Little Ol' Me in Midwest Living!

Just have to share, I received the autumn issue of Midwest Living magazine in the mail today, and there in living color on page 69 is a photo of my art!

The "Discoveries" page features the fabulous Ghoultide Gathering Halloween art show, and includes work from myself, Scott Smith, Johanna Parker and Aron Lowe.

SUCH an honor to share the page with these amazing artists, and such an honor for Midwest Living to say such nice things about my art. :)

I'm floating, hehe...

♥ Carolee

New Prints Available!

After receiving many requests, I've had a few prints made of three recent paintings, and they're now available in my Etsy shop. The first two, "Spellcasting" and "Midnight Margaritas" were inspired by one of my all time favorite books and movies, "Practical Magic"...


The third, "Hubba's Halloween", was inspired by a beautiful ginger boy who used to live at our vet's office (but has since been adopted and gone to his forever home). :)

Isn't he a handsome fellow?

There are just eight of each print available at the moment, but I may order more before Halloween, not sure...

Back very soon with pics of a wicked cool tea chest in progress. Until then, happy Monday!

♥ Carolee

A *Magical* Weekend!

Well, it's almost that time again...

Just a few weeks until some of the finest Halloween artists this side of the Milky Way gather in Northville, Michigan for the fifth annual Ghoultide Gathering!

Five years, and I'm still pinching myself, wondering if it's all a dream...

Actually, not only is it REAL, but it's TWO days of magic this year, with so many enchanting details added I can hardly wait.

There's a total of thirty artists this year, and on Friday night, as Mill Race Village is aglow, collectors will be able to enjoy assorted treats at each of the artist's tables as they browse - kind of like twilight trick-or-treating, but with fabulous Halloween art to purchase! (Not sure what I'm doing yet, but I was thinking maybe some Lancaster County, homemade pumpkin fudge?)

There will also be cider and other beverages available in one of the buildings, and live music outside!! Yep - Scott and Stephanie (the amazing people who bring this show together every year) have booked the coolest band; The Apple Seed Collective. Sort of a mix of gypsy, folk and dixieland...Check them out here. :)

How perfect is THAT?!

Of course, as in years past, my favorite part of the show is meeting friends and collectors in person. Spending most of my time creating in a home studio, keeping in touch via email and facebook, I can't tell you how exciting it is to share my work and meet people in real life instead of cyberspace. It's just the best, and gives me the warm, Halloween fuzzies. ♥

Anywhoooo - if you love Halloween, and Halloween art..if you're close enough for a day trip (or farther away and in the mood for a weekend getaway!), you do not want to miss this show. You can visit the website for details on discounted accomodations, directions, etc., and in the meantime, I'll leave you with this video from the 2009 show (I know I've posted it before, but I could watch it again and again, hehe)...


Back to the studio for me - I'll be bringing lots of new goodies, and hoping to see you there!!

♥ Carolee

Four Fall Signs

...are looking for a new home...(update - all sold now)

I took a break from painting tea chests today to paint four of these autumn welcome signs, which will list on Etsy tomorrow, unless someone grabs them first. They measure 11" x 14" and are hand painted in acrylics on solid pine, with stained and routed edges. Sawtooth hanger on the back for display indoors or out.

They're $45 each plus shipping by location, and make great gifts. Just email me at carolee@kingofmice.com if you'd like one. :)

Back soon! ♥ Carolee

The Finished Painting

As promised, here's a peek at the finished painting of Hubba the Ginger Cat...

It sold before I had a chance to list it, but I hope to have prints available soon. :)

Next up - Ghoultide Gathering painting!! I'll post some exciting news about the show very soon. In the meantime, I'm off to make supper. Wishing everyone a happy and *CrEaTiVe* rest of the week!

♥ Carolee

I ♥ Ginger Cats

From the day I fell in love with my first ginger cat Maurice, I've always had a special affinity for these boys. I say boys because I think they usually are. I know there are ginger girls too, but boys seem far more common...

One of the current loves of my life is our big boy Arthur (weighing in at almost 18 lbs when last we checked)...

Isn't he beautiful?

Demanding too. When he wants to be fed, he knocks over the wooden screen surrounding the cat food bowls. Like a Hobbit, Arthur thinks morning mealtime includes "second breakfast". ;)

While Arthur is usually my model of choice for ginger cat paintings, I'm painting another handsome boy today. Meet Hubba Bubba...

This regal looking fellow was rescued by our vet, and now resides with one of the vet techs. But I couldn't help snapping a few reference photos before he went to his forever home, thinking with those markings, he'd make a fabulous painting...


The perfect autumn cat, I think.

Detail will be filled in today, and I'll share the finished product here and on facebook before listing on Etsy this evening.

Do you have a Ginger boy (or girl) in your life? Please do tell, and if you'd like to share a reference photo for future paintings (via email) I'd be honored!

Until next time,
♥ Carolee

A Day of Enchantment in the City: Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Sometimes magic is found in the least likely of places...

And sometimes it's created. ;)

Saturday found me taking the rare - and much needed - day off, as John and I ventured into Center City for brunch with Courtney and SarahGrace (our daughter and her BFF), followed by a visit to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.


We met at Mixto, a wonderful little restaurant on Antique Row, where we feasted on delicious and healthy Latin American inspired cuisine. Check out the Plantain chips and guacamole...


I was good though, staying away from the big basket of fried bread they brought, and opting instead for a vegetarian egg white frittata...


Sooooooo good.

After brunch, we walked a couple of blocks over to South Street to check out the Magic Gardens. It's been awhile, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy walking around the city. We passed this lovely little park on the way...


And noticed the cool rainbow flags on city street signs (they recognize an area known as The Gayborhood)...


Turning a corner, we came upon our destination...


The life's work of artist Isaiah Zagar, the Magic Garden mosaics cover the indoor and outdoor space of about half a city block! Just incredible...

Here are a couple of details from the first room we entered. You can click on the photos for a larger view...


Stepping outside, we found a maze of mosaic pathways and staircases, adorned with everything from china, glass and mirrored pieces, to bottles, wheels, pottery and figures, and sometimes messages...



Magical, indeed! Another detail...

A perfect spot to sit and take in all the beauty...

Another detail...

We rested for a bit under this umbrella, where I thought the overhead "chandelier" was pretty cool...

A winding path...

The staircases were stunning, but I had to be a bit careful, as they're not for those (like myself) who are less than surefooted...

It is truly one of the most amazing places I've seen in a long time, and if you're within striking distance of Philadelphia, I HIGHLY recommend a visit!! I'm also told that it's not unusual to run into the artist (although we were not that fortunate). But I'll most definitely be back, and hope to do just that someday.

I'll leave you with just one more photo, and promise to be back soon with some art of my own...

Sometimes these little field trips are just what the soul needs - a sort of replenishing of the artistic well. Inspiration, indeed!

Until next time, wishing you magic and enchantment ;)
♥ Carolee