A new year is coming so I thought it was time to update my web site to reflect the new things I’ve been doing. Here’s what’s been happening. More than ever I’m being drawn into the realm of fantasy. My show at Zarha’s Studio in Beacon, New York awakened some real creativity, I think, and I’m anxious to get started on some new ideas that have been bubbling up. I have so many ideas, it’s difficult to focus on just one, but I think if I jot them down in my sketchbook and try to work through each one I can get to them all!

Usually they come to my attention through titles, yes, words. I think in words first sometimes, and then in pictures. Or sometimes the pictures come first (and then I have trouble with the titles!). For example, I have this thought about the song title “Silent Night.” It suggest something fanciful to me, and when I come up with a good sketch, I’ll share it here, which means I have the picture in my head, but nothing sketched out yet!

Sometimes after I paint a painting, I will sculpt a doll from it. However, I’ve never done this the other way around! Maybe I should give it a try!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the new look of my web site, and return often to see what’s new. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Janîce

Hi All! I've been so busy since I came back from my show. I was away over Halloween, and then I was sick--wow, it's been never-ending! However, I finally had a chance to sculpt. I've created a Dark Mermaid for you, and her name is Nya. She's listed on eBay now, and will end on Thursday night, November 6th at 18:00:24 PST. See her in my eBay Store.

Thanks so much for taking a peek! Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween! Now, it's on to Thanksgiving! The year has certainly gone by quickly! (Please note: Mermaid has been airbrushed for certain online nudity codes. See full pictures in her auction or in my Available Dolls Gallery. Thank you!)

The opening of my show "Finding Faerie: the Art of JM Leotti" was a wonderful success! Thanks to all who came out to visit! The show will be at Zahra's Studio, 496 Main Street in Beacon, New York until November 15th. There are still pieces available for sale--although about eight pieces sold opening night--so if you'd like to drop by, please visit the friendly folks at Zahra's!

Is there life after an opening? Even though I had the post-show blues when I came home--you know how sometimes you wish certain days would just last forever?--I had to get back to work. And, actually, that picked up my spirits. Yes, I'm back in the studio creating, my favorite place to be! I'm working on a Dark Mermaid sculpture, which will be available on eBay this week. I also finished a little 4" x 6" painting of a Vampire, which I've titled "Hunting." This will also be available on eBay this week. It's a dark painting embellished with dark glitter and a tiny acrylic jewel in her bat crown--the first time I've ever done anything like this. I like mixing different elements together, and I think that's why I like sculpting so much because I get to mix so many different disciplines together.

Halloween is coming!

Until then, be blessed by the Faeries!
Janîce

It's been a while since I've blogged here because I've been preparing for my upcoming show. Well, it's finally here! My first one-woman show will be at Zahra's Studio, 496 Main Street in Beacon, New York. It will feature my paintings and sculptures. The opening reception is October 11th 6-10 p.m. I will be there to sign prints, meet fans, and party after a long ten months of work! :-) The show will run until Nov. 15th. If you live in the area, please stop by and say hello. I will have four sculptures for sale (which you can view in my Available Dolls gallery) and the rest is paintings. I have about 28 works all together. I will also have some fun merchandise for sale: my own line of incense and oils, Yule Goddess greeting cards, prints and ornaments. It's going to be a really fun show! Thanks to Keith Zahra and Vanessa Tellez for inviting me to show at their gallery!

So in my last blog post, which was a while ago, I talked about wanting to do a Morgan Le Fay doll. Well, she's here! She is sculpted out of polymer clay, and to add drama, I made her clothes entirely out of silk and silk brocade. She's really beautiful. Please make sure you stop by my Available Dolls gallery to see some of her photos. She will be for sale at my upcoming show in October.

Morgan Le Fay is one of those characters that really intrigues me. Some myths say she is evil and the downfall of Arthur and Camelot. Others say she heals Arthur's wounds, and takes him to the underworld in the end. She's his Faerie half sister, seductress, healer, beautiful, wicked, all of these characteristics only serve to show that we are conflicted, I think, about beauty and its power. Certainly beautiful women throughout the ages have been mythologized and blamed for men's wrong-doings. I find this fascinating. Anyway, I could go on and on, but I've got to get back to work! As always, thanks for stopping by and Faerie Blessings!