Bring in the Veggie Heads!

"Celebrate Halloween"

Strike up the band, it's Halloween!!

Now available for $145, plus $8 shipping.

DESCRIPTION

I've created two vintage-style veggie heads, complete with tambourine and cello. The two pumpkin characters have hand-scultped heads and painted cotton batting bodies. Vintage crepe paper adorns their collar and they wear a tiny gold dresden buckle. They are celebrating October 31 in the cemetary, among the pumpkins, fallen leaves, tall grass and a smiling crescent moon. "Spanish moss" drips from the curly willow branch behind them. The tombstones are made from sculpey and the pumpkins are paper mache. A tiny red lantern sits on the wood base to the right of the piece. Measures 13" wide, 7" deep and 7" tall. 

Best of all it lights up!!

Tiny white lights give it an eerie glow after dark. Simply plug them in, no batteries required. If you have any questions, please email me: Iva@IvasCreations.com.

Happy Halloween!!

Celebrate Halloween!

Time to celebrate Halloween!!

A sneak peek at my offering to be unveiled on the EHAG Emporium, October 31, 9 pm eastern. So when you're done ghosting and ghouling, grab a cup of brew and sit a spell as you see the online show! 

Happy Halloween all!!

Celebrate 365: My Kind of Magazine!

I am so pleased to be in the Fall 2011 double issue of Celebrate 365 magazine. It's a wonderful publication coming out four times a year, and it offers collectors a bevy of holiday art created by talented artisans. To order the magazine or subscribe, click here. My work appears on three pages:

My curious eye ornament was featured. I've had so many fans say that these ornaments are delectably creepy, because the eye follows you around the room. It's perfect for your Halloween tree and I have one left in my etsy shop here.  

In addition, one of my Halloween recycled collages made the pages of the magazine. "The Witching Hour" is made from recycled construction lumber and a page from an old National Geographic - yes, the page makes up the background. The wood makes the perfect substrate for these two gothic looking witchlings and adds weight to the piece. The witches collage has sold, but I do have one similar for all you Edgar Allen Poe fans! It too is in my etsy shop here. 

The third page of my art appears in the Late Summer portion of the double issue. Turn the magazine over and you'll find summer art, including a captain's shell box I created. You can read more about that on my mixed media blog: My Birdsong.

I hope your days leading up to a favored holiday are pleasant and colorful. Only a couple more weeks until Halloween!

Iva's Creations


PS - Head on over to my Facebook Page and hit "Like." I post works in progress, events and more there. Thank you for supporting independent artists!

Wicked Witch Greetings

The month of Halloween is almost here and I've created a doosie of a paper mache witch to greet all your Halloween trick or treaters, family and friends! The whimsical witch Pannah the Deplorable is a little more than three feet tall and holds a leaf-strewn banner with the letters, "Halloween" hung from it. You can replace the banner with one of your own, for her fingers are shaped to hold something. She's currently on eBay, so take a peek. If you live locally near Danville, CA, I'd be glad to waive the shipping fee and you can pick her up!

I've listed several of my latest Halloween prints on eBay, and they include some mysterious black cats and a jack-o-lantern or two. Later this week, I'll be listing several new Christmas pieces in my etsy shop. It's been a busy past two weeks with two wonderful shows I participated in.

The Fourth Annual Tinsel and Treasures Art Show on Sept. 10 was again a fantastic event with so many wonderful artists and collectors coming out to shop! A big thanks to everyone who made the annual art event a great success! This includes my mother who helped me greatly! Of course, I couldn't organize the event without my  talented friend and doll artist Colleen Moody, who hosted a sumptuous dinner for all the artists the night before the show. Head to her blog for great photos of some of the items that were snapped up that day by eager collectors. Thank you both Mom and Colleen!

