Appalachian Folk Art by Kentuckian, Rebecca F. Miller Campbell. Featuring handmade One of a Kind (OOAK) signed, numbered, primitive art dolls, paintings & bits of whimsy from the hills of Eastern Kentucky.
Here’s a glimpse at some of the newest Halloween creations to cross my work table. Please join us in Chelsea, Michigan on September 30th for a Bewitching good time at the Bewitching Peddlers of Halloween!
Check back often or follow me on Facebook for more previews!
Sometimes you find that inspiration is staring you in the face.
Literally.
Every morning this is the face I am greeted to when I walk into my kitchen, wiping sleepiness from my eyes. This little face peers through the back kitchen door and as soon as she spots me she begins meowing sharply. Food. She wants food. When does she want it? NOW!
And so I feed her and sneak a pet while her head dips into the food bowl.
It wasn’t always like this.
Around this time last year, this little lady showed up in our neighborhood. From where she came is a mystery. I just noticed her one day outside my studio window, perched atop an old table on my porch used for holding ferns and pretty flowers on my porch. It’s typical to see wandering cats in on our street. Like most places, there is an abundance of homeless critters or perhaps critters with homes who sometimes wander the streets.
Before long this little feral lady had a batch full of kittens. I found them in June nestled under my azaleas and promptly took them to my porch for protection. Little Mama did not like that however and soon moved her kittens. I felt bad for trying to intervene….my intention was to tame the kittens and find them homes. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it.
But, this little lady has stuck around the neighborhood winning hearts and earning tasty nibbles with her sweet, delicate face. This past year has been a time of getting her healthy, getting her comfortable with the human voice & touch. Yesterday, I watched her come to my husband for petting and soak it up. She’s still a little standoffish at times but we can sneak in neck scratches when she’s eating and she’ll come really close to me for treats. There has been a lot of sitting with her while she eats this past year. I think this spring will be great for her! And I think little by little she will learn to trust although I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to pick her up and cuddle.
Although this little lady doesn’t have an official name yet & is still a neighborhood cat as I suspect she visits lots of us regularly, she is the inspiration behind my doll for this month’s PFATT Marketplace.
I’ve named my doll Mittsy, but I suspect our feral gal would think that’s too cutesy.
Mittsy is available on PFATT Marketplace today at 1 PM EST. Click here to purchase.
Don’t forget to check out these little guys. They’re the first ornies I’ve offered on Ebay & my first Halloween ornies offered, period. I loved making them & hope to continue making ornies for the Christmas season. You can see more photos or bid on these sweeties here.
I have had such a great time making this set for you! This is Drucilla, (named after my second grade teacher who had such a witchy name although she was as nice as could be!) Drucilla & her Halloween kitty are my original designs. Her pumpkin has been painted in the likeness of one of my favorite Ellen Clapsaddle vintage Halloween postcards! Both dolls have been painted & sanded, top to bottom many, many times & sealed so they may be beautifully preserved. Drucilla has a weighted torso allowing her to sit nicely. She was lightly wired arms & measures 32″ tall from the tip of her hat (which is removable) to the bottom of her feet.
Drucilla’s face has been painted with a variety of media. Her nose & bottom lip have been needle-sculpted by hand.
Drucilla’s fingers have been needle-sculpted as well. She sports tan gloves. She also sports pretty brown complete with thick red laces & tan socks.
Drucilla wears a cape made from a red, floral, 100% cotton print. It is lined with osnaburg, fastens at the neck with a chocolate ribbon & is machine stitched along the outer edge. Drucilla’s skirt is a tan cotton print. Her blouse is made from muslin & features a floppy collar & hand-gathered sleeves. Her witch hat is made of muslin & has been painted & sanded many times. It has a painted black band & a lovely, vintage black rhinestone brooch.
I’m in love with these two pieces! And I think it’s okay for me to admit that! This pumpkin measures 10 inches from the handle to its bottom. It is 7.5 inches wide. The pumpkin has been made of osnaburg, is lined on the inside & is hand-painted inside & out. It is lightly stuffed & Kitty rests inside. This pumpkin can be displayed propped against something only. It will not stand on its own.
This sweet Tabby is 9.5 inches tall.
Drucilla’s hair is black 100% mohair. It was lightly glued & carefully needle-felted to her head. It is styled into a big messy bun in the back & is such a sweet hairstyle on this little witch.
Drucilla is available on Ebay & will end on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 9PM EST. Click here to view or bid.
Online:
Appalachian Fireside Gallery
Berea, Kentucky
Kentucky Folk Art Center
Morehead, Kentucky
Kentucky Artisan Center
Berea, Kentucky
Kentucky Historical Society
Frankfort, Kentucky
Locust Grove Museum Shop
Louisville, Kentucky
Indigenous Craft Gallery
Cincinnati, Ohio
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