Notes from the Studio

I’ve had my head buried in two very different projects for the last several months. The first, which I’ll be blogging about a bit later is the design, sculpting and installation of a massive sculptural fountain based on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. The second is the design of various set pieces for a theatrical production of Peter Pan at the Barter Theater in Abingdon VA. Years ago I worked with the same theater on designs for the same play that, unfortunately, I never felt were entirely successful, so this time around the director and I came up with a very different approach. In this production most of the scenery in Neverland are large, flat reproductions of my paintings, each layered, one over the other, to create a sort of multi-plane depth of field. The play opens next Tuesday (Feb. 5) and will run intermittently over the next three months. Come on down and have a seat, then tell me what you think, okay? http://www.bartertheater.com/shows/   These next two images are for painted backdrops (18 x 30 ft) that will start to reveal the technicolor wonders of Neverland. These two were made into separate hard drops (18 ft high), that will

Pretty isn’t it? But the orders are in on, The Fairy Princess, produced by Dark Horse and they are to be frank, exceptionally lousy. Perhaps because those orders were, for the most part, solicited through the Diamond Previews catalog I’m not totally surprised, as the big sellers there tend to always be big muscles, big breasts or big guns and this piece certainly has none of those elements. David Scroogy and Gentle Giant have done an exceptional job of seeing my vision through a lengthy pre-production process but now, with these orders, we’re faced with either canceling the piece or coming to my fans with hat in hand. I, quite frankly, love this piece and want to see it actualized. So if you follow the link here: http://www.greenmanpress.com/princess.html you can see many more views of the piece and check out all the ordering details. Please be aware that none of these orders will be processed until we manage to break even or its determined that we are forced to cancel the project. You will then be notified of either when the sculpture can be expected to ship or that your charge has been canceled. Hope you can help out! Cheers,

Deadlines, deadlines. Charles certainly has ’em. He’s at the drawing board now, so here is The Wife typing a post. The website has been down and there is a month of news to summarize and post, but that will have to wait another day (sorry). TODAY is the release of the “Stardust” DVD so we wanted to let you know. It’s yet another wonderful gift item for friends and family! Some friends of ours are having a special Stardust Release Party for us, with food, drink and a state-of-the-art entertainment center – we are quite excited. Also, if you are lucky enough to live in a town that has a Borders Bookstore, you can get an exclusive version that includes a booklet of Charles’ art with the DVD. Only at Borders, though. Otherwise any Target, Walmart, B&N, or movie store worth their salt should have it. Cheers! Karen

I spent last weekend at FaerieCon, three splendid days, filled to the brim with lovely people, lively conversations and art of the fantastic in every size, shape and kind. I was hosted, wined and dined by Kim and Mary (and Mike too, of course!), two living and very real Queens of the May who produce Faerie Magazine and introduced to the lovely Be and Drew of ‘I Do Believe’ in the UK, all of them passionate advocates of the practical benefits of art and magic in all of our lives. As the days ran too quickly forward I discovered a large and ever-growing population of similarly passionate people who dance under the fairy hills every day of their lives. I felt very much at home amongst a tribe of people that shared so many of the aesthetic sensibilities that I myself value. Brian and Wendy Froud made for excellent hosts of the event and the gathering of other artists, performers and writers was amazing to say the least: Linda Ravenscroft, Delia Sherman, Ellen Kushner, Michael Hague, Holly Black, John and Caitlin Matthews, Ari Berk, Josephine Wall, Jessica Galbreth and my new extended family just goes on and on. A very

After a quick 5-day trip to Seattle, then a few short, quiet days at home, Karen and I headed over to London and the UK for a week full of old friends, art and surreal events, like the European premiere of Stardust. We’re finally back home but have no idea what time zone our bodies are still in. However, I did want you to know that the premiere was pretty outrageous compared to LA with the public very much a part of the premiere night. Lights were dancing out front of the Odeon in Leiceister Square and the carpet walkway was green! Flashbulbs popped from both sides of a long line of media on our right as well from a huge crowd of fans filling the square on the left. Mobs of people were screaming and holding out booklets from behind a fence for autographs (of the more famous people). Acting more like ‘deer caught in the proverbial headlights’ than invited guests, we were not at all prepared for such a boisterous and excited public. Neil did much better. Everyone inside was as bubbly as the champagne. If you’d like to see more photos from the gala here’s the link: