Hello, and happy new year!  First things first:

Buy one, get one free print sale!

S'right - buy a print, and get a 2nd print free!  Just add a print to your cart at www.marylayton.net, then input the title of the free print you'd like as you check out.  There's no limit, although if you order an unusually large amount, we might want to know what you're up to. ;)  The free print(s) must be of equal or lesser value of the purchased print(s).

There - advertising's out of the way, then.  This being a new year, I'm starting to plan a show schedule. Last year was my first year of doing appearances and I really enjoyed meeting people, and was pleased to have made some sales, as well.  I'm aiming slightly bigger this year - last year was just local fairs and a small local con, but this year, I'm doing one of the big ones!  I have been confirmed as a vendor for FaerieCon East in Baltimore, MD this November!  I'm really looking forward to it, as I had a great time just visiting as a punter this past November.  I am also planning to do the Greensboro Summer Solstice event in June, which is just all kinds of fun!  Other than that, I've nothing else confirmed, although I've got some feelers out for a couple of other local events.

Oh...I promised a FaerieCon 2011 blog didn't I?  I'll try to work on that this weekend, but in the meantime, I did post some photos over on the Facebook page (<--clicky for linky).  Just scroll down the page a bit - the photos are linked by a pic of Ellen Kushner and Shane Odom.

I'll leave you with a sneak peek at what's on the drawing board (well, technically, in the sketchbook) - I'm hoping to get it done by Valentine's Day, but first I have to attend to the business side of being self-employed - end-of-year bookkeeping and quarterly taxes! Bleurgh! ;)

New Year's Fun Craft

Here's a little "just for fun" thingy.  I'd meant to post this earlier, but thanks to the programme crashing and corrupting the file, I'd had to re-create it, and therefore, I'm late getting this out there.  Still, what the heck - there are still a few places with some time left to do this, and if nothing else, it might provide a distraction for the kids while you attend to your own evening preparations!  Happy New Year!

DIY 2012 PARTY SPECS!

Download and print file here: DIY party specs

Magick 4 Terri

Hellay, hellay!  I'll have a FaerieCon report up when I get a bit of time, but I wanted to post about this as it's an important thing, and something worthy of our attention:

Most fans of fantasy and mythic tales and art will have heard of Terri Windling.  A writer, artist, and editor, she has been an inspiration to a generation of mythic artists and writers, and many of us are coming together to try to help her in a time of need.  I have donated my Rackham-inspired watercolour "The Apple Faery" (pictured below), and artists and writers like Charles Vess, Brian Froud, Wendy Froud, Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, Ellen Kushner, and George RR Martin (to name but a handful) are donating original works, limited editions, and signed items for an auction at Magick 4 Terri on LiveJournal.  In addition, fans are offering their own works, crafts, services, and treasured collectibles.  Please stop by and check it out.  Many items have low starting bids, and there is also a 'donate' button  for whatever your budget might allow.  Help us make some Magick 4 Terri!

New Art and FaerieCon!

I have some new art to share - both of these beauties are available on the web site.  

"Companions" is an homage to pet lovers everywhere, and features representations of 3 pets I have known and loved - my childhood companion "Kitty", my recently deceased (well, 2006) cockatiel 'Mo', and "Bronte" a gorgeous Chocolate Lab who was part of the family of my in-laws in Yarm, UK.

"The Witching Hour" is a Samhain-themed painting in the Art Nouveau style with a bit of a Steampunk flavour.

In other news, I'm going to FaerieCon this weekend!!  I'm very excited, packed and ready to go (although I can't stop double-checking to make sure I haven't missed anything).  I am not exhibiting or vending, I'm only going for the fun of it and to meet up with friends who are vending.  I'm looking forward to meeting the Frouds, Charles Vess, and Amy Brown as I'm just a big ol' fangrrl!

My friend Brigid Ashwood, who is a featured artist at FaerieCon, has written a post about the event- if you need some encouragement to come on out ;) GeekMom: FaerieCon - The Sparkly Side of GeekCons

Chocolate: dark, milk, or white?

Chocolate: dark, milk, or white?

Answer here

Recommended reading

Hi all,

I've got a proper blog coming soon - perhaps in the next couple of days, even. But, I wanted to share this, as I think it is excellent reading. It speaks about the current climate amongst a portion of the young in the UK, but the greater message applies to ANY youth in ANY country. I could easily apply her statements to the youth in the US. Read it, it's worth the time:

http://rosamicula.livejournal.com/540476.html

Another embloggening? I'm on a roll!

2 bloggings in one week. Now...do I have anything to say?

Well, yes, actually. I've just this morning had an email from Indigo Art Services with the preview images of the mousepads that are in production. They are gorgeous, and I can't wait to get my hands (or...mouse) on them. I showed the image of the one with my Hummingbirds on Lantana art to himself (my husband) and he's planning to purchase one as soon as it's on sale. Jen at IAS tells me mousepads will be featured on the website and on offer at $9 each (regularly $10.95) til the end of August. I'll post again when they're available.

Also this morning, I finished "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins; the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy. What a great series that was. Now, I'm looking forward to the film treatment and hoping they do the story justice. Now, what shall I read next? Any suggestions?

I've just rented "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1" from Netflix. I did see it in the cinema when it was released, but I wanted to watch it again so the story would be fresh in my mind when I go see Part 2. I'm a bit sad that it's all ending, but looking forward to it anyway. I know JK's got Pottermore in the works, but I really am keen to see what she does next writing-wise. Surely she's got some more stories to tell, other characters to pull us into their lives....

I've been asked when I'll be painting live again. I'm not sure, really. Maybe next week? I'll post at twitter and facebook when I do, and if I can organize myself enough, maybe schedule a time and give you a day's notice or so. Ha - an organized artist?! That'd be a first! ;)