Join Me at Spirits in Sanford Halloween Art Show Oct. 6 & 7, 2017

Let the Halloween Mischief Begin!

"Halloween Mischief"

Although it is still wintry and cold outside, I have planned a year of exciting events and art opportunities celebrating Halloween! Foremost is more painting!! This original mixed media linoleum block print is now available on eBay, and it involves quite a process.
     If you are wondering how a "print" can also be an "original," I'll explain.
     I draw the image and then transfer it to a piece of linoleum. Then, I hand cut the image using tools that scoop out the semi-rigid linoleum. I actually carve out the positive, or the white areas. Using a brayer, I spread ink all over the linoleum and then press it onto watercolor paper. It takes a few days for the ink to dry, and then I'm ready to paint and pencil.
     Each print has to be inked, so no two are exactly alike. Most importantly, I hand paint and embellish each, so the originality of each is enhanced even more!

     I love the glowing affects the linoleum block print process provides. Watch for more of these unique pieces as the days progress to Halloween and for exciting announcements of new art events!

Who-who will be there?

More watercolor goodies in store for upcoming fall shows! A work on progress. Who-who will I be seeing there? I hope it's you!...Iva

A Haunted Night!

"A Haunted Night!"

I am dreaming of Halloween and just listed an original Halloween watercolor postcard on eBay. You see, I'm preparing for three folk art shows this fall, two of which are Halloween shows!

First, I'll kick off the show season with Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show, Sept. 15 in Danville, CA. I can't wait to see all my friends and collectors at the show! I'll be in California for a week visiting friends and shopping, of course! Then off to see my parents in Reno. The trip will culminate with the wonderful Halloween art show Halloween and Vine, Sept. 29, in Petaluma, CA. It's always an awesome event with some of the best Halloween artists around! I love that I am returning again this year to this show!

And finally, I'll be participating in a Halloween folk art show closer to my home in Florida. Spirits in Sanford, Oct. 13, is in Sanford, FL, a quaint, historic town a little more than an hour from me. I will be celebrating Halloween so many times before the 31st!

With dreams of Halloween, I hope you enjoy the later half of your summer!

Imagine Halloween Night

"Halloween Night"

Original 9"x12" Acrylic Painting on Canvas Panel

As you know, I love painting with watercolors. But I got the itch to pick up my acrylic paints and create a Halloween scene similar to one I painted some years ago.
     This is how I imagine Halloween out in the country during a more innocent time. (Although, the headless horseman and a couple of wolves are heading this way, so maybe not so innocent!) Anyway, I'm going to continue to paint some of these off and on in between my watercolors. Let me know what you think! 
     "Halloween Night" is an original painting on a 9"x12" canvas panel and signed by me. It comes unframed, so you can easily pop it into a frame of your choice purchased at your local craft store. It's being featured on the EHAG Emporium tonight, May 31, at 9 pm eastern. Use the secure paypal button below to add it to your collection. First come, first served! And don't forget to check out all the other talented EHAG artists featured on the Emporium!

 ~ SOLD ~

Happy Halloween!

Howling with Delight

I hope you enjoyed that large glowing orb on Saturday night! We were out and howled with delight as it rose to its closest point to earth this year. I was so inspired by the perigee moon, I created my first Halloween ACEO of 2012. "Harvest Moon" is up for bid on eBay, just click here to head to my auction. Happy Haunting!

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! 

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! ;)

Halloween Smiles

I'm busy decking the house, inside and out, for my favorite holiday! It always makes me smile when I  break out the decorations! I take special pride too when people walking past tell me they always love my Halloween yard display.

So still smiling, I managed to complete another original Halloween-inspired watercolor. It tells you how I feel at this time of year! It's painted on 140 lb. waterolor postcard and bears all the necessary postcard markings on back...except postage! What better way to say Happy Halloween to someone than to send an original painting! I have finished it with a special spray coating for protection. It's available now on eBay and ends Friday, Oct. 22.

Say Hello at Glitterfest Saturday, Oct. 2

Come see me this Saturday at Glitterfest, 212 South Elk Lane, Santa Ana, CA, from 10 am - 4 pm. I'll be celebrating Halloween and Christmas, with a few seaside goodies as well. Please stop by and say hello!

All Smiles for Fall

After a long summer of cool temperatures, we're getting a bit of Indian summer here. The thermometer has reached close to 100 degrees for the past two days and we have another hot one in store today. But thankfully, I know it won't last. You can see signs of the approaching fall. The leaves are starting to change and flutter to the ground. It inspires me so much to try and capture that feeling of cooler temperatures and brilliant colors in my watercolors. The painting above is now listed on eBay and ends tonight. It makes me smile knowing that fall is on it's way!

