Once Upon A Time

One of the things most of us do during the first month of the new year is of course clean-up, organize and plan ahead. I'm no exception, as a matter of fact I tend to do this periodically throughout the year. I'll fly into an organize it now! or I have to much s#!*t moments. Inadvertently somethings that were not meant to be purged end up in the dump bin. But I digress.

This year I paced myself and controlled the manic moments during the purging, I happen to include my computer files in that purge. Well as some of you know I used to be a muralist and did finishes as well. My company was called 2byFaux since there were two of us, the play on words was deliberate albeit somewhat 90's.

During the cleaning I came across some pics of my work Once Upon a Time . I thought it would be nice to share. Apologies for the quality of some pics that were taken at the advent of Digital photography, can you say Sony Mavica?

There were of course the usual finishes, marbling and gilt:

aging

raffia and linen walls

Modern metallic at a Home Show

There was trompe l'oeil, also known as trump lowly for smaller budgets :

the Zebra wall and Bamboo and raffia paneling,

Whats painted on?

The wainscoting, the key and the lower red cap.

Initialed plate, middle mug, platter, basil, shovel, gloves, wainscoting, rag

the voluminous drapes

Holding my breadth for a picture in an underwater bathroom.

The de riguér skies and cherubs, (the clients grandchildren)

garden vistas in niches,

and of course murals of all sizes

The clients puppy and pet monkey in a Florida vista

Gears and cogs

Flora and fauna

But what I had the most fun with was the whimsical and children's

rooms:

from magical gardens to the wilds of africa

A three ring circus under a tented roof.

Needless to say the decision or rather the necessity, due to physical limitations to leave that world behind was very difficult. However the joy the work brought me will be with me forever no matter how much the "anal retentive" me finds the need to purge.

Say What!

Say What!

Could someone please tell me when this year came to pass, it seemed to go way to fast for me, as if to reiterate my surprise my posting is belated. I know some people are just rising as if from a stupor. It's been years since I've fallen into this category.

While others counted down the minutes with anticipation and goals in hand. While most seem to say "Oh well...", this year I fell in this group. Which once again explains my belated New Years posting.

Once again we've embarked on another year! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for an even better one to come. New years resolutions begin and some old ones are resumed, since for most people, there are resolutions left over from years past. The thing to keep in mind is to never give up, nothing ventured,nothing gained, not to mention pain .

One of the things that New Years bring is reflection.

For me there is much appreciation. Despite all my difficulties I have been blessed to rekindle my creative spirit, and share it with all of you.

This year, I plan on expanding my horizons beyond Halloween much more and offering many new characters for different Holidays. You'll see some themes that seem to be favorites from years past as well as new and exciting ones. Of course this means getting down to some serious work and maintaining somewhat of a schedule. That includes blogging more often. All this, while trying to work within my physical limitations. With a little planning, some timed rest periods and the help of modern medicine I should be OK.

First up on the agenda is catching up on commissions, so for those of you patiently waiting for your creations, it won't be long before they'll be in your hands. Halloween items will be offered year round of course, but the first new venture will be Easter. Bunnies, hip-hopping and chicks a' clucking in festive vintage style fashions. Stay tuned for sketches and WIPS.

There will be the usual yearly Shows to attend, and the exploration of new venues near and far. I hope this year will be as much fun for my cherished collectors as last year was for me. I hope to meet even more of you, rekindle old acquaintances , and start some wonderful new ones. Happy Belated New Year!

New Year’s babies from the illustrator J.C. Leyendecker; and some of his numerous Saturday Evening Post covers which captured the essence of the year into the theme surrounding the baby.

Still Here!

Still Here

Hello everyone. No I've not been abducted by aliens, I'm still here. Here being relative. I apologize for my lack of posting but my plate has been full with some ongoing health issues.

Most of you know of my physical limitations due to an auto accident a couple of years ago.

I've slowly adjusted my activities to work with the limitations I've been left with. Well just as one thinks they've got it down the rug is shaken again.

Due to my newest reality I've not been able to create as often as I'd wished so like my physical limitations my output has been limited. But it's still an output! I'm a bit behind on commisions as well but I hope everyone will bear with me as I work out this next stage. Enough of that!

These fellers are my Christmas efforts so far. For some reasons I've been smitten with snowman fever. I always like them as a child. I suppose it had something to do with growing up in Florida.

Never having seen snow till I was 19 in Baltimore during the Blizzard of 81, snowmen were exotic to me as a child. Frosty being my favorite Holiday TV special.

These guys have a ways to go, but hopefully with some help I'll have some ready for this months STJ posting, and some for Ebay, that is unless anyone wants to put dibs on any of them (hint, hint)

The kitties have been enjoying some glorious weather lately, but that seems to end this evening as we expect to go down to the 30's. Were at 54 now which puts me in the mood to put up my tree. With the help of some friends and hot chocolate tonight seems to be the night. Well, now back to those snowmen.

Catching my Breath!

Well, the last of the Halloween shows I was attending came to pass. What a ride it was this year from September to date, Halloween and Vine seems ages ago, it seems it was only yesterday that I was in Spirits in Sanford and of course I’m still reeling from all the fun had by all at Spookytime Jingles Soiree and after party.

After all the prepping, packing, repacking setup and breakdown, the most memorable moments are those shared with old friends and new ones.

I thought Id share some of those memories in pictures, that is the ones I was able to capture. Why does it always seem you've taken a thousand pictures, then when you upload the camera it's a quarter of what you thought. When you get a chance you visit and since you visited you think you took a picture, arrgh!

Before the setup we had a chance to visit the surrounding areas that were full of promise for exploring and picturesque to behold.

New Hope gets in the spirit.

Lots of shops and restuarants to browse through.

a quiet moment before the show.

It begins!

Of course there was Dani in Charge, our fearless leader who kept everyone on track.

It wasn't long before we were all set up and Dani was all decked out at the door to greet everyone.

Lori Rudolph's table

Brandi McKenna's giant creations

Sweet B's treats!

Elaine Thomas of Albhabet Studio's

the crowds were soon in and doing more than just browsing.

We had special visitors like Chris Klingler, seen here with Marie Patterson and Lulu Kellog,

Carolee Clark, Jennifer MacNeill Traylor who were to quick to capture in picture form, as well as the Charming and supportive Hugh Alan Luck

Thanks for stopping by guys it was great fun meeting all of you.

It was a fun day that didn't end at the Soiree.

Sweet Marie Patterson was gracious enough to open her home to us for an after party were fun was had by all.

the spread was incredibly delicious!

Of course it wasn't long before we had to say our goodbyes, but not till we promised to all come back next year and keep in touch till then.

I thank all of you collectors and artist alike from the bottom of my heart for all your support and encouragement. It is because of this support that I am able to continue to explore and share my creative endouvers.