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. :)

The Blessed Bee

Flying in quickly to share a little homage to the honeybee. The photo isn't the best, as it was too late to shoot in natural light - so before listing this one on eBay tomorrow, I'm offering it for direct sale.

It measures 10 3/4" x 13 3/4", and is painted in acrylics on a pine plaque, with a routed edge. Signed and dated. $135.00, shipping varies. If you're interested, shoot me an email at carolee@kingofmice.com

UPDATE - SOLD.

I'm off to have a very late supper now...Thanks for taking a peek. :)

♥ Carolee

"Maiden, Mother, Crone"

Having experienced two of the three stages, or aspects of the feminine journey - and being well on my way to embracing the crone years - I thought it would be fun to paint a triptych depicting all three...

I suppose I could have painted these as Goddess rather than Witch, but I wanted them to have a bit of a magical feel...And the figures could have been painted in full light (which I may still do at some point), but I think keeping them in silhouette gives them more of an "every woman" feel, don't you?

These three little paintings are now up for grabs on eBay, and I hope they bring blessings and smiles to their new home. :)

More are goodies coming soon, although I find myself ever so slightly slowed down by another nasty head cold this week. And with snow falling as I type this, I'm thinking tomorrow may just be a homemade soup kind of day. ;)

(See? I'm sounding like an old crone already!)

Which aspect do you find yourself immersed in, and are you enjoying it? I do hope so. I think we are meant to enjoy the seasons of life every bit as much as the seasons of the year.

It's all a blessing, isn't it?

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

Thinking *Spring* (And Halloween) !!

Do you ever find yourself getting just wee bit ahead of the seasons?

I suppose it's natural for those us who create holiday inspired art. We spend autumn painting winter pieces, winter painting spring, and so on...so perhaps a certain amount of longing just goes with the territory. Although I must admit to feeling the pull much sooner than usual this year. Winter here in Lancaster County hasn't been particularly bad - just much colder than usual - and I think we're all ready for spring thaw. ;)

This piece sort of combines the two seasons...

Inspired by the wonderful DuBose Heyward book "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes", it depicts the Mama Easter Bunny soaring above treetops and mountains to deliver a very special egg to sick child. It was one of my favorite books when I was little, and one of my daughter's favorites as well. Written in 1939, it was a suprisingly feminist tale for the times. If you have a daughter, it's a must-have. ;)

There's a new Halloween piece this week too - an oval bentwood box, with words of witchy wisdom lettered around the edge of the lid...

I loved painting the dancing witches, and could swear I almost heard the violin. ;)

Both of these pieces are listed on eBay now, and several new pieces are in the works too - as well as commissions in progress (and if anyone knows how to eek a few more hours out of each day I'm all ears, hehe).

John finishes work (for a couple of months anyway) very soon, and panic is beginning to set in about all that needs to be accomplished before our focus turns to his treatments. Mostly, I'm just trying to get the house in shape, and keep up the pace with painting. Wish me luck. ;)

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who's posted and emailed with prayers and good wishes, and many thanks to the wonderful collectors who enable me to do what I love. Despite the challenges, I am truly blessed. :)

♥ Carolee

♥ Happy Hearts Day! ♥

Wishing you and your special Valentine a day of bliss and pampering, especially if your special Valentine is YOU. ;)

(Back very soon with new work!)

♥ Carolee

Black Cat Enchantment and Forging Ahead...

Hello!

I'm back already with new work.:) Not that I haven't fallen off the wagon once or twice with computer time, but all in all, I'm really working at the balance thing (see previous post).

Although I must admit it's easy to stay focused when I'm completely immersed in a piece, as I was with this one. There's something truly mystical and enchanting about black cats - like magic is afoot when I paint them...

This one is listed on eBay now. :)

On the home front, those of you who've been reading here awhile know about John's recent (and not so recent) health challenges. The short version is that after two major heart surgeries, and a successful recovery, his lymphoma is out of remission again, and he's now facing two rounds of radiation, which will begin in a couple of weeks.

The doctors tell us chances at a full remission are good, although they can't say for how long - but it's slow progressing, which is good, and we'll take what we can get. We're optimistic, and determined to take it one day at a time, but also realize our lives are about to change pretty drastically. For my own part, I'll be maintaining a full painting schedule, taking care of John, the pets and the house, running the errands, doing shipping, and hopefully some of the driving into the city (we're still working on housing and transportation).

So I want to apologize in advance if I'm slow at returning emails and facebook messages, and I ask that at least during this time, everyone refrain from sending me forwards and such. I just don't have time to manage and delete them all - hope you understand. I'll also be limiting shipping runs to twice a week, probably on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Finally, I want to thank all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts, and most especially for your understanding when correspondence and commissions run a bit late. I'm doing my best to keep up, and I will get to it, I promise. :)

John and I are truly blessed to have such amazing friends and family, and I know we'll get through this. Much love to all of you!

♥ Carolee