"Cat and Mouse"

"Cats and mice, 'neath full moon bright, prowl as mortals dream, and witches, goblins, ghosts and ghouls dance on Halloween!

 I have a very special offering for this month's EHAG Emporium, an original checkers game and storage box, hand painted in acrylics, with twenty four very detailed game pieces...

The interior of the box is decoupaged with antiqued papers for an aged effect, and the exterior features the same antiqued finish, with a clear, acrylic varnish added for protection.

  $395, plus insured UPS shipping, which will vary by location.

I had sooooo much fun painting this one, but it was extremely labor intensive, so no additional orders will be taken. It is offered, as always on a first come basis, by emailing me with your intent to purchase at carolee@kingofmice.com. UPDATE ~ SOLD

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my work, and Happy Easter (Yes, I know, leave it to the artists of EHAG to inject a little Hallowe'en into Easter!) ;)

♥ Carolee

"The Salem Sanctuary for Wayward Cats"

I mentioned last week on facebook that I never seem to tire of painting these cat's eyes...

Which is true, but after filling several requests for these innkeeper's signs, I think I finally have it out of my system for awhile, hehe. Although one of these days, given that we have three rescued felines here, I should really paint one for myself. ;)

In the meantime, the very last one is available in the Etsy shop - and since I painted a few of these at a time, I was able to price them well below the regular commissioned price. Future orders would run more. UPDATE ~ SOLD

I'll be back very soon with a photo of Sunday night's EHAG Emporium offering (I know, leave it to the artists of EHAG to inject a little Halloween whimsy into Easter Sunday, right?) ;)

Until then,
♥ Carolee

Ane One More...

I've been on a bit of a roll with these bentwood, oval boxes lately. They're just the perfect size, and perfect, smooth surface for painting...

This black cat box, titled "Friend and Familiar", is keeping the Celtic Hare box company in the Etsy shop, until they find good homes. :) UPDATE ~ ALL SOLD.

I've also added a few prints there, including some inspired by one of my favorite books, "Watership Down".

Back very soon to share a piece for the March EHAG Emporium!

♥ Carolee

New Work!

Just popping in to share the latest two pieces, now up for grabs on Etsy....

I'm not sure which one I had more fun painting, the cat or the hare. :)

Two more are coming very soon (tomorrow or Monday). Thanks as always for taking a peek...

UPDATE ~ The Cosmic Catnip box is sold, and the Celtic Hare box is still available. :)

♥ Carolee

Gertrude of Nivelles

Patron saint of cats and gardeners, and one of my favorite subjects...

She sold before she was even completed, and is now on her way to Australia. I do hope to paint St. Gertrude again soon though, along with Hildegarde of Bingen - two women I find absolutely fascinating, and can think of no better way to honor them than with a humble little painting. ♥

In the meantime, tomorrow is the vernal equinox, which calls for a piece or two featuring rabbits and hares! (Perhaps a couple of mad March hares?)

I will post photos soon, and if you're on facebook, please do find me under "King of Mice Studios". I'm having great fun showing pictures of works-in-progress there, and love to hear comments on the latest efforts. :)

Until next time,
♥ Carolee
PS - Halloween lovers, don't despair - "Malice in Wonderland" is coming soon!

"Life"...

...."is what happens while you are busy making other plans."  ~ John Lennon

This couldn't be more true, as we were reminded very recently, when a respiratory infection we'd both been fighting attacked John's heart and lungs, resulting in another hospital stay.

After rushing him to the doctor, then up to the Reading Hospital ER, he was triaged in minutes, and admitted shortly thereafter. They began breathing treatments immediately, added some big-guns antibiotics and a few other meds, and thankfully in a few days he was responding to treatment. The hospital staff couldn't have been nicer, and with the exception of a pulmonologist who was a no-show for a couple of days, the doctors were wonderful too.

So I'm happy to report that after an eight day stay, he's home again, albeit feeling extremely fatigued, which we suspect is a side effect of one of the new meds. Frustrating, but he's breathing again, and for that we are grateful. ♥

Needless to say, work in the studio slowed down considerably during this time, and now I find myself scrambling to catch up. The current work-in-progress is the annual painting of St Gertrude of Nivelles, (shown here before any detail is added), and I must say, she's just the thing to calm my frazzled nerves, and inspire peace and tranquility...

 I'll share a photo of the completed piece in the next day or two. :)

Other works in progress include a couple of cat pieces ("The Salem Sanctuary for Wayward Cats"), and there's an equinox piece in the conceptual stage right now. It will be a spring hare, and the goal is to actually paint it on the day of the vernal equinox (this coming Wednesday, the 20th). I like to think the pieces painted on these special days are infused with a bit of *magic*. ;)

Things have been busy on the home front too, keeping up with housekeeping, taking care of the five furkids, cooking, and working on a couple of knitting projects. I'm about to become a great aunt again, which is inspiring all kinds of knitted goodies, beginning with an organic cotton blanket.

So that's about it for now, and I'll be back very soon with a few photos of new work, both available and commissioned.

Thanks as always for stopping by, and thanks especially to all those who've been following my page on facebook, offering prayers and good wishes for John, and being so supportive and enthusiastic about my work. You bless me greatly.

♥ Carolee

"The Enchanted Garden"

Up for grabs on today's PFATT Marketplace,  a sign to welcome the *magical* folk to your garden...

$145 + shipping, which will vary by location. Email me at carolee@kingofmice.com to purchase. :)

UPDATE ~ SOLD

♥ Carolee

For Black Cat Lovers

I never, ever, tire of painting cat's eyes. They're so hypnotic, especially my Merlin (such a handsome boy)...

This piece, measuring 11" x 20 1/2", is up for grabs on a first-come basis, then it will go on Etsy later tonight. Long story involving more health issues for The Mice President, but the short version is I'm letting this go for $135 + shipping (well below the usual $165 - $195 price) to facilitate a quick sale. If you're interested, please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com. UPDATE - SOLD.

Thanks so much for taking a peek at my latest work, and I'll be back very soon!
♥ Carolee