Finished! :)

I'm so proud of this one; "The Hare's Lament", inspired by the traditional Irish folk song of the same name...

The hare is running from her pursuers, over a a field of heather here. Celtic knotwork and floral border, which I think gives a bit of a medieval tapestry feel...Acrylic on 20" x 20" gallery canvas. The 3" deep edges are painted solid black, so there's no need for a frame. As someone who used to work in a frame shop, and knows how expensive framing is (often more than the art!) I have to say I'm in LOVE with these deep canvases. :)

I'm offering it here on the blog on a first come basis, before listing it on eBay (saves the fees and allows me to drop the "buy it now" a bit!) $325 plus fully insured shipping via UPS, which will range anywhere from $15 to $35, depending on location. Email me at carolee@kingofmice.com with questions or to purchase, and thanks for taking a peek. :) UPDATE - SOLD

More work coming very soon, and don't forget to check out the EHAG Emporium update tomorrow (the 28th) at 9PM eastern!

♥ Carolee

"The Hare's Lament"

I've always found the connection between music and the visual arts to be a powerful one, and more often than not, have music playing in as I paint. Pretty much everything finds it's way into the CD player, from classical (baroque mostly) to classic rock, to folk music, to reggae to world music...With the exception of rap and country (sorry, but nails on a chalkboard, hehe) my musical tastes are pretty diverse.

All this said, I do play favorites, and Celtic music tops the list. Steeped in history, rich, evocative, and filled with vivid imagery, it often makes it's way into the work. In fact, the current work in progress draws both inspiration and title from this traditional Irish folk song, performed here by the very talented Susan McKeown (and if you love Celtic music, her "Bushes and Briars" CD is a serious must-have)...



Here are the lyrics, written from the perspective of the hare:

On the first of November on a bright autumn's day
To the hills of Dromela I chanced for to stray
I was feeding on green grass that grows on yon ground
When my heart was set a beating by the cry of the hounds

Musha right tallyho, hark ye over high ho
Hark ye over cries the huntsman hark ye over high ho.

They hunted me up and they hunted me down
The bold huntsmen of Stratham on my trail sent the hounds.
Over highlands and lowlands moorlands also
Over hedges and ditches like the wind I did go.

There was Ringwood and Rouser they gave me a close brush
But they soon found me hiding twas in the rush bush
For better or worse I know I must die
But I'll do my endeavor these hounds to defy.

And now I must die and I know not the crime
To the value of sixpence I ne'er harmed mankind.
I ne'er was brought up for to rob or to steal
Unless for the croppings some tops of green kale

Then up steps the huntsman to end all my strife
Saying let the hare go giver her play for her life.
Wouldn't it be far better you killed Raymond the fox
Who killed all your chickens, fine hen and game cock?

The first time I heard the song I found it distressing (NOT a fan of hunting in any form), but the more I listened, the more I loved the hare's spirit, and of course, there's the somewhat ambiguous ending in this version, where the huntsman lets her go (other versions switch the two last verses). At any rate, the imagery of the hare running over hedges and ditches and moorlands, on a bright autumn day is just crying to be painted. ;)

For those of you on facebook, I'll be posting in-progress photos on my King of Mice Studios page every few hours, and offering the finished piece for direct sale here on the blog before listing on eBay.

(VERY excited about this one!)

UPDATE - Here's a photo of the work in progress - a few clouds, and the hills blocked in...


Back soon!
♥ Carolee
PS - If you scroll down on the right, you'll find a new playlist full of Celtic tunes. :)

The Blessed Bee

Flying in quickly to share a little homage to the honeybee. The photo isn't the best, as it was too late to shoot in natural light - so before listing this one on eBay tomorrow, I'm offering it for direct sale.

It measures 10 3/4" x 13 3/4", and is painted in acrylics on a pine plaque, with a routed edge. Signed and dated. $135.00, shipping varies. If you're interested, shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com

UPDATE - SOLD.

I'm off to have a very late supper now...Thanks for taking a peek. :)

♥ Carolee

"Maiden, Mother, Crone"

Having experienced two of the three stages, or aspects of the feminine journey - and being well on my way to embracing the crone years - I thought it would be fun to paint a triptych depicting all three...

I suppose I could have painted these as Goddess rather than Witch, but I wanted them to have a bit of a magical feel...And the figures could have been painted in full light (which I may still do at some point), but I think keeping them in silhouette gives them more of an "every woman" feel, don't you?

These three little paintings are now up for grabs on eBay, and I hope they bring blessings and smiles to their new home. :)

More are goodies coming soon, although I find myself ever so slightly slowed down by another nasty head cold this week. And with snow falling as I type this, I'm thinking tomorrow may just be a homemade soup kind of day. ;)

(See? I'm sounding like an old crone already!)

Which aspect do you find yourself immersed in, and are you enjoying it? I do hope so. I think we are meant to enjoy the seasons of life every bit as much as the seasons of the year.

It's all a blessing, isn't it?

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Thinking *Spring* (And Halloween) !!

