Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Hallowe'en Everyone!

  HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!  

I'm so glad that you dropped by. I have 4 sets of 4 Japanese style paper lanterns for sale as well as a few other goodies. 


"Set of 4 Japanese Style Paper Lanterns"
(4 sets are available)

Each lantern has a different Hallowe'en image - a black cat, a moon and bat, an owl on three Jack-O-Lanterns, and two turnip lanterns.


The lanterns are approximately 3" high not including the wire handle. Card, paper, Dresden trim, and wire for the handles are used in the construction of each lantern.


The lanterns are approximately 1 7/8" wide.



"Decorating for the Costume Ball"

Chuck is helping Jack decorate for the costume ball. They have a lot to do so we had better not bother them at the moment.


Chuck's Japanese inspired clothes are made from vintage textiles. Jack is wearing a white collar with a bow tie made from vintage seam binding. They are each carrying a handmade paper lantern and handmade garlands. The sculpture stands 17 3/4" high, 9" wide, and 9" deep.



"Marty's Really Scary Costume"

Marty, the owner of "Marty's Mercantile and Great Goods", with the help of his wife came up with this costume. He decided that the scariest thing to a vegetable was a caterpillar. If you think about it, vampires and zombies aren't vegetarians! His wife Gladys is one of the seamstresses for the theatre in town.


Marty's costume is made from vintage fabric. The chest fabric is the reverse side of the fabric. He is wearing a paper mask with wire antennae. In his right hand is a leaf covered branch for snacking on and in his left hand is a Jack-O-Lantern. Treats can be placed in the handmade basket at his feet. The sculpture stands 12" high,  7" wide, and 6 1/2" deep.



"Milo"

Milo is part of the honour guard that lights the way to the ball. Later he will escort the Queen of the ball into the hall for the first dance.


Milo's costume is made from black, white, and grey upholstery fabric. His sash is early vintage braid. A handmade paper mask covers his eyes. In his right hand he holds a handmade branch that carries a vintage lantern held in place with handmade cording. A handmade black and silver party horn is in his left hand. Treats can be placed in the back of Milo's head. The sculpture stands 16 1/2" high, 7 1/2" wide, and 5"deep.


"The Very Large Party Rattle"

Barry was really pleased when he saw this huge rattle, the noise is terrific! He has managed to startle a few people while trick or treating. He will be on his way to the costume ball shortly.


Barry's clown costume is made of 1940's vintage fabric. His collar is vintage cotton fringe.The working rattle in his right hand is covered in 1920's paper and has handmade cord and tassels attached to the handle. He carries a Jack-O-Lantern in his left hand. Treats can be placed in the back of Barry's. The sculpture stands 11" high, 6" wide, and 4 1/2"deep.


"Cornelius - a member of the Wood Wind Troupe"


This sculpture is a large working party horn. Blow it to make a loud whirring noise. Cornelius's tongue is conter-balanced so it will loll back and forth as it is held. His hair is made of vintage oak leaves and corn silk. Hand painted papers create the party hat that is accented with vintage pompoms and cotton tassels.The sculpture stands 10 1/2" high, 7 1/2" wide, and 11"deep.

Last weekend's drive in the country - Part 2

After having a look around Firbank Farm Market we went off to the small town of Sydney for coffee at Starbucks. I had a look in the town's second hand shops. I love scouring for items that can be used for future sculptures.

On our way back home we went down Oldfield Road to Dan's Farm and Country Market. This market is not a boutique market. The squash, gourds, and pumpkins are piled in huge bins. The rest of the produce is placed on slanting shelves just like a super market. There is a certain charm to this though because there is not the harsh lighting. I like this market.

The large bins allow for some great pictures of one variety of squash. You get to see the colour, shape, and texture variations within one variety. This helps my painting not to be to rigid as to colouration. 

Enjoy looking at the pictures.




They also have goats that you can feed and pet. There is also a small barn with poultry, a pig, and a donkey. Some of the ducks and chickens wander around the barn area as well, a small taste of the country for city folk.

















On the way home we passed a field that I pass quite often. I wanted to give you a panoramic view to enjoy.

This farm land is very close to the city. We are fortunate on Vancouver Island that the city, the ocean, lakes, and wilderness are all close together. You can be in the city and then 20 minutes to an hour later you can be in the wilderness of your choice.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

EHAG Emporium Sneak Peek

Here's a sneak peek of what I will have for sale at the EHAG Emporium tomorrow night.


The doors a tossed wide open at 9:00 PM Eastern time/6:00 PM Pacific time for all of the Hallowe'en revellers to swarm in and peruse and purchase some wonderful Hallowe'en inspired artwork.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Last weekend's drive in the country. Part 1

The weather for the last 2 weeks on the West Coast has been rain, rain, rain. At times it was coming done so hard that there was no point in going out in it even for a leisurely drive in the country. Last Saturday there was a lull in the rain so off we went to some of our favourite spots in Saanich north of Victoria.

We spotted a field of pumpkins off the highway so we decided to check it out. We passed a large farm market as we turned off the highway but didn't go in.

That big field of orange pumpkins was over on another road but we did get to see vast empty fields.

Canada Geese were flying across this desolate field.

Not all pumpkins make it to the farmers market. Some pumpkins are broken during the harvest.

Other pumpkins have started to rot on the vine and are left behind.

Before the season has started these are well on their way to fertilizing the field.

We came across Firbank Farm Market. The displays in front and inside were beautifully done.

There were bins of mini pumpkins.

Chrysanthemum's, hay bales, scarecrows, pumpkins and gourds of every colour and shape, what more could anyone want that is in love with this season. There are so many ideas for future sculptures here.

Another bin of mini multicoloured pumpkins.

Cinderella pumpkins, those big flat orange ones, are supposed to make great soup.

This bin of yellow, white, and green gourds had one orange squash placed on it. That one spot of intense orange made everything else look so much more interesting.

Another vignette of chrysanthemums, ornamental kale, and gourds surround an old aged wooden box filled with dried sunflower heads.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

A very late post - Hallowe'en and Vine 2012

Here are my long promised pictures from Hallowe'en and Vine, almost a month late and very near to Hallowe'en. Enjoy the pictures. 

The lineup started at six in the morning.