So, here we are another Spring will soon be upon us! We got a couple of bird feeders recently, and we are really having fun watching and identifying the birds that come to feed. They are all so different and beautiful in their own way.

I'm reminded of how much I enjoy different types of media. As you know, I'm very fond of both sculpting and painting. Recently, I haven't been sculpting too much, at least, I haven't been working on larger pieces. I've been continuing to sculpt my Faery Healers, however, because people seem to really enjoy them and because in this economy, they are affordable and bring joy to people--I really appreciate your kind letters of thanks. They always make my day!

One reason I haven't been sculpting the larger pieces is because they take a very long time to complete, and right now I don't have the time. I'm concentrating on painting some new images that I hope will be a little different from my previous ones. Some changes in my thought process have gotten me thinking about new subjects and maybe a slight change in approach. You might remember last year I had talked about a new way of applying watercolors which changed the look of my pieces slightly. The two images that benefited from this new approach were Snow Bringer and Messenger--two pieces that now get the most reaction from customers. This year I'm adding to that discovery, and I'm hoping for an even better look. Still experimenting, but as soon as I have something to show you will be the first to know!

Thanks again for your continued interest in my work. Happy Spring! (Almost!)
Janice

I just finished an adorable sculpture that I just had to blog about. It was a commission from one of my customers. I actually had no idea how I was going to do this--I'd never done anything like it before--but I did some sketching, and jumped in. It had its own technical problems, which, looking at the small size of the sculpture, you wouldn't think this would be a consideration. However, even small sculptures have their challenges. Once I figured out how the two bodies would fit together, the faeries seemed to sculpt themselves.

As it turns out, this is one of my favorite Faery Healer sculptures to date. I had such fear entering into this project, and such self doubt. It's strange how these types of projects are the ones that teach you the most. As an artist, I'm always in my own head, so to take someone else's ideas and turn them into something that they might like to purchase is daunting. However, sometimes my customers have better ideas than I do, so it's nice to work with someone for a change--I work alone every day!

I've had other experiences like this. Together me and the client worked out colors and what the sculpture would look like. Check out Nocturna in my Fantasy and Fairy Sculptures gallery, and Faery Healer Fairy Cat in my Faery Healers gallery.

1) Nocturna URL: See Nocturna

2) Faery Healer Fairy Cat URL: See Fairy Cat

Thanks to my customers for having such great ideas!

Until next time, Faerie Blessings!
Janīce

There aren't many pop trends that catch me, for example, reality TV doesn't really even exist for me. However, one way to get me to take notice is to talk about myth and folklore. Then you've got my undivided attention! Vampire lore has always intrigued me, even before Stephenie Meyer and Charlaine Harris wrote their vampire-boyfriend stories (love them both, BTW). How did human beings ever come up with "vampires"?

Probably rooted in the time of the plague, some experts believe the vampire myths began in Slavic countries. Families noticed that their relatives and close friends were dying in record numbers. Their belief was that a dead relative or friend rose from the dead and attacked the living in order to be close to them again, either through staying "undead" or by bringing the relative to their side--the otherworld. Why did they believe this? Because people would bust open coffins and sometimes find blood on the mouths of the newly buried. This confirmed their suspicions. I find this fascinating--that our imaginations would jump to "vampire" instead of something like, "maybe blood is seeping out of the dead body because it is no longer in use." Of course, I'm speaking from my modern perspective, so who knows what I personally would have thought if I were alive then?

So, we have the Vampire in our collective mythology and what fun for artists! I love what the vampire can symbolize: vampiric love, the struggle of good and evil in ourselves, the struggle of doing the right thing when faced with survival, all these ideas and many more have been fodder for the vampire mythology.

Thanks for dropping by my web site. May 2010 be your best yet!
Janīce

As an artist and crafter different seasons bring different ideas, and one year I decided to paint images of people's houses and pets on Christmas ornaments. I did it for friends and family at first, and as they told their friends and relatives where they got their original, one of a kind gift, the orders started pouring in. Now every year around November 15th, I stop painting and sculpting faeries and paint Christmas ornaments. It's become a tradition now with some of my customers, and every year they get ready to place their orders by gathering pictures of the homes and pets of their friends and relatives.

The houses are traditionally painted as Christmas scenes with snow and holiday decorations. However, I'm usually painting from photos that have been taken in the fall, and it's fun for me to watch the transformation from pumpkins and corn stalks to wreaths and garlands. Pets are usually painted with wreaths around their portraits or red bows around their necks. Some even wear Santa hats!

This year is no different, and I've been busy in my studio painting these one of a kind treasures that I know mean so much to my customers and to me. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing how my customers react to their purchase. They always tell me, "This is the perfect gift." But what they don't realize is that they have given me the perfect gift.

Many thanks to your continued support of my art!  Happy Holidays to all my friends, fans and family!

