Adventures…and a sale!

I'm still alive everyone!  Sorry to be so scarce, been some busy times with Baby Alice, who is now 7 months old, almost walking, and into EVERYTHING.

First beach day!

Also had an interesting trip to the homeland (Sussex County, Delaware) with my parents in their new-to-them RV.  Took us 4 days, 2 blown tires and a popped sparkplug to get there.  Waiting on the shoulder for a mechanic has never been so comfortable, though.

But our biggest news is:  we're buying a house and moving to Austin, TX next year!  Can't wait, we're so excited!  Love that town!

So, as a result of our impending move to awesome Austin, as well as the logistics of having a small baby in the house, I'm taking a hiatus from my Tiffany stained glass for a while. I'm working on some new painted glass items that are easier to do with my limited time and space which I'm happy with so far.  I used to do custom painted hurricane lamp centerpieces for weddings many years back, so this is a bit like returning to my roots now.

But meanwhile, I've got a whole bunch of one-of-a-kind stained glass artwork that I really don't want to pack into a U-Haul.

Therefore, all stained glass items in my store are on clearance! Everything has been discounted AT LEAST 20% off my original prices!

The fantasy stuff...the geeky stuff...the clocks...ALL OF IT MUST GO! Come and visit!

RADIANCEART ON ETSY

PS.  Through the end of July, mention 'SLOWERLOWER' in your buyer notes, and get free shipping off any item in the shop!

Movie review: Alice in Wonderland

With Baby Alice visiting with Mommom and Poppop, we found ourselves with the golden opportunity to take in a movie.  Top of the list:  Alice in Wonderland.

Pros:  Like all Tim Burton movies, it is if nothing else a decadent double chocolate gourmet hot fudge sundae for the eyes.  I wanted nothing more than to run home and start drawing.  In fact, I shall be doing so as soon as I finish typing this.  The theming and contrasting of everything Red Queen/White Queen was especially well-done, as well as the transitions of Alice’s costuming as she shrank and grew. 

My favorite costuming, though, would have to be in the “real world” of Alice.   While being unmistakably Victorian, there were still very subtle elements in little places.   A quirky fabric choice or a pattern with contemporary flair took them a step further than the standard period look, emphasizing the general “off” feeling of the entire film.

As far as performances go, new starlet Mia Wasikowski does a great job as Alice.  I’m looking forward to seeing more of her.  I loved Anne Hathaway’s affectations as the ethereal White Queen.  She is one of my favorite actresses, and it was great to see her do something so different from her usual roles.  Of everyone in the film, she looked like she was actually having a lot of fun!  Alan Rickman was very well cast as the voice of the Caterpillar.  But then, I just adore the sound of his voice.  Seriously.  I want him to be my ringtone.

And Johnny Depp’s Mad Hatter?  Not bad, just…a standard Johnny Depp performance for a Tim Burton movie.  While an amazingly versatile actor, its getting hard to differentiate  between his '”crazy” roles (i.e. Wonka).  Although his recitation of “Jabberwocky” did give me a happy chill.

Cons:  Don’t be fooled—this is still a Disney film.  And like everything Disney, there is an insistence on a plotline, even if it has to be shoehorned in there.  Anyone ever been on the original version of Kilimanjaro Safari at Animal Kingdom?  “Little Red is OK!” Heaven forbid we just ride in the truck and let the real animals be the stars.

The original Alice in Wonderland is less an actual story, and more a series of vignettes.  Yes, there is the overall little-girl-has-a-dream-and-then-wakes-up arch, but really, it’s about exploring what’s around the next corner of Wonderland, and watching Alice interact with the characters she encounters.

I realize this version takes place years after and apart from the original story.  However, (and the SyFy Channel’s recent version of ‘Alice’ is guilty of this also), the wacky personalities of Wonderland are meant to be simply visited and observed for a short while.  They aren’t meant to DO things.  Not to fight epic battles.  Not to have romantic entanglements with Alice.  Not to get down with their bad selves in a pop-style victory block party dance off. 

Oh Johnny.  You were about 10 more dancing seconds away from a movie ending FAIL.

While it doesn’t quite live up to the hype, it is still a good and quite enjoyable movie, and a must see for any Alice or Johnny Depp fan. 

And while I’m on the subject of cinema:  is anyone else tired of everything being in 3D?  I’ve lived through the 80’s once already, thanks.

Getting back in the saddle

Yes, I’m still alive.

So now I have two months of motherhood under my belt.  Little Miss Alice is doing fantastic, is very wiggly, and always seems to have something to say about everything (not her fault that it all just comes out in eeee’s and ooooo’s)

   I was told how much having a baby would change my life, but I didn’t realize just how much that would be until I experienced it for myself. The past couple months have just flown by.  With babies, there’s ALWAYS something to do!

However, everyone is beginning to settle down, allowing me to take up pencils and keyboard once again.  It feels good to do some drawing.  Here’s a couple sketches I’ve done for some fantasy painting ideas:

  Hopefully I’ll get the chance soon to transfer and paint!

I’m also sketching for one of my husband’s tabletop game setting projects, and brainstorming some new stained glass ideas.  I would like to rejoin the outdoor festivals and art shows this fall, and now is the time to start building inventory. 

I’m also sharing some photos of commissions from the past few months, now that I have gotten around to uploading the photos:

    All in all, my plan for the year is to refresh my business, what I offer, and how I market.  And, of course, push myself to be a better artist.  It’s time to evolve!

Alice has arrived!

Belatedly announcing the birth of Alice Danger Moira Davis! (Yes, Danger is her middle name)

Our baby girl was born December 16, 2009 at 5:35 pm.  (Mommom’s birthday too!)  She clocked in at 7 lb 8 oz and 18 inches, and gave her mama quite a time!  She is absolutely gorgeous, and quite strong and curious already.  And so expressive! She’s very vocal, and makes lots of faces.  Alice is thriving, getting bigger every day, and stops traffic everywhere she goes.

Its been a whirlwind the past couple weeks, w/ the holidays, visitors, and a particularly nasty cold, and I apologize for taking so long to post the good news.

I hope everyone had as spectacular a Christmas as we did, and wishing you all a happy new year!