Then two weeks later, I was off to Halloween and Vine, a spectacular all Halloween art show held in the bucolic town of Petaluma, CA each year. So many gifted artists celebrating October 31! It was great visiting with many artist friends and meeting so many fans! I have a few Halloween pieces left, like these  whimsical black cat shakers. They will be listed on Etsy too.

October will be here this weekend! Yay...Halloween is almost here!

Come See Me at Halloween and Vine this Weekend!

This Saturday will be filled with spooky tricks and treats as I participate in the art show Halloween and Vine in Petaluma, CA. I'm so excited to be a part of this show that only features art celebrating October 31! I've been working on new paper mache witches and black cats, in addition to watercolors and mixed media works. Come by and say hello, and then enjoy the celebration of Halloween! 

Halloween Art Cards Make Originals Affordable

I have not painted many Halloween artist trading cards in a while and thought it was time. Artist trading cards (ATC), or as eBay calls them art cards, editions and originals (ACEO), are tiny works of art created on a standard size of 2-1/2" by 3-1/2" sheet. They were originally intended for artists to trade works of art with each other, and they were never to be sold. But they caught on with the masses, because they make original works of art affordable for everyone. I have painted many of these in past years and began moving toward larger paintings. But in this economy, I figured it was time to offer an original work for the same cost as one of my prints.

I've listed this original Halloween watercolor on eBay and you will find my auction here. Look for other Halloween ACEOs on eBay by some of my fellow Eclectic Halloween Artists Guild members by using the search term, "EHAG." Now, I'm off to continue preparing for upcoming art shows Tinsel and Treasures, September 10, in Alamo, CA, and then Halloween and Vine, September 24, in Petaluma, CA. Happy Halloween...soon! 

Who lives in Black Cat Cottage?

A lonely cottage in the woods is home to three black cats and who? It's Halloween and the moon is full, as a witch flies across the October sky followed so many bats. This is an original 5x8" watercolor mounted on black matboard now available on eBay.  

More watercolors are to come as I prepare for Tinsel and Treasures, Saturday, Sept. 10, and my newest show Halloween and Vine, Saturday, Sept. 24! I'm so elated to be part of this all Halloween folk art show in Petaluma. Head to the website to see all the other fabulous Halloween artists I will be joining! 

Also, don't miss the EHAG Emporium debut tonight! Lots of fabulous Halloween art up for grabs by my fellow artisans. Hurry to get the best selection!

Ain't No Bones About It

Summer is in full swing, although you wouldn't know it by our daytime temperatures. With a high of 75 to 80 degrees just outside San Francisco, I'm enjoying the cool summer breezes while I dream of fall. My Halloween watercolors are in full swing, while I list a few on eBay. The one pictured is more illustrative and whimsical than my usual, but I was in a JOL-ly mood when I painted it! ;0) It's listed on eBay now, and you can click here to head on over.

I've also started on some large paper mache pumpkins, witches and ghosts. Getting back to the medium is so enjoyable, especially when I can work outdoors. I hope you are enjoying the weather where you are and the creative spirit is with you!

Cat-ching Up

I seem to be spending  my days more and more on Facebook, releasing images of new paintings and the latest works in progress. Thus, so much time as elapsed since my last post, and my need to cat-ch up!  ;)  I do apologize. But, if you'd like to stay in touch more often, please head to my Facebook Iva's Creations art page and hit the "like" button. I do still plan on maintaining my blog, so never fear if you're not a Facebook devotee! Now on to my art! 

I seem to be drawn to black cats these days, as I prepare for Halloween. Yes, the summer solstice is not even a week old and I'm dreaming of fall. But as you know, I'm in the mood for Halloween all year long!

I am starting my Halloween, watercolor auctions on eBay again. The above original painting, "October Eyes," will be listed on eBay tonight, so watch my eBay auctions.

I recently sold this ACEO, "Night Flight." I am using graphite more in my work and love the dreamy affect it casts. I will be listing more of these tiny works of art, so I hope you pop in to my eBay auctions weekly, or simply add me to your favorite sellers list. Halloween is not too far off! 

