Enchantment, Metamorphosis, and Gratitude

Ever have one of those weeks where things seem a bit surreal, as if you were outside your body, watching events unfold from a distance? It's been a bit like that around here this week...

I've painted two pieces I'm super pleased with, the first depicting the trio of witches from Shakespeare's "Macbeth", dancing around a bubbling cauldron. I wanted to give it an enchanted sort of feeling, and hope I succeeded...

There's a reserve on this one ($250), owing to the many hours (days, actually) of work involved. I'm hoping it finds a good home. :)

The second piece is a box, which began with a black cat design, but morphed into something a little lighter, with a tuxedo cat and magical butterfly...

"Metamorphosis" - the profound change an organism goes through as it passes from one state of being into the next - has been on my mind a lot this week, as we, along with family and friends, come to terms with the prospect of losing someone very dear, far too young and far too soon.

Sometimes life's events make their way into the work, completing it in a way I couldn't have planned.

Life has also thrown us a few curve balls as John begins the second half of his first round of radiation treatments. He's tolerating the treatment well, but is now experiencing some rather painful burns. They're working to deal with it, but in the meantime, he's having a bit of discomfort.

Still, we remain grateful for the availability of treatment, for the optimistic prognosis (about 80% chance at remission) and for the support and encouragement of family and friends. It never ceases to amaze me, in any kind of crisis or challenge, when my assumptions about who genuinely cares, or who offers some sort of kindness, are completely turned upside down.

With that in mind, I'd like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who've been there for us during this latest health challenge. We love you all, and could not get through this without you. ♥

On that note, I'll say goodnight. It's been a very long day, and I'll wake again in about 4 1/2 hours...

I'll be back again with more new work and ramblings very soon. In the meantime, hold those you love a little closer this week. As the events in Japan (and sometimes in our own backyard) remind us, life is incredibly fragile, and can change in an instant...

Much love,
~ Carolee

Ups and Downs, Highs and Lows, Smiles and Sadness

It's been a crazy week here....and has it really been a whole week since I've visited? Sometimes working at home (and largely in fantasyland) can completely throw you off...Not that I've ever had much of a sense of time or date. Don't wear a watch, don't really have any clocks in the house, except on the computer of course...Just not much of a schedule kind o gal, I guess.

So it's no surprise I completely forgot John's birthday until two days before, when a birthday card arrived in the mail (thanks, Mom!). Better get moving, right?

Yet once again time got away, two days became one, and I found myself here with no present (not unusual, we don't really do birthday gifts) no card, and no cake. I foraged in the pantry for a chocolate cake mix, unsweetened chocolate - anything chocolate really - and came up empty handed. But I did find a strawberry cake mix. And enough sugar and butter for icing. And strawberries in the fridge. And pink glitter sprinkles....I know, I know, not exactly a guy kinda cake, but it sure sounded good. ;)

Ten minutes later, pink cupcakes in the oven. In Mary Englebreit "Queen of Everything" cupcake wrappers, no less. Figured I may as well just go for broke, hehe.

The Fresh strawberries in the icing made it more of a glaze, but they're soooooooo good. Happy 53rd!

Cupcakes also made an appearance in the art this week, with these two little paintings. One sold right away, but one is still up for grabs, at least until this evening. I love the little red buttons as cherries on top of the cakes.

I'm also busy with commissions this week, and am VERY excited about a new illustration project waiting in the wings, which is a bit of a secret at the moment - actually for a while. But it has my head absolutely spinning with magical images and ideas, which tends to have a kind of snowball effect, one idea sparking another, sparking another and so on. I always marvel at people who say they run out of ideas. I mean, how does that happen? I've always found creativity to be exponential - it just multiplies indefinitely, on and on, ideas and images swirling around until you hope you can capture even a tiny fraction of what you dream....

Which brings me to another place of vivid imagination, the EHAG Emporium! This is only our second month, but we're all just so excited about this event, I can't even tell you. The update will happen on the 31st (next Wednesday) at 9PM eastern, with the absolute finest in Halloween art up for grabs on a first come basis. Can't wait!!

