Laurie Hardin

Clay, Glorious Clay

2012-01-24T12:18:00.001-06:00

I'm mixing paper mache clay daily right now trying to get an inventory of bases and head blanks dried so I can begin the detail work on planned pieces. I love mixing the clay in ziplock bags so that I can knead the paper mache without having an inch of material sticking to my fingers as I work. I also have to admit I use a bag so that I can toss it on the floor, take a shoe off and use my foot to do part of the kneading since breaking a wrist several years ago. It helps save the wrist power for the final kneading.

See why I call it clay? It reminds me of a stoneware or earthenware clay texturally at this point, and essentially any ceramic building technique can also be used with this paper mache clay.

Here are a few of the figures in progress since the forms don't look like much at this point. Arms need to be added, bodies built, boots added, etc.

The clay and my computer keyboard are not compatible (the dried chips like to hide under the keys) so I'll be off of the computer again most of this week.

Hope you enjoyed a quick look!
Laurie

Moritmer is Done!

2012-01-14T10:37:00.002-06:00

"Valentine Jester, Mortimer Monkey", is finished! The final brown glazing was completed yesterday so it is time to take his final photographs and get him ready for shipping.

This was a fun week to take photographs of his progression and share the process with you. Thank you for joining in the fun!

Off to go finish his photographs, and then it is back in the studio to work on another piece today.

Have a great weekend!
Laurie

Day 3 Monkey WIP Update

2012-01-13T11:02:00.000-06:00

The little jester monkey holding a heart is almost finished so this is a look at the conclusion of day three’s painting. I have some final glaze detailing to finish under the edge of his garment and a few touch ups and I think he will be done today.

Lots of little details on this fellow including many tiny painted hearts inside of hearts bordering his garment plus a few on his jester hat. I've enjoyed sharing the progress of painting with you and hope to have one final shot later today or tomorrow to show him in his finished state.

The sun is shining so I’m off to go paint…have a great weekend all!

Laurie

Day 2 Mortimer Monkey Update

2012-01-12T13:11:00.000-06:00

The little monkey character is coming along and as promised here is an update on the progress. His hat is almost done with the addition of details and the jingle bells, and the face is coming along as well. The collar and garment are today’s focus in paint and some more work on the face. Back to the painting for me! The evolution continues!

Have a great day...that's my plan!
Laurie

The Little Jester, Mortimer Monkey WIP

2012-01-11T15:52:00.001-06:00

I had several collectors ask me last year to consider sculpting a few monkeys in 2012, so this is my first attempt at a new monkey character. I had planned to have him done for PFATT Marketplace, but he just wouldn't cooperate and dry, so that deadline was missed due to damp paper mache.

He was finally dry enough yesterday I was able to do some initial blocking in with color and thought I would show you several photographs of his development over the next few days.

Hope you like him so far...stay tuned!

Laurie

Benjamin Bunny Candy Cup

2012-01-09T15:30:00.002-06:00

Our winter in the central part of the country has been very much like early Spring. I have actually gone out some mornings with nothing more than a polar fleece on as a jacket and been quite comfortable. Because of the mild temperatures teasing us about the weather to come in late March and April, my mind has already made a mental jump to Spring! This inspired the little painted candy cup, Benjamin Bunny.

Benjamin is a new painted bunny design for 2012, that is being unveiled on this candy cup. He is shown on the front of the cup with his hand holding an Easter egg (or Spring egg if you choose), with the colors of spring surrounding him in circular shapes placed in the background, and a scalloped design forming the cups top border. The handle is made from a soft copper colored wire to coordinate with the containers color key. Benjamin is painted in beige, browns and peach tones with a blue bow tie with spots.

The back of the candy cup has a small painted egg to repeat the design motif, that appears suspended by a fine painted ribbon from the borders edge.

This little candy cup will be available tomorrow, Tuesday, January 10, on PFATT Marketplace at 10 a.m. Pacific time at: SOLD-Thank you!!

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

Hope he tickles your Spring fancy...did I just hear a forecast of snow?!

Laurie

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T11:47:00.001-06:00

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that an entire year has come and gone so quickly. Thank you to all of you for your support, inspiration and encouragement throughout 2011, and for making my blog part of your routine reading. I couldn't do what I do without you!!

My wish for all of you is that you have a wonderful 2012, and that is prosperous for you in both body and spirit.

Now, as my little skelly fellow would say, "Go out and enjoy that great big wonderful world and knock'em dead!" ( I didn't say he was a philosopher.)

Happy New Year to all of you!
Laurie

Asking for some help!

2011-12-09T20:58:00.000-06:00

You've all heard about the wonders of technology and how it simplifies and helps our lives?....Well, it does when it works the way you want it to. Recently, my husband and I purchased new iPhones to help us with our home businesses and we were both quite happy with them. Then, about a week later I realized my entire email list that I had been working on for about 5 years had been replaced with my husbands phone and address list from his new phone. Many hours later and consultations with numerous computer technicians we were told it was gone. I can honestly say I felt sort of sick because of the time and effort put into the list that also contained notes regarding every piece I've sold online, who bought it and when, and special requests made by collectors. My husband felt terrible as well, so now I'm asking for some help for us to both feel better. If you did not receive an email from me tonight and you had been on my previous mailing list would you please let me know. I'm happy to add you back to the list I'm currently using, which I was able to recover from my sent email files. The rebuilding begins! Oh, the wonders of technology.

Also in the news, PFATT Marketplace opens up tomorrow morning, Saturday, December 10, at 10 a.m Pacific (11 a.m. Mountain, noon Central and 1 p.m. Eastern) with two offerings, Ira and Irvington Iceman, which are in the background in the left of the photo below. (see the last post for full images) They are sweet little fellows that need new homes. Check them out at the designated time tomorrow on PFATT Marketplace at: http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

I've also been working on other winter works. Below is Topsy Turvy, a little snowman with wire arms holding a small wreath...

and a few candy cups for the holiday season such as this sweet little snowman with candy canes shown below.

I'll have more to share next week...I hope to have that little Father Christmas/Santa figure in the background of the top photo done soon, plus a new tree topper. Christmas is fast approaching!

Have a great weekend!
Laurie

Ira and Irvington Iceman

2011-11-30T16:37:00.001-06:00

Where is the time flying? Tomorrow is December 1, already, and I have so much work to get done in a matter of days. I guess taking some time off in October, and the time lost due to a bad back that resulted from scrubbing floors (that should teach me), and now the Christmas tree farm opening last week, has really made time move at lightening speed. I think I need a time machine...do you think Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper already sold the one they purchased online?

I did manage to finish "Ira" this past week so here he is shown posing with his brother, "Irvington". Both have over sized top hats, rosy cheeks, carrot noses, paper mache candy canes, and peppermint buttons, but they couldn't agree on hat-bands, scarves vs. bow ties and vest colors, so they are definitely unique in their character.

"Ira" insisted that his vest and matching hat-band be green in color to match the holly and mistletoe he is so fond of. He also feels strongly that Santa is the only jolly fellow that can carry Christmas red in his attire, so he discouraged "Irvington" from choosing red for his vest as well.

"Ira" is also carrying a winter bouquet of pine cones, berries and holly leaves along with two candy canes to share with his sweetheart, "Irma". (FYI...those little candy canes are more difficult to sculpt and paint than one would like to think so there is another reason they are only carrying two of them.)

Both of these little fellows are signed, dated and numbered and will be the only two standing snowmen for the season.

Hope you like them!!
Laurie

Thanksgiving Wishes and a Nearly Completed Snowman

2011-11-23T14:29:00.002-06:00

I have the turkey in the refrigerator along with the yams, celery and other ingredients necessary for building the traditional foods for a Thanksgiving dinner. As I'm sitting here thinking about the preparation yet to come this evening, my mind is rushing with childhood memories of Thanksgiving dinners from the past. I can remember driving to Aunt Sis's house and the hoards of family members that would be there gathered for the food and festivities. Of course being the youngest in the family I was at the children's table in the basement, but we always had ways to amuse ourselves with mashed potato mountains, whipped topping mustaches or tales from an older sibling of a finger accidentally dipping into one of the pies or cakes prior to the dinner starting. We were young and untouched by much of today's worries, and I have to admit I'm thankful I was raised in a simpler time that moved more slowly where one could take the time to enjoy the little things in life...like whipped topping mustaches! I'm thankful for those memories and I'm thankful we have the opportunity to make new memories with our families tomorrow. I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

I also wanted to share with you the progress made on one of the little winter snowmen. Irvington Iceman is almost finished, so I put his tree and candy canes in his hands for a quick photo shoot. He already has lots of details completed on his top hat, scarf and mint-buttoned vest, but I still need to get a few washes of color on him below his vest, plus a few touch ups here and there.

I see I also need to work on smoothing out the wash around his right eye and the black spot on his forehead, too. Guess I better get to work on him before Thanksgiving preparation begins tonight!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Laurie

More Winter Figures

2011-11-17T14:38:00.003-06:00

The paper mache is flying and it looks like I'm wearing as much of it as I'm managing to get on the figures I have started. The current work table would put a five year-old's ability to make a mess to shame, and for the life of me I don't know why I'm being such a "mess maker" right now. I guess we all have our moments so here is hoping it passes soon. Through all of the mess I was able to finish the second snowman, plus I have two Santa heads finished on cone shaped bodies.

The tall Santa is just under 26" tall and is taking forever to dry. I still need to complete his shoulders and arms, as I need to on the shorter Christmas fellow, but I need the heads and bodies dry enough before beginning those additions. They should actually look more like Father Christmas figures when they are finished.

I have two tree-topper snowmen started as well so I better get back to work on those two characters so I have something to share next week. Oh that's right, next week is Thanksgiving and then we open the Christmas tree farm...how did that happen so quickly?!! Yikes, off to work I go!

Have a great weekend and happy Thanksgiving planning!

Laurie

Back in the Studio

2011-11-10T12:02:00.001-06:00

Yikes, has it really been an entire month since I last posted?!!! How did that happen? I would love to say I was off doing something fun, but I was actually busy deep cleaning the house, which consequently put me flat on my back for 10 days. Seems as though scrubbing floors on my hands and knees does not agree with my lower back. Fortunately for me it was only muscular so if I'm careful I shouldn't repeat that little episode. (famous last words) Any of you suffering with chronic back pain now has my deepest sympathy!

I was able to get back to work on Monday, and now have a few works in various stages of development. This little fellow, Dapper Snowman, is now fully sculpted and is currently drying on the rack with a tall Santa. With our interior humidity at only 40% it shouldn't take too long for the paper mache clay to dry. I'll continue sculpting for the next few days knowing that if the mood to paint hits me I should be able to switch over very soon. I need to switch it up to keep things interesting.

