Verne Bluebird

The days are getting short. There is a chill in the air that can only signal the approach of winter. Flocks of birds fly overhead in an urgent rush to find a warmer place to wait out the cold winter. This is how it has always been. The internal call is too much, and there is no sense in trying to resist.

Verne doesn't feel the call. Verne doesn't feel anything. The bite of the wind and the frantic flights above mean nothing. The events of this last summer were too much, and in an attempt to rid himself  of the pain he allowed himself to become lobotomized. The cold means nothing to Verne. The short grey days are but a glimmer of the gloom he currently feels.  He will be content to let winter ravage his small feathered body. The eternal draw of immediate comfort and warmth do not appeal to him.

Don't feel bad for poor Verne. While he knows he is destined for a time of suffering, he also knows that soon enough there will be the warmth of Spring.

Hanging on tightly

 I can't believe it is already mid September. The last two months have been a blur. Many of you already know about the death of my son Eric in July, but for those who missed the news I offer this as an explanation for my online absence. Simply put, I have been thinking of other things (to say the least). I have felt like I am caught in a rushing tidal wave, and just about the time I feel like I might be able to pull my head above water, the next huge wave hits. I have found myself exhausted mentally, physically, and creatively.

 This guy is a piece I have made since Eric left. I find it very representational of my current frame of mind. I am holding on tightly to my sanity, trying my best to recover and knowing there will never be a true recovery. My son is gone. He was a kind and creative person, a true gentleman and an old soul. He believed fiercely in education and often showed extreme disdain towards those who seem happy to go thru life blindly oblivious to their own self absorption. He was silly and serious at the same time. He loved to read, and often shared his favorite books with me (although sometimes I didn't quite share his taste) He was a natural artist. He had a talent for drawing that I have never posessed. He could put his vision onto paper effortlessly, and was often seen lost in a sketchbook. Eric, you are missed.

 This piece was destined for Ghoultide Gathering in Chelsea, Michigan. I have, unfortunately, made the decision that I will not be able to attend. It was an honor to be invited, and it has been very difficult to face the truth that it just isn't in the cards this year. My sincere thanks go to Scott Smith of Rucus Studio for his encouragement of my artwork. I am not entirely tapped out creatively and look forward to using my art as therapy. Perhaps next year I will find myself ready.

Pumpkin with lantern

Revisiting one of my old characters in preparation for the Ghoultide Gathering.

Fighting

I've been fighting my way back into the shop this week. My creativity comes and goes, and my sessions are very short compared to normal. At this point I don't know what normal is, so am grateful for every opportunity to return to a somewhat regular routine. Sculpting and creating has always been an escape for me, offering a chance to enter another reality if only for a short time. 

It seems some things are too large and horrible to escape from.

 Anyway, here's a new creature I finished this week. I am not ready to delve into his story, but I am sure there is something he would like to tell.

Perhaps later.

Y?

Moana

Desperatey Sad, Moana turns to the local witch for help...

the ghost of August Morley

Father Mouldyvine

 Father Mouldyvine is one of the Elder statesmen in The Order of the Charred Femur. He can be seen from time to time performing certain rites amongst the graves behind the Shadow Farm. He is very large and lumbering, but is a kindly old gourd.  If cornered, members of the order will swear his rituals are benign. They adamently insist they are meant only to unite the bretheren and bring a sense of history to their lonely group of creatures. Until recently, the text with which the Father reads has remained top secret, even unto the highest members of the order.

This rare glimpse--taken at great risk of personal safety--- leaves us wondering if we have been told the truth about the good Father Mouldyvine.

Teaser

Two new pieces in progress. Both of these expressed their own will to me and have become very different beings than I had originally intended.











Above marks my first attempt at a larger scale ghost using a very limited color pallette. On the right will be a heavily accessorized hag with sad expressive eyes.




Let the fun begin.

sometimes when I create

there is a moment when I have struggled with a particular creature, trying my best to make it into something it never wanted to be. Try as I might, the creature fights back and eventually unveils to me what it was supposed to be from the beginning. 

This moment just happened, and a would-be second version of a previous character has won the battle to become a completely new entity unto itself. In that moment, the completed work flashes in my brain, and it is a downhill race to the finish.

