Thursday, October 30, 2014

(Not) Finding Halloween


This week I tried to find Halloween - as in Halloween decorations in the neighborhood. I went to our historic district that is famous for its over-the-top Halloween. However, this year I found almost nothing.

It struck me as odd since I, who usually loves to decorate for this funky holiday, haven't decorated much myself either. What is some kind of universal feeling?


So I just have a few Halloween decorations that I found and want to show here. Most of them are in my own neighborhood, just down the street. However, those that I did find are really cool - at least I think so.


These glowing ghosts are right across the street from our house and we can see them every night. And this lovely trio I already discovered in September in a nursery in Berkeley.


But - there are two mixed media paintings. After I hadn't painted for several months I finally started again at the end of summer and I enjoyed creating these two Halloween paintings, the cat and the little ladybug girl. They came to life after the wonderful mermaid painting class I joined in August.



I am linking up to Paint Party Friday for the first time in several months again, and to Friday Finds.


20 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Great photos, love those three skellies! Happy PPF!, Valerie

Bonny Bonafilla said...

Such lovely floating ghosts and a great skeletal trio! Over here in London we tend not to decorate so much for Halloween: a few pumpkins carved with candles inside and that's it. We've still got to carve ours. My son (age 8) has all sorts of big ideas on that front that are well beyond my skill levels as a carver, but it's all good fun. Your mixed media paintings are lovely; I especially liked your cat-in-the-hat. Have a super Halloween! All the best, Bonny

Netty said...

Fab post Carola. Happy PPF, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Sarah Huizenga said...

Halloween decorations have disappeared over the years around here. I think the push to Christmas so early overrides everything else. I remember the Halloween's of my youth. The cardboard cutouts I taped to the windows of pumpkins and black cats and witches. Those vintage decorations a thing of the past.

Donna Hopkins said...

Your paintings, colorful and whimsical, make me feel like a kid again. I've never been able to draw or paint - at all. But I recently read an article that suggested one way to improve your photography is to take a class in painting or drawing - and so now I am considering it. Your photographs and your paintings, both works of art, reveal your creative soul... beautiful.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Halloween isn't so big over here in the UK but I have been seeing more decorations this year. Love your art, visiting from Friday Finds.

Deepa Gopal said...

Interesting Halloween decorations! lovely art too :)
HPPF!

CarolHart said...

Well, the decorations you did find are just great and I love your mixed media pieces. I always decorate inside for Halloween, but not much outside any more as we don't get many trick or treaters these days. My husband & I have carved pumpkins though and will put those out tonite to greet the few visitors we may have. Happy Halloween!

Linda Kunsman said...

I didn't do much Halloween decorating either. No young uns around here to enjoy it. However some houses in our area have gone to the max with their decor-very cool! Thanks for sharing yours. And your paintings are just fantastic-great compositions and colors!

Giggles said...

I was wondering the same here in Canada...the spirit isn't the same this year!

Love your adorable paintings...the cats grin is wonderful!!

Hugs Giggles

GlorV1 said...

Hi Carola. Love your paintings. Glad you are painting again. Your photos are awesome. Great work. I don't think too many people allow their children to go out in the night any longer. This world isn't very safe. None the less, Happy Halloween and continue with your paintings. Take care.

Elephant's Child said...

What fun!
And, as someone who is owned by a pair of furry black tyrants I love your painting...

Nina said...

Hi Carola,
I'm very fond of your red painting ... It has something so sweet about it - also the little text on the right side... You're very creative!

joanna uk said...

What a great collection. Very amusing. Are the masked pumpkins your own? Such a fun iodea.
petal.pics

Jennifer Richardson said...

I love your paintings!
Mixed media moves me:)
-Jennifer

Tammie Dickerson said...

Wonderful post for halloween - festive work! Happy PPF!

Vagabonde said...

I like your paintings. The cat is smiling but in a scary way – so that is perfect. I read an article yesterday that Halloween did not take in France. For a while in the 1990s people there were interested but lately they do not celebrate it at all. We don’t have kids in our neighborhood so we don’t see many decorations, but yesterday we went to a subdivision and about half the houses were decorated.

Sally H said...

Fab photos, Carola. The three skeletons are brilliant! Lovely paintings too

Jeanne said...

love your halloween paintings! They are so cute. I have not seen too much in the way of halloween decorations where i am either. I am not sure about the wrens. This is the second time I have had one get in, and the door only open a tiny amount. I was afraid my little bird was going to kill itself flying in to things. I tried very hard to catch him, to no avail, but was glad that he finally flew out of the door. Glad you were able to catch yours and get it out with no harm.

Magic Love Crow said...

Love the decorations you found! Some people decorate where we live and others don't. Your paintings are adorable! Big Hugs ;o)