Holiday Etsy Items

Be sure and stop by The Rare Hare Studio Etsy shop for more holiday items

A matter of time.........

In our busy lives sometimes certain things get away from us, forgotten but not totally, we know we need to get back to them and are certain that someday soon we will. This blog has been what I have forgotten. I knew I should get back to it, needed to get back to it, but everyday life, work and family has kept me from it. Ok, ok, I just was not sure what I wanted to say or had to say.

Since I have been away I have been busy creating, it’s been great fun witches, water color and acrylic paintings, wonderfully scented potpourris. I gather great inspiration from the fall and it has been wonderful, but as the days grow shorter and the temperature here in Michigan starts its downward spiral it is time for me to make the switch from wickedly fun orange and black to jolly red and green.

As fun as my witches are to create I enjoy the warmth and joy that comes with the Kringles. With his white beard and the glint in his eye, Santa brings a feeling that only this jolly old elf can. Each Kringle is as unique as the witches I create, and the same great detail goes into each if not a little bit more.

You can find The Rare Hare Studio on Facebook as well as on Etsy as the Rare Hare. I will be attending a few shows yet this season and will post a listing here of the events.

Fulton Street ARTisan Market

Only two weeks left and another Fulton Street Artisan Market season will come to an end. Be sure and stop down this Sunday and see what I have been up to this week. Some small and fun water color paintings, framed and un-framed. Some pressed botanical's in clay wall hanging plaques. Halloween greeting cards designed by yours truly and of course, witches, pumpkin people, potpourri, pumpkin paintings and so much more.

Stop by and say hello I'll be there from 11am to 3pm this Sunday and next.

Trick or Treat Street

Stop by these three very talented artist blogs and wander down the street. Put on your best Halloween costume and get ready to say TRICK OR TREAT!!! Do you dare to go up to the creepy house on the end and ring the doorbell? What kind of tricks or treats will that house have?

Lori Rudolph of Retro Rudolphs
Amelia Schaefer of Sweet B Folk Art
Len Bentham of Happy Holidays

All three artists are a great inspiration, follow the link below and stroll down Trick or treat Street.

http://retrorudolphs.blogspot.com/

Happy Halloween!

Another great day.......

at the Fulton Street Artisan Market. Only two Sundays left and the market will be closed for another season. Stop by, say hello, and see all the great new Halloween and fall decor ideas from The Rare Hare Studio.

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend you can find the Rare Hare at the Fulton Street Artisan Market on Sunday the 5th from 11 am to 3 pm and on Monday the 6th you can find the Rare Hare at the Labor Fest at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids. Stop by and say hello, I promise new items added to the mix of crazy and holiday items already down the Rabbit Hole.

The Rare Hare Studio on Etsy

Well its almost here, after way to long, the rare Hare Studio will have an Etsy store. Hopefully by this coming Sunday, August 15th. Fall is in the air and pumpkins are ready to be picked.

My muse..................

It's been a week and I have just not felt anything creative, it was hard to try and make the bird and the insects, but I tried to stay focused. It was not easy. Yesterday while setting up my booth for the Fulton Street Artisan Market I took a look at it and thought, damn Bradley you really do need to focus, what is it I want to do? What kind of artist do I want to be? I had Halloween, Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, Fairies, bugs, birds, and watercolor paintings. What a mess. I cant decide what i want to do for the Grimm's ADO challenge, I have hardly started to sketch in my Sketchbook Project, and the Carnival has fallen to the way side. What am I doing?

Well as the day went on yesterday and I sold, bugs, birds, fairies, and watercolors I decided maybe I can have an eclectic mix of things, and then I brainstormed about the Grimm challenge with my friends Heather and Heidi and i now know what I'm doing for that. I have created four new faces and hands today and I'm ready to continue tomorrow after work. I'm not sure where you went my Muse or when you came back but boy am I glad to see you again. I've missed you.

I think Im in a Alfred Hitchcock movie.......