I love that moment.

Andreas

Andreas is a scraggly old bird. He is immensely strong and wise, but is nearly unapproachable due to the smell of decay and death that permeates from his every pore.  His preference is the recently dead and can be seen most days circling the mortuary, hoping for an easy meal....although he makes no distinction between the deceased and those who are grieving.

Andreas will be available for sale at Days of the Dead Indianapolis

Hard times on the Farm

Hard times have befallen the Shadow Farm.... not in the form of famine, drought, or pestilence but perils of the automotive variety. Over the last month I have experienced a series of expensive car repairs, culminating with today's news of a nearly shot transmission.
So today I am putting out a cry for help from anyone who can answer. Please go check out my Etsy shop if you haven't been there recently and adopt one of my strange creepy characters. I am offering a very special discount of 25% off all purchases. All you have to do is use the coupon code "YELP4HELP" during checkout.

Thanks go out to all my followers. Please spread the word about this unique opportunity!

Follow-up: I am overwhelmed by the show of support I have received! Thanks so much to everyone who has made a purchase from my shop this week. I've said it before and will say it again...Halloween people are the best people on Earth!

Dave

All-Out Ghoul Warfare!

Just a few weeks to go until Days Of the Dead Indianapolis and the Shadow Farm shop has gone into full production mode. The troops of small ghouls are amassing numbers that will enable them to take the show by force. The shop is a total wreck in this frenzy of creativity.

The troops are getting restless. I hear them practicing their maneuvers after the shop lights are turned off and the paint brushes are laid out to dry. The time is drawing near.

Come see the entire army on June 6-8th at Days of the Dead.

Critter in the Garage

 For the last month I have been hearing strange noises in the garage walls. I assumed the chewing and scurrying was merely mice. At times the noises were obviously too 'large' for a mouse, and I feared there might be a raccoon or possum taking up residency. Last night I happened to be out working on a new creatures when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I turned just in time to capture this shot of what appears to be some sort of small demon-like being. I am posting this in hopes that someone can identify this beast and offer advice as to how I should go about getting rid of it. Should I call animal control or a priest? Is there an immediate danger to my family or pets?

Please help.

The Shadow Farm interview at RAW

Here's an interview i did at the Indianapolis premier of RAW: Natural Born Artists....enjoy!

Halloween anyone?

It's time to start thinking Halloween!  Yes, I know many of you never stop thinking Halloween, but for the rest of you here's the formal announcement...

THERE ARE ONLY 170 DAYS LEFT UNTIL HALLOWEEN!

... and for the die-hard spooksters this means time for the serious planning and building to start.

So, to get you in the mood, I am having a sale in my Etsy store!  Now thru the end of May, take 20% off any purchase by using coupon code SPOOKYMAY.

RAW: The Blend

The Shadow Farm at RAW: Indianapolis

 Quite an interesting event. I haven't heard an official count, but would gues that over 1500 attended RAW's premier in Indianapolis. I had a great time meeting other artists and talking about my work. It was amusing that many couldn't find words to describe my off-beat characters and their stories. The most common comparison was "It reminds me of Tim Burton's work." I take this as quite a compliment since I have always been such a fan. Below is just a sampling of some of the work presented by other artists...enjoy!

 

 

 

Don't forget to smile...

Putting the final touches on my display for tonight's RAW showcase. After I cleared the bench this guy remains unfinished in a very preliminary state but served as a useful reminder to myself....Don't forget to smile tonight even though the thought of being out of my shop, dressed up, and mingling with people freaks me out more than the creepy things that inhabit the dark corners of my mind.

deep breaths, calming thoughts ( and perhaps a nap in the hammock this afternoon).

Badger & Beane

Badger & Beane

Dry Goods

Seeds

Exotics

Occult

Badger and Beane have traveled. They have seen the dark reaches and have explored the borders of the known world. Their collections are widely known and well publicized.  Badger & Beane specialize in "previously owned'  items, particularly burial shrouds, coffin nails, and teeth.