Do you ever find yourself getting just wee bit ahead of the seasons?

I suppose it's natural for those us who create holiday inspired art. We spend autumn painting winter pieces, winter painting spring, and so on...so perhaps a certain amount of longing just goes with the territory. Although I must admit to feeling the pull much sooner than usual this year. Winter here in Lancaster County hasn't been particularly bad - just much colder than usual - and I think we're all ready for spring thaw. ;)

This piece sort of combines the two seasons...

Inspired by the wonderful DuBose Heyward book "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes", it depicts the Mama Easter Bunny soaring above treetops and mountains to deliver a very special egg to sick child. It was one of my favorite books when I was little, and one of my daughter's favorites as well. Written in 1939, it was a suprisingly feminist tale for the times. If you have a daughter, it's a must-have. ;)

There's a new Halloween piece this week too - an oval bentwood box, with words of witchy wisdom lettered around the edge of the lid...

I loved painting the dancing witches, and could swear I almost heard the violin. ;)

Both of these pieces are listed on eBay now, and several new pieces are in the works too - as well as commissions in progress (and if anyone knows how to eek a few more hours out of each day I'm all ears, hehe).

John finishes work (for a couple of months anyway) very soon, and panic is beginning to set in about all that needs to be accomplished before our focus turns to his treatments. Mostly, I'm just trying to get the house in shape, and keep up the pace with painting. Wish me luck. ;)

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who's posted and emailed with prayers and good wishes, and many thanks to the wonderful collectors who enable me to do what I love. Despite the challenges, I am truly blessed. :)

♥ Carolee

♥ Happy Hearts Day! ♥

Wishing you and your special Valentine a day of bliss and pampering, especially if your special Valentine is YOU. ;)

(Back very soon with new work!)

♥ Carolee

Black Cat Enchantment and Forging Ahead...

Hello!

I'm back already with new work.:) Not that I haven't fallen off the wagon once or twice with computer time, but all in all, I'm really working at the balance thing (see previous post).

Although I must admit it's easy to stay focused when I'm completely immersed in a piece, as I was with this one. There's something truly mystical and enchanting about black cats - like magic is afoot when I paint them...

This one is listed on eBay now. :)

On the home front, those of you who've been reading here awhile know about John's recent (and not so recent) health challenges. The short version is that after two major heart surgeries, and a successful recovery, his lymphoma is out of remission again, and he's now facing two rounds of radiation, which will begin in a couple of weeks.

The doctors tell us chances at a full remission are good, although they can't say for how long - but it's slow progressing, which is good, and we'll take what we can get. We're optimistic, and determined to take it one day at a time, but also realize our lives are about to change pretty drastically. For my own part, I'll be maintaining a full painting schedule, taking care of John, the pets and the house, running the errands, doing shipping, and hopefully some of the driving into the city (we're still working on housing and transportation).

So I want to apologize in advance if I'm slow at returning emails and facebook messages, and I ask that at least during this time, everyone refrain from sending me forwards and such. I just don't have time to manage and delete them all - hope you understand. I'll also be limiting shipping runs to twice a week, probably on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Finally, I want to thank all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts, and most especially for your understanding when correspondence and commissions run a bit late. I'm doing my best to keep up, and I will get to it, I promise. :)

John and I are truly blessed to have such amazing friends and family, and I know we'll get through this. Much love to all of you!

♥ Carolee

On Finding Balance

Ever feel like life is spinning just a wee bit out of control? Like rather than acting, everything seems to be about REacting?

Sure, there are times in all our lives where circumstances push us into reaction mode, but when that becomes the normal state of affairs, it's time to take a deep breath, take stock, and take back the reins. ;)

I'm not sure when it happened that the workday became 12-14 hours, and 10PM dinner became the norm rather than the exception. I can't pinpoint the moment when time for reading and knitting became a luxury, or when carving out enough time for lunch with friends became an impossibility.

Yet somehow it did.

Granted, we've faced some serious challenges these past couple of years. But even with the need to work longer hours, I can't help but think there's a better way.

So what to do?

Well, for one thing, I'm reluctantly going to have to limit my computer time. It's just too easy to fall down the rabbit hole into the great internet vortex, and before I know it, two minutes to check an email becomes and hour, and I lose momentum. So there's that.

Further, the workspace is in for a thorough cleaning this weekend. It's valuable time spent not painting, but in the end, it makes things a heckuva lot easier if I'm not spending 20 minutes looking for gesso or scissors. Can you believe this mess??

I can't believe I'm showing you this. Not the stuff of those pretty studio-type magazines, that's for sure (although I do wonder how much art is really produced in perfectly pristine and decorated studios, ya know?)

Finally, I'm planning to offer a few prints of my work very soon. I'm actually ordering them this week, and can't wait! It will hopefully make my work more accessible, while also adding a little income. I can't tell you how many emails I get from people who love the work, but just can't purchase an original. And I get that. I sooooooo get that. Believe me, I couldn't purchase my work either....which is weird to say, but there it is. So yes - a few prints very soon!