Wheeeee!

Getting "Familiar"

My fellow members of the Eclectic Halloween Artists Group and I participate in art challenges every month or so. The theme for this month is Familiar Friends. So what better familiar than a black cat! I painted this one as a 5"x7" watercolor, now on eBay. But check out the other offerings from EHAG members, on eBay and on etsy. You'll find links to all of them on the EHAG blog, EHAGart.blogspot.com.

Here's a little history about familiars. In European folklore familiar spirits, sometimes referred to simply as familiars, were supernatural entities that were believed to assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic. According to the records of the time, they would appear in numerous guises, often as an animal, but also at times as a human or humanoid figure, and were described as "clearly defined, three-dimensional… forms, vivid with colour and animated with movement and sound" by those alleging to have come into contact with them, unlike later descriptions of ghosts with their "smoky, undefined form[s]".

When they served witches, they were often thought to be malevolent, while when working for cunning-folk they were often thought of as benevolent, although there was some ambiguity in both cases. The former were often categorised as being demons, while the latter were more commonly thought of and described as being fairies. The main purpose of familiars is to serve the witch/young witch. The service the familiar would provide would be to protect the new witch coming into his/her new powers.
Hope you're better familiar with familiars! ;)

A Visit from The Ghost Bride

As I continue to learn about different mediums, I try to incorporate them into my work. Graphite is a wonderful mark making tool, and I don't mean just a graphite pencil. The powder variety is excellent for making images and illustrations. The Ghost Bride is an original illustration primarily created with such powder and pencils. I added a touch of pastel and colored pencil here and there and like the effect. This is now available on eBay, if you'd like to read more about it. Try something new and you never know what kind of magic may happen!

New~ Witch Bids Halloween Greetings on EHAG Emporium March 31

A vintage-style witch bids all bright Halloween Greetings on the EHAG Emporium, which will open it's cyber doors March 31, at 9 pm Eastern. She has an antique German china doll head, vintage crepe, sculpted pumpkin, mini silver glass-glittered skelly and a Dresden moon sceptor. She wears bright Halloween fabrics and a tiny felt hat and holds a real twig broom. She stands on a glass base almost 10" tall. Each one is different and unique and, of course, made by hand!

$75, plus shipping 

If you'd like her to fly home, just shoot me an email. Also, there's more spooky goodness in my Etsy shop with new art uploaded in the last few days.

So, enjoy the shopping, as there are lots of other wonderful Halloween originals up for grabs here, in my Etsy shop and on the EHAG Emporium!

Gearing Up for the EHAG Emporium March 31

 

Only a few days away and the EHAG Emporium will once again open it's cyber doors to all who adore original Halloween art. I will have an offering or two for the unveiling, so watch for more sneak peeks here and on the Emporium blog. Don't miss it, March 31, 9 pm Eastern.

Find A Haunting Cast of Characters at Glitterfest Spring

 

Mr. Jack will be taking his wares to the Santa Ana Elks Lodge and Glitterfest this Saturday, where he will be peddling this and that. He will be camped out with me at the spring folk art show, from 10 am - 4 pm. In addition to a happy Halloween cast of characters, I will be accompanied by a number of Easter-inspired folk, from fairies to Sir Rabbit. Look for Mr. Jack the Peddler Man and me March 19, among the many other talented artisans. 

See you soon!

Flying in the Moonlight

Two friends are taking a moonlight ride while several friendly bats flutter about. What could be better than to be surrounded by friends, a full moon and Halloween night? This is an original ACEO watercolor now available on eBay. Happy Haunting!

Vintage-Style Witching Hour Doll Appearing on EHAG Emporium

 

 "Witching Hour"

It's the end of the month which means it's time for Halloween mischief on the EHAG Emporium blog! On the last day of the month, the Emporium unveils new Halloween art offered for sale by EHAG members. (In case you didn't know, EHAG is an acronym for the Eclectic Halloween Artists Group comprised of some of the most talented Halloween artists around!)