A Work in Progress - Painting Halloween

I am painting several more 9x12 watercolors, and I thought it would be fun for you to see some of my works in progress.  Here's my latest I hope to finish today and will most likely list in my Etsy shop by tomorrow. Once complete, I'll post the finished piece and you can see how I've added more texture, deeper colors and a few more characters. I hope to video a painting so you can watch me from start to finish! So off I go to finish this and continue preparation for the Third Annual Tinsel and Treasures Folk Art Show, Saturday, September 18, in Alamo, Ca. You can read all about the details on the website or head to the blog for photos of the participating artists work and the four make and take projects lead by Dede Warren.

I'll also be at Glitterfest Fall, Saturday, October 2, in Southern California. Hope to see you at one or both of these delightful shows!!

A Window to Your Soul

...at least that's what they say of our eyes. I've created a few more of these handmade ornaments with black glass glitter and a vintage image of an eye that follows you around the room. A bit creepy? Yes. And there is something about these little gothic pieces that makes me feel as if someone truly IS watching. Because they are made by hand, each is unique in its own way. And you never know if this is a window to a magical world with someone looking in on the other side! Available now on eBay and in my Etsy shoppe.

We Can All Use a Bit of Halloween

Wow...Glitterfest was here and gone in a flash! But I used my little Flip camera to share a bit of the experience with you. And even though it was Glitterfest spring, I brought some Halloween to share with the shoppers. As many of you love October 31 as I do, it comes as no surprise that I sold many pieces celebrating All Hallow's Eve, in addition to my mermaid inspired art.

I hope to have a few more pieces up on eBay in the next week. "Hope" is the key word. Our son is graduating from high school next week and lots of family and friends will be staying with us. Soon, our son will be heading off to LSU for college. I am so happy for him, with a merit scholarship to boot. But of course, I will miss him so! Life is full of change, and we can only hope for the best.

Glitterfest Fun with Paper and Fabric

I love mixing paper and fabric to come up with original folk art for Halloween. My Victorian paper doll witch is the perfect example! Her skirt is filled with tulle to make it full and then I've used vintage-style millinery netting over it. Don't you think it gives it the perfect gothic feel? And she is a favorite image of mine from my collection of Victorian scrap books. This spooky gal is about 17" tall, and has a unconventional glass glitter witches hat. She is the perfect door greeter for Halloween! (She has a hook in the back for easy hanging.) If you like her, visit my page on SpookyTimeJingles.com where she is currently available.

Also, if you're in Southern California, look for me at Glitterfest on Saturday, May 22, 10 am - 3 pm, at the Elks Lodge in Santa Ana. I always have a bit of Halloween available, no matter what time of year. Hope to see you there!

Away We Go To Halloween Town!

The EHAG Emporium opened at midnight and two witches decided to fly over on their Halloween Hot Air Balloon to see all the amazing art! I've listed:

Original Papier Mache Halloween Hot Air Balloon

I've painted two JOL faces on the "balloon." Two little witches face either side, so no matter what angle you see it from, it's always interesting! The piece sits upright on it's own or hangs from a curly hook at top. Lots of embellishments, dresden, vintage trim and ribbon. All hand made and measures almost 13" tall. $150 plus $10 shipping

Please email me to purchase.

Up, up and away we go into the night!!

A Soul Full of Halloween

Even though there are more than seven months until Halloween, I somehow find it all year long. The smell of wood burning in the crisp air,  the sun low in the sky casting an orange glow on all it touches and drinking spiced cider on a brisk moonlight night reminds me of fall's splendor - even though spring is almost here! These help to inspire me to create Halloween art all year long. My acrylic paints have found their way onto my palette and a young witch sprang to life on the canvas. Watch for more Halloween pieces during the next release of SpookyTimeJingles.com March 13, and every 13th of the month thereafter. Look for a few rabbits to accompany her, too and even a tiny snowman. I have to spread the holiday love!

Happy Holiday Handmade Shopping with Free Shipping!

I've got a sale going on this weekend in my Etsy Shop through Monday as part of an Etsy wide "Free shipping" promotion. Several of my Halloween pieces, including the above beeswax collage, and some of my Christmas ornaments have free shipping. The sale lasts through Monday, Nov. 30 - yup, that's tomorrow! This is a great way to support individual artists and give handmade gifts for the holidays. If you use search terms, "etsyfreeshipping" or "etsyholidaysale," you'll find thousands of items offered under the promotion. Happy Holiday shopping!

They Bid You a Scary Halloween

Two by two they come to bid you a scary Halloween. The Witching Hour - Original beeswax collage on 5"x7" board, available on PFATT Marketplace.com tomorrow, October 10.

A Crazy Colorful Halloween

Trying something a bit different can be fun and freeing. Thought I'd give a lighter, more whimsical touch to a haunted house. I had fun letting the colors bleed into each other. This one is now available on eBay. Have you tried something different lately?