"Carnaval du Chat Noir"

Available on Etsy now, on a first-come basis...

Thanks for taking a peek, and I'll be back very soon with new work!

♥ Carolee

Surfacing

While it certainly doesn't feel like three weeks since I've been here, the calendar says otherwise, and time does indeed march on...

We (John and I) have been lost in the fog of some sort of bronchial illness these past twenty days or so (and counting), and are only now making our way back. Catching up is a tricky business, both creatively and financially, but it must be done - and hopefully without total, abject panic, which is just not productive. ;)

Work in the studio did, of necessity, continue while I was feeling so ill, but at nowhere near the usual pace. Unbelievably frustrating to have all these magical ideas swirling around in my codeine-cough-syrup addled brain, but not the usual stamina to actually do the work. Still, forging ahead, I managed to complete a commission (a table, shown here dismantled for shipping)...

And a good start was made on some caravan boxes as well, shown here in progress...

One of them is almost complete, and will be up for grabs on Etsy tomorrow. "Carnaval du Chat Noir"...

Still missing wheels, I know, but that's today's project. ;)

For those who are reading this thinking "what about John?!", he's also working his way back through the fog - and has so far done it without hospitalization, and that's huge. I think retirement is agreeing with him, and now that he's able to rest, his immune system at least has a fighting chance.

So that's where we are, and I would also like to thank those of you who've been so patient with changes in the commission schedule. With just one more opening this year, I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel, and hoping everyone's pieces will completed by spring.

After that, it's full speed ahead with work for Halloween and Christmas shows (more on this soon!)

I'm off to brew a pot of tea and work on those caravans, and will be back in a day or two to share the finished piece. In the meantime, I wish you a happy and creative weekend!

♥ Carolee

"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