My submission for the February EHAG Emporium is the "Witching Hour," a vintage-style witch tucked neatly inside a paper mache witch's shoe. She has a China doll head and is wearing a shimmery dark bronze dress with millinery netting over her skirt. She is firmly secured inside a paper mache shoe, which I hand pressed from my vintage chocolate mold. The whimsical piece is embellished with Dresden, black glass glitter, gold bullion, vintage crepe paper and the image of an old clock face. Measures about 8" tall.

One of a kind!

 SOLD

 

A Glowing Halloween

I'm working on adding texture to my watercolors, or at least the image of texture. "A Glowing Halloween," was born from this experimentation. The 5"x7" watercolor will be listed on eBay tonight. The image was one of many photographs I took last Halloween and I can't wait to paint my way through them! I'm always in the mood for a glowing jack-o-lantern! How about you?

Painting with Sepia and Cad Orange - A Work in Progress

 

I continue to play with my watercolors and other water media, experimenting with different techniques and tools. I painted this and see gnomes, woodland faeries and other creatures. As I see these mysterious beings, I am enhancing them slightly, so they can't hide from us quite as readily. It's still a work in progress. What do you see?

This Witch Brings Good Tidings at Halloween

New art is available tonight at 9 pm EDT on the EHAG Emporium, but I'm providing an early bird preview of my contribution. She is an adorable vintage-style witch, available for $75, plus $5 shipping (CA residents will be charged sales tax). 

She wishes all a "Happy Halloween," with her arms loaded with October 31 treasures! She holds her broom, a hand sculpted pumpkin, a mini skeleton sprinkled with silver glass glitter and a Man in the Moon gold Dresden wand. Her head is vintage China from Germany and she stands atop a glass base. Her spidery cotton skirt is covered in tulle and her bodice is made of vintage black crepe paper trimmed with gold dresden. She wears a hand sewn felt hat adorned with vintage seam binding and a star. A small "Happy Halloween" sign adorns the glass base. The piece stands a litte over 10" tall, was handmade by me, comes signed and is one of a kind!

Halloween Doodles

In between projects, I like to doodle. I was experimenting with pen and ink and colored pencils on hot press watercolor paper. Just a fun little piece I wanted to share.  Still working on my studio clean up and hopefully photos will be in order soon. Happy haunted weekend!

Fab Halloween Art Up for Grabs on EHAG Emporium

Head over to the EHAG Emporium to have a chance at winning one of three Halloween folk art pieces now up for grabs! Just leave a comment on the blog, along with your email address in case you win, and you could be one of three lucky winners! The uber talented Laurie Hardin of Monkey Cats Studio (above giveaway) and David Everett of Chicken Lips (giveaway pictured directly below) have donated items for the giveaway as have I.

My Curious Eye Ornament below follows you around the room and is perfect for anyone's cabinet of curiosities! They are also available in my Etsy shop, where you'll find Halloween art all year round.

Good luck!

A New Year Means Time for Reflection

 

"Halloween Haunts"

The start of a new year means time to reflect on my art. You may notice that I often paint a pre-teen girl and a younger boy. You see, unconsciously I am painting our two children, during a time long ago. It is a time I cherish most of all, when the world was still innocent and our family was still complete.

The new year also brings the birthday of our departed 17-year-old daughter Brianna. January 12 ushers in wonderful memories and much sadness. The fact that she is now gone is as fresh today as it was three and a half years ago when she died.

So I keep painting scenes in which innocence abounds, and the world on Halloween is full of wonder and not too scary. My idealized world helps me cope with our loss. Some of you have told me my paintings help you escape to a gentler time and place too.

So as I think about my art moving into 2011, I've realized it has been a source of joy for me during the darkest time in my life. And it continues to elevate me to a better state of mind each time I put pencil and paint brush to paper.

The above painting is available on SpookyTimeJingles.com.