"Wicked Jack's Carnival"

It's that time again - the monthy EHAG Emporium update (tonight at 9PM eastern)...

I wanted to create something very special for the first Emporium of 2013, and what could be more special than the return of Wicked Jack?

This original, one of a kind, birch wood box measures 10" x 5" x 6", is painted in acrylics, and adorned with ten amber colored Swarovski crystals...

Inside, another tiny box opens to reveal a little surprise...

"Boo!"

My first thought was that it would make the perfect mending box, with the little compartment useful for storing needles, but really, it could be used for for almost anything. What a fun project to paint, and I just know he will find a wicked good home!

He's $265 plus shipping, which will vary by location. UPDATE ~ SOLD

As always, this piece can be captured by the first person to email me after the Emporium update (carolee@kingofmice.com)...

Wicked Jack and I thank you so much for taking a peek, and I'll be back very soon with new work!

♥ Carolee

Gypsy Cat Whimsy + Music

There's something about these cold, grey, January days that makes me long for brilliant color, inspiring playfulness and whimsy on the winter work table.

Like these gypsy cats in their brightly painted vardo, dancing and playing music inside, as tiny mice look on, unseen....

They've left a few tracks inside though, hehe....

 What fun this was to paint, and I must pick up a few more of these birch wood boxes - so many caravan ideas swirling around in my head, including perhaps a spooky Halloween version. ;)

In the meantime, this one is up for grabs on Etsy, and I hope it brings a smile to it's new home. :)

 Tomorrow, it's back to work on commissions, and on a new St. Gertrude Painting. Thanks as always for visiting, and I'll leave you with a bit of the music I was listening to as  painted the caravan...

Rowdy and joyous, hehe...

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

"Blackberrry Hares"

After painting December's "Yuletide Hares", I just knew I would re-visit the Triple Hares very soon....

 The iconic motif - with three hares chasing each other, and sharing just three ears between them - is a symbol appearing in sacred sites from England (the "Tinner's Hares" in Dartmoor churches) to the Middle and Far East. No one seems to understand the precise connection or meaning, although they've come to represent the Trinity in Christian churches, the triple Goddess in pagan tradition, and in other ancient cultures and mythologies, the lunar cycle, femininity and fertility.

I've shown them here moving from a background of dawn, to daylight, to night, bordered by  blackberry brambles and Celtic knotwork. What a blessing to paint, and I know it will find a good home.

It's listed on Etsy now, and I'm immersed in the next project, a small gypsy vardo box. :)

Thanks as always for taking a peek at my work. :)

Back very soon!
♥ Carolee

A Hedgerow Tea Party!

Just popping in to share the latest piece, a one of a kind tea box, featuring animals of the countryside hedges. I think it has a bit of an English feel to it...

 What a delight it was to paint!

It just listed it in the Etsy shop, where it's up for grabs, as always, on a first-come basis.

Back very soon!

♥ Carolee

2013: Back Down the Rabbit Hole...

I'm not sure why, but January always seems to be the month I jump into Wonderland with both feet.

First, there was the "Curiouser and Curiouser" birdhouse (see previous post). Then there was this...

"Drink Me" - a three piece wine set...

It's always such a delight to revisit Wonderland. Makes me feel like a child again, reading about Alice's adventures for the first time. The wine set will be up for up for grabs, as always on a first come basis, on Thursday's PFATT Marketplace.

In the meantime, there are orders and commissions in the works, and a couple of Valentine themed pieces in the schedule as well. So many ideas, so much inspiration, and so little time - makes me feel a little like the White Rabbit, hehe. :)

I'll be back very soon with a few new photos, and perhaps some hints at upcoming work. The challenge this year is to balance commissioned orders with all the pieces I have spinning around in my head, dying to get out. To that end, I'm only scheduling two commissions per month this year., and am currently booked through early May. So if you'd like a special piece (and are OK with the commission guidelines in the right hand sidebar), now is probably the time to place the order. At two orders per month, only scheduled through July, that leaves about 5 slots open. :)

Wishing you a happy and creative rest of the week!
♥ Carolee

"Curiouser and Curiouser"....

 Listing on Etsy in 3, 2, 1...

well, very soon. ;)

♥ Carolee

Fast Away the Old Year Passes

 I believe it's some sort of law of nature that as we age, the passage of time speeds up exponentially.

As a child, the time between Christmases (or birthdays or any other special day) seemed like a lifetime. Now, at 53, I sometimes feel as though I'm careening downhill in a cart with no brakes, no ability to slow down these moments, these days, these experiences. They fly by at such speed I wish I had more time to savor them. And I wish I could go back and tell my younger self to do just that.

And now, just when I've finally become accustomed to writing "2012" on checks and documents, here it is 2013!

I've seen and heard many comments this year from people who say they cannot wait to put this year behind them. That the new year must be better. I suppose that's human nature. To see something magical and transformative as the clock passes from one year into the next.

But in looking back at 2012 - in reflecting on both the challenges and blessings - there is much I want to keep, and to hold tight. Discoveries made, lessons learned, friendships formed...

First and foremost, to me, 2012 will always be the year I got my husband back. John's retirement (necessitated by several physical disabilities) has been a blessing to both of us, and he has (knocking on the wood of my computer desk as I type this) miraculously spent an entire year OUT of the hospital. Those of you who've been reading here for a while know how huge this is. Friends who haven't seen him in a while comment about how much improved he looks, and he says he feels much better too.

2012 is also the year I decided to get serious about getting healthy. While it's a long road, with an even longer stretch ahead, I know I'm on the right path - and if I stay on track, I will eventually reach my goal.

Creatively, 2012 has been a marvel! Notebook upon notebook filled with more ideas than I could paint in a lifetime, and it's been such a joy to see a few of them manifest. I can only hope 2013 brings such creative energy and inspiration!

And finally, but by no means least, friendship. 2012 saw me taking a several weeks tour of the southeast with someone who has become one of my dearest friends. And while our planned cross-country journey didn't materialize, I consider myself so lucky to have had this experience, this break, and will treasure the memory of it all my life.

2012 also found me reconnecting with old friends on facebook (so much fun to be in touch with people you haven't seen for ages!), and spending many hours enjoying the company of friends in the "real world". Good friends, good food, good wine, good music - it doesn't get much better, and if you resolve to do just ONE thing this year, making time to connect with dear friends is a good place to start.

And in a few short hours we'll turn the calendar, and 2013 will dawn bright and promising and filled with creative possibility!

I know there will be challenges, but my one and only resolution will be to weather them gracefully, while always keeping my focus on the blessings.

May your 2013 year be filled with love and  light, magic and joy!

See you next year!

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