*A Little Halloween Nostalgia*

When I was kid, Halloween was just plain FUN. It was magical season and a magical night, where we could be whoever we wanted, stay out late (sans parental supervision if we were old enough) and eat enough candy to make us thoroughly sick of it until at least Christmas.

It was about jumping in piles of autumn leaves, carving pumpkins as Mom roasted the seeds in the oven, and choosing just the right costume - one that would win the costume contest at school, elicit praise from the grown ups and win the wide eyed admiration of our friends.

My favorite costume was always a gypsy. Tiered skirts that flew out as I twirled, playing with make-up, multiple beaded necklaces, long, jangly, hoop earrings, and the brightest head scarf I could find in Mom's scarf drawer. St. Laurent or Hermes, it didn't matter - it was a special night, so she allowed me to choose from even the "good" ones.

We'd rush home from school, and wait for what seemed like FOREVER until it was dark enough to set out, pillowcases in hand. No treat buckets for us. We meant business, hitting every residential neighborhood we could in a couple of hours, and that meant a large candy haul.

Once we were home, the trading began. Lollipops weren't worth much, nor were pennies. Toothbrushes were the WORST (always dispensed by the local dentist). But Snickers and Reese's Cups - especially the full size bars (remember when people still gave those out?) were highly prized. Milk Duds were also good, as were Sugar Daddies. Remember Sugar Daddies? Try googling that today and see what happens - yikes!

Okay, now this is the part where I start to sound like an old lady, so feel free to exit if this annoys you, lol...

But when did Halloween become all about blood and gore and horror? About gross and/or skimpy costumes, and drinking too much?

What happened to the *magic*?

Last year I was just heartbroken to open the front door to "Trick or TRREEEEEEAT!!" from two little girls dressed like, well - like hookers. When I asked them what they were, they proudly said "We're Hookers!" They couldn't have been more than ten or twelve. So sad...

I suppose in large part, all this nostalgia is why I'm part of the Halloween art community, and proud to play whatever small part I can in keeping the magic alive. Sure, there's a frightening element to Halloween (in a "BOO!" kind of way, hehe)...and I personally LOVE the work of artists like Scott Smith, whose incredible work always seem to achieve just the right balance between whimsy and "eek!".

Another favorite is Joyce Stahl, whose characters "put a smile on your face just before they bite", hehe. Perfect!

Or Lori Rudolph, whose characters have that happy, old world nostalgic feel, with just a touch of menace in their expressive faces.

There are others as well, too numerous to mention (although if you check out EHAG, you'll find most of them) This is the Halloween I love. You can HAVE the dead baby art (using the term "art" loosely here), the blood and gore, the animatronic horror...In fact, I'd be quite happy if that aspect of Halloween disappeared altogether.

Give me the childlike wonder and *magic* every time, and please let me play even the tiniest part in keeping it alive.

That's what Halloween is all about. ;)

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

A Big Thank You...

...To all who visited yesterday's blog sale! All pieces are spoken for now, save the large painting, which will probably list on eBay Tuesday evening. (UPDATE - The painting is sold.)

In the meantime, I've also listed a couple of trinket boxes, on a three day auction, with a buy-it-now option. :)

This is a bit of a crazy week, with shipping galore, commissions to finish, some sign painting work at the vet (gotta love bartering!) and a bit of socializing too, as I join a friend to visit another friend who is showing her wonderful Halloween work this weekend.

It's also the week for Vanessa Valencia's fabulous online Halloween party, but since I'll be out of town on Saturday, I must remember to take some party photos earlier in the week! This may be just the occasion to break out my new Halloween tea cozy and Practical Magic mug. ;)

And did I mention the rest of October is pretty nuts too?! TWO Halloween parties, cabin ladies weekend (more on this later) and dealing with the roofers yet again, *sigh*...

Wish me luck! ;)

♥ Carolee

Halloween Blog Sale

It's that time of year again! Despite all the work flying like crazy at last weekend's Ghoultide Gathering, there are just a few pieces remaining (some of my favorites too!) and I need to make room around here for new work.

There are five pieces offered below, all up for grabs on a first-come basis, and since there are no eBay fees to contend with, at prices reduced anywhere from 15% to 20%.

To purchase a piece, please email me at carolee@kingofmice.com, and I will mark it sold. I accept paypal, credit card by phone, personal checks and money orders, and will ship fully insured via USPS or UPS, whichever is more cost effective.

Here are the goodies (Please click the photos to enlarge)....

"Hocus Pocus", acrylic on a solid pine innkeeper's sign...

Measures 11" x 20 1/2", signed and dated. $135 plus shipping. ~ SOLD ~

"Halloween Haven", acrylic on a solid pine innkeeper's sign...

Measures 11" x 20 1/2", signed and dated. $125 plus shipping. ~ SOLD ~

"The Magical Millinery", acrylics on a large, framed, cherry wood panel...

Measures 19" x 20 1/2", signed and dated, $185 plus shipping ~ SOLD ~

"Cast a Spell", acrylics on a wooden platter...

Measures 16" in diameter, $250 plus shipping. ~ SOLD ~

"Flight", large acrylic painting on a framed, wood panel, with brass plaque...

Measures 34" x 26", $595 plus shipping, with two payment terms offered. ~ SOLD ~

Thanks for taking a peek, and again, for questions or to purchase, just email me at carolee@kingofmice.com. I will answer all emails as soon as possible. :)

♥ Carolee

Blog Sale at 9PM Eastern

Just a heads up that I'll be offering five new pieces here on the blog this evening, instead of, or prior to listing them on eBay. Since direct sales eliminate eBay fees (and I need to make room for new work around here!) the prices will be a bit less than the usual "buy it now" on similar work.

