May we have the winner please?

Its drawing day! My daughter and I cut and folded entries under the supervision of our Pomeranian Capt. Jack who became more and more interested and the pile grew.. did he think they might be tasty? We mixed up the names and jokingly put the hat down for him to *draw* and like lightening he snapped out a name!

Congratulations Abigail! You are the winner selected by Capt. Jack! I will be packing up the original ACEO and White Rabbit for you!

Well we were laughing so hard at this point we just had to let him draw again.. and well a couple of more times! (I wish had him on video!)
this time he picked
Bunnykissed
Rich Layers
and
Reni Valentine

These three winners will each receive a little surprise gift from the darkling woods, including an ACEO print of the "Hold Tight Alice" There will be a limited run of 25 and you guys will have numbers 1,2,3

Thank you all for playing, I promise to do another giveaway in June so keep an eye out!

(PS, I'm extending my Buy One Get One Free BOGO sale to June 3rd to celebrate the end of the school year! check my etsy for details

"Little Mermaid"

"The Little Mermaid" new commission piece just completed.
I love mermaid stories (even named my daughter Madison after the mermaid in Splash ;) but I rarely paint them. I think its because living near the coast there is so much mermaid art around (and palm trees). Strangely enough though, I chose the most classic mermaid pose and focused on capturing the sense of longing I always felt was the heart of the story.
I think I may have to paint more mermaids!

Print is available here in my little shop

(Don't forget to enter my giveaway...just look a couple of posts down)

Story box, ehag

I'm so excited! I've been invited to join ehag, eclectic Halloween artist group. Ever since I was small the sense of wonder, magic and fancy that comes alive during the Halloween season enchanted me. Although my childhood Halloweens were limited to rather sad store bought costumes (do you remember the masks that had the thin elastic bands held by staples? tie on costumes that only covered the front like a drafty hospital gown, but you see it didn't matter because the magic is in the heart) the very sight of the streets filled with other masked candy bandits was enough to send my little heart a flutter. 

To celebrate I'm listing this dear Story box I made around Halloween last year. It's available in my etsy shop

Spring Giveaway!

Spring is in the air and summer vacation only a few weeks away! To celebrate I've got a giveaway to take you down the rabbit hole!
An original ACEO painting of "Hold Tight Alice" (3.5 x 2.5 mini painting in a trading card size) Painted with watercolor and gouache on heavy watercolor paper.
Plus.... a 5x7 print of my "White Rabbit" I'll also include some little surprises!

Just leave a comment and I'll add your name to the hat (if you blog or tweet about the giveaway I'll add your name twice :) just add the link! Drawing will be May 31st.
Good luck!
Cat

(P.S. please leave a way to get in touch if you don't have a blog/journal)

I loved the story of The Little Prince growing up and the idea of people living on their own little planets has stayed with me.  Here is "Star Girl" on her lonely planet, is she expecting company?

Painting available in my etsy shop

A Family of Wizards

I'm walking on clouds, dear Basia has just posted our family portrait! I fell in love with her work after an introduction by Lisa Falzon. This is the second commission she has done for my family and they are both treasures. Her work is like slipping into a magical world of softly glistening dreams.
Basia completely surprised me by portraying us as a family of wizards, she knew my hubby is an avid fencer and that I love fairy tales and bit of the exotic. I'd say she got us just perfect.

"Everything I Needed to Know"

"Everything I Needed Know I Learned from Mary Poppins"

Is she coming in for a soft landing or making a graceful exit?

This mixed media piece will be in an exhibit next week in St. Augustine. The theme for the show is spring but little girls in coats kept floating in my mind! Floating and flying, I was fascinated with the idea of flying as a little girl. I'm quite sure I took some leaps with an umbrella with high hopes and air underfoot! I'm relieved I was able to complete her in time for the show, I have two other shows the same day so I'm hard pressed for time. One is for my students, the big county public school show. The other, I have a booth at the Historic Hibernia Arts Festival which thankfully is very close to home!

Hold Tight Alice!

"Hold Tight Alice" 

I'm in the mood for spring, wild flowers, and riding rabbits to adventure. 

I'm thinking about doing another tiny Alice painting, I've always wanted to paint her in the pool of tears! Prints are available here

I hope everyone is seeing signs of spring! My girls and I are on break this week *whew* we could really use some down time. I think we are gong to do quiet things tomorrow, hair cuts, library and a trip to the smoothie shop!  Hopefully later in the week we will make it to the beach! 