In the meantime, there are weekly giveaways on the blog - this week's being a wonderfully whimsical ornament from EHAG artist Linda Kennon, the Gourdqueen...

Be sure to drop by and enter.:)

Those are the ups....But unfortunately there have been a few downs this week as well.

It's with a very heavy, but still hopeful heart that I share a request for prayers and positive, healing energy. You may remember the Penny Tree Auction a few posts back....A beautiful feather tree adorned with ornaments created by the artists of the PFATT group, in honor of Penny McAllister, who has been fighting acute leukemia for the last several months. (Proceeds were donated to the Alabama chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society).

We all heard yesterday that Penny is fighting for her very life now, so I'm asking you to please send up a prayer if you're so inclined, for Penny's healing and recovery, and for strength for her family and friends.

UPDATE - Penny lost her very brave battle with cancer this past Friday. Please say a prayer for her family and friends at this most difficult time.

A dear friend of mine is spending time at her Father's bedside this week too, as this very good man spends the last days of his life with family and friends before joining his late wife. Again, if you're inclined to prayer, please send one up for my friend and her Father, for strength and comfort as he makes this last journey.

Overall, it's been quite a week - ups and downs, highs and lows, smiles and tears...and so it goes. As we celebrate John's birthday today, we'll remember how truly precious this life is, and how important is is to find magic in every single moment.

In closing, a little thought all the anger and animosity I've seen in the news and on the internet this week; life is too short. Rather than trying to tear something down, rather than anger and fear, let's focus on compassion and building something that truly works. We're all in this together, and caring for each other fiercely should be our first priority. :)

Until next time, wishing you much love, and many magical moments...
♥ Carolee

Of Whimsy and Magic and Childlike Wonder...

Like the banner above suggests, I feel pretty strongly it's all about the whimsy - be it Halloween or faeries, critters or creatures, you can HAVE the "darker" side of things. I mean, really, you can have it. To paraphrase something a fellow Halloween artist/friend said recently, if horror movies and gory Halloween props disappeared from the face of the earth tomorrow, I'd be a happy girl. I'm sorry but I will just never see how murder and mayhem constitutes entertainment. Life is too short and too precious to dwell on the ugly side of things, don't you think?

For me, it's all about the magic - that wide-eyed sense of wonder we felt as children, dressing up on Halloween and setting out at twilight, treat buckets in hand....

Speaking of which, I have a bit of that magic to share with you now...six minutes of Halloween eye candy, beautifully put together by Scott Smith of Rucus Studio:


Wasn't that just magical?!

It has me absolutely giddy with anticipation, and it's only February! At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if you're within striking distance, this show is a MUST SEE. Sooooooooo much fun. And if you visit the site, there's a list of this year's artists posted (which even for the fourth year makes me feel like a little kid sitting at the grown ups table, hehe) :)

See you there?!

In the meantime, I have another bit of whimsy to share - a tea chest finished just yesterday, and listed now on eBay.

I love the little mousie-witch hanging on to the cat's tail, and am thinking I need to paint a few more cat and mice pieces. They're just too fun.

A couple of Easter pieces are in the works as well, and of course, more Halloween, because it's NEVER too early.

Right now I'm off to brew up some of my own tea, watch the snowflakes fly (yet again, *sigh*) and play with paint and glitter.

Wishing you a day of magic and whimsy!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

Of Quiet Snow and Possibility...

Have you ever experienced a snowfall that seems like pure magic?

There was just such a snowfall last night...

We'd heard the predictions, but errands (shipping to be precise) wouldn't wait, so off we went in the little Beetle. We made it to the post office, thankful it was still clear, and decided to stop by the market for provisions our way home. Mission accomplished, we wheeled the shopping cart out of the store just as the snow began. Not a heavy and wet snow, but fine and sparkling, making it seem as though the faeries had dusted the evening in glitter.

