Peace Angels

Just popping in to share the latest batch of ornaments...As I type this, one has been claimed and four are available...

They're $45 + shipping. To capture one, just shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com.

Thanks for visiting, and I'll be back very soon with new work!

♥ Carolee

Happy Saint Nicholas Day!

Just popping in to share today's project - four St. Nicholas ornaments to honor this, his Dec. 6th feast day, and to honor the source of our modern day Santa Claus tradition....

Each ornament is 4 1/2" tall, hand painted in acrylics, and sealed with an acrylic varnish. They're $53 including shipping in the US, and as of typing this, one is already sold (they were posted a few minutes ago on Facebook too) and the others are available on a first-come basis.

If you'd like to claim one, email me at carolee@kingofmice.com :)

Thanks for taking a peek, and I'll be back very soon with new work!

♥ Carolee

A Bittersweet Tribute

I've been crazy busy in the studio these last few days, following a little pre-Thanksgiving getaway with the Mice President. (more on that another time) For now, I want to show you the latest pieces, the first a rather bittersweet tribute to all the feral kitties out there, trying to stay warm this winter...

 Many years ago I purchase a CD (a Canadian compilation, as I remember), called "Christmas Songs", and it included this sad, sweet tune that served as a reminder of what sweet creatures cats are, and to always do what we can to offer them shelter, especially in the colder months. (Warning: you may need a couple of tissues for this)...


Was I right?

Anyway, back to the piece I painted. It was inspired by this bittersweet song, and painted in honor of all the sweet ferals out there looking for a home. The piece measures 11" long x 7 3/4" wide  x 4 1/2" deep, and is painted in acrylics on a bentwood box, and finished with a clear, acrylic varnish. Inside, I've painted the cat constellation....

It will be available on Etsy later this evening.

In the meantime, there are a couple of other pieces available there, "Santa Paws" (a piece honoring dog rescue), and this little snow leopard ornament - the last of six, five of them already claimed...

I like how the blue background sets off his eyes. :)

There will be more ornaments coming soon, and as always, I'll be sharing previews on Facebook, so please do click the link on the right hand sidebar and find me there!

OK, back to work I go - many Yuletide goodies to paint, and a newsletter to get out too (to be added to my mailing list just shoot me a message or email)....

Wishing you a warm and wonderful December!

♥ Carolee

Winner!

Thanks to everyone who visited my little Halloween party and left a comment on the previous post. The giveaway winner is Beverly E. :)

♥ Carolee

It's a *PaRtY*! It's a *GiVeAwAy*!! It's *HaLLowEEn*!!!

Yes, it's that time of year again - Miss Vanessa Valencia's annual Halloween Party/Blog Hop. For those new to the experience, here's how it works. If you click HERE it will take you to Party Central, where you'll find a sidebar list of Halloween revelers who've prepared Halloween party blog posts for your enjoyment - visit a few, visit them all - comment if you can (we all adore comments!) and well...just enjoy!

But first, now that you're HERE, do sit down and grab a cupcake....

And maybe a spot of tea from the *magical* Halloween tea chest?

Go ahead, you choose...

I think I'll have a cup of that lemon-ginger. Sooooooo good. ;)

 

You know, one of these days, I'm going to have a FOR REAL Witch's Tea Party, complete with wild hats, striped stockings and wicked good brew! Of course, the problem for a Halloween artist is that October is the craziest, busiest month of the year...but still, maybe a tea for my fellow Halloween artist and collector friends? Must think about this and find a way to make it happen. ;)

In the meantime, this cyber-party thing is quite fun, don't you think?

Oh - and before I forget, I have a little giveaway to share, just my way of saying "thanks for stopping by"....

On Halloween night, I'll draw a name from among the comments here (you MUST leave me a way to contact you too), and will offer a credit to my Etsy shop in the amount of two free prints of your choosing, OR any one ornament of those remaining. I think there are three ornaments left as I write this, but go take a peek. Here's one of my favorites, a sparkly cupcake....

It's hand painted by Yours truly, and initialed very small on the back (which says "Wicked Sweet!").

Thank you so much for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere, and joining me in a cup of cyber-tea.  I know you have other blogs to visit, other parties to attend, so I won't keep you. It's been just *magical*, and I hope you have a very Happy Halloween!