Monte's Induction

Monte had always wanted to be a member. When his secret invitation to the Order of the Charred Femur arrived he was beside himself with excitement. He had heard whispers of  the odd ceremonies performed in dark places and just knew that as a creature of the night he would fit right in.
The night of his first meeting he was wrought with anticipation. He donned the ceremonial scarf and fez, and flew off to the order's lair. Upon entering the weathered old shack, Monte stood in utter disbelief at the wonders and horrors amassed over the mellenia by countless members.

 "I have made a mistake," Monte thought to himself. " This is bigger than I imagined."

"I should go now."

Monte soon found out there is no leaving The Order of the Charred Femur.

The Collections of Dr. Mortenson

 There is a small scrap of a wood shingle awkwardly placed near the mouth of a groundhog burrow behind the large barn on The Shadow Farm. Scratched into the wood , the letters read "Dr. Mortenson, Embalmer".  The burrow was recently discovered and investigated, unveiling an odd little creature. Dr. Mortenson is about the size of a very small cat, and is very skilled in the collection and preservation of some very extraordinary specimens. It is unclear why Dr Mortenson has such a collection, and also a mystery as to where many of his specimens come from.

Dr Mortenson and his collection will be available for a detailed inspection and purchase on May 10th. Please purchase your ticket now from The Shadow Farm to attend this one-night only opportunity.

Just a reminder....

Word has it that this show could sell out...Please check out the upcoming RAW:the Blend show in Indianapolis, and purchase your tickets through my artist profile. Everyone who buys tickets from me will have a chance to win two of my original creations! Click here for details on my giveaway.

Edgar: a work in progress

I have been piecing at poor Edgar for a few weeks now. There is something about this little guy that I find fascinating. He has an old soul with an aura of profound sadness. At this point in the artistic process I like to pause and get to know the creature a bit before adding the finishing touches. Where does Edgar live? What does he do? (and most importantly) What has made him so sad?

Edgar will be going with me to the RAW:natural born artists show on May 10th.

RAW: the Blend. ( buy a ticket, win some art)

I mentioned in a previous post that I have been chosen to participate in the RAW:natural born artists show on May 10 in Indianapolis. I sincerely hope to meet some of my followers at the show, and am excited at the prospect of being introduced to a great variety of local artists. While it would be nice to meet people who are already fans of my work, I know that it just isn't possible for many of you to attend.
....so I am going to have a small contest to include anyone who would like to participate even if they can't make it to the show.

This one is really easy...tickets to "the Blend" are only $10. Everyone who purchases a ticket under my artist profile will be entered to win the items shown above. You can purchase here and choose "the Shadow Farm" as the artist you would like to support. Pay with paypal or credit card and comment on this post to tell everyone you are entered...easy-peasey! I will draw a name at random from everyone who purchases a ticket and announce the winner on May11.

Thanks to everyone who has watched my art develop over the past few years. It is your support that has kept me going when my inspiration sometimes failed.

RAW: natural born artists show

I have been accepted to participate in the Indianapolis premier event for RAW: natural born artists. The show is to be held in Indianapolis on May 10th, and will feature artists of all kinds of media including Film, Performing Art, Fashion, Photography, and Music.

Mark your calender! Tickets NOW AVAILABLE for only $10. If you cannot attend, please consider sponsoring me by purchasing a ticket anyway ( make sure to click thru my Artist page to purchase)

i know a place

That holds a secret. I haven't visited for quite a while, so today when I had some spare time I decided to pay a visit to some old friends. It is nearly a mile hike back to the nest. The entire time, I am running thru different scenarios of what could have happened since my last visit ; wind, lightening, floods, and poachers could have very easily uprooted the stately sycamore that has been the home to a pair of Bald Eagles for five years now. I try to stay calm as i round the corner to where I can first glimpse the home, prepared for disapointment should the pair have been forced to relocate. However, yet again, I see quickly that nest is still there, and has grown larger since my last visit.

Today I find the mother sitting on eggs, her head barely visible over the rim of the gargantuan nest.
The father silently flies in to deliver lunch to his patient mate. My camera work was not quick enough to capture the exchange of the carp he brought in. And just as quickly, he flies off to work on the next meal.