosmo the Wonderdog. The epitome of a BEST FRIEND, he was with me through all the years of John's illness, through our mutual loss, a move to a new home, and so many ups and downs I can't even begin to enumerate. He was my canine soul mate, and his loss is felt deeply for his own sake, and for one more connection to John that is lost. I like to think they're together now, both free from pain, and bringing each other joy. ♥

I know I always say this, but I WILL try to be better about updating here. And I'm considering a blog sale this summer as well - something I haven't done in ages, and a way to make the work more accessible to everyone who's not on Facebook. Stay tuned. :)

Until then, wishing everyone a Happy Spring, Happy Easter, and Blessed Beltane....

♥ Carolee

Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween!

It's hard to believe the wheel has turned, four seasons have passed, and it's once again time for the most *magical* art show you'll ever experience...

I'm talking of course, about the Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween, in Marshall, Michigan, on September 29th.

In just a week's time, Dory (my little Mazda CX3) and I will be rolling through Pennsylvania and Ohio, and on up into Michigan to exhibit at what will be the second Peddlers, which debuted last year as the new incarnation of the famed Ghoultide Gathering. 

I've been participating in this event since the beginning, back in 2007, and the magic just keeps getting better; inspiration grows, new artists join the Halloween art tribe, and excitement builds as more and more collectors come out to experience everything the show has to offer... Truth be told, I hesitate even calling it a show. I've been to, and participated in quite a few art shows - and have attended several Halloween art shows - but this is so much more. It's an experience. It's electric... 

It's *magical*. 

My paintbrush has been flying for months now, and I'm pretty proud of the 2018 King of Mice Studios collection (Those who follow on Facebook and Instagram may have seen some previews!)... 

Whether you're returning (once you've attended, it's nearly impossible to stay away, hehe), or whether you're experiencing the magic for the first time, I know I speak for all of us when I say we soooooo look forward to seeing you! The best part about the show is not only reconnecting with old friends, but meeting new ones, so please do introduce yourself!

I'll leave you with a little teaser from last year's event, just to put you in that Halloween mood, but first, you might want to go get a cup of hot apple cider, or cocoa... something to set the mood...

 

There, wasn't that just too tempting?

Are you making travel plans now? Will we see you?

I do hope so!!

Until then, Happy Autumn and Happy Halloween!
♥ Carolee

"The Collector"

A 16" x 28" acrylic and mixed media painting on gallery canvas.
Available at the Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween show in September 29th...

I'd write more, but the annual pre-show painting panic is in full swing...
Hope to see you there!

♥ Carolee