Happy Halloween!

When my sweet boy, Nathanael, came to me and said he wanted to be a Vampire for Halloween...I never felt so proud! Finally a chance to to convert one of my sweetest creations into something a tad creepy (minus the sewing). And what a Vampire he makes!!! There's only been one, minor hic-cup....

That's right! No teeth!!! I mean, seriously now. How effective is he going to be?!? And the freckles! I've never had to work so hard, covering up those freckles. Eek! Actually, as I sit here, staring at his adorable face, I'm feeling inspired... Halloween 2012, look for a portrait of a toothless vampire! In the meantime...

Happy Halloween!

How was your weekend?

Mine went by in bit of a whir. Nathanael had his first sleepover at a friends house Friday night. I didn't go to get him until two o'clock which made the day feel like a week day, when Nat. is at school. It seems that, more often than not, I haven't a clue as to what day of the week it is. It is getting better now that school has started again but soon they'll be sure to throw a Monday off at me and I'll be all mixed up again.

Last week I was commissioned to make a custom portrait for a lovely lady who contacted me through etsy. She was interested in Romeo and Juliet and, because the originals are not available, I got to do a little re-imagining. So Saturday I sat down with my sketchbook and here is what I came up with:

We decided on one large portrait with both Romeo and Juliet, same timing as before- Juliet discovering Romeo dead.

Sunday was nice and easy going. It was a blah fall day but my boys made the best of it. At one point, I saw Nathanael raking leaves into one pile while Asher sat on the hood of Dave's car picking off the leaves that had collected there. Next thing I know, they're yelling for me to bring out the camera....

It's like a cheesy-grin-a-thon!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

So, earlier this summer I heard from a man who was going to be opening a gallery in Charlotte, NC. He said he had come across my work on-line and liked it and wanted me to send him a few pieces to sell there. I expressed my interest (read: freaked out) and a bit of concern because, at the time I had a couple of shows I was preparing for. In the end, he suggested that I send 1-3 pieces as soon as possible for the craft gallery and then he would schedule an exhibit of my work for the month of October. (!!!!!!!!!)

In case you've been wondering what I have been doing with myself...there you go! I've been sewing and framing and packing and mailing. And printing. The owner of the gallery (Plaza Muse is the name, check out there website) suggested that I make my little ACEO's into greeting cards. Brilliant, no? I think they look pretty good so, as I continue to get my butt in gear, I'll get them up on etsy for sale.

I've also been getting back into the school routine with  Nathanael and spending lots of time with my parents. My folks got here (from Florida) around July 7th and they won't be going back until December 28th but, boy, does this time just fly! I wish they could be here all the time but I've got Michigan weather working against me.

I would really like to get back to blogging and facebooking and I still need to figure out twitter. So now that, as of yesterday, I have mailed out the last box of creepies for NC I am going to re-enter society. :) So much has been changing in the world of social networking! Oy!

While I re-acclimate, enjoy some pics of the portraits that I made for Plaza Muse...

 This is "Frankenstein's Monster". Do you love the hair?

 And, this is "The Monster's Bride". Again with the hair! I just love looking at her. The look on her face, those red, red lips and the hair. Love it!!!

 And, "Lenore", of course. From Edgar A. Poe's poem, "The Raven". I can't go to long with addressing Mr. Poe. Because I looove him.

 Nor can I go long with out addressing the fabulous month of October. These lovely ladies are "Opal and Calendula, the Misses October 2011". The first time conjoined twins have won this honor, by the way!

 "Virginia". Inspired by Edgar's first love.

And, "Boris" (aka my new crush). If you are a devoted fan of "Young Frankenstein" by Mel Brooks (my other crush), that daisy is for you.

And this, this is the awesome announcement for the exhibit!

Would you look at the rain come down!

Here I sit, trying to get caught up on the many, many things I have neglected as the rain falls and the thunder crashes. The boys are in the living room watching an old, black-and-white movie called "Air Force". The dogs (we are babysitting my parents Shorkie) are hiding under the desk and in the bathroom.

(Just had to make a run around the house closing windows. All done while slipping on wet floors, stepping on frightened dogs and being stepped on by "helpful" boys.)

And, just like that, blue skies! Weird!

Anyhoo...as you can see, I have freshened up the look of my little blog here to reflect where I have been, and will be, creatively speaking. Halloween!

I have been doing LOTS lately; as a mom, artist and urban farm chick. If I were to catch you up on everything now, we'd be here a loooong time. I'll fill you in little by little  over the next week or so. In the meantime...

...a wee sneak peak!

The Boys of Summer

The song "The Boys of Summer" (by the Ataris, not Don Henley) was playing on the radio when I happened to look out the window to see these little cuties loitering in my driveway. I figure it was a form of divine intervention, grabbed my camera and asked them to strike a pose. Can't you practically hear the "cheeeeese"?!

As promised...

...Hansel, Gretel and their Stepmother.

Hansel~ 10"x 13"~ mixed media, wool applique~ ©2011 Danielle Crane

Gretel~ 10" x 13"~ mixed media, wool applique~ ©2011 Danielle Crane

The Stepmother~ 14" x 18"~ mixed media, wool applique, watercolor, charcoal pencil~ ©2011 Danielle Crane

Go here for more pictures of this blended family.

Summer Pursuits

The last day of school is June 10th. I can hardly believe that it is already here! So, I've been trying to think of all the different things I'd like to do and/or accomplish with the boys over the summer break. I've been concentrating on Nathanael to begin with. I don't want to overload him with busy work but I don't want his brain to fall asleep either. So, I have decided on... The American Revolutionary War.

As I grew up in Pennsylvania, a stone's throw from Valley Forge and in a town  after which a massacre was named, I happen to know quite a bit about this subject. Nathanael is quite interested in war and wars so I think he will find it interesting. Along with telling him what I know and what I've seen, I'd like to find a bunch of books about the beginnings of our country, about the first few presidents, the Constitution, Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross, and the why's. I also want to find some movies to watch with him, too.

As for Asher, I'm going to start teaching him his ABC's. I figure I'll spend a few days on a letter and I'll follow his lead. He has been asking me a lot about how to spell names (which he writes down while I spell it out), what letter is this, what does it mean and what is it for. I plan on involving Nathanael in this, too. I think it'll boost Nathanael's confidence to be the teacher and I know Asher would do anything if it means being able to do it with his brother.

That's as far as I've gotten. Honestly, I'm just looking forward to not having to set an alarm or drive anywhere for a while. What are your summer plans?