...........or maybe I'm just Tippi Hedren. I have been making birds the last day, cloth bodies painted with acrylic paint, sanded, and have legs with button eyes. They are just fun little birds that would be fun perched on a shelf.

Grimm's Fairy Tales

Which is your favorite fairy tale by the Brother's Grimm? The ADO is having another challenge this time the theme is a character from a story by the Grimm Brothers. I'm having a hard time deciding which story I want to try and interpret, which do you think I should try?

A quick glimpse of the Elephant Man. covered by his cloak, dressed in rags, afraid to show his face, he hides in the shadows. The Freak Show promises to be more then you have ever seen before.

Things to do..........

Well lets see the second freak is almost done and the third will hopefully be started today. I have no idea why I want to do this series of characters and create a Freak Show, but I do and I will not be happy until they are done so I better just get with it and get this out of my system.

I plan to enter the next ADO challenge, the theme is Grimm's Fairy Tales, thank goodness I have a book of stories by the Brothers Grimm. Trying to decide which story character I want to create is not easy. Any suggestions?

I better get through the freaks and the Grimm challenge fast because I need to start working on Halloween and Christmas. I have witches, headless horsemen, pumpkin people, elves, Kringles and more that all want to get out of my head and take form. I'm joining some of my Fulton Street Artisan Market friends at a home show in Lowell in November around deer hunting season. Ill be sure and post more information as we get closer to November.

I wont be at the FSAM for a couple of week, I have to work at my real job, but hopefully when I return Ill have the Freak Show done and more fun and creative things to share.

So much to do and not enough time to do it

The Sketchbook Project

Well I just sent away for my sketchbook so i can be a part of The Sketchbook Project. The Project is a way to inspire artists to create artwork – whether they are professional artists or just starting out. All of the projects are open to everyone. Find some projects that interest you, sign up, and get creative. Most projects have an exhibition at the home base in Brooklyn, NY. Everyone who participates and sends back their work is included in the exhibitions. The theme I chose was Nighttime Stories. I'm looking forward to working on my sketchbook and have until January to finish and send it back when it will become a part of a national tour. For more information or to get your own sketchbook go to http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects and start sketching.

Freak Show

Well the first character in my little freak show is done. Who knows how many more will come, what characters do you think I should create? I thought I would give you just a small glimpse, but I do not plan to reveal them until the tent goes up, the lights go on and they are all together in one place. The Freak Show will make its West Michigan debut at an upcoming Fulton Street ARTisan Market, look here for the announcement.

Their making their way.........

.........stopping in one small town at a time, setting up in the dark of night, and gone again as quickly at they came. Monsters, natures rejects, FREAKS. Are you brave enough to come to the show when its in town? Which freaks do you want to see?

Fulton Street ARTisan Market

Well tomorrow is Sunday again, so that means you will be able to find me and my creations at the Fulton Street Artisan Market from 11am to 3pm. Hope to see you there.

Croquet with the Queen.........

Join the Queen of Hearts for a game of croquet.

Click below to join the Queen

http://therareharestudio.blogspot.com/p/croquet-with-queen.html

You are formally invited to a game of croquet

on the palace grounds.

Join the Queen of Hearts this evening

July 8th, 2010

Don't be late!

Long live the Queen

She is coming...........

Happy 4th of July

Yesterday I spent the morning and part of the afternoon at the Fulton Street Artisan Market, it was the first day that I have been able to participate and join my FSAM friends. What a great day, it was a little warmer then I would have liked, but the sun was out, the market was 3/4 full with vendors and the attendees were in good spirits.

At first I was a little concerned that my "art" is too crafty. I'm of course my worst critic and just was not feeling like i belonged there. My booth was not set up at all the way I like it to be, I usually like there to be a general theme that runs through the display and yesterday there was none. I had patriotic items next to Santa's, next to Halloween, next to watercolors, next to Alice and Wonderland, with a few fairies flying over head, but there most have been something about it that drew people in because I had a very good day, I was not disappointed at all. People commented on my pieces, were interested in some of the process it takes to create many of the items, and I may have even found a holiday event this fall to show my Kringle's (Santa's) at. Over all it was a very good day.