"The Princes' Quest"

I watched a most beautiful film this weekend with my girls "The Princes' Quest" 

Maybe I'm just late to the party but I hadn't heard of this gem of a movie.  The story is an original fairy tale with Middle Eastern flair. The imagery is breathtakingly beautiful, with painted cut outs and jewel like scenery. I believe its computer animated but the look is hand crafted (you can see the brush strokes)  I hope you get a chance to see it!

Mirror, Mirror

The idea of a series princess shoes was suggested by a client (I already had ruby slippers and Cinderella) I decided to make them look a bit like old illustrations. Here is Snow White, I'm working on Sleeping Beauty now. Its funny how much I love to come up with fairy tale shoes when you are much more likely to catch me wearing sneakers!

Snow White and Rose Red

 Fairy tale book box inspired by Rose Red and Snow White

This tale is so sweet, the two opposite sisters who love each other so dearly. Of course I love the enchanted bear as well!  I have such fun hunting for treasures to make these assemblage pieces! The little dolls are hand sewn, I don't consider myself a doll maker but this project seemed to call for it. 

Will be available in my etsy shop

"Miss Fortune"

Mystic purples seemed to be her, color. I adore purple but rarely use it in paintings. I'll have to remedy that! 

Prints available 

hearts and moonlight

Look what came in the post today! I was so lucky to purchase this hand painted heart from Karen at Moonlight and Hares as they get snapped up quickly! The details and color are even prettier in person, I'm completely smitten with it!
I'm off to hang my new treasure in my studio.. Thank you Karen!

Peppermint Twist and the Imaginary Circus

"Peppermint Twist" She is a contortionist of course, but right now she is enjoying the night air and wondering where the road will lead.  

I'm having so much fun with the Imaginary Circus. I'm up late at night working on sketches. I hope you like visiting! *passes cotton candy*

Imaginary Circus

I'm working on new series and nothing gets me more bouncy than that! When new characters are materializing its a magical feeling. 

 "The Imaginary Circus"  a strange little band of performers that travel through the darkling woods. Here is a piece in progress "Miss Fortune" the resident gypsy fortune teller of the circus. 

 what does your Fortune hold? 

(my daughter named her, I thought it was perfect)

Swan Child

I believe I've finally completed my Swan girl!  I'm sorry that the image isn't clearer, she is much to large for my scanner so I had to take a photo. (I will take her in for professional scanning soon) 

I've been working on her for months and couldn't wait to share with you!

Do you think the title "Swan Child" suits her? I thought Transformation sounded a bit to obvious or heavy. 

Valentine memories and brownies!

Happy Valentines Day!

I've always loved Valentines Day, with its construction paper hearts and pink frosted cupcakes. 

 

When I was a school girl, life could be very grey. We did have an art teacher but she came to our classroom (art on a cart it was called)  so there wasn't much of the get your hands dirty type art making going on. (I do remember looking forward to her visits and how kind she was, I'm sure she is part of the reason I became art teacher)

 Valentines Day was different though, for one day my inner world and the outer seemed to match up a little (in my mind glitter and hearts swirled about daily) There was paste, and scissors and *gasp* glitter.  We created little mailboxes out old shoe boxes! Who'd of thought! Finally things were looking up! The only thing I couldn't understand was the return of the grey ... why didn't the adult world want to live with more color and life? 

 Valentines is the handmade holiday more than any other. Even my junior high students still love to cut hearts and make sweet greetings, and of course so do I. 

 Please take a brownie I made them with my girls, I'll pour a cup of punch for you.  I'd love it if  you have time to share a favorite Valentine memory and we will have our own little party!

Wishing you happiness that continues to sparkle! 

xxx000

Cat

Today is the day! I put on my magic top hat and waved the enchanted Valentine wand over the .... random number generator! Yes today is February 12th, the day the gypsy caravan of One World One Heart circles round to draw the names of winners!

My prizes include an 8x10 print of "Love Bird" and an ACEO of "Philippe, the Cotton Candy Elf" both hand embelished with a touch of sparkle! I'll also include a little surprise :)

And the winner is ....Patti's Creations Congratulations!

Thank you to all who participated, I'm proud to travel with such creative gypsies!