I'm VERY bad about remembering to take my camera when I go out, so can't show you photos, but trust me, it was truly beautiful. We made it home down country roads with no problem and safely home, settled in to watch this movie. (If you haven't seen it, you really must!)

This morning, we awakened very early to find everything blanketed in white. Although it's only a couple of inches, you can barely see the pond...

And this old birdhouse looks covered in fluffy cotton...

I think snow takes on a magical quality when it's pin-drop quiet, and for some reason is WAS this morning; where we usually hear the neighbors out shoveling veeeerrrrrry early, chickadees were the only sound. Alas, one of us had to go do the eight to five thing....but the OTHER one of us gets to make a pot of tea, light a few candles, and soak up all this beauty as she paints and contemplates the endless possibilty this artful life presents. Today, it's a tea chest with a magical moonlight tea party (I'll share more photos when it's finished!)

Tomorrow, who knows. I have this amazing stash of wood taking up half the living room at the moment, so you can see what I mean when I say endless possibility, hehe...


And as if all this isn't enough to inspire, a very dear cyber friend just contacted me this morning about a possible collaboration. More on this later, but I'm VERY excited. :)

Oh - and I almost forgot! The winner to the "Collector Love" giveaway (scroll back to the December posts) is Barbara, a truly wonderful collector from an island in the pacific northwest, which just happens to be one island away from where my Mother grew up - how cool is that? Congrats, Barbara - I'll send the black cat Valentine box on it's way very soon!

Finally, Thanks very much to everyone who visited the grand opening of the new EHAG Emporium! Many items have already sold, but my apothecary chest and few others are still up for grabs, so if you haven't already, please do take a peek. :)

That's about it for now...I'm off to savor that morning tea now, and turn some of this possibility into reality. Wishing you a day of the same!

Blessings,
♥ Carolee

Winter Magic

Since moving east some 17 years ago (having longed for ages to live where the cycle of the year was more apparent than it was in our California beach town) the change of seasons never fails to signal a change in my outlook. Spring is all about possibility and new beginnings. Summer is about abundance and productivity. Autumn is a time for harvest and reflection, home and hearth. And winter....well, winter is pure *magic*. :)

Since childhood, when my grandfather would sneak outside and ring sleighbells, and my parents would tell us tales of the elves at the North Pole making candy (this happened whenever there was a pink sunset)...when I would sit for hours reading the original Brother's Grimm and Andersen's Fairy Tales (a gift from my great aunt Marguerite) or see "the Nutcracker", I've always thought of this time of year as more magical than the other seasons.

The only detention I ever received was in high school, when the first snow of the year began falling heavily as I sat in Algebra. Now really, how are you supposed to sit in a classroom when there are angels to be made in a field of newly fallen snow? (Which is exactly what I did, along with a partner in crime who is still one of my dearest friends)...Magic like that cannot be ignored.

When my own child came along, I wanted her to experience the magic too, so the season became one of story telling, cookie baking, paint and glitter, and of course, The Nutcracker - which she not only loved as much as I did, but eventually grew to dance. She tells me now that this is her favorite season, and I feel as if in some small way, I've succeeded. And one day, I know she'll pass that magic on to her own children.

But for now, with no children in the house, I find the magic making it's way into my work...

An auburn haired angel with crystal halo....

A snowy owl, bestowing Blessings of the Season....


And a whimsical cat, soaring high above the clouds, pouring warmth and goodness from his magical teapot....

As of this writing, the angel is still up for auction, and the owl and tea chest have a "buy it now" option, so as to allow earliest possible shipping. :)

The magic continues tomorrow with painting of course, and hopefully a bit of cookie and bread baking. Our celebration is a bit more low-key this year, with John home recovering from heart surgery, and me hobbling around the house on an injured ankle (I've so far refused steroids, but am now re-thinking, haha).

Do you have a particular magical winter memory, or tradition? Please do share....