I need to thank my friend Adam for helping me out and finishing up the day for me when i had to go to work and for packing and taking down my booth for me. I would also like to thank LaShelle of Designs by LaShelle, we all need a person to be in our corner, I'm lucky I have a great family and friends, but I met LaShelle last year at the FSAM and ever since then she has been a great source of encouragement for me. She is always there with a smile on her face telling me how much she enjoys my work, someday its just nice to hear an encouraging word.

Fulton Street ARTisian Market

Well I'm finally going to make it to the FSAM this week. Tomorrow on July 4th I'll be at the market from 11am to 3pm. Of course I didn't get EVERYTHING done that I had hoped to, but I have a decent eclectic mix of things to show. Santa's, Fairies, patriotic items, and an assortment of Alice in Wonderland items. In the coming weeks I will be adding more holiday items and my favorite, Halloween. Hope to see you at the market and Happy Fourth of July!!!

Fairies

I was out in the garden again this evening, the fireflies were lighting up the dusk sky when out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of these three fairies in the flowers

Fairies........

I caught another glimpse of a fairy

Wonderland preview..........

Off with their heads!!! This is just a sneak peek of what I'm going to be entering in the ADO Wonderland challenge next week. I'm still working on her but I'm sure you can figure who she is. be sure and take a trip to Wonderland next week and see what all the artist have created for this exciting challenge. I'll post a link so you can enjoy a trip down the rabbit hole too.

Do you believe in fairies?

Pretty fairies, bright and gay
Come and play with me this day
A gilly flower, a fairy's bower
A mouse's bone, an elfin home
I call you to me, and I pray
To see you always if I may.

Lady Cottington's fairy Album,Brian Froud,Harry N. Abrams, Inc.2002

Normally you would have to repeat this poem at midnight when the moon is full,on a warm summers night, but I have caught the quickest of glimpse of some brand new fairies. They are so new, being just born yesterday that their colorful skin has not even developed, hair has not yet grown and they don't even know what clothes are. They seem to enjoy living in my garden and I promise to take more pictures as I can.

Frustrated..............

This has been an on going problem for me. My photos of my work are amateurish and poor. I have been trying to learn little tricks to take better photos and it just is not working. My biggest problem seems to be with the flash. Everything seems to get washed out and the details lost in the photo. Anything white or light in colors just glows because the flash is so bright. I try and turn the flash off and then the items are to dark. Well I'll try again tomorrow in daylight and take the fairies I'm working on outside where they will be happier anyways. Have a good night Blogland.

It's begining to look alot like Christmas.......

OK,OK, I know it's not even July yet but I found the perfect fabric I think to finally finish this Kringle I started. I'm planning on dressing him in a full length brown fur coat and when finished he should stand four or five feet tall. I can't wait to finish him now. It's amazing how something can set on a shelf waiting for just the right inspiration to be finished, I have no idea what makes me put something away or bring it back out when I do, but I love seeing it finally get finished.

Alice in Wonderland - Kerli 'Tea Party' Official Music Video

Trying to decide.........

I have the day off today from my "real" job and Its nice to actually be doing something creative. Of course I'm not going to get everything done that I had hope to today. I always said when i had my own business how much I had wished that the days were at least 28 hours long if not longer. Twenty four hours just is not enough time, especially for someone who likes to sleep. But as my family always told me you can only do as much as you are able to.

Today I'm working on a few small watercolor paintings, I had hoped to get done some painted fabric pillows and a few other things to but i don't think its all going to happen. I was wanting to join my fellow artisans Sunday at the Fulton Street Artisan Market, I'm just not sure I have enough to take and the fact that's its a hodge- podge of stuff bothers me too. I have Halloween and Christmas stuff, water color paintings, and some of my Alice in Wonderland pieces. I can not decide if I just take what I have and set up or wait until I can create this "themed" booth like I like to have. My displays always have to be as interesting as the art I'm selling. The fact that I have to get someone to help me for a few hours because I have to teach a class at work and that it might rain is not helping me decide.