I'm off to go work on the second snowman, to build more top hats and to get some candy cups sculpted. It will only be a few weeks before the tree farm opens so I need to get crack-a-lackin'! Oh dear, I just remembered we are getting some pre-cut trees this year...I sure hope Mr. Monkey-Cats doesn't need help unloading those 75 frazier firs! Ouch!

I hope you all have a great day!
Laurie

PFATT Marketplace Update, Oct. 10

2011-10-09T17:26:00.001-05:00

BOTH SOLD- Thank you!
Wow, are you sick of me yet? Seems like I've been putting my work out there for sale more this past week than any other time this year. Just two more pieces and I promise I'm done for awhile!

PFATT Marketplace will have two works available. One is a very special orb. This is only the 6th orb I have created since I began Monkey-Cats Studio. They are very time consuming and average somewhere between 60 and 65 hours just to paint the figures on the piece. There are 4 figures that form the major decoration of the orb with a Ms. Moon forming the night sky above them and the bust of a skelly figure completing the bottom of the piece. The orb is paper mache painted in acrylic paints and sealed in a matte polymer varnish.

This is Winnie Wicked, with her little kitten, Midnight;

Voltaire Vampire with his companion, Ding-Bat;

Maximilian Moon and Moon-beam;

and Punkin' head Petey on his way to the Ghoulie Gras.

Ms. Moon forms the sky above the figures

and Slim Pickens skelly oversees the nether regions of the orb.

I'm very happy with this orb and hope you agree!

The second piece being offered is a skelly candy cup complete with candy corn and pumpkins.

PFATT Marketplace opens at 10 a.m. Pacific time (which is 11-Mountain time, noon-Central and 1 p.m. Eastern) Here is a link to get you directly to my page.

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

I would also like to share with you that I have a 6-page article in PRIMS magazine currently on the newsstands. I'm thrilled to be included in the pages of this magazine and hope that you get a chance to see the article. It includes Halloween works...of course!

Thank you to all of you that have supported me through this wonderful Halloween season through your kind words and purchases. It always helps to have support to keep those creative juices flowing and I hope to bring you new and more creative works in the seasons ahead!

Laurie

A "Witchy" Opportunity

2011-10-03T19:39:00.002-05:00

UPDATE...she is sold, thank you!!!!!! I have one little witch available for Halloween this year and she is nagging at me to get her out there! Her name is Owlive Batrina Wicked, and she is known not only her impatience, but for her love of owls and bats. She has feather hair, a magic wand and a little owl bucket from her front view.....

and a rather detailed owl on the back of her cape on the reverse.

Now, here is the catch...the first person to see this post and email me at monkeycatsstudio@yahoo.com

to request her for purchase wins the piece. Just put her name in the subject line and I will respond back to your email request!

Good luck and I hope you like this opportunity!

In addition to Owlive, I will be hosting a small blog sale on Sunday, October 9, at 3 p.m. central time, plus I will have work on PFATT Marketplace on October 10 at noon, Central time. For more details send me an email with "newsletter" in the subject line to be added to my newsletter email list.

Have a great evening!!

Laurie

Ghoultide Gathering 2011

2011-09-27T10:44:00.001-05:00

September is passing so quickly and it is almost time for the Ghoutide Gathering weekend. I am getting very excited and so is Mr. Boots Purrington and Professor Purrington. Boots, and his cousin, the Professor, will both be available in Northville, Michigan this weekend.

Boots is a shoe cobbler by trade, hence his name, and.....

the Professor has the brains in the family with multiple discoveries in the culturing of milk. (notice the white tux)

I do hope you are able to come see these two little Halloween creations at Ghoultide, and if so, please grab me by the elbow and introduce yourself. It is a magical weekend filled with fun and frivolity and I would love to meet you!!

Have a great week and weekend!
Laurie

Seeing the Light at the End of the Tunnel

2011-09-20T13:48:00.000-05:00

My list is growing shorter of what needs to be finished before Ghoultide Gathering and I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It feels really good to have another body of work created for a show that I feel so privileged to be participating at. Here are some of the most recently completed paper mache heads that form the handles for the lids of the boxes.

A little pumpkin head box and.....

and a little squash head box.

I still have candy cups waiting for their painted images so I better get back to work. Hope you are seeing the light as well!

Have a great week!

Laurie

Enjoying the Fall Weather

2011-09-14T16:17:00.000-05:00

The past few days have ushered in cooler temperatures to the Plains, and it has me anxious to do some fall decorating. Hubby grew pumpkins this year, including some "blue" pumpkins so I'm hoping to have a few of those to place on the porch with the big orange varieties. I'm trying not to get ahead of myself too much since it is only mid-September, but with night temperatures to be in the 30s tonight, it's hard not to think autumn is here. Perhaps I need to calm down a bit and just have a cup of hot chocolate!

The weather has also inspired me to finish up the pieces for Ghoultide Gathering. Yesterday I finished the last time consuming piece for the show so I thought I would share a few photographs.

There are four figures that surround the piece and this is one of them, a little witch figure, Willendorf Wicked. Willy, as her family calls her, is still a child at heart and continues to carry her pumpkin doll. She is a kindhearted witch, but a word of warning, don't let her her sweet face fool you, she is a prankster.

To Willy's side is Spidey Pumpkin. He loves those eight-legged arachnids and plays yo-yo and web games with them daily. His room would scare most mothers, but Spidey wouldn't have it any other way.

The last photograph is the bottom of the orb. I painted a little lumina pumpkin character placed against a night sky to finish the piece. I love pumpkins so it just seemed to be the right thing to complete the work.

There is a night sky and two other characters not shown in this post...I want to have a few surprises for the collectors at Ghoultide to look forward to.

Hope your weather is feeling more like fall too!

Laurie

Hunky-Dory

2011-09-08T20:27:00.000-05:00

This Saturday, September 10th, which also just happens to be my birthday, I will have one Halloween work available on PFATT Marketplace at 10 a.m. Pacific time. His name is Hunky-Dory, because in his world everything is just hunky-dory, and karma seems to smile upon him.

He is only the fourth fully sculpted Halloween figure I have offered this year so if you are unable to attend Ghoultide Gathering, this will be the only other piece offered in September.

He has long sculpted fingers holding his candy bucket and carrying his jack-o'-lantern companion. Hunky-Dory is just under 16" in height, and is made of paper mache, wood and wire and comes painted in acrylic paints sealed with a matte polymer varnish.

I have been in contact with a school counselor, and 1/2 of the selling price of Hunky-Dory will be given to a local elementary school that I think will benefit from the proceeds of the sale. The staff at the school has repeatedly proven to go above and beyond for their students so I am thrilled to be able to help in a small way. We are so blessed to have such devoted teachers and staff in our community.

I also want to mention that my thoughts and prayers are going out to all Americans suffering from the flooding and damage caused by Irene and Lee, and the drought related fires in Texas and California. It breaks my heart to watch the weather related emergencies unfold on television, and makes me wish I had really deep pockets to assist more people in need. Lets all hope that the tropical depressions currently in the Atlantic do not find our shores.

Have a wonderful weekend and here is wishing you all the weather that you need wherever you live.

Laurie

Diversions

2011-09-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

I've practically been living in the studio for the last month, and suddenly this past week someone has put some diversions in my life, which is a good thing. As I was watering the container on the front porch last week I noticed a small lavender bloom on my sweet potato vine. I plant sweet potato vines annually, and this is the first year I have had blooms. For whatever reason this little vine is giving me bloom, after bloom, after bloom and each morning it makes me smile and take a moment to go "aawwhhhhh".

Sorry for the water on the porch behind the planter, but I had just watered the planter to thank it for it's lovely gift.

The other recent diversion has been a small kitten appearing in our yard that has such a flight instinct I worry about being able to capture her to get her to a vet. She seems to like Jake (one of the monkey cats) and he will sit with her at the door while she tries to take a nap. A neighbor and I have been trying to get her for over a week so I now have an outdoor litter box for her, a pad on a floral table to sleep on and fresh food and water to keep her nearby. Keep your fingers crossed for me she will eventually accept my actions as non-threatening.

Diversions can be good. Back to work for me!

Laurie

A Primitive Place Magazine

2011-08-22T10:40:00.003-05:00

The summer is coming to an end and with that comes the push to get ready for Ghoultide Gathering. The postcards have been sent (and I'm thrilled to be on the back of this year's card!!)...

the ads are appearing in fall magazines, such as the ad in Art Doll Quarterly (Corvus Crow received some more exposure).....

and Ghoultide Gathering articles are appearing in magazines such as A Primitive Place.

I was fortunate that a shelf full of my figures appeared in A Primitive Place magazine along with six other Ghoultide Gathering artists. (Hmmm, that darn crow was in another picture!) I purchased extra copies of the magazine to give to each collector that buys one of the featured figures on that shelf. Hope I get to give all of the magazines away!

I have many pieces to finish in the next couple of weeks so I will just be popping in and out briefly with a few peeks of works traveling to the show.

Have a great week...I'm already thinking pumpkins, falling leaves and spiced coffee.

Laurie

PFATT Marketplace Update

2011-08-09T09:31:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow morning (Wednesday), PFATT Marketplace opens for the month of August with new items. I will be offering Salisbury Squash, dressed for the Ghoulie Gras, which is the grand harvest festival of vegetables on Halloween Eve. Update: SOLD, thank you!

Salisbury is sculpted carrying his party mask and treat bucket to the festivities hosted by some of his more "seedy" friends (garden humor). Not to worry though, the mischief is pretty harmless or Salisbury wouldn't be wearing his best suit and bow tie.

This will be my third full-sized Halloween figure offered for the year. If you are interested, click on this link http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html at 10 a.m. Pacific time (11 a.m.-Mountain, noon-Central and 1 p.m.-Eastern), view his price and email me with the cost in the subject line, and if you are the first to email me he will be yours! Hope he finds a new home!

Have a great day!!
Laurie

Patience?

2011-08-02T15:03:00.000-05:00

Last Monday I managed to stick an exacto knife into my left hand in the joint where the index finger meets the palm of the hand. The cut was small in width, but I took it to the bone so the impact has been worse than I had hoped. I still can't hold a figure to paint it and can't manage to sculpt with the left hand either so I'm trying to be creative with making "holders" or "easels" to support pieces to paint while my hand heals.

Below is the figure, "Maximilian Moon", on the second orb I have painted this year. I achieved painting him by using a large coffee mug with cling wrap placed loosely over the opening of the mug so it would keep the orb from moving or shifting as I painted. A friend had suggested I use a pillow, but I couldn't keep the orb stable so I came up with the mug as a holder...darned if it didn't work! A little patience (not my strong suit by any means!) and creative solutions do appear!

Patience is being taught to me...I'm listening, I'm listening!!

Have a great week!

Laurie

A. Dora Belle Wicked

2011-07-22T10:40:00.001-05:00

I've been working in paper mache clay all week, which means my fingers have been covered in the white sticky material most of the day. I have found that it isn't a very good idea to try to use the computer keyboard while I'm sculpting (I hate trying to pick hard little bits of clay out from under a key or space bar) so that is the reason for this weeks late posting.

I had several of you ask to see the witches I completed last week so here is one of them. This is A. Dora Belle Wicked, or Dora Belle for short. Dora Belle is one of the Wicked sisters that displayed exemplary flying skills from a very early age and currently holds numerous cross-country speed records for brooms.

Dora Belle's sisters all tell the story that Dora Belle first displayed her "need for speed" when she jumped on her mother's broom at the age of 10 months and sped off over the house. Her sisters all recall her returning a short time later with a penguin she had picked up in Antarctica. In no time Dora Belle was known for her quickness, establishing speed records in her neighborhood and never losing a local broom race.

Dora Belle is shown wearing her special night-flight hat and boots, her "Order of the Bat" pin at her neck and carrying her broom, Speedster.

Hope you like her. Have a great weekend!
Laurie

Gandolph Gourd

2011-07-13T10:15:00.000-05:00

Work continues on building an inventory for Ghoutide Gathering. I just finished Gandolph Gourd with his super sour Halloween sucker and mini-gourd friend. If you take a look at Gandolph's teeth you will notice a few are missing. Poor Gandolph has a terrible sweet tooth and unfortunately was never taught to brush or floss after eating. (Some have even speculate that one of his missing teeth is actually his original sweet tooth! )

Gandolph got very excited when he was given this Halloween sucker and instantly took a big bite. Much to Gandolph's surprise the sucker wasn't sweet, but was a special super sour version of the familiar confection created by one of his witchy friends.

I think there is a lesson to be learned by Gandolph...if the sucker has a slightly "sour" face, perhaps it isn't as sweet as you would hope.

It was fun playing with this character. Hope you like him!

Laurie

Marcelo Moon

2011-07-07T12:15:00.002-05:00

My goodness, someone slow down the clock, please!! I can't believe it is July 7th, and it is time to update pieces on PFATT Marketplace for their unveiling on July 10. I have just sent in my update for the month and I will have one offering, Marcelo Moon, seen below. UPDATE...Marcelo is SOLD. Thank you!!

Marcelo is a little celestial being that is in love with Halloween...so much so that he descends from the skies to trick or treat for goodies on Halloween night. He always comes in costume, including his celestial top hat, shorts and boots, plus carrying his favorite treat bucket that has a portrait of himself in his youth on the front.

He is painted in gold and orange hues (except for his green eyes) so his color will fit in nicely with any Halloween collection. He will come signed, dated and numbered and is a one-of-a-kind original from my studio.

This piece will be released for sale on Sunday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time, on PFATT Marketplace: http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

Hope you like him!!

Laurie

Pumpkin Boy Update

2011-06-27T19:02:00.001-05:00

Sorry I didn't get a post up last week, but I had a camera and computer that decided they were no longer friends. My computer would not let me upload any images into blogger, and I kept getting error messages that the photos were downloaded from another computer. I completely reloaded my camera program and finally got it to work this morning. I have no clue what happened, but it's working now so I have my fingers crossed!!

As promised, here is an update on Billy A. Battykins, a little lumina pumpkin boy shown in the last post. Billy loves his bats and baby pumpkins.

He has a long pumpkin stem, a cape collar, bat bow tie, bat scepter and little jack-o'-lantern that all help make part of his charming character.

He hopes to find a home this fall so he can share his Halloween spirit!! Wish him luck!

Laurie

Pumpkin Boy WIPs

2011-06-14T13:50:00.001-05:00

I have been working on finishing a group of 11 figures in paper mache this past week. It always amazes me how long it takes to add their little fingers, boots and "extras" to help them develop a personality. Below, are two of the pumpkin boy figures that are almost completed in paper mache. The figure on the left is waiting for his scepter head, but he has failed to tell me yet what it needs to be so currently it is just a stick. I suspect from the way he is holding that stick it needs to be a cane so he can tap dance the night away. Doesn't he look like he wants to dance?...and 5-6-7-8, (insert Fred Astaire singing- )

"I'm puttin' on my top hat,

Tyin' up my white tie,

Brushin' off my tails.

I'm dudin' up my shirt front,

Puttin' in the shirt studs,

Polishin' my nails...."

Okay, that just gave me the solution!! I love it when things work that easily!

Have a great week...I'm off to sculpt the top of Fred's cane!!
Laurie

The Orb Figures are Completed

2011-06-06T13:34:00.000-05:00

The orb is done and I'm now painting on a few sculpted figures before mixing some more paper mache clay to sculpt with this week. I looked at the calendar over the weekend and counted the days left before Ghoultide Gathering, and then counted the number of pieces I have done, and I sort of felt my heart skip a beat....yikes, time to kick it in high gear! Since it is an evening and day event this year, instead of just a day event, I would like to have a few more pieces done.

I mentioned in the prior post that I would show the figures on the newest orb so here they are....

"Spidey Wicked".....

"Monte Moon".....

"Over Bite"....

"Lenny Lumina"....

and "Skelly Bones" on the bottom.

Hope you like how the orb figures turned out!

Have a great week!

Laurie

New Orb

2011-05-31T13:30:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! We had a lovely weekend here until the tornado warning last night, and yet I still managed to start to put paint on a new paper mache orb. I have the top and one figure painted, but the photographs of the witch were fuzzy so I'll just show you Ms. Moon today.

Ms. Moon is going to oversee 4 figures that will encircle the sides of the orb. She is in the center of the night sky and is surrounded by her glow rings, stars and dots. As I finish up this piece I will show you the side figures and base that Ms. Moon presides over.

Have a great week!
Laurie

New Works in Progress

2011-05-25T20:13:00.000-05:00

I have been in paper mache clay up to my elbows this past week...really! I have to admit I was getting a little crazy flinging the paper mache around because I discovered a small piece on the edge of my ear. Wonder if it was there when I went to the grocery store? Oh well, such is my life at the moment.

Below is the start of a new group of figures. They still have many components that need to be covered in paper mache, arms that need to be built, boots and shoes that need to be manufactured, bow ties to be tied, scepters to be adorned, along with other items to be finished before I can paint.

This is the fun part of the creative process. Anything you can make in paper mache is possible at this point so the mind gets to run freely to imagine and dream of the possibilities.

Hope your mind is full of magical thoughts and dreams too! I'm off to go play...uh, I mean work!!
Laurie

New Skelly figure and Mortimer

2011-05-17T12:59:00.000-05:00

I have been busy painting on the sculpted works in the studio and realized I have been neglecting to post. Time is passing quickly for me so I thought I would share with you what I have been up to before another week passes. Below is "Dr. Dem' Bones", who is actually related to "Baron von Spidey Bones" (previous post), and hence has a bit of a family resemblance....well, as far as skelly figures can resemble each other that is.

"Dr. Dem' Bones" is shown getting ready to attend the Ghoulie Gras, hence his formal top hat and white "bone-tie". He didn't want to show up for the party without a gift for the hostess so he is carrying Larry Lumina, a little jack-o'-lantern, to present upon his arrival. Also, the hostess has a hairy creature very fond of bones so he has brought along several bones on twine to make sure the little fellow doesn't try to grab one of the Doctor's skeletal bones again this year. (He never did get that one rib bone back last year!)

There is going to be one more skeleton based skelly figure coming up so if you happen to be coming to Ghoultide Gathering you will find them there.

I also recently had a reminder that I had not posted the finished "Mortimer on the Pumpkin", so here he is!

Hope you like them and have a great week!!

Laurie

PFATT Marketplace Updates Tomorrow Morning!!

2011-05-09T12:34:00.001-05:00

Time is flying, and unfortunately the speed of me producing new works is not-yikes!! Must work faster, must work faster, is my new mantra. I can't believe we have another PFATT Marketplace update tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (11 Mountain, noon Central and 1 p.m. Eastern) already! UPDATE: All SOLD...thank you!!

I have three offerings this month, Baron von Spidey Bones, and two candy containers Lance Lumina and Morrie Moon.

Baron von Spidey Bones is my first full-sized Halloween figure being offered this year. He has lots of details including his ornate rib cage and the little spiders building webs to help hold his bones together; a rather ornate back of bones, as well, with another spider hard at work;

a small little bone-tie at his neck; a large top hat and a suspicious smiling jack-o'-lantern held in his hand. He will come signed, dated and numbered by me. A small note, he is all hand sculpted without the use of molds.

The two candy containers are also handmade paper mache and are hand painted with my original designs. Both characters, Lance Lumina and Morrie Moon, hold items in their hands and their images overlap a background of a sky filled with stars, swirls and a spiderweb on the back of the containers.

If you are interested in any of the three pieces, go to:

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

then email me at:

monkeycatsstudio@charter.net

after the marketplace opens Tuesday morning with which piece(s) you are interested in and the cost of the piece. Please remember to include the cost in your email so that I can keep it fair for all collectors.

I'm off to go mix paper mache clay now! Must work faster, must work faster......

Painting on a New Skelly Figure

2011-05-04T10:59:00.000-05:00

It is a gorgeous day outside with lots of sunshine so the light is excellent for painting. What am I working on you might ask...Halloween of course. He doesn't look like much so far with things just roughed in so I will try to remember to take photographs throughout the day to update his evolution.

Hope you like his skeletonized start!

Have a great day!
Laurie

One of My Favorite Things

2011-05-02T14:15:00.000-05:00

With Mother's Day approaching I thought I would share one of my favorite things with you...goat's milk soap. I purchased my first bars years ago in a little shop in Colorado, and initially used them to scent our blanket closet. I eventually unwrapped the still scented soap to use for bathing and fell in love immediately. I just don't think you can beat this soap, especially if you have dry skin!

I love the patchouli scent (the bars on the right) and I also love the mint scent (left and front center), but I LOVE that they combined my two favorite scents into one bar (top center)!! It is pure pampering in that little bar of goodness!!

The bars were cut for me on Saturday and I plan on taking pieces of handmade paper and wrapping the bars as Mother's Day gifts for this coming weekend. If you need a little something extra to give as a Mother's Day gift, consider a few bars of a special scent you know your Mother would love! (and maybe pick up one for yourself!)

Have a great week!
Laurie

Mouse and Pumpkin update

2011-04-27T12:13:00.001-05:00

It has been a very snowy/rainy spring here, and this week has continued that trend so rather than sculpt clay that won't dry, I decided I needed a change of pace and painted the last two days. Here is an update on the little mouse on the jack-o'-lantern.

The piece isn't finished yet, I still have a lot to get done on the mouse face and need to work on the color contrast on his body plus he needs some Monkey-Cat touches, so I will show you the little fellow later after he is done.

Also in the photo are some white paper mache pumpkin forms drying and waiting for their turn for some paint. I have lots to do so I better get cracking!

Have a great week!

Laurie

A Little Halloween Mouse

2011-04-22T12:52:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the long delay in getting a new post up, but we went to Montana to a niece's wedding over the weekend so I was gone for 5 days. The bride was beautiful, and the day was lovely so we were so glad to be able to share in the couple's joy.

The little fellow below is a new figure for me...a mouse. I have him posed on the top edge of the jack-o'-lantern appearing to need the stem of the pumpkin to balance himself. I'm still contemplating if he needs a Halloween bucket or not. He doesn't have one in the sketch, but I'll know as he starts to get some paint on him if it needs a little more flare.

I'm off now to go get back into the paper mache clay. Have a great weekend!

Laurie

New WIPs for Halloween!

2011-04-12T15:33:00.000-05:00

Now that some of the other business things are taken care of I am back in the studio playing in paper mache clay. I have a few skelly boys started (armless and naked at this point), an owl candy container, owl figure, and owl-head handle, plus Jakey Boo (cat) in a jack-o'-lantern and a crow head. They really don't look like much at this stage, but I'm just thrilled to be in the clay again.

Ah, Halloween, it fills my heart with joy to play in the imagery of the season! I will show updates as the little fellows develop accoutrements and accessories.

Have a great week.

Laurie

PFATT Marketplace April Updates

2011-04-10T11:01:00.002-05:00

PFATT Marketplace updates today at 10 a.m. Pacific time (11 a.m.-Mountain, noon-Central and 1 p.m. Eastern). I will have two little candy cups, "Witchy Poo" and "Boo Bite" (BOTH SOLD-Thank you!) as well as .....

two little bunnies that were recently returned to me from Prims Magazine. The characters below are "Rudy Rabbit" (SOLD - Thank you!)....

and his younger brother, "Russell" (SOLD-Thank you!). Both rabbits were featured in the current issue of Prims and will come with a copy of the magazine to document their provenance.

If you are interested in any of the works go to PFATT Marketplace and enjoy all of the eye candy from the artists that make up this terrific group!

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/monkeycats.html

Thank you for your support and interest in my work!

Laurie

Deadlines....Yikes!!!

2011-04-06T13:29:00.000-05:00

Have you ever experienced the feeling that time is on your side and everything is flowing well, and you are getting a lot of things done, and then realize that there was something you forgot about?!! I almost forgot about the PFATT Marketplace update this month. I flipped the April calendar open and had an OMG moment. Where is my brain?

Fortunately, I already had some candy containers made and primed, and was then able to turn to one of my trusty-rusty sketchbooks for quick ideas for figures.

The little witch is done, the vampire is blocked in and will get finished today, photographs and edits tomorrow, and then back to the computer to complete the listing for the unveiling on the 10th. Gosh, and everything was going so swimmingly!!

Have a great week and happy creating. Off to go paint!
Laurie

Little Parker Pumpkin with Bailey Bat

2011-03-28T20:35:00.004-05:00

I have finally finished the painting on two new sculptures, and this is one of them, "Parker Pumpkin." As is normal with many of my figures, Parker has a story. It seems as though Parker comes with a well-vined pedigree, with his family's seedstock traced back to at least the 1620s, when his ancestors were shared with the settlers of the Plymouth Colony. Being native to North America, this little fellow's family roots run deep and proud.

Parker learned at an early age the impact his family had on the history of America, and he was raised to uphold the standards of his family tree, uh, I mean vine. Parker had other ideas, however, after he overheard a group of young pumpkin boys discussing Halloween and all of the mischief and fun of the night. The other little pumpkin boys shared their love of bats, spiders and bugs, and told him stories of spooky ghosts, witches and ghouls. Parker decided he wasn't going to become food for the humans; he was going to become a jack-o'-lantern!

After Parker learned that most jack-o'-lanterns were carved and not painted, Parker carefully rethought the idea and decided instead to train Halloween bats. Over time, what Cesar Millan is to dogs, Parker became to bats... he became known as the "bat whisperer!"

Parker is shown in this sculpture with a bat named Bailey, in his right hand, and uses this well balanced bat to teach other little nocturnal fellows how to get over their fear of jack-o'-lanterns. After all, you can't have a bat afraid of common everyday Halloween folk. Not to worry, Parker hasn't failed yet with any of his bats, and it is partially due to the talents of Bailey!

Hope you like this silly pumpkin and understand his batty dreams.

Have a creative week!

Laurie

New Painting and Prims

2011-03-21T17:26:00.003-05:00

When I first started my own online business one of the characters that I painted was a fellow named "Sir Jack Spinner." He was named by a dear lady, Mary Henning, who is also one of the best storytellers in our state as well as being a published children's writer. She took one look at the painting and immediately told me his name was "Sir Jack Spinner", and that he was hosting a Pumpkin Ball. We talked seriously about doing a children's Halloween book, but Mary had multiple book projects already in the works, I started selling the paintings from that series and got so wrapped up in sculpting I simply moved on and left Sir Jack behind...or so I thought.

As I was working on small canvases recently "Sir Jack Spinner" would not stay out of my head. I decided that he obviously wanted to attend the "party" I'm creating for my Ghoultide Gathering table. Sir Jack came to me transformed from his initial appearance. He is thinner, his hat less exaggerated, his spider companion more streamlined, and he is shown under the night sky dressed to attend a Ghoulie event instead of hosting one in his home.

I'm really having fun with these small canvases and hope to complete a small group for collectors to add to their Halloween groupings.

In other news, I received my copy of "Prims" magazine and a note congratulating me that I have been published! I am just thrilled that the spring issue of "Prims" displays a triumvirate of my rabbits, Rudy, Russell and Randolph.

I am so excited to have these characters in print and to be a part of such a lovely publication. The magazine also has fellow Ghoultide Gathering artists Pam Gracia (Rachel Lapine), Allen Cunningham (Springtide Queen Anne) and Nicol Sayre included within the pages, along with artists I've met online such as Jo James & Dylan Curry, Diane Duda, Dixie Redmond, Daryle Cook, Nancy Malay, Karin Pender and sweet Colleen Moody! Don't miss this issue!

Thank you Jennifer and "Prims"!! To order your copy follow this link

http://www.stampington.com/html/prims_spring11.html

Have a great week all!

Laurie

Painted Halloween Portraits

2011-03-15T14:24:00.000-05:00

We have been having some Internet problems and I'm afraid my cute little neighborhood squirrels might be the cause...seems as though they like to chew on wiring that is placed above ground. No wonder the cable company has buried as much of the cable as they can. Anyway, sorry for the late post, but I didn't have Internet access.

One of the good things I discovered about not having Internet access was how productive I was without the distraction of running over to the computer to check email or Facebook. (Maybe those squirrels are a good thing!) I was able to put the finishing touches on this tiny little pumpkin boy portrait yesterday, which is on a 4" wrap around canvas. I hope to get a few more done in the upcoming weeks to place on these small black wooden easels I found. I think they will work nicely with other Halloween collectibles to enhance your arrangements of holiday objects. Yes, I'm all Halloween already, and happy to be so!

Have a great week and St. Patrick's Day!
Laurie

Going to the Ghoulie Gras

2011-03-07T14:30:00.000-06:00

My land, it is March already! I don't know about you, but as I'm getting older I am noticing that time feels as though it is moving faster, just like my mother use to say to us when we were in our teens. I remember thinking at the time how silly that comment was because time was time, so how could my mother possibly be experiencing it differently from us, her own children? Little did I know. I don't necessarily feel older, or perhaps I should use the term mature, but I definitely am suffering from the feeling that time is moving at warp speed. Slow it down Scotty, I need to get more work done and those warp engines are going way too fast. (Yikes, a Star Trek reference!)

In between worrying about my time dilemma and working on sculpted pieces last week, I was also able to complete a painting from a sketch I have had that is close to two years old, "Going to the Ghoulie Gras". If we can have Fat Tuesday, (Mardi Gras), the ghouls must have a day of fat as well....even though most ghouls I know are on the lean side. Actually, I just liked the sound of Ghoulie Gras, even though it doesn't translate well.

This little pumpkin fellow has a Ghoulie Gras mask in hand, a night scene, bats and graveyard as a backdrop, and a smiling pumpkin companion willing to roll his way across the landscape to attend the festivities. The painting is 5" x 7", and looks nice mixed in with some of the Halloween characters completed for Ghoultide Gathering.

Well, I'd better get back to work because tomorrow will be Friday already (not really, but it feels like it.) Have a great and productive week!

Laurie

Stepping Out Jack

2011-03-01T12:23:00.001-06:00

I tried something new in the studio this past weekend with paint. I have been creating lumina or moon pumpkins (cream colored) for the last several years and I decided to try some golden colors with orange and black to see if I liked the look. "Stepping Out Jack" is the first pumpkin figure painted in this color palette. The coloration is similar to several gourd/squash heads I have previously painted, so I'm thinking I still need to go more orange toned on the next piece.

I am also having lots of fun with the smaller pumpkins I'm adding to the pieces, but realized while looking at this photograph they appear sort of "shrunken head" like when being held by the stem by the seated pumpkin boy. I swear my smiling pumpkin boys are not head hunters or cannibals...although that did just give me an idea for a new piece!

Hope you like this new fellow!!

Have a great week!
Laurie

Corvus Crow

2011-02-22T13:47:00.001-06:00

Thought I would share with you the first crow I have ever created, little "Corvus Crow". He is going to Ghoultide Gathering the end of September, so he will not be available online.

Corvus has a thing for jack-o'-lanterns so if you see a crow flying around with one hanging from his beak, chances are it is Corvus. He has brothers that are equally fond of Halloween so look for peeks of them in the upcoming months!

Have a great week!
Laurie

Peek-a-Boo Pumpty

2011-02-15T13:32:00.002-06:00

Halloween is now in full swing in the studio and I'm excited to return to the colors of orange and black...they are sort of like old friends to me. Below is the first completed Halloween character for 2011, "Peek-a-Boo Pumpty", a funny little pumpkin boy wearing devil horns and holding a bird mask, playing peek-a-boo with us. He has just thrown up his hands and uncovered his face to expose a suspiciously sweet little smile. (I never completely trust these little guys as I blame them for the dust bunnies and cobwebs in my home...okay, maybe they aren't really responsible, but it makes me feel better to think so.)

Pumpty wasn't happy about his black and white striped unitard, but I explained to him that only real pumpkin "men" could carry it off so the muttering has subsided.

This little fellow will be going to Ghoultide Gathering, September 30 and October 1, 2011, at Mill Race Village in Northville Michigan. Check the link and look at the list of wonderful artists I have the great fortune of participating with at this wonderful Halloween festival of arts. I feel so lucky to be included and know this will be another wonderful year at Ghoultide Gathering! Don't miss it!

Have a great week!
Laurie

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T14:09:00.001-06:00

Just thought I would wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

I'm off to go make a cherry pie for dinner tonight from cherries we picked this past summer...yum! I think I'm ready to be done with winter.

Have a lovely day!

Laurie

Something New to Announce!

2011-02-09T16:45:00.012-06:00

Something new to announce at Monkey-Cats Studio. Starting tonight, I will now have my work available not only on the EHAG Emporium, but I am very happy to announce I have joined PFATT Marketplace.

UPDATE: All gone, thank you!!

For my debut tonight, 9 p.m. Pacific, I will have three spring works available, all one-of-a-kind originals, created without the use of molds and made of paper mache.

"Eggster Rabbitty" (**SOLD**, Thank you!)

"Pinky Candy Container" (**SOLD** Thank you!)

and "Ralphie Rabbitty" (**SOLD**, Thank you!)

All three works will come signed, numbered and dated.

I hope you like the little hoppers

and as always, I thank you for your consideration.

Laurie

Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-01T12:03:00.000-06:00

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the year 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is a lucky sign and it is said that people born under this sign are friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends, are characteristically wise, considerate, kind, intelligent, quick and can talk themselves in or out of most situations with no problem. A true rabbit!

The Rabbit traditionally brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. In the Chinese zodiac, Rabbit is the symbol of the moon, which is the Yin in life. It is suggested throughout this year during the full moon night that you go out into your garden to look upon the full moon and visualize moon dust and moon glow flowing into you, filling your body with bright white light, which will grant you fearlessness, love and courage. This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life. (I don't know about you, but I could use a little of that!)

Here is the first candy container rabbit I have ever made, which is in honor of the Year of the Rabbit, and obviously, our Easter tradition. He isn't available, but I thought I would share him with you since he is a first for me.

I tried to give him a gentle, but slightly mischievous face with a touch of "moon dust" (okay, it is actually glass glitter) added to his bow tie and the rim of his base. I also used a matching tinsel on the handle.

I'll have one more rabbit candy container completed for my debut on PFATT Marketplace on February 10, along with one long legged rabbit fellow....so yes, it is the Year of the Rabbit.

Have a great week and stay warm!
Laurie

Bunny wabbits

2011-01-24T12:03:00.001-06:00

I'm working on rabbits right now for the Easter season and thought I would share the little character below. This is the "Eggster Rabbitty", so named because he has an egg shape for a body and consequently no neck. He is a curious looking little fellow all prepared to make Easter egg deliveries the last weekend in April.

Below is his close up so you can see the design painted on his body and done in miniature on the tiny egg found inside his Easter basket.

I'm off to go paint on another wabbit, uh, I mean rabbit so sorry this is short! Have a great day and stay warm!!
Laurie

EHAG Giveaway!!!!

2011-01-17T11:14:00.001-06:00

Jump over to the EHAG Emporium for a chance to win one of three works being offered as a January giveaway!!! Hurry, hurry, you have until January 30, to leave a comment, share your favorite Halloween treat or treasure and an email address so you can be contacted should your name be drawn!

I am participating in the giveaway by offering the piece, Gregory Gourdhead. The top head is sculpted of paper mache and sits atop a wooden base with his little body painted holding a Halloween bucket. He is 15.5" tall.

Gregory's head can be tilted so that you can angle his eyes to be seen from a top or lower shelf. It sort of adds to his spooky flavor!

Thanks for playing, good luck, and Happy 2011 from me and all of the artists of EHAG!

Laurie

Arctic Tuesday!!! Brrrrrrr

2011-01-11T19:51:00.001-06:00

Very cold temperatures today in the heartland so the bird feeders and squirrel feeding area were all quite busy. The two top photographs are of the elusive Eurasian Collared-Dove that is so shy of the camera. He was so cold he let me take pictures of him at two of the feeders today. After I photographed him I stepped away to let him have his fill before he departed. He really is too big for the feeders, but the finch and cardinals all feed with him so I figure if he breaks a feeder I'll try to fix it or go look for a new one.

This species of dove was introduced from Europe and has only been in our area for about 5 years. Initially, all of our Mourning Doves left the neighborhood when they moved in, but this summer I found both species feeding together and interacting in a friendly manner. They are quite a bit larger than the Mourning Doves.

The photo below is of a squirrel that was checking me out while I was on the telephone this morning to see if I was going to take pity on him and feed him some peanuts. He worked so hard to get to that area of the grapevine I couldn't refuse his effort...plus he did the little front paws rolled into the chest, head tilted, body shaking maneuver that would put Olivier (insert great actor of your generation here) to shame.

Look at how thick the fur on his ears has gotten. A sign of the winter months ahead? Yikes!!

Stay warm!!
Laurie

Snowy Plains

2011-01-10T12:14:00.002-06:00

We have been having a prolonged snowfall since Friday night, and we still have snow falling today. The poor finch were filling the feeding stations at the bird feeders yesterday with visits including a male cardinal and an Eurasian Collared-Dove. You know it is cold and food is scarce when a large dove lands on one of the finch feeders to get some seed. I missed the photo opportunity because when I moved for the camera so did the dove.

From the looks of the snow depth in the birdbath and in the flower pots I'm thinking we have between 10 to 12 inches so far. I love the way it looks like tall angel food cakes in the containers....hm mm, cake sounds good!

The bird feeders need to be refilled so I better get to them and then into the studio to get some work done. Have a great week!

Laurie

Spring Palette

2011-01-04T14:43:00.000-06:00

When I first started painting my figures I used Grumbacher, Winsor & Newton and Liquitex paints because that is what I was taught to paint with. However, as I mixed colors that were impossible to remix perfectly to touch up my figures, I finally decided to give into the wide array of colors available in craft paints that could end that misery.

I am now a craft paint junkie. I still do my test palettes, such as you see above, because as you all know the colors never dry the same color you see when they are wet.

This spring inspired painted page will soon be cut into individual squares with the brand and color placed on the back. As I'm trying to decide on what colors to use on a figure I can place the colors side-by-side easily to develop the color scheme. This helps me quickly judge what shade of a color will work best with the other tints and shades found on this page. It is sort of like creating your own paint chips from the colors you have on hand. Spray them with varnish and they will last you for years.

It's an easy little thing that I hope becomes a tool for you too!

Have fun painting!
Laurie

Christmas Ornaments

2010-12-27T14:48:00.000-06:00

We celebrated Christmas at my Mother's house so we decided to come home via Omaha to shop at Whole Foods. While lunching there (love their soups) we decided we needed to make a few other stops before heading back home, and am I ever glad we did.

We found a display of Christopher Radko's "Shiny Brite" glass ornaments in the vintage 1940's designs on sale at one of our stops, and we fell in love with them. Both my husband and I were born in the 1950s and have memories of growing up with ornaments just like these. Of course, over the years the thin glass ornament walls didn't have a good relationship with the wood floors and many were broken. We still have a few of the originals, which we treasure, but finding these just made both of us happy that we could get that vintage look again because of the availability of these new ornaments.

We found them in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors and can't wait for next year to put them on the Christmas tree farm's display tree. Every customer that purchases a tree gets to select a new ornament to place on their fresh cut tree, and I have a feeling they will like them as much as we do. They are magical!

Here is hoping your holiday season found magic as well!! ; )

Off to the studio to mix paper mache clay! Have a great week!

Laurie

Ean Elf

2010-12-15T15:44:00.000-06:00

Ean Elf is completed so I thought I would share him with you as he is my last Christmas piece of the 2010 season. Unlike Ean's brother, Edgar (prior post), Ean is a little further along in his hatching process from the Christmas ornament, and has managed to push one of his curlie tipped shoes out of the lower side.

He sits atop a painted base, which holds a Christmas tree scene complete with hanging ornaments and a small elf putting the finishing touches on the tree.

Ean has lots of details from the jingle bells and stripes of his hat, shirt and shoe, to the fine cracks found on the ornament's edge and the sculpted ornament hanger on the side of the round form. Rosy cheeks and lips, pointed tip ears and tiny fingers finish out this little character popping out of his ornie.

I still have last minute details to complete in the coming week as we prepare for Christmas. Here is wishing you a happy holiday season...now, pass the cookies please!!
Laurie

Edgar Elf's Emergence

2010-12-06T19:08:00.000-06:00

Introducing a new Monkey-Cats' original, "Edgar Elf's Emergence", a new piece finished in the studio over the weekend. This funny little fellow will be placed on eBay this week with an auction ending next Monday. Edgar, and the top sphere shaped ornament are made of paper mache, wire and 5 tiny jingle bells (yes, they actually jingle), which sets independently atop the wooden base with a complementary painted image.

There are lots of little details in this piece from the red and white striped hat with green curved-points tipped with jingle bells and accented in gold paint, to the tiny stars and swirls painted in the night sky over the tiny red elves' house painted on the base.

Edgar is the first elf for 2010. Hope you find him enjoyable!

Here is the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180597583382

Laurie

Auction Ends this Evening

2010-12-06T11:09:00.000-06:00

This evening marks the end of "Smiling Santa's" auction on ebay. Don't miss out on a chance to purchase this little fellow. He is the first Santa to come from Monkey-Cats Studio since 2008, and is the only Santa completed to date for 2010.

He comes with lots of added details and he just informed me that he is hoping for a warmer home (we are having a bit of a cold spell here!!)...Silly little Santa!

Here is his auction link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180594378233

Good luck!

Laurie

Smiling Santa!!

2010-11-29T18:04:00.003-06:00

This smiling little fellow that I finally finished is going on eBay tonight. He is a unique character with lots of details that measures 8" x 5.25" x 5.5", and is made of paper mache, wire, bottle brush and gold thread.

He has blue eyes, a rosy nose and cheeks and a toothy grin under his textured moustache. All of his hair, beard, eyebrows and moustache are textured in a similar way, are painted in cream and then touched with a brown wash to accentuate the surface quality. The brown wash is used throughout the figure to emphasize the folds in his hat, sleeves, tassel and mittens, as well as to give the character a more vintage feel.

I hope you like him in his finished state!!

Here is the auction link!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180594378233

Happy Holidays!

Laurie

Here Comes Santa Claus

2010-11-23T12:29:00.000-06:00

I started painting on the short Santa yesterday and was able to block in his body color and paint on some of the smaller pieces he will be holding, but I forgot to put the candy canes in his hands before I took the photograph...oops! I'm hoping for an afternoon of painting to get him closer to his finished state.

We are having family on Thanksgiving so tomorrow will be cleaning at home, time at the tree farm and food prep on those things I can do ahead of time. I really do enjoy the holidays and find them less stressful when I do a little preparation the day before.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving filled full of family, food and memories in the making.

Laurie

Second Elf sculpted

2010-11-22T14:31:00.000-06:00

Work is progressing and I was able to finish the second elf bursting out from his ornament with his right foot sculpted popping out near the bottom of the orb. Now, if he and his sibling would hurry up and dry I can paint soon. I was also able to finally get the head on the tree shaped Santa sculpted, but he still needs his body finished. Time seems to be moving really fast and we open the Christmas tree farm this weekend so time in the studio will become even more limited in the coming weeks.

I'm off to the studio table to start painting on a fat little Santa this afternoon. So anxious to work in red, green and cream again and to play a little Christmas music.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great day!

Laurie

Working on Christmas Elves

2010-11-18T13:23:00.000-06:00

I'm in the studio working on a couple of elves this week and thought I'd show you what I have done so far. This is the second elf I have ever sculpted that is popping out of a large Christmas ornament. Like the Santa figure, the paper mache he is created from is pretty wet so it will be a few days before I can put paint on him, but I'm excited to see how he will look in full color.

He currently is sitting atop a tripod base and I'll see if I still like that when the figure and ornament are painted.

Hope you like the peek!
Laurie

Working in Clay This Week

2010-11-16T13:32:00.000-06:00

I'm mixing paper mache clay and sculpting this week so I won't be on the computer as much....I have a terrible habit of checking the internet when I have clay on my fingers and I really need to stop that before I ruin another keyboard! Not a good thing when pieces of mache get trapped under keys and then you can't type with those letters any longer. Not that I would know from personal experience or anything.

Below is the grand elf himself, Santa Claus, with his little candies and a Christmas ornament in his mittens. He has thick layers of clay so he will take some time to dry completely before I can start painting.

I'm off to get my fingers back into the mix!!! The elves are on the table today awaiting their next layers and they are being slightly impatient!

Have a great day!

Laurie

Bunnies are done, on to Christmas!!

2010-11-11T15:36:00.000-06:00

The bunnies are done and the pastel paint is going back into the seasonal paint drawer, and it is now time to get back into some Christmas figures. Before packing the rabbits up in boxes for shipping I thought I would share the little fellows in their completed state.

Rudy, Russell and Randolph Rabbit, also known as the blue bow tie bunny boys, are shown with Easter buckets, an Easter wreath and painted eggs. They were a labor of love and make me look forward to making a few more in the spring months.

We are forecast to get snow tonight and it will be the first of the season for us if it happens. Since I'll be working on Christmas figures it has me sort of excited so with that I will close with "HO-HO-HO", it's off to work I go!

Laurie

Making Progress

2010-11-08T11:57:00.000-06:00

Finally made some good progress on the bunnies over the weekend. I still have so much to finish by Thursday, but they will get done with some extra hours in the studio and less time spent on errands and laundry....ohhh, I like the skipping laundry part!! HA!

Hope you like the little hoppers!
Laurie

Work in Progress Update

2010-11-03T12:21:00.000-05:00

I've been painting the last few days and not making a whole lot of progress on the rabbits because of other duties and responsibilities to attend to. Today I plan on a full afternoon and evening of painting to get this little fellow done so I can move on to the other two bunnies. I need to move on to Christmas pieces-Yikes!!!!

It is gorgeous outside here and that isn't helping me stay at the studio table.

Hope you like him so far. Have a great day!
Laurie

Ornie Loving Orville

2010-11-01T09:40:00.002-05:00

The snowman is finished and I thought I would share!! This is little "Ornie Loving Orville", who stands just over 10" high. He is the first piece completed for the 2010 Christmas Season and will be available tomorrow on Nancy Walker's blog shop, as I am her guest artist for the month of November. Orville is SOLD-Thank you!

He is made from paper mache, wire, thread and mica, and has lots of added details on his hat, vest and ornament he is holding. The ornament isn't attached so it can be moved to either hand, plus the arms are wire and can be moved slightly to change his pose.

His vest even has peppermint candy buttons on the back! He comes fully signed, dated and numbered and will not be repeated.

Hope you like him!!
Laurie

Painting on a Beautiful Saturday

2010-10-30T15:29:00.000-05:00

It is absolutely gorgeous outside and her I sit painting because I forgot about an obligation I had for the business. Well, the business is coming first today so I'll just periodically look out the window at the sunshine and sigh... Responsibilities are important to follow through on so back to the studio table I go. I at least have a pretty good start on blocking in the paint.

Have a wonderful Saturday and Happy Halloween to you!

Laurie

WIP update

2010-10-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

The arms, paws and feet are now finished on the bunnies. Time needs to pass to let them dry and the next step will be a light sanding and paint. This is good because I'm ready to get back into some color!!

Have a great day and happy creating!
Laurie

Works in Progress

2010-10-26T14:14:00.000-05:00

Working on some new pieces in paper mache this week...I know, it seems a bit early for bunnies with Halloween right around the corner, but here they are! Three new rabbits to finish the details on, a little snowman and a large cone body that is supposed to be a Santa. I didn't realize how big the cone was until I put it side-by-side with the bunnies. Hmmmm, may have to rethink that big guy!!

I'll keep you updated as the pieces start drying and I have some progress to show. Have a creative week!!!
Laurie

Something Special from Enchanted Productions

2010-10-18T15:51:00.001-05:00

One of the joys of being on the internet is that you see work and "meet" artist that are hundreds of miles away, and yet you can communicate with them and become online friends. Several weeks ago while I was in Michigan, I had the wonderful opportunity to not only type a message or chat on the phone with such a person, but I actually got to meet her!!! Joycee Stahl, of Enchanted Productions, is a charmer both with her comments and phone chatting, but she is even more funny in person and I am smitten with her and her work! I want her to move in next door and have coffee with me every morning....now, I like my neighbors, but I don't have them over for coffee often, so this is REALLY saying something!

Joycee and I had talked prior to Michigan, and I was able to acquire one of her gorgeous dolls as part of this trip....her name is "Anna Belle", named after my mother who had a little piece of silver hair appear in her hairline in her 30s, just the opposite of Joycee's doll, but the name was instantaneous! Isn't she fabulous! I had taken photos of her at Ghoultide and Machinaw City and they all came out with a weird golden color (Halloween spooks perhaps?), so I took new pictures that show her beauty!

Anna Belle is just full of details...her hair is needle-felted into her head, her eyes are lovingly painted and stitched on by hand and Joycee showed me her fingernails and finger callous to prove it, and the facial painting is magnificent down to the lavender eye shadow! She has silver tinsel around the neckline, pearl detailing on the bodice, lace at the waistline, a beautiful bow, more beads with boucle yarn from each pearl cascading down onto a gorgeous silk fabric skirt! She is beautiful!!

Pinch, pinch, she is mine!!!! For any of you that have admired Joycee's dolls via a photograph, I can tell you that they are even better in person-absolutely fabulous! I also got to meet two other creations by Joycee, and they were equally as marvelous!

The only problem with Anna Belle is that she is loved TOO much by the Monkey-Cats, Jake and Elwood. I had her out of the cabinet for just minutes to photograph her and just that quick Jake jumped up to nuzzle with her...and to try to groom her hair!!! I have a large curved glass cabinet in the living room so she resides on the top shelf and seems to hum inaudible sounds that only the boys can hear to tease them. Truly, I found both of them sitting in front of the cabinet looking up at her and then turning back to me as if to tell me to make her stop! You have to love a doll with that sort of ability! I should call her, "Anna Belle, the Cat Whisperer" !!

I hope you enjoyed seeing her, and I wish for you to meet a kindred spirit in your future like I felt I have in Joycee.

It is back to the studio for me today so I will post what I'm up to next later this week. Have a great week all!

Laurie

Drum Roll Please.......

2010-10-13T09:40:00.001-05:00

Last night I hosted a blog sale and gave you the opportunity to win this little Halloween candy container. The window was narrow as you only had from between 7 p.m. until midnight to enter. My husband pulled the number and I counted down the list, and blinked, counted again and it was confirmed, it was Lori Davis!!!

Lori, I hope you like this little fellow. Email me your address and I'll get him shipped out to you!!

A huge thank you to all of the customers that quickly made their selections last night and made the show a success, and for entering the giveaway!!

Thank you for your support!

Laurie

We're Home from Ghoultide!!!

2010-10-08T17:09:00.000-05:00

Goodness, where does the time go?!! I got home very late Wednesday night and saw multiple postings regarding Ghoultide on Thursday, and realized almost a week had gone by already! Yesterday was unpacking, laundry, mail, and email day, along with some errand running and suddenly the day was over and I realized so was the trip! Today I was really excited to get into my pictures, and was very disappointed with the quality. Sadly, it was me and not the camera to blame so I don't have much to share as far as booth photos are concerned. Below is the only decent picture I have from my table and you can see that my lighting was a problem before the show opened. So sorry to disappoint you! Oh, and can you believe I won a runner-up for booth display...can't show you why because the photo didn't turn out! I was honored to be in the company of William Bezek (winner of best display) and Nicole Sayer (runner up) as fellow award winners.

The morning at Ghoultide started with light rain, but what was so lovely was that it didn't seem to dampen the spirits of a single person in attendance. Below are a few pictures of the decorated grounds.

Can you believe this painted pumpkin head by Scott Smith?!!! You should see it in person!

Ghoultide Gathering was thrilling and the talent was just amazing. So many artists that I have admired for years, and to be in their company was just a dream come true. Many of us dined together with collectors and friends the night before the show and the sharing nature and good will was just palpable. Thank you to all of you that traveled to Ghoultide and took the time to introduce yourselves, purchased works and gave words of encouragement. Artists frequently work alone and this contact and feedback is so inspiring and vital to our creative spirits. I came away filled with ideas and revitalized to create new and hopefully better pieces.

A special thank you to my collectors....I couldn't continue to live this life without you and I am forever humbled that you choose to purchase my work. Thank you all for making this show such a great success for me and every other artist at Ghoultide Gathering.

Hope to see you next year!
Laurie

Ghoultide Gathering

2010-09-28T22:18:00.001-05:00

The initial set up at home for Ghoultide Gathering has been completed, the works safely tucked into bubble wrap and boxed, and now we are preparing for the journey to the big event on Saturday. If you are a lover of all things Halloween consider attending Ghoultide Gathering in Northville, Michigan. The talent is amazing (I am thrilled that I get to participate with such talented artists) and the show is sure not to disappoint anyone attending. Cool temps are in the forecast to set the mood, and who could ask for a better setting then the Mill Race Village we will be occupying to enhance the experience. Hope to see you there!

Laurie

Finishing Up Work for Ghoultide Gathering

2010-09-24T11:04:00.001-05:00

The last push to finish up things before packing them up for the trip to Ghoultide Gathering has been going on in my studio. Below is "Gregory Gourdhead", the only figure on a painted stand I will have for the show. As usual, time just got away from me and the other poor heads will have to wait for their bodies to be finished at another time. I love doing these figures because they allow me to sculpt and paint on the paper mache head in contrast with painting the body on a nice smooth surface. I would love to do a number of them so that the heads could be moved from base to base onto different bodies to play with the display, but that will have to happen at a later date.

Something new this year is a Skelly Head Box shown below with three new candy buckets I was able to recently complete. The Skelly Head box can be used as a candy container or for storing any number of things on a shelf or tabletop. The new little candy buckets shown have a Monkey-Cat, Moon Boy and Witch to add to the characters I have already painted on some earlier buckets. I have two buckets left to finish and then I am done with my Ghoultide pieces.

I was also able to finish the second round bodied candy container for the year. It is similar in design to the original candy container, but because they are hand sculpted and painted they are still quite different when placed side-by-side.

There probably won't be a post next week as I'll be madly packing and boxing pieces getting ready to leave for the show. If you aren't familiar with Ghoultide Gathering please click on the link in the upper left column of my blog page. I am so thrilled to be a participating artist in such a wonderful show. Think about making the trip...it is sure to not disappoint!!
Laurie

The Dumpty Pumpkin Boys

2010-09-20T13:01:00.000-05:00

New to the Monkey-Cats Studio Halloween line up this year are two pumpkin figures seated on paper mache blocks that I have loving named the "Dumpty Pumpkin" brothers, "Lumpty and Humpty". (They looked like they could fall off of those blocks and hence the names.)

"Lumpty Dumpty Pumpkin" is the first squatty little fellow shown and he is just tickled pink because a baby bat has landed on his fingers. (Human children would be delighted by a butterfly, but in the world of Halloween a butterfly just wouldn't do, it had to be a bat.) Being the youngster that he is, he grins with delight and puts his other hand up to signal his brother about the event. If he gets too excited and doesn't pay attention that little fellow is going to take a tumble from his perch, and so begins their story that parallels another childhood tale.

"Lumpty's" brother is "Humpty Dumpty Pumpkin", the elder of the two Dumpty Pumpkin brothers. "Humpty" is a spider collector and is shown here with his favorite companion"Yo-Yo", named for his ability to go up and down quickly on his spun webs. "Humpty" also adores his spider companion because he came with a pumpkin shape on his torso so he knew immediately that their relationship was meant to be.

The boys are headed to Michigan next week for Ghoultide Gathering. Hope you like these silly brothers!

Laurie

Candy Containers.....

2010-09-15T11:14:00.000-05:00

I am continuing to work on Ghoultide Gathering pieces and thought I would share with you some of the candy containers going to the show. All six of these candy containers are open at the top so all one has to do is put a small amount of candy in them to make a "sweet" gift.

There are two sculpted cat head candy containers shown, which are slightly different because I don't use molds in the sculpting process, plus in the top photo the cat has gold colored eyes and in the lower photo the cat has green colored eyes.

The smaller paper mache candy cups each have different figures painted on the front along with different painted trims so above you will see the skelly bat figure and pumpkin boy figure....

and a Monkey-Cat and Count figure in the second photo. All of the containers have black twisted wire handles, with tinsel being added to the cat candy containers.

I still have much to do so I am headed back to the studio! Hope you enjoyed the peek!!

Laurie

Horace Lumina

2010-09-13T11:58:00.001-05:00

He is finally done...all 31 inches of him. This is "Horace Lumina", grand patriarch of the Lumina family dressed for the Pumpkin Ball. He is shown carrying his Horace (falcon) face mask and his pumpkin bucket, wearing a reversed-scalloped edged tux jacket and vest trimmed with spider buttons. He finishes his ball attire by wearing color coordinated striped stockings and boots.

Horace oversees the Lumina family using pretty tight reins, and yet no one complains about his rule over the clan. His demands aren't viewed as too extreme throughout the year, but come October 30, all Lumina family members are required to gather for the family harvest celebration and Pumpkin Ball, which is a two evening event culminating on Halloween night.

Horace supervises to make sure there aren't any young Lumina boys drinking hard apple cider, that the mischief is playful amongst the frisky family members, and that the pranks pulled on humans aren't too extreme.

Horace has a gentle look, but don't let that fool you. That appearance can quickly change when he is asked to reprimand a young pumpkin for tomfoolery!!

Horace is headed to Ghoultide Gathering in a few weeks. He far exceeds the height of any of the other Monkey-Cats characters, but I think he will blend in nicely!

Have a creative day!

Laurie

Count R. Balance

2010-09-09T13:46:00.000-05:00

Count R. Balance is one of the new little vampire figures completed for Ghoultide Gathering. He is a happy little fellow because he has just learned about all of the squash and pumpkins coming to this year's Pumpkin Ball, and he is hoping to nibble on a few of the attendees....he is a vegetarian after all.

As you can see he has a pretty good set of fangs, mesmerizing eyes and a smile that will melt Miss Batty Patty Pumpkin's heart.

Being a creature of the night his companion is the bat, therefore he chose to wear a bat bow tie, a bat masquerade mask and had tiny black bats stitched on the front panels of his vest, as well as....

a handsome white bat stitched on his formal cape.

I'm getting closer to finishing most of the sculpted work for Ghoultide so I'm breathing a bit easier...well, sort of!!! So hope to meet many of you there!

Laurie

Another Ghoultide Gathering peek

2010-09-07T12:04:00.000-05:00

Wizards have always said that some pumpkin boys are grown on the vine, and some are hatched, but the pumpkin boys I have always known have all been vine grown. I have to admit I dismissed the hatching tale as folklore. Imagine my surprise when I was told about "Hatch D. Lumina", a new pumpkin boy hatched from a jack-o-lantern. Yes, that's right, pictures were taken showing the little fellow springing fully grown, clothed and carrying a JOL party mask for the upcoming Pumpkin Ball.

"Hatch", as his friends call him, has maintained his birthing jack-o-lantern and uses it to snuggle into during the day with his spider and other crawly friends. Every evening he can be found popping back out of the cracked opening to locate his spooky companions of the night to prepare for an evening of fun and mischief. He isn't terribly naughty, but when you see a worm floating in the Halloween punch, you don't have to ask who is responsible.

"Hatch" is really excited about his trip to Michigan to meet and party with the many mischief makers to be found at Ghoultide Gathering. Hope you can come and introduce yourself to the him!

Have a great day!
Laurie

Thanks For the Spotlight Scott!!

2010-09-02T12:25:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to provide a link to the Ghoultide Gathering website where Scott gave my little characters and studio a spotlight for the week. Thanks Scott, you sure did make my little characters look good!

Back to the painting!!
Laurie

Making Progress

2010-09-01T12:05:00.005-05:00

Painting, sculpting some final details and making some progress. I have finally learned I need to be painting on several pieces at once so that as I'm waiting for one surface to dry I still have another to work on. As you can see the heads and faces are one of the first things to be painted because the face tells me so much about what that figure's character is going to be like and what he or she would like to be wearing.

I still have a lot to get done , but I'm feeling much better about getting what I need to get done, done. With that said I better get some paint on the figures that still have too much white surface showing!

More peeks to come!
Laurie

Ghoultide peeks!!

2010-08-30T14:16:00.004-05:00

For the next few weeks I will be giving you sneak peeks of works traveling to Ghoultide Gathering, October 2. This is "Count Heinrich Hardbitten"....a sweet sort of fellow if you don't mind the fact that he is a vampire (especially scary for the pumpkins, squash and gourds since he is vegetarian). The Count is dressed to attend the "Pumpkin Ball" at Mill Race Village, which will be happening after the artists set up their displays and leave them the night before Ghoultide Gathering.

Rumor has it that one of the artists' characters got on the internet and somehow contacted the other artists figures and characters and decided it would be fun to have a party without the humans the night of October 1. My little fellows started showing up with Venetian style masks in the cabinet I have them stored in and that is when I knew something was up. One of the pumpkin fellows finally broke down and fessed up about the gala event.

Looks to be quite the party. Maybe Carolee, Johanna, Pam, Joycee or Lori will sneak out with me carrying flashlights to see if we can get pictures of the ball on October 1st. I hate to miss a party!

No Air Conditioning Today

2010-08-23T10:50:00.004-05:00

This will be fast...we had a loud bang yesterday morning in the furnace room and discovered shortly after that we had no air conditioning. We got the fans out, called for help and found out there wasn't a control panel in town that would work on our system so we will be without AC again today and possibly tomorrow. I realized I got grumpy and didn't play nicely with others yesterday when I got hot....so I'm shutting off the computer for the day to remove it as a heat source.

On a more positive note, I completed the painting on this little owl yesterday after I took the photo, and I'm seeing some progress with the painting on a number of other pieces. Lots to do, but I'm in the mood to paint so I'm off to get some work done!

Have a great day and stay cool!
Laurie

Works in Progress

2010-08-16T12:14:00.003-05:00

Work continues on a group of figures destined for the Ghoultide Gathering show. I can't believe I'm down to about 40 days to get everything sculpted, painted, packed and ready to go. Time is flying!!!

I took a break from sculpting over the weekend and was able to put some base coats on a few figures and completed two heads. It doesn't seem like much when I look at the white paper mache still untouched by paint on most of the figures left on the shelves. I'd better get back to work!!!

Have a great week!
Laurie

EHAG's Next Generation Halloween Art Contest

2010-08-09T11:18:00.005-05:00

What: A Children's Halloween Art Contest

Who: Children ages 10-14

When: Now thru August 31st, 2010.

The winner will be announced by September 7, 2010

Where: Online at the EHAG Facebook Page and EHAG Blog click on the links for more information regarding the contest

How: Parents email an image of your little ghoul's Halloween themed artwork to ehaagartists@hotmail.com along with the young artist's name, age, date, contact info, title of piece and medium used.

Prize: $100 gift certificate for art supplies from the winner's art supply store of choice.

The members of EHAG know that there are children out there that love both art and Halloween as much as we do, so we thought this would be a great way to encourage both them and their work.

Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your creative Halloween art entries!
Laurie

August Already?!!

2010-08-03T12:03:00.005-05:00

I'm not in a state of panic yet, but I have a lot of work to get done between now and October 2!! If I'm a little less frequent with posting, please understand that I'm in the studio building the inventory for the upcoming Ghoultide Gathering show in Michigan. Where has the summer gone?

These are a few of the pieces I have drying and today's scheduled sculpting includes witches and vampires. So much to do and under 60 days to get it all done.

Wish me luck!!! (I see some long days ahead in my future!)
Laurie

New Work on EHAG Emporium

2010-07-31T20:46:00.013-05:00

This figure measures 14.5” x 6” x 6.5”
The head is made of paper mache and sits on top of a wooden base decorated with a hand-painted torso of the little figure hugging his beloved Pumpkin doll and treat bucket. The head is independent from the base allowing
for it to be tipped and positioned as the mood suits you.

This is not the first piece I have created using a wood base as a painting surface on which to paint the torso, but it is one of the more unusual pieces in the Monkey-Cats’ 2010 collection.

Also unique to this piece is the button shaped nose of the pumpkin head.

This piece will come fully signed, numbered and dated.
“I Love My Pumpkin Doll” will be available to the first customer to email me at: monkeycatsstudio@charter.net.

SOLD...thank you!!!

As always, thank you for your consideration!

Laurie

EHAG Emporium Saturday Night

2010-07-30T14:29:00.003-05:00

Sneak peek at my piece being offered tomorrow night, July 31, at 9 p.m. on the EHAG Emporium. A little Halloween fellow is in love with his little pumpkin doll and holds him close to his heart.

Hope you like him!

Laurie

EHAG Emporium and Ghoultide Gathering

2010-07-28T10:31:00.004-05:00

Don't forget that you have until Friday to register for the giveaways on the EHAG Emporium (check the post below for the link). Please register...I would hate for you to lose out on a chance to win THREE wonderful pieces in one giveaway!

Also, on Saturday, July 31, at 9 p.m. Eastern, the Emporium will be hosting the July update of new Halloween pieces available from the EHAG artists. I've seen some sneak peeks and it looks to be another great month. Mark the calendar because the works have a habit of flying out the window! I'll be showing a peek later this week of my offering for the month.

As many of you know I am in the midst of preparing for the Ghoultide Gathering Halloween show in Michigan. Pretty much all I'm producing is inventory for that show so I decided to share images of some of the new pieces as I get them completed. Below is the new candy container I completed this week. I don't make containers often, and when I do they usually aren't all paper mache so this is a unique piece for me. Hope you like him!!

Have a great day!
Laurie

EHAG Emporium July Giveaway and "Sir Batty Bones"

2010-07-22T13:01:00.005-05:00

Busy in the studio today so this will be quick. First, you need to go over to the EHAG Emporium and check out the July giveaway. One person will win all three works of art from Chris Klingler, Sheila Bentley and Allen Cunningham...that's right, all three!!! Read the post and then be sure to register by commenting on your favorite childhood Halloween costume... blog, tweet or become a fan and you have more chances to win!! The drawing is on July 30, so scurry on over to the EHAG Emporium now!

Secondly, I wanted to share "Sir Batty Bones" of Covington, with you. Sir Batty Bones was an ace flyer before we knew about airplanes....that's right, witches aren't the only ones that belong to flying corps. Sir Batty Bones could handle a broom with the best of them and was highly awarded with the "Order of the Bat" medal, which he proudly wears on formal occasions. So adept was he in flight that the bats would join him in aerial formations and fill the night sky with wings aflutter.

In his youth it was said he and his band of bats could scare with the best of them. Many a boy and girl had their hair raised (literally) by Sir Batty Bones' corps on Halloween night, as they loved to swoop down on the trick or treaters grabbing children's pigtails and ponytails hoping for a dropped piece of candy.

Sir Batty Bones still flies, he just leaves the mischief up to his proteges now....or so he says. He still looks like he has plenty of playful tricks running through that empty space in his head!

Hope you like him!
Laurie

Sir Cob Web Bones

2010-07-19T10:54:00.005-05:00

More figures are being completed for the "Pumpkin Ball", and this new one is "Sir Cob Web Bones", lover of dew covered cobwebs and all things arachnid.

Being close to the earth, "Sir Cob Web Bones" took notice of the spiders and insects around him and developed a deep fascination for the spiders' spinning abilities. They seemed much more creative than their insect neighbors so he watched with wonder as the tiny eight-legged acrobats replaced their webs daily. He was amazed by their dance and found a certain attraction to their long thin limbs, which seemed to remind him of many of his relatives.

Over the years he developed a rapport with the spiders and they began to ride on him throughout the day and night. Some were day spinners and some night spinners, but both liked this little skelly as he seemed to attract tasty bugs for some reason. On special occasions they would make him the loveliest of webs so when he was dressing for the "Pumpkin Ball" they went to work. Webs on the hat, webs on the vest and treat bucket, plus four little friends riding on him to attend the affair should his webs need repair after a twirling dance. You have to love such trusted little friends!

Hope you like "Sir Cob Web Bones" and his weavers!

Back to work for me!
Laurie

"Lord Lafsalot"

2010-07-15T14:07:00.006-05:00

I am painting like mad this week and have managed to complete a few figures. Last night I put the finishing touches on a new skelly, "Lord Lafsalot", dressed in his Halloween finery. "Lord Lafsalot" is one of many figures I'm creating that are dressed to attend the "2010 Pumpkin Ball" in my little Halloween dreamland. You'll be seeing lots of top hats, fancy treat buckets, scepters and other items carried by this silly group of characters in the upcoming weeks.

Some of the pieces will be available on upcoming EHAG Emporium updates between now and September 30, and the rest of the group will be going to Ghoultide Gathering (October 2, in Michigan). If you have not looked at the Ghoultide website yet you can click on the link in the left column of this blog or simply click on Ghoultide Gathering in the last sentence and it will take you there. The artists are amazing and I'm humbled to be amongst such talent!!

Fall is always a good time for a trip...right?!!! Think about it and if you love Halloween it will be a great place to be-- PROMISE!

Enjoy the day and happy creating!
Laurie

"Purrceptibly Happy"

2010-07-13T11:20:00.006-05:00

I've been painting this past week so I have a few things to share on the blog. This is "Purrceptibly Happy", or "Purrcie" as his family refers to him. This little fellow was born happy because he has a magical birthday, Halloween. His mother instantly saw his smile shortly after his birth and learned quickly of his happy demeanor, and so he was given his name.

"Purrcie" loves all things Halloween...especially the treats! To guarantee he has success carrying all of the goodies of trick-or-treating, "Purrcie" carries a lovely treat bucket bearing the image of his cousin, "Jakey Monkey-Cat." (Oh come on, you knew they had to be related!!)

"Purrcie" will be easy to recognize on Halloween night as he loves to mix his patterns of Halloween attire so you can always find him in stripes and polka dots going door to door hoping for some catnip or tuna.

Hope you find that "Purrcie" suits your fancy!

Have a creative day!!

Laurie

4th of July Trip

2010-07-06T11:18:00.008-05:00

We traveled for our 4th of July celebration, and as usual we had a wonderful time. Lots of family, food, fireworks and fun!! Below, is Mom sitting at the kitchen table having a little breakfast in front of just part of the stars and stripes that decorate my sister's home. It is the perfect setting to make you feel patriotic!

In the dining room she has more stars and stripes, including the plates she has collected in her china cabinet.

In the living room more stars and stripes, including a fun flag fireplace screen, stacking boxes, stars, houses and an Americana print....heck, her table lamps are even a star motif with dark red shades!!

Because she works so hard planning and organizing all of the fun for the family, I added to her collection and purchased a Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam set designed by Johanna Parker for Bethany Lowe. They fit perfectly with her decor! Thanks Johanna!!!

It rained the afternoon we were to set off the fireworks, but we were fortunate and the rain stopped so that the fireworks extravaganza went off without a hitch! It was a wonderful way to celebrate and remember what our country's founders dreamed about for all of us, and the hope that we continue to not lose our way.

I love my family and my country!
Laurie

Monkey-Cats Orb

2010-06-30T20:46:00.005-05:00

Under the night spider web sky.....

were 4 little Halloween characters ready for a night of mischief.

Merry Wicked

Mortimer Moon-Head

Villiam Vacula

and Jakey Monkey-Cat

They are already plotting a party for Halloween night with bats and owls and jack-o'laterns and spiders and....you.

Oh, but before Halloween there is the Fourth of July...have a safe and wonderful weekend filled full of things that you love, including our country
and our independence. Isn't that what it's all about?

Be safe with those fireworks!

Laurie

Tea Party Winner and EHAG Emporium Tonight!!!!

2010-06-30T13:44:00.004-05:00

Two things today....first, the winner of the little pumpkin head giveaway from this weekends Tea Party is Allison Bartlett, the Skelly Addict. Congratulations Allison!!! He isn't a skelly, but the little fellow will be on his way to you soon!

Second, tonight is the EHAG Emporium update. Lots of wonderful Halloween goodness will be unveiled by a very talented group of artists at 9 pm Eastern Time. Don't be late!!! Here is a peek at the offering from Monkey-Cats Studio. Update-Sold

Have a great evening and good luck on purchasing that special Halloween original on the EHAG Emporium!!

Laurie

Tea Party!!!!!!

2010-06-26T09:47:00.009-05:00

The invitations were sent out and the guests are arriving from under the garden leaves with Salvadore Squash leading the way.

Just to his right came Sir I. B. Bones out from another hosta plant.....

who asked where the chocolate biscotti was located because he could smell it through the screen door. Those skinny fellows really love their chocolate!

Grandmother's tablecloth, dishes and hand-crocheted napkins are arranged neatly for the guests...

the tea has been poured, the cookies and biscuits plated, the flowers arranged (with two of the guests awaiting their turn for treats) .....

and the table set with frosty berries for the ice tea.

Have some tea, eat some sweets...want more than one, feel free to have as much as you would like! Go to A Fanciful Twist and go to the list in her left column to join in the Tea Party 2010!!! Thank you Vanessa for creating so much fun for us!!!

Yikes, forgot to post I have a little painted pumpkin head giveaway as part of leaving a comment. He was hiding in the flower arrangement!!! Leave a comment before June 29, and I'll put your name in for the little fellow...follow my blog and your name goes in the drawing twice!

Enjoy the party!!
Laurie

Getting Ready for a Tea Party

2010-06-25T11:35:00.004-05:00

I'm getting ready for a tea party hosted by A Fanciful Twist tomorrow. I went out to select some flowers and hosta leaves for the table arrangement, and to make sure the flower beds didn't look too scary for guests. I love this time of year when the lilies are in bloom!!

Red lilies, white lilies, yellow, orange and mauve....some weeds mixed in, but I can make those go away before the guests arrive for some tea and cakes.

Oops, and I need to hide some of the support stakes! Lots of work to do so this will be short! Come join us tomorrow and have a hot cup of tea, or in my case ice tea with raspberries and pomegranate added.

I love tea parties...hope to see you tomorrow!!
Laurie

New Halloween WIPs

2010-06-22T12:12:00.004-05:00

What have I been doing?...working on the details of 16 new figures. Here is a peek at three of the WIPs (works in progress) closest to being ready for some paint. The collars and hats are done, the arms and the hands sculpted and the buckets and scepters are almost done, but need a little more time on the shelf to dry.

I don't know if it is my imagination or not, but I swear I heard giggling coming from that shelf last night after I turned the lights out. No, it couldn't be, could it?

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that I LOVE my new stainless steel tools I mentioned in the prior post. They are doing exactly what I hoped they would do for me and I can honestly say that the head I completed yesterday went faster with the use of the new tools. I highly recommend them if you are considering purchasing new clay or paper mache tools.

Have a great day!
Laurie