*candy hearts to all*

Cat

The Lady of Shalott

With Valentines around the corner I thought I'd share these beautiful romantic paintings, "Death of Elaine" and "Lancelot" by Yoshitaka Amano. They are from his "Yosei" fairy paintings.
Why do I find tragic love stories like this so compelling? It might be more all the beautiful paintings and poem surrounding it that draw me in, but the longing in this tale just tugs my heartstrings.

and a bit of "The Lady of Shalott"

There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving through a mirror clear
That hands before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot: 50
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the curly village-churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls,
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,
Or long-haired page in crimson clad,
Goes by to towered Camelot;
And sometimes through the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often through the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed;
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

Bright Plumes

"Ostare"

I had a blissful day to paint today, I've been carrying this sketch with me for a few weeks and was strangely hesitant about her colors. I also wasn't quite sure who she was. When she first appeared in my sketchbook I called her harpy. Her face however seemed a bit to sweet for that. (although I'm quite certain even harpies have their good days). As you might have noticed I lean toward soft colors in spite of myself. Pale however wouldn't due, the bird woman called for bright plumes and turned out so regal I realized she must be a spring goddess. So Ostare she is, I found so many spellings for her I hope I selected the proper one.
I found an account of her having a rabbits head and woman's body. I'd love to paint her in that form as well. I believe the same article called rabbits her minions which made me grin. Don't you love the idea of rabbit minions?

Remember to sign up for my One World One Heart give away in the post below!

One World One Heart

Welcome to my entry for "One World One Heart" this give away is open to everyone! Please leave a comment and I will draw the winner on Feb 12th! I just adore Valentines Day so I choose a sweet Valentine Print for my gift to give.

I'm new to One Heart One World, I found it through A Fanciful Twist . (Thank you Valencia!) The founder of One Heart is Lisa at Whimsical Bohemian This is the third year of the give away that brings artist/bloggers together around the globe! This year there are hundreds already signed up to take part.

Its so easy to feel alone in our little creative worlds. I'd venture few of us are lucky enough to many kindred spirits in the art world in our day to life. Blogging has become like windows into other artists spaces and hearts for me, Its so inspiring after a long day teaching to take a peak at what Karen has been cutting out of wood in her workshop or what lovely dolls are coming to life at "The Fairies Nest"
Or I can sit with a cup of my favorite tea and biscotti and read about Edward and his person Pamela and be completely enchanted!
One Heart One World was created to bring more artists together and that my friends, makes me smile.

my offering for this global giveaway is an archival print of "Love Bird" that will be hand accented with sweet glitters! I'll also include a little surprise!



please remember to comment so I can add your name to the hat! You do not have to have a blog to enter, but I do need contact info. Take some time to explore the other wonderful artists giveaways by clicking here One Heart One World. All drawings will be held Feb. 12th.

*passes out candy hearts*

(closed for drawing 2/12 4 pm)

Winter Queen

Ah spoke too soon! all this balmy weather and palm trees had me lulled into early spring dreams. I do love the winter, its my favorite really. Somehow its been warm so long it felt as if winter had passed us by. Tomorrow my northern friends you may giggle at this tropical girl who dreams of snow as she searches for mittens in the swim suit drawer. I just know somewhere in my closet *peers deep into the abyss* there is a coat.. at least a jacket? Lady winter is coming to call with chills getting into the 20's by the end of the week. I can't ever remember it being this cold! I'm a bit giddy that we have a fireplace and an excuse to light it. I'm not so excited about the thought of getting up out of a snug bed in that weather!
Perhaps we will see snowflakes!

*dreams of making snow angels*

peek at spring

The weather here is crazy warm, my azaleas are even starting to bloom! So I'm starting work on spring inspired pieces. Spring brings to mind unbirthday parties and tea time for me. Here is a rough sketch that is part of my Alice series of the inhabitants of Wonderland. I think the colors will be golden browns and pinks for this one. I've spent much more time than I'm comfortable with working on the computer since getting the hard drive replaced and it feels really good to get a sketch down.

And for all of my fellow winter fans don't worry I still have at least one more winter painting "Star Child" in the works for you!

White Rabbit under the tree

Its great to back with you guys, my laptop failed me and I had to have the hard drive replaced. I've missed everyone online!

Isn't this little guy great? He was under my tree, a gift from hubby and my girls. He was intended to go with my Alice statue out in the garden but I'm growing so fond of him I think he might live in my studio.. do you think Alice will mind?

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and I wish you a very bright New Year!

Transformation

Sharing a work in progress, from a book I'm working on. A Swan Princess shape shifter inspired piece. This time of year I think of letting go and shedding the old and unneeded. Transformation is a part of that I think. How we incorporate the old into the new and still manage to fly. I hope to complete her this week, I have two other pieces I'm working on as well and only one more week of holiday left!