I guess ill just keep creating, take an inventory tonight, see what else i can get done tomorrow before and after work and let you all know then if you can find me at the market on Sunday.

ADO/ Wonderland challenge

Falling down the rabbit hole soon..........which character will you see from The Rare Hare Studio?

Fall down the hole and see for yourself on July 9, 2010. Click the ADO/Blog event Wonderland logo on The Rare Hare Studio blog.

I'm working on my piece and having a great time. I can not wait to show it off.

Avril Lavigne - Official 'Alice (Underground)' Music Video (HQ)

Alice and friends...

Once again the story of Alice and her friends has inspired me. These painted fabric dolls are not just for the young, but the young at heart. Each doll is hand painted with acrylic paints, and aged to give them that well worn, loved feeling. Each has a dreamy eyed expression and I have a feeling more fairy tale characters will be joining Alice and he crazy friends down the rabbit hole at The Rare Hare Studio.

The beach..............

Well I spent the afternoon at the beach today with friends. I took along my art supplies and was hoping to get a little drawing time in, but with all the people and it was so nice laying there that it didn't happen. But i have confidence the ideas i have that I want to do will happen someday, but today was not that day.

Watercolor and tulips

After a little time away I'm bringing this watercolor out in hopes of finishing it. I started the painting this Spring when tulips were blooming. This painting shows the progression of the tulips from small bud just popping from the bulb to spent and wilted flower.

I think I like working with water colors because the lack of control that I have with this medium. Using water to bring the paint to life, trying to control the color as it dances across the paper. I'm looking forward to the final painting.

Off with their heads............

Off with their heads............

Inspired by Alice and Wonderland as so many artist are right now I created these decorative boxes. Each box has been accented with aged pages of the wonderful story by Lewis Carroll, and the lids have been painted black. Below you will find such characters as the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and of course the Queen of Hearts.

Off with their heads............

Off with their heads.............

Fulton Street Artisian Market

After work today I stopped down at the Fulton Street Artisan Market on Fulton and Fuller. Imagine my surprise when I pulled in after 2pm to find the market packed with both artists and market shoppers. I had to park at the very end of the market and it looked like is would have been at 11am. PACKED!!! I could not believe it.

It was totally amazing, there was painters,wood workers, block prints, cement birdbaths and fountains, jewelry and new art created from old "junk" it goes on and on, I was told there were like some 83 artists. I could not believe it. I saw old market friends and made new ones. It made me want to create and get ready in a few weeks to share my talents again this summer.

This will be my third summer at the market and I can not wait to join my fellow artists. The FSMA board needs to be congratulated on the success of the market and its continued growth, they are doing a great job. Thank you friends, Ill see you at market soon.

Check out FSMA on Facebook:


http://www.facebook.com/#!/fsartmarket?ref=ts

How to be an artist

I have a dear friend who gave me a card one day when i was feeling a little down and these are just a few of the inspiring words it said.

How to be an Artist.........watch clouds, invite someone dangerous to dinner, make little signs that say yes and then post them all over your home, look forward to dreams, cry during movies, swing as high as you can on a swing set, believe in magic, draw on the walls, play with everything and write love letters.

Pumpkin People

Halloween Witches

 

Here I go..............

As a blogger virgin please bare with me, I really have no idea what I'm supposed to do or say here. I will try and learn the proper etiquette and hopefully create a blog that you will want to come back to on a regular basis just to see what is happening here at The Rare Hare Studio.

I have always been a creative person, and enjoy working in various mediums. Growing up i was always creating, drawing or painting, making puppets and putting on puppet shows for friends and families. In high school I enjoyed acting on stage and designing sets and props. I'm a florist and had my own shop for a number of years until I went back to school for Interior Design. I currently work and live in Grand Rapids, Michigan where I continue to create Kringle's, Witches and other holiday inspired items, but not all my work is holiday related. I hope to introduce you to myself and my work through this blog. I look forward to sharing my passion with all of you.