Spring Fever!

Maybe it's the unseasonable warm weather we're having this winter, but spring fever is working it's magic in the studio, inspiring a new Easter/Ostara piece...

This one listed on Etsy last night, and sold just minutes later, but look for another whimsical spring piece (possibly a bowl) coming soon. :)

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Moon Gazing Hares and a Tiny Surprise!

"A Young Hare" by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528)

There times when researching a piece can be almost as fun as the painting process, when one story or tale leads you to another and another and another, until you fall down the proverbial Rabbit Hole - pun intended in this case, as the research this week has been about moon gazing hares, their presence in both eastern and western myth and legend, connection to the Goddess Eostre, and evolution into what we know today as the Easter Bunny. ;)

It's that time of year, when inspiration is found in all things Celtic and magical, and all things symbolizing rebirth and fertility...Then of course, there's the whole "Mad as a March Hare" thing...It's all just too rich and vivid not to paint! Soooooo, long story short, if you're tiring of seeing Hares and Rabbits here, I'll ask you to indulge me just a weeeeeee bit longer - and I promise I'll throw a bit of Halloween into the mix as well. :)

Speaking of which, there's a little black cat piece I call "Surprise!" up for grabs on eBay at the moment...

If you click here and check out the listing, you'll see the little surprise inside the drawer. ;)

That's about it for today, and I have much painting to do, so I'll close here. I promise to share the finished moon gazing hare piece both here and on facebook before listing it.

In the meantime, I wish you all a magical and creative rest-of-the-weekend...

Back very soon!

♥ Carolee

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. :)