Cosmic Catnip!

It's that time again - the last day of the month, when the doors of the wicked cool EHAG Emporium creak open for business...

I've revisited a familiar theme this time - a "Cosmic Catnip" box, perfect for storing catnip, kitty toys - or whatever else might strike your fancy. The box measures 9 1/4" x 3 1/4" x 2 1/4", and is painted in acrylics and ultra-fine pen and ink, and finished with a clear, acrylic varnish. The interior features a single shooting star. (You can click on these photos for a larger image)..

Signed by the artist (me), with a certificate of authenticity included. $185 + shipping, which will vary by location.

As always, this Emporium offering is up for grabs on a first-come basis. To purchase, please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com. UPDATE ~ SOLD

Thanks so much for taking a peek!
♥ Carolee

Black Cats!

Flying in quickly to share the latest piece, just listed on Etsy...

There's something so sleek and stealthy about black cats in silhouette, don't you think?

I think it would make the perfect catnip or kitty toy box. ;)

Next up: "Annabel Lee"....

♥ Carolee

Autumn in the Air + New Work + New Brace

Hello!

I'm writing this on a crisp, cool, late summer morning - one of those heavenly mornings where Mother Nature gives us a little taste of autumn just before the day turns all hot and humid. But I'll take it. ;)

As always, autumn can't come soon enough, especially given our recent and repeated heat waves.

But in the studio....Ah, in the studio, pumpkin scented candles burn, pots of apple cider tea steep under an orange and black tea cozy, and Halloween goodies fill every surface...

Many pieces will be traveling with me to the October Ghoultide Gathering, but I've held one out - a very special - and large at over 14" in diameter - Halloween treat bowl, depicting a New England village on All Hallow's Eve...

I was going for that nostalgic "setting out at twilight" kind of feel, and hope I've succeeded. It will be up for grabs on Etsy soon, as always, on a first-come basis. There are also some pine holiday plaques listed there for anyone who's doing early shopping. I'm told that at under $30 and personalized, they make great gifts. ;)

In other news, I finally received what is proving to be both a blessing and a curse - my new ankle brace. For those who don't know, I'm a huge klutz on icy surfaces, and have severely sprained my ankle three times - resulting basically, in its complete collapse; torn ligaments, traumatic arthritis, scar tissue, etc...So was given the option of surgery (which held a 50% chance of doing more damage), or this permanent brace. Not being crazy about those odds, I chose the brace - which is taking some time to get used to, and slowing me down considerably.

But I'm determined, and with just about six weeks until the big show, I MUST break this thing in. Wish me luck. ;)

And speaking of the big show, I'm off to the studio now, where a platter and a pair of "Sew Wicked" mending boxes are calling my name...

I'll be back very soon with more new work to share...

Happy Almost-Autumn!!
♥ Carolee
PS - is anyone out there on Spotify? I'm loving it so far, and just made a 7 hour folksy playlist!

The Mad Halloween Artist

The image of the paint-covered, wild-eyed, obsessed artist at work isn't far from the truth these days...As preparation for the October 5th and 6th Ghoultide Gathering kicks into high gear, the focus around here is pretty single-minded...The house has turned into what we like to call "the art explosion". Friends visit and make comments like "Wow - it looks like an art store threw up in here!". Almost every article of clothing is adorned with paint splatters, and on the rare occasions I venture into the outside world, kind strangers point out the bright colors on my face and in my hair.

But hey - according to this article, at least I'm trendy...

Or maybe I was in 2010?

But I digress. In an effort to save myself from being buried under the growing pile of art and supplies, we (the Mice President and myself) did take a few moments yesterday to clear a bit of space on the work table so more than one piece could actually fit. This is a peek at a few of them in progress...

 One finished piece using the new pen and ink technique (loving this!) actually made its way to Etsy yesterday, and was snapped up in moments, with several emails following from other collectors who were seconds too late (sorry, and will try my best to finish another in the coming weeks!)

Commissions have been on the back burner lately, but there are two I hope to finish next week, and whose completion will make me feel much lighter and free to accept a few new orders after the big show.

That accomplished, the next project is one I want to remain a surprise for those attending the show - an occasional table, and my first full-size piece of Halloween furniture! I'm giddy just thinking about it - soooooo many possibilities, and I'm picturing someone using it at a Halloween party,  perhaps with one of my treat bowls or a set of coasters sitting on top...Teeheehee! (That was my best witch's cackle). ;)

OK, back to the studio now, but not before leaving you with a little video of the Ghoultide Gathering's new home - Chelsea, Michigan - hosted by their most famous and long time resident, Jeff Daniels. (HUGE fan, and secretly hoping he's in town and comes to the show, hehe!)...



Until next time,
♥ Carolee

"Wicked Good Tea"

Just popping in with a quick sneak peek at tomorrow's PFATT Marketplace offering...

It will be up for grabs on a first come basis, at 10AM Pacific/1PM eastern. In the meantime, there's a large treat bowl and a spells and potions chest calling my name in the studio...

UPDATE ~ SOLD

Artful Blessings,
♥ Carolee

Congratulations To....

Carrie Lynn - winner of the Wonderland trinket box. And thank so much to everyone for your entries and kind comments. I wish I had ninety two more boxes to give away...But I do hope to have another giveaway very soon, so please do check back!

♥ Carolee

Something New

Although art is a journey, leading us to unexpected places, every once in a while, it's possible to become stuck in a rut - the same palette, the same materials, the same method, the same subject matter, and so on.

As a Halloween artist, I obviously tend to revisit the same themes; childhood memories of setting out, treat buckets in hand on All Hallow's Eve, witches and black cats, the glow of a full harvest moon, and all that goes along with the *magic* of Halloween. And if I'm doing my job right, something in my work will spark emotion; fond memories of celebrations gone by, or anticipation of celebrations yet to come.

But the process...well, sometimes one feels the need to mix it up, just a little.

To this end, I've reunited with a very old friend - the oldest perhaps, and the first medium with which I was ever enamored: pen and ink.

While I fully expect this old love will eventually translate to some two dimensional work (and possibly prints), I've begun with a few highly detailed three dimensional pieces, like this one...

Labor intensive and time consuming to be sure, but with happy results. Like an etching, but on a functional piece.

I actually explored this method a few years ago, in an art "challenge" thrown down by EHAG (The Eclectic Halloween Artists' Guild). The idea was to create a piece inspired by the work of Edward Gorey. Here's what I came up with (now residing with a collector in the Bay area)...

 After the challenge, the idea was tucked away, and only recently resurrected - the result being that my head is now spinning with possibilities for new work - a treat bowl for starters!

The tried and true acrylic pieces will of course continue, like this other little oval box, bound for the October Ghoultide Gathering...

But every once in a while it's fun to step outside the comfort zone, and explore something new.

I'm off to the studio now, and will share a few of these new pieces as they evolve, both here and on facebook. And if you have a few moments, I'd love to hear feedback on the new technique!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee