"Fred N. Stein" is Finished!!

The paint is dry on another Monkey-Cats Studio original, "Fred N. Stein, Frank's Younger Brother". "Fred" was pretty fashion conscious and refused to be all in black, so he got a nice striped t-shirt under his little black jacket, and extra color in his torch and "Vacula" treats bucket with bat and star detailing.


"Fred's" fashion sense went out the window below the waistline, however...our temperatures got a little warm here and he opted for shorts, plus an unfortunate selection of orange socks to top his rather large over-sized boots. Kids...what are you going to do with them?!!

This figure was such fun to sculpt and paint!! Hope you like him!
Laurie

"Silvestro Squash" is Done

"Silvestro Squash" is done and ready to head off to the "Pumpkin Ball." Silvestro was finished with a pumpkin shaped body warmed by a black cape and collar tossed over his shoulders, and is additionally adorned with a bat bow tie, cobweb sleeves, a squash head bucket and a very fancy Venetian style bird mask. This little fellow will be headed to Michigan in October to help fill my table at Ghoultide Gathering. I hope to get more friends finished to keep him company.

Hope he tickles your fancy!!
Laurie

Big Head Gourdie and STJ News

I have a big head gourd figure in the works and I got sort of excited about him yesterday. I ended up finishing the glazing on his head and now I can't wait to finish the rest of him and get him ready for his debut at the "Pumpkin Ball." I still have a lot to complete on him so more pictures will be appearing as his attire is finished. (Working today in clay and paint so I decided to post this while my hands are clean and won't leave residue on the computer keyboard!!...do the rest of you have this problem?)

The second piece of news is a bit more serious. Two years ago I was contacted by a very enthusiastic young woman regarding her idea to begin a new online marketplace, "SpookyTime Jingles". I decided to join the marketplace and started on a journey that was full of excitement and growth for both me and my work. "SpookyTime Jingles" gave my work tremendous exposure and provided me with the opportunity to meet a plethora of extremely talented artist and avid collectors. I will always be grateful for this experience, but my production level has slowed as I'm working in greater detail, and other obligations began to need attention so I had to make a tough decision. I contacted Dani last week because I'm leaving STJ. This month was my last month as one of the artists on "SpookyTime Jingles". You will still be able to find my work, but I won't be offering monthly works as I have in the past. Please continue to support STJ and it's artists...after all, it is where spooky and sweet commingle!!

Enjoy your weekend!
Laurie

Rainy and Cool

It is a rainy and cool spring day today so I'm turning on the lights to work on some more Halloween figures' heads. I was able to get some face sculpting done yesterday and I thought I would share them with you...two little gourds and one pumpkin boy with a "Pee Wee" Herman stem. That dates me, doesn't it?!

Off to go mix some paper mache clay and get my fingers back into the mess. Sort of like making mud pies.

Have a great and creative day!
Laurie

"Fred N. Stein"

I have had sketches for a Frankenstein-type figure for over a year now, and recently I had an inquiry asking me if I would try to make one. Well, you know my mind doesn't seem to work like a normal persons and this is what developed from the last sketch I did..."Fred N. Stein", Franks little brother. (the untold story) Unlike Frank, Fred is not afraid of fire and carries a torch, which he uses to terrorize his older brother when Frank is being monstrous to him. He also loves flowers and children, and usually is a very good natured little creature.

Here is Fred with his torch in one hand, and the other hand will be holding a trick or treat bucket that isn't in the photograph.

The scar on Fred's forehead...that would be from a rock fight he had with Frank so now they have matching scars. Typical brothers, they are always out creating mischief of some sort!!

Have a great week and I'll keep you posted on his progression.
Laurie

STJ Tonight!!!

"Lester Lumina" will be available tonight at midnight Eastern Time (11 Central, 10 Mountain, 9 Pacific) on SpookyTime Jingles. Click on SpookyTime Jingles in the last sentence for a quick link to my page to see "Lester"!!

As always, thank you for your consideration. (He is hoping to move to a warmer climate)

Have a great time looking at all of the new offerings this month!
Laurie

Mother's Day and ...Spring?

We took a little break over the weekend and went to visit my Mother for Mother's Day, and had the added bonus of seeing my two sisters and some other family members as well. Mom looked so happy as we each arrived with blooming annuals, so after a lovely lunch we jumped into planting mode and filled her planters with some of her favorites. It looked pretty colorful when we finished! I think she had a really good day.

I arrived home and had a moment when I checked email and realized I had almost forgotten what day of the month it was and that my SpookyTime Jingles update was to be done today. Where is my brain? (please don't answer that)

Let me introduce you to "Lester Lumina." He is a fun little fellow full of Halloween magic that so loves the holiday he wears a "31" on his hat....

carries a skelly bucket to collect all of his treats in.....

and has a bat bow tie to guide him through the night.

I'm so happy with his finish and the linear work on his cape and vest. Some of my best work to date I think.

The update is Wednesday night at midnight!

Lastly, I sadly had to turn the heat back on again today. Wet and cool does not make for great working conditions so after looking at the thermostat and realizing it wasn't my imagination, on came the heat. Ahhhh, warm hands!! Wild spring here in the Plains!!

Laurie

EHAG Black and White Challenge

The EHAG Black and White Challenge is this month and this is my piece for the challenge. I'm a bit ashamed of myself because I just couldn't stand it, I added some orange into my gray tones so I should really call this the ALMOST Black and White Challenge. Well, it's still monochromatic. Click here for an auction link

I made a monkey-cats ornament with lots of details in the web covered night sky with stars and swirls....


a close up of the celestial spider in the night sky along with her bat friends and "Jake's" poor little mouse buddy, "Mortified"!


More bats and a partial view of the moon boy...


a better view of the moon boy with his bucket and fancy party hat...


and finally, "Jake", with his mouse buddy, "Mortified"!!


The auction has started!!

Hope you like it!!
Laurie