In the meantime, I'll say goodnight, and sweet dreams. And thank you from the bottom of my heart for dropping by, for taking the time to look at my work, and for your lovely comments. :)

Wishing you a season of peace, magic and joy,

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

Magic in the Air, and Bit of a Scattered Post....

Remember the movie Chocolat, where the clever north wind blows magic into the little French village?

We awoke this morning to just such a wind - dark, bluish-grey clouds moving very quickly, interspersed with sunlight, and the loudest wooooosh through the trees.....

Merlin and Arthur were behaving the way cats do when something is afoot - running from window to window, wide eyed, and a little agitated.

Taking it as a sign, I descended the stairs, put the Chocolat soundtrack in the CD player, lit some candles, filled the tea kettle and set right to work sketching a new piece with a gypsy theme. More on that later...

First I have to show you yesterday's project - a wine bottle holder and two hand painted glasses. I've listed it on eBay with an offer to personalize the glasses. How fun would this set be for an October wedding or anniversary!?

The wine shown here (not included) is a bottle of "Witch's Brew" a wonderful collector turned me onto last year when we were up in Michigan for the Ghoultide Gathering. I loved the bottle so much I had to grab a case on the way out of town, hehe....A wine connoisseur I'm definitely not, my method for choosing wine entirely based on the cool label and limited budget factors. ;)

Moving right along, the Fairy Tale Princess chest is listed again, with the reserve dropped to $300. A commission on this chest would run almost three times that, but I'm trying to think about the economy, and do need to sell it. I'm also offering personalization on this one, at the base of the chest. Soooooooo, if you know any real life fairy princesses...

Let's see....what else? Oh! My workspace is completely organized now! Thanks to Courtney, who was home for a weekend visit, and decided to brave years worth of accumulated art supplies (some purchased twice because I'd lost the first ones!), scraps of paper, paint, old hardware, glitter, wood, gourds, glue, material, ribbon, wire, varnish, brushes, canvas....well, you get the idea. I knew it was bad last summer when a friend visited and declared "It looks like Michaels threw up in here!". I knew she was right, but lacked the time to actually DO anything about it. Enter my darling daughter, who has amazing organizational skills (no CLUE where she gets that from) and presto-chango - CLEAN workspace!

YAY for great kids.

That's about it for today....I'm off to pour another cup of tea and work on that gypsy piece now - which I hope to share later. In the meantime, have a magical, creative day, all!

♥ Carolee

Enchantment...

There's sooooooo much magic afoot, I hardy know where to begin.....

First, it's SUCH a perfect day here in southwestern Pennsylvania - the sky is the most incredible shade of blue, the birdsongs sound like a symphony, the yellow water irises in the pond are in full bloom and the neighborhood children are still in school, which means no skateboards or minibikes - yet, haha. I'm enjoying it while I can. ;)

Magic is afoot in the studio too - have to share the latest piece with you (although it sold almost instantly)...I LOVE these ornament chests, but only have a couple left now, and I'm hoarding them, hehe....



Excitement is also beginning to build for the wicked cool Ghoultide Gathering Show, up in Northville, Michigan. If you're on my mailing list and within a day's drive, look for a postcard this summer! I can't tell you how incredible this show is...basically it's Halloween eye candy everywhere you look...SUCH a good time, and of course, the best part is meeting collectors in person!

There's web magic afoot as well, with the fabulous Vanessa Valencia's Mad Tea Party approaching! I just may have to paint a super whimsical tea pot or tea box for this one...

And finally, there's the Enchanted Revelry of Tristan Robin Blakeman - quilt artist and blogger extraordinaire, whose kind words about my work on his blog this week absolutely made my day!! If you haven't seen Tristan's blog and his incredible work, DO run over there - You'll instantly get why it's called "Enchanted Revelry" - truly, truly magical!

And now I'm off to put some tunes in the CD player, open the skylight over my work table, and see what further magic the day brings....a set of Halloween coasters? A raven totem piece? Some sculpting? We'll see....