♥ Carolee

Santa Paws!

As Halloween work winds down for the year, Christmas and Yule begins with a piece to honor all those who rescue; "Santa Paws" is a very special fellow who travels the earth finding forever homes for all his canine companions....
 

He's 21" tall, and hand painted in acrylics with a clear, acrylic varnish....

And there's a little surprise on the back. ;)

As of typing this, he's available in the Etsy shop, and I so hope he finds a good home for the holidays (I think he'd make a terrific gift for someone who rescues!)

I'll be away for a little R and R this weekend, but will pop in with a peek at new work when I return. In the meantime, have a happy, safe, and *FuN* Halloween!!

♥ Carolee

Autumn and Ghoultide and Road Trips, Oh My!

First, I'd like to offer a heartfelt apology for neglecting my poor little blog here - and by extension those of you who don't do Facebook. I tend to assume the entire world is connected there, which is dangerous slope. I mean, whatever happened to REAL LIFE, anyway? Fifteen years ago, friends were making comments like "Oh, Carolee will get a computer when they invent a woodburning model"...

Yet here I sit in front of a screen, making my living, making friendships, and sometimes making myself crazy keeping up with it all, hehe. ♥

Soooooooo, here's my favorite season in full swing, and I'm determined to stop and take note, and make the absolute MOST out of it......Apples. Pumpkins. Shawls. Leaves crunching underfoot. Comfy jeans and big sweaters. Knitting projects. Soups simmering on the stove. Candles lit. And of course, sharing my favorite weekend of the year - Ghoultide!

Let's begin with some pictures. The first few are my own work, and I'll share the other artists' work as it appears, with apologies to those I missed (quite a few of the photos I took were washed out due to the flash)...

 

(I had soooooo much fun painting this clock!)

 Allen Cunningham's wonderful display....

David Schilling, The Shadow Farm...

Dustin Poche...

Jennie Hepler-Takens, The Prim Pumpkin...

Jody Battaglia...

Joyce Stahl, Enchanted Productions...

Kerry Howard Schmidt, Paper Moon Gallery...

Kevin Buntin...

Laurie Hardin, Monkey Cats Studio...

Lori Ann Corelis, The Spotted Hare...

Lucky Stradley's pottery....

Nicol Sayre....

Nicole Johnson, Mealy Monster Land...

Nancy Malay, Victorian Whimsies...

Paul Gordon....

Scott Smith, Rucus Studio....

Sheila Bentley....

Sue Bartolucci, Tinsell and Whimsey...

Sylvia Smiser, Annaboo Creations...

Will Bezek...

Pam Gracia, Soft in the Head....

 
 My helper this year, Debbie, with artist Jerry Arnold as the Crying Baby, lol....

I can't begin to tell you what a *magical* weekend it was! Truly my favorite weekend of the whole year, spending time with dear friends and fellow artists, meeting collectors and making new friends....like one big Halloween party - more of an experience than a show! And for those already planning for NEXT year, the tentative date is October 3rd - I can't wait, and hope to see some of you there!

In the meantime, there are a very few of my originals from the show available in the Etsy shop, and I've re-stocked all the prints as well. :)

In other news, the next road trip I'll be taking (weather and finances permitting) will be west through Pittsburgh and over into Ohio to see dear friends, then south to the Asheville N.C. area to spend Thanksgiving with my Mom and Stepdad, then east to the Charleston, S.C. area to see another dear friend. This will be John's first road trip since Ghoultide 2011, and I know he's looking forward to getting out of town for a bit.

Soooooo, between now and then, I'll be immersed in commission work and Christmas/Yule pieces and ornaments....and hopefully taking the occasional day to enjoy this breathtaking season.

Until next time (and I promise it will be much sooner!)

♥ Carolee

"Sisters"

Just popping in to share the latest original painting, an 8" x 10" on gallery wrapped canvas (no need for a frame), inspired by one of my all time favorite books/movies, "Practical Magic"...

The quote around the edge is from the book by Alice Hoffman. I think it would make a wonderful gift between sisters!

It's available now in the Etsy shop, and will ship priority mail, or can be drop-shipped as a gift. Thanks for taking a peek, and I'll be back very soon with new work! UPDATE ~ SOLD

♥ Carolee