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!

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.

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!

Halloween Manor ~ Won't You Come In?

Maybe Halloween Manor is a bit too scary on this night! 

Who is behind that tree?

Is that a ghost on the roof? 

Look, there's a witch in the window!

 Holding hands, the three children might have enough courage to pass the black cats and maybe the ghosts. But a cemetery too? They may just stand and stare for a while and then run home! 

 My original 9" x 12" watercolor painting is now available on the EHAG Emporium, tonight, July 31, for $150, plus shipping! Please email me to purchase this one of a kind original art created on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper and Windsor Newton watercolors. 

Then, head on over to see all the spooky art from my talented friends of Eclectic Halloween Artists Group, EHAG. It will be live tonight at 9 pm Eastern. Happy Halloween!

 

Beware of Odd Encounters in the Woods

As you may know from my last post, I met a tree gnome and actually snapped his picture. What I didn't tell you was the old witch we met during our meanderings in the forest. She was a bit creepy and invited us in for tea. Thankfully, my husband and I had to get back to our visitors, so we couldn't accept her invitation. I don't know if her disappointed expression was because she was lonely or because she had something unfavorable in mind! You'll find her art-card-sized watercolor portrait on eBay, here. You never know who you'll meet in the forest these days! Happy wanderings!
 

Homecoming and Graduation

For the past few weeks, we've been focused on our son's high school graduation. Not only was there the ceremony, but a senior picnic, senior photos, senior barbecue and grad night, in which directly following the ceremony the students were whisked off to a USS destroyer docked in Oakland and outfitted with all sorts of games and activities. The night culminated in the 200+ recent grads hopping onto a boat and crusing the San Francisco bay with more music, games and lots of food and espresso. They didn't get home until 6:15 am the next day!

While our son was off having a good time, we had family and friends staying with us. So we took a day trip to Muir Woods in Marin County. If you've never gone, it is one of the few remaining places in the world where giant redwoods still tower above the land.

Some reach as high as 260 feet and are as old as 1,000 years! They are magnificent sentries near the coast and are among the oldest living things on earth. We even spotted a few deer that came down from the hills to feast on the lush carpet of greenery.

And...I even found a tree gnome!

Do you see his profile? He is looking to the left of the screen, with his button nose and big chin! I just knew the forest there was enchanted!!

With all the entertaining, sightseeing and celebrating, I managed to finish a watercolor "Halloween Homecoming," and post it as a "Buy It Now" listing on eBay.

I hope you are enjoying the start of your summer.

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!

The Haunt

Beware of the house at the end of the street! It's called, The Haunt, because of the many other-worldy creatures who call it home. Original watercolor ACEO, now available on eBay.