Shipping will depend on location, but I'll stick as close to actual shipping plus insurance as possible, and will be offering two-payment terms on the largest piece (a framed painting).

All sales will be on a first-come basis, and sorry, no orders will be taken. Hope to see you tonight! :)

♥ Carolee

"Nevermore!"

A sneak peek at this month's PFATT Marketplace offering, a treat or treasure box featuring finely detailed pen and ink raven, with a single Swarovski crystal...

Instead of midnight, the Marketplace will update at 9AM Pacific time on Saturday the 10th, and this one of a kind piece will be up for grabs to the first person to email. I had great fun with this one, but due to the time consuming nature of the process, will not be accepting orders for similar pieces.

There are still five pieces up for grabs on eBay too, and I hope to offer a couple of larger paintings here on the blog very soon.

In the meantime, I hope this finds you enjoying this most magical of seasons!!

Back very soon....
♥ Carolee

Goodbye and God Speed

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Long Island this morning for my dear friend Danny Lehne Foley. And while I'm just heartsick at being unable to attend (was unaware of the arrangements until it was too late to arrange transportation to New York) I'd like to pay tribute to Danny here on my blog in whatever small way I can.


Danny and I met in 1997 when I became involved in the Alliance for Tolerance and Freedom, a local organization promoting tolerance and inclusion in an area not particularly known for either. As a fellow board member, Danny worked tirelessly on GLBT issues, fundraising events, as well as the organization's annual Stop the Hate rally in Lancaster, and the Progressive Voice awards event. He was also an advocate for the homeless, collecting clothing and blankets for the Crispus Attucks Community Center, where he volunteered as much as he was able, given his many health issues.

When I met him, Danny wore a beeper around his neck. A diabetic since childhood, and on dialysis, he was on a donor list and waiting for a kidney transplant. The beeper went off soon after, and Danny received a new kidney and pancreas. What followed was months of complications, rejection, and many hospital stays, but Danny faced it all bravely, and put his energy into counseling other transplant patients. When he finally came home to George, his partner of almost 30 years, and his beloved dogs Sadie and Molly, he had just a few short months of feeling well before he developed an infection on the bone of his left foot. Unable to treat the infection with antibiotics, they took Danny's leg below the knee. It was a long and painful recovery and rehabilitation, but Danny remained positive throughout it all, even cracking jokes when he sensed that strangers were uncomfortable with his prosthetic leg.

Shortly after this ordeal, George had a stroke, and was hospitalized for several weeks, before dying in Danny's arms. And although as the only child of two only children, George left no family, and Danny made all the arrangements (a beautiful service at the UU church) in his grief, Danny had to go to court for permission to bury George's ashes. An ordeal that even the conservative judge deemed an outrage.

Further to Danny's physical challenges, there were financial challenges, as Danny subsisted on a small social security disability pension and medicare benefits. He lived in a small mobile home and shopped at discount grocery outlets, yet never once complained about his situation.

Over the next several years, he faced a myriad of other health issues; heart and stomach trouble, a second infection, the amputation of several toes and eventually his right foot as well. Then a couple of years ago, Danny's new kidney began to fail and he went back on dialysis, followed by heart bypass surgery just a few months ago.

Through it all, Danny never became angry, or had an unkind word to say about anyone. He faced these challenges - any one of which would send most of us reeling - with courage and determination. I remember one particular time shortly after his first amputation, when John and I invited Danny to Thanksgiving dinner. He declined, because he wanted to serve dinner at the homeless shelter instead.

Danny Lehne Foley was without a doubt the kindest, gentlest, and bravest soul I've ever known, and it was a privilege to count him as a friend. He inspired everyone he met to be a better person, to lift up their community, to practice compassion and kindness, and to face life's challenges with dignity and grace. When I think of Danny, I think of William Henry Channing's words....

To live content with small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy , not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;
To study hard, think quietly,
Talk gently,
Act frankly;
To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;
To bear all cheerfully,
Do all bravely,
Await occasions,
Hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.
This is to be my symphony.

Goodbye and God Speed, my friend.

Dark Shadows and Other Goodies....

Does anyone else remember rushing home from school to catch the latest episode of the Gothic soap opera "Dark Shadows"?

I know, I know - I'm dating myself here, but we're talking some serious inspiration; the very first time I fell in love with all things dark and spooky - and the spark behind the last Halloween clock of the season...

"Collinwood" - after the mansion by the sea, home to Barnabas, Quentin, Maggie, Angelique.... With a vampire one one side and a wolf on the other, I suppose it works in a kind of "Twilighty" way too hehe. But "Dark Shadows" was the inspiration. ;)

It's listed on eBay now, along with several other pieces - a trio of trinket boxes and the last Witch's recipe box of 2010.

But back to Dark Shadows - have you heard filming for the movie begins in just a few months? Johnny Depp as Barnabas and Tim Burton directing!! Fun, as long as they don't make it all Pirates of the Carribean campy, or Sweeney Todd gruesome...I guess we'll see!

Before I go, there are a couple of other pieces I'm torn about listing - whether to put them up for auction on eBay or offer them to collectors for direct purchase here on the blog. One is a large platter and the other is a VERY large painting, from the perspective of the witch on her broom. No clue what I'll do yet, but either way I'll post an update. ;)

♥ Carolee