Janīce

I created Faery Healers in 2007. Since then they have grown into a popular keepsake among many of my collectors. I've always believed in the healing powers of crystals, plus the beautiful stones are wonderful to stare at and ponder. I've created many different types of Faery Healers: witches, mermaids, faeries of course, and recently a vampire and unicorn (7-Day auctions began 8/4/09 and 8/6/09 respectively). These little guys offer so much opportunity for creativity and joy!

When I came up with the idea, almost immediately I decided to hold a Faery Healer contest to I give away a Faery Healer, and over the past two years it has been my pleasure to send these little guys to lucky winners. The contest begins December 1st and ends Christmas Eve at twelve midnight. All you have to do to enter is send your name and a working email address so I can reach you after the drawing. The drawing is done during the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve and announced New Year's Day. It's my way of saying thanks to all who have collected my pieces over the years. Keep a look out for the announcements beginning in November so when I open the contest on December 1 you can enter!

Until then, you can always find them on eBay or order one directly by writing to me through this web site.

Thanks for dropping by, and as always, may the Faeries Bless You!
Janīce

It's always exciting to finish a new painting. This one I've titled "Night Bird." I began painting this because I was attracted to the model's face, as you can see, very attractive. I had no idea where I was going to take this, but as I began sketching, it became clear that this faerie was connected to crows. Now, crows are not "night birds" specifically, however, the crow has been connected to darkness, evil and death for centuries. Crows have also been called "messengers of the Gods." They are considered wise birds, and, in some legends, King Arthur is said to have been transformed into a crow instead of dying and untimely death. Because of their varied symbolism, I've chosen to give my faerie a mysterious look. She's not exactly smiling, though not exactly frightening looking. In the world of faerie, many faeries are tricksters, and can fool mortals into learning lessons the hard way. This "Night Bird" faerie enchants you with her stare, but where will she lead you? Will it be a dark or light path?

I've painted this one in watercolor and acrylic paint, a mixture of mediums that allows me to get the best of both worlds! It is painted on Arches 140 lb hot pressed paper.

I hope you enjoy "Night Bird" as much as I enjoyed creating it. Prints will be available soon, and the original painting will be available after I have scanned it.

Many thanks for dropping by my web site. Happy Fourth of July!

Faerie Blessings,
Janīce

Greetings My Enchanted Friends!

I've got some exciting news! If you live near the area of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, drop in to An Enchanted Boutique Wildfaeries! Why? Because Willow Lockett, the owner, has just received a shipment of my prints, Faery Healers and line of Incense and Oils! That's right! If you don't want to pay for shipping, just drop into Willow Lockett's shop and pick up your favorite JM Leotti print, Faery Healer or incense and oil! You can find Willow's shop here:

An Enchanted Boutique Wildfaeries
25 Main St.
Wellsboro, PA 16901 Phone: 570 -724 -1155

If you live in the area, stop by and see Willow Lockett, owner, and ask to see her new stock of JM Leotti merchandise! Open Thursday through Sunday.

Until next time, may the Faeries Bless You!
Janīce

Hi All-

If you haven't already noticed, I've closed my eBay shop. Another one will be coming back, remodeled and with more and different items, but this probably will not be up and running before the fall. In the meantime, I will still be selling on eBay, and you will be able to access my auctions by clicking on the eBay link on this web site.

I'm currently working on commissions, a new painting, and another fairy sculpture for eBay. I'm hoping the sculpture will be finished by Monday, and if you are a member of my mailing list, you will be the first to know! Well, second. I'm the first!

Please also note that I'm running a sale on my prints this month. If you have always wanted to purchase one of my fantasy prints, now is the time to snatch them up!

Many thanks for dropping by, and Happy June!

Faerie Wishes,
Janīce

Hi All!

I've recently had a new banner designed by Faerie friend Fred Winkler. If you'd like to link to my site, please pick it up now!

Thank you, Fred, for such a wonderful banner! See Fred's site here: Fred Winkler Fairy Artist

Have a Magical Day!

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!

Some great things to share this week!

1) My Faery Healers will now be available at:

An Enchanted Boutique Wildfaeries
25 Main St.
Wellsboro, Pa.  16901   Phone: 570 -724 -1155

If you live in the area, stop by and see Willow Lockett, owner, and ask to see her new stock of Faery Healers by me! Open Thursday through Sunday.

2) I will be participating in the Sea Cliff Spring Craft Fair To be held in conjunction with the Landmark Association Spring House Tour.

When? Sunday May 17, 2009 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Where? The craft fair will be held in the Parish Hall at St. Luke’s Church, 253 Glen Avenue in Sea Cliff, New York. It will be held on the same day as the Sea Cliff Landmark Association Spring House Tour. If you are in the area, stop by for a visit! I will have lots of Faerie things for sale including prints and Faery Healers! Hope to see you there!