Rucus Studio

2011-12-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

Another year is about to end and I'm reminiscing about all the special moments that took place in 2011. It was indeed a busy year, but thankfully one filled with much good fortune.

Many of my favorite moments came from meeting new customers and visiting with those who have followed my work for years. Your enthusiasm and excitement for collecting is why I am able to continue creating and growing as an artist - Thank you.

A few gold stars on my calendar came from time spent with my artist friends. This eclectic group keeps me grounded as we share the same passion for living the creative life. I'm truly grateful for their friendships.

Other highlights include having my work published in national magazines. Thank you again to the editors for supporting my efforts. Some of these features can be seen listed on the sidebar to the left.

The closing of the year means the beginning of yet another. I plan to embrace the challenges given and take charge to create more happy memories.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and
Joyous New Year!

2011-12-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

Please join me and five of my artist friends
for our last update and sale for The Best We Can Do.
Our sale takes place on Saint Nicholas Day,
December 6th at 8pm (Eastern)
In honor of this most festive day, we've selected the theme of St. Nicholas. And since he is known for leaving treats in children's shoes, we're adding the challenge to incorporate a shoe into our design.

You can learn more about the sale and our theme on our show website.
http://www.TheBestWeCanDo.com

A BIG Thank You!

2011-10-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

To everyone who came to Ghoultide Gathering last weekend, thank you VERY much! We had a great show and enjoyed visiting with all of you. Once things settle down here in the studio we will post more images from the show.

~ Next On The Schedule ~

Using the remains of a very successful Ghoultide Gathering,
we have come up with a concoction to tempt even the most discriminating palate.

The basic ingredients are found in almost any cupboard - a witches wart, a pumpkin stem, the whisker of a rat, and a pinch of straw from a scarecrow.

Seasoned with a few items that were put on the back burner prior to Ghoultide, the result is a medley of characters to warm you on a chilly Hallow's Eve.

Get ready to taste and enjoy!

Join us in the Curiosity Shop on

Sunday, October 16th, at 8 pm (Eastern)

The time has come at last

2011-09-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

This Friday and Saturday, September 30th and October 1st, we'll be offering the latest works from the studio with all who can attend. With it being a two day show, we've created more pieces than ever before. There will be new works from us on both days. We hope to see you in Northville!

5th Annual Ghoultide Gathering - A Halloween Artist Spectacular
You can learn more about the show by checking out the website:
http//:www.ghoultidegathering.com

An Early Halloween Treat

2011-07-19T05:08:00.000-07:00

The cat is out of the bag... My work has been selected for the cover and feature article in the upcoming fall issue of Art Doll Quarterly magazine AGAIN! I couldn't be more honored or proud of this good fortune. I feel a bit like lightning has struck the Rucus Studio twice.

Earlier this year I was contacted by the editor of ADQ to submit images from the Halloween web sales I started last year. My first show was The Ivory Hue of Bones, where I worked in a limited color pallette. The concept caught their attention and became a full article. Thank you once again to the managing editor, Jana Holstein, for this wonderful opportunity.
The fall issue will be on newsstands at the beginning of August. I will also have a few copies available at Ghoultide Gathering.
You can also order a copy direct from Stampington by using this link. Be quick though, the issue I was in for 2009 sold out! http://www.stampington.com/html/adq_autumn11.html

Look in the inside front cover for a double-page ad for the 5th annual Ghoultide Gathering in this issue as well. The colorful ad features artwork from just a few of this year's celebrated artists.

Oh what strange sights can be seen on Halloween!

2010-10-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

The strangest thing happened while taking pictures outside yesterday. I kept hearing rustling in the leaves, but didn't see anything. Then, just as I turned around, I saw her. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was the Hag of the Woods! So lucky to have caught this picture before she vanished into the woods, muttering and chanting away. I shared this encounter with a few friends and they told “she is the one who casts the spells of good fortune and the circle of protection 'round your home.”

I guess that must be true, as we were indeed blessed with much good fortune during Curiosity Shop web sale last night. Thank you to everyone who joined us for my last of the Halloween web sales for 2010. The response and requests were overwhelming and I sincerely appreciate all the support and positive comments about my art.

Now it's time for a quick rest, and to put away the black and orange in the studio before we begin work on our second favorite season - Christmas!

2010-10-13T09:31:00.000-07:00

The United Federation of Doll Clubs has just published their Fall 2010 issue of Doll News and I am honored to be included. Sharing the spotlight (and 13 pages) with me is my good friend, Vergie Lightfoot, who makes some of the greatest cats and old soul pumpkins ever. Editor Janet Gula was a delight to work with and she did a wonderful job of merging our stories together for the article, titled - The Bold and the Boo-tiful. Several of the pieces sold on my Curiosity Shop web sales were selected as examples of my work.

Doll News magazine is published for members of UFDC and runs features on a wide variety of doll-related subjects. I find it to be a useful tool for inspiration and information about the history of dolls. Check out their website for more information about the current issue. http://www.dollnews.org

Thank you to editors Michael Canadas and David Robinson for selecting me to be a featured artist in this issue.

Time to Celebrate Halloween!

2010-09-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate have put together a great Halloween issue this year with lots of tempting recipes and party ideas.

We’re happy to have Ghoultide Gathering featured in the magazine
with photos in Mill Race Village and artwork from several of our artists.
In addition to the feature, I was asked to illustrate a party invitation for Celebrate readers to use when planning their own Halloween gatherings. The party planner will be available to download soon at http://www.hoffmanmedia.com/celebrate. In the meantime, you can download the invitation by clicking the image below.
I hope my artwork will get you excited to host a Halloween Frolic of your own!

Spookiness In Print

2010-09-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Halloween issue of Celebrate 365 has just been sent to press and will be mailed out at the end of September. I was pleased to have been asked by editor, Connie Porcher, to create a cover for the Halloween issue. The Gypsy Hag on the cover is a character I've had in mind for some time. A variation of her will be on my table at Ghoultide Gathering.
You can order a copy of the Halloween issue, or purchase a subscription, by going to the Celebrate 365 website - http://www.celebrate365.com/
Inside you will also find an article about me and the evolution of my work over the past 10 years for Rucus Studio.
Thank you Connie!

Lively Shadows

2010-08-24T15:24:00.000-07:00

Illustrations I created for the editor at Better Homes and Gardens many months ago are featured as a silhouette cutout project in the new issue of Halloween Tricks & Treats! They liked the graphics I created for Ghoultide Gathering and wanted something similar to use as a project in the magazine.

The cutouts look great displayed in a yard and in their photos they've even added LED candle lights to give them an eerie glow.

Halloween Tricks and Treats 2010 is on newsstands now - check it out!

2010-08-01T13:08:00.000-07:00

Presenting My First

Glass Halloween Ornament!

Early this year I was contacted by Artistry of Poland about creating a

new ornament. Their challenge was to have a design that celebrates both

Halloween and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

The ornament is available in three different color variations,

Jolly Halloween (as seen above),

Spooktacular, and Remember the Dead.

I am now accepting pre-orders only,

for a late September delivery

$55 Per design, plus shipping

Size: 5.5” high x 4.75” wide

Each will be signed by the artist

To order, contact me at rucusstudio@gmail.com

Honored

2010-07-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

About a year ago I was contacted by Wendy Mullen who wrote to ask if I would be willing to share a few images of my Christmas candy containers for a book she was working on. Today I was excited to receive a copy of the finished book in the mail, Candy Containers - The History of Candy Containers from German Factories.
The book is WONDERFUL, soft cover with 94 pages full of examples of antique German candy containers that most people have never seen.
I am honored to have my work included in the book on pages 41 and 88, as examples of artists creating works in the same tradition.

Wendy Mullen is the author of another book about antique chocolate molds. Please take a look at her website, where you will also find information on how to purchase her books.
http://www.victorianchocolatemolds.com

Below is a larger image of one of my favorite Belsnickles shown in the book. I sculpted his hood and arms to look like pinecones.

Thanks again for including me in the book Wendy ~