In the meantime, however you spend it, I hope your day is filled with enchantment!

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

Once Upon a Time....

There lived an artist.

She grew up in a world of her own, and while other children spent their time playing and watching television, she could be found drawing and daydreaming, or reading fantastical tales about mythical lands.

"You're like a blankety-blank butterfly!" her father, the king would shout in exasperation.

She took it as a compliment. ;)

For she was the only butterfly in a family of worker bees. She was different. She was colorful. She could make magic happen with her pencils and paintbrushes.

The worker bees went on to achieve great things in a land called Business. They lived comfortable lives, in beautiful homes, filled with expensive things, and shook their heads at the artist-butterfly, not understanding at all how she could live such a precarious life, flitting from one place to the next, one creation to the next, her spirit free but her future uncertain.

And to tell you a little secret, sometimes the artist would wonder herself about the path she'd taken. Times when she struggled. Times when she wished things were easier.

Then, she would pick up her pencils and paintbrushes. And it was like magic. It was the closest thing to Sacred she'd ever felt, almost like a prayer.

And she wished everyone could feel like this. :)

~ The End ~

New Work, Old Hardware and an Altogether Productive Day

Just have to share this one with you....

I was going for a kind of magical feel with the black cat and sparkly dragonflies, and hope I succeeded. Actually, I think ALL cats are magical, but black cats are especially good luck - and I read somewhere that in ancient Japanese culture dragonflies represented good fortune and protection....the perfect combination of magical creatures, yes?

Have to add, I'm having sooooooo much fun sculpting these paperclay accents, and have another very special black cat piece in the works too. I won't give away too much of the surprise, but the little sculpt on it will be a mouse!

Today was one of those incredbibly productive days - made Swedish pancakes with fresh berries for breakfast (one of John's favorites), finished the treasure box shown above, ran to the architectural salvage place for skeleton keys and assorted antique hardware, picked up some wire (which I have to add to the sculpted kitty as whiskers - completely forgot before I took the photos!), stopped at the grocery store, and made it home in time to throw together a pretty great salad for dinner - penne, arugula, sun dried tomatoes and roasted pine nuts - yum! (If anyone is interested in the recipes, let me know). :)

Oh - can't forget this! Please click here to check out the EHAG Art blog Skeleton Key Hunt and blog giveaway...



The fun begins tomorrow!

And for another fun giveaway, click here to check the PFATT blog!

Back again soon...

♥ Carolee

A Magical, Sparkly, Creative New Year!

I'm not normally what you'd call a "New Years" kind of person; I don't make resolutions, I don't do the traditional (in these parts anyway) pork and sauerkraut New Year's Day dinner (and while we're at it, um - eeeeeewwwww!) I don't go to parties or stay up to watch the ball drop, and I'd rather have root canal than watch football....

But this hasn't been the typical year.

So I must admit I'm feeling a little excited about seeing it come to a close, and imagining all the possibilities a bright, shiny new 2009 holds....

As I said, no resolutions. But perhaps a few intentions:

An uncluttered....no wait - make that a less cluttered workspace. Maybe some new, taller book shelves to store the contents of assorted bins and cardboard boxes.

A few more days off. It's important to replenish the creative well once in a while. ;)

More blog giveaways. I LOVE giveaways!!

Longer walks with the Aussies. THEY love walks (and I need them, hehe!)

A line of fine art prints and notecards on Etsy (stay tuned!)

More time counting my many blessings. :)

Finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who's purchased my work, placed bids, commented here on the blog or sent encouraging emails throughout year! As challenging as 2008 has been, it's also been such a gift getting to "know" everyone here in bloglandia...I feel like part of a very special creative community, and I know 2009 will be filled with even more magic and creativity!

Oh - and before I forget, the trio you see above are listed individually on Etsy now (sooooooooo proud of myself for finally getting something listed, teehee!)

Wishing everyone a magic, sparkly, shiny and CREATIVE New Year!

´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ ~ Carolee (throwing confetti!)