And I'm reading. Even if I have to get up earlier to do it, reading is my absolute, hands down favorite pastime, and I miss it. I'm finishing this one now, the latest in the Outlander series...


And starting this one, written by one of my favorite bloggers. Can't wait...


So how about you? Do those of you working full time struggle with the balance issue, and if so, any thoughts on achieving it? Seriously, I'm all ears....

In the meantime, it's back to that messy studio for me. There's a new treasure box calling my name, something with a Celtic knotwork border, I'm thinking...

Deep breath. Cup of tea. And stepping AWAY from the computer...

...just as soon as I remove Lady Guinevere from the new printer. ;)

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

A Peek...

Just had to share the latest trio of boxes....

Look for the large heart on eBay this evening, and the two smaller hearts on Etsy. :)

♥ Carolee

Surprise!

UPDATE ~ Thanks sooooo much everyone! :)

Up for Grabs...

Quick as a flash...

On a first-come basis....

Are five trinket boxes. ;)

I was going to list them on eBay, but it's getting late, everyone is watching the Super Bowl (well, everyone except me, hehe) - and I thought it would be fun to offer first crack at these to blog and facebook readers.

So here we go; five little boxes, ten photos, shown here in ascending size and price, each piece made of lightweight wood, painted in acrylics and varnished. The larger two have magnetic closures, and the heart has hinges. You'll find the measurements and price below each piece.

To purchase, please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com :)


"Mouse on the Moon", 3" x 3" x 2", $45 plus $5 shipping in the U.S. ~ SOLD ~



"Black Cat Love", 3" x 3" x 2", $45 plus $5 shipping in the U.S. ~ SOLD ~



"Sleepy Valentine", 3 1/4" x 2", $45 plus $5 shipping in the U.S. ~ SOLD ~



"Magic Star", 4" x 4" x 2 1/2", $55 plus $5 shipping in the U.S. ~ SOLD ~



"Bunny Love", 4 3/4" x 2 3/4", $65 plus $5 shipping in the U.S. ~ SOLD ~

More goodies coming to eBay and Etsy tomorrow!!

♥ Carolee

A Surreal Day and Some New Work

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems a little unreal and dreamlike? As if you were watching strange events unfold from afar, feeling a little disoriented, and not quite a part of things? That was my Yesterday...

First, this beautiful and intelligent young woman celebrated her twenty ninth birthday.


TWENTY NINE.

How is that possible? Wasn't it just moments ago I was twenty nine myself, and she was seven?? Wasn't it just moments ago I was reading her stories and taking her to the park to feed the ducks?

I don't feel old enough to have twenty nine year old. But the grey hair and the aches and creaks in my bones tell me it's so, even if memory and sense of time are distorted.

The very same day, I discovered someone from my distant past - teacher, mentor and at one time something far more complicated, had passed away. And I was surprised to feel not only profound sadness, but forgiveness, and a wish that he find peace. I think one of the blessings of aging is the realization that most people do the best they can in life, and that most hurts aren't intentional. It becomes easier to let go. So I wish him God speed, and remember him for the gift of art, and of loving art. That's a lot.

Today, feeling much more myself, I threw myself into new work - and lots of it...

Eight new pieces, destined for eBay and Etsy just as soon as they're completed.

In the meantime, there's a belated birthday lunch tomorrow, another piece to begin for the upcoming PFATT Marketplace update, and commissions to complete.

Back very soon ;)
♥ Carolee

The Year of the Rabbit, New Work, and Gratitude

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today (well, today here, but although the same date, a day ago in China) marks the shift from the Year of the Tiger to the Year of the Rabbit; A year of calm and serenity, of peace, and of good luck. Sounds good to me. ;)

In honor of the occasion, I painted two Rabbit pieces this week, both going to live with the same collector, but I had such fun with them I want to share. The first is a tea tray...

And the second is a painting on a framed panel, with a calligraphy accent...

I added the full moon because rabbits are also symbols of the moon. ;)

There will be a few other Rabbit pieces as Easter approaches, but in the meantime, it's Valentine trinket boxes, something Celtic in honor of St Patrick's Day, and some very special HALLOWEEN pieces. Not only for eBay, but for the Ghoultide Gathering as well. :)

On the home front, challenges loom, as John faces radiation therapy at Temple University, and I face combining caregiving with painting and household responsibilities. Another one of those situations where the only way out of it is through it, which is where we're going.

Which brings me to the gratitide part.

I want to thank everyone who's either commented here or on facebook, offered prayers and positive energy, purchased my work, or otherwise made this path a lot easier for us to walk (you know who you are). ;) Despite the challenges ahead, we are truly blessed, and incredibly grateful to have you all in our lives.

That's about it for now, but that's enough. It's just about 11PM and if I'm not careful, I'll turn into a pumpkin soon...

Wishing you a Happy Chinese New Year, and belatedly, a Blessed Imbolc, Happy St. Brigid's Day, and Happy Groundhog Day (I'm told there was no shadow - yay!)

Until Next time,
♥ Carolee