Scottish Fairy Tales...

I know the parcel says Royal Mail, but I think it was really delivered by gypsies. Or maybe transatlantic-flying owls...

I extracted a carefully padded and packaged object...

And look! The most gorgeously handmade and painted clock - worthy of a old-world fairy tale - by the inimitable Rima. She, and her amazing, truly distinctive, moody and evocative artwork, seem out of a fairy tale themselves.

Understandably, I *adore* this stunning piece of workmanship which is now gracing my studio wall where I can see it every time I glance up.

Do visit Rima's gorgeous site Once Upon a Clock for more glimpses into her wonderful world.

Artwork for Tom...

Tom had mentioned awhile back that I don't seem to post much *ART* on this, my supposed art-blog. Alas - 'tis true. The projects that I am working on can't be posted here until they are printed (how do you other art guys get to do it? I see any number of fantasy artists posting the covers they are working on as they paint and/or finish them... Here for instance).


These, at least, are viewable now on Amazon - so I believe are fair game to be posted here. The first four books of the Fairy Chronicles should be in a Bookstore Near You of which I have illustrated them in entirety (covers, 20 full interior illustrations plus assorted spots). For Books #5-8, I am only doing the covers, given that unfortunately, there is NOT unlimited time and resources in our current permutation of the space-time continuum...

Given the whole time-space limitation, this has also greatly curtailed any personal work I might endeavor to attempt. I have folders of theoretical projects on my desk in various states of completion (including more Celtic Tree Alphabet people, Julia. They are at this time only personal work - and as such, thus far, unpublished. I'd love to finish up the entire alphabet (20 characters/trees) , but *when*?)...


So it is somewhat of a dilemma. Even though I have worked more and produced more art in the last couple of years than I have my entire art-life, I can't post most of it as I go (and then it seems nearly passe months later when it is available to do so).

Ideally, life would be a balance - time for paid commissioned work as well as personal work-of-your-heart (not to mention growing some things in your garden and spending some time with your family, etc...) I don't know anyone who seems to be able to fully pull that off though. Maybe in fits and spurts? Such seems to be the fate of the freelancer...

If your experience differs, do tell!

Excellent Eastern Adventure - Misc. Art

A smattering of 'other interesting stuff'...


A thing I'm sure you never knew you always wanted to see! The Pre-amble to the Constitution - in license plates!


Cherubic carvings...


Vibrant Tiffany windows - which I had never seen in person before. The thing I found the most interesting was how *dimensional* they were - not smooth glass at all!


Kitsch art....


And 'nothin' says *American Art* like a cowhide and animal horn chair!

One down...

One big ol' deadline down -

another equally large to go...

This is the 'cleaned-up' version of my studio at present (which still pretty much looks like a tornado has blown through). I had to unbury my desk enough to get to the next book.

One thing I am looking forward to - cleaning up! Studio, house and garden! Ah... Sometime in May...


One treat in my week - I received a couple of lovely items that I ordered from Sarah over at Muddy Red Shoes. I've been taken with her painting-a-day venture, and when she advertised having a 'sale' on her daily paintings, I had to jump at the chance to purchase one. It was hard to choose between the many fabulous choices - so I chose a 'standing stones' original and also got a copy of the book she has put together showing 100 of her daily paintings. They are both fabulous (and thanks Sarah for the French chocolate). If you haven't checked out her various blogs, treat yourself to a gander.