Saturday, December 12, 2015

I've been busy this past week!

A friend of mine recently reminded me 
that I used to label all of my figures 
with a tag that read "a little spectacle of complexity". 
This certainly is the case with these BHG snow couples, 
as I'm charmed by their sparkly cheer every time 
that they come into being! 
Most of these wintery cuties will be listed tomorrow night 
at 7pm in my Etsy shop. 


Monday, November 30, 2015

Alpine Atelier


My annual Holiday Art Show is less than a week away! 
Here's a preview pic of my largest holiday painting, 
mixed media acrylic, 20"x24"

(I'm still working on a title:
 dearest does? dearest friends? 
doe-y dearest? woodland wonder? 
Help! suggestions are welcome:)





Hope to see you on Saturday, 
December 5, from 9am-3pm!
1014 Second Street
Hudson, WI

Monday, November 23, 2015

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Here's what happened this morning in my backyard 
after we got a dusting of snow!


Monday, November 9, 2015

Hey that's my painting!

My topsy/turvy painting is on the wall 
of this fab dining room in the October issue of 

Here's the link to the article:




"Sweet & Salty"
topsy turvy painting
2010
("salty" is on top)

I was told by the gallery years ago, 
that a super cute couple had bought this 
& another favorite painting of mine, 
but I never knew where this painting lived until now! 
I have to say that I am both thrilled 
& a bit jealous of it's fabulously chic surroundings.
Wow, what an absolutely perfect home!

Friday, November 6, 2015

The date has been set!



OK, the holidays are coming soon & I've set a date!
One day only, all of my elves are hard at work 
(note to self: hire elves), 
keep watching FB for previews:)



Saturday, October 31, 2015

Treats only please.

Happy Halloween from Melissa Belanger Art!!!
I'm giddy that my favorite holiday 
has finally arrived!
A huge thank you to all of my Halloween collectors 
& I just know that your homes
are looking Halloween-y Fab right now. 
Cheers to "achingly cute" costumes 
& tricks that turn into treats. 
Have a fabulous Halloween y'all!!!



I thought that I was done with Halloween for 2015,
but then this little 12" Halloween mascot happened.


Here's what she looked like earlier this week.
Fingers crossed that she will be included
in a magazine for Halloween 2016 :)

Monday, October 12, 2015

Oktober Decor

Halloween decorating 
with my own paintings (of course)!





Joe & I in our Ghoultide Gathering costumes.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Ghoultide 2015

a HUGE THANKS to all 
for a Super Fun Ghoultide Gathering!!!
& for cheerfully withstanding rain & cold 
to visit my booth
--I am still absolutely giddy that so many of you 
took home a piece of my artwork! 
The camaraderie of collectors & artists 
at this event 
has left me beaming & inspired!!! 

For photos of this year's Ghoultide Gathering
go to my FaceBook page


"skellie cat"
12"x16"
mixed media acrylic painting

(one of my favorites from this year's 
that has found a new home)

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Why not combine the two holidays?!

Depending where you live, 
Oktoberfest is happening right now, 
somewhere around you.

This year's Ghoultide Gathering paintings 
combine the adult fun of Oktoberfest 
with the nostalgic charm of Halloween.

The best beers and Halloween decorations 
have traditionally been made in Germany; 
so, why not?!

Here are some photos of what happens artistically 
when holidays combine.
(AKA, candy & beer cheer/grown-up Halloween)


Oktober 31st-fest grouping



Halloween Candy & Craft Beers Crest
(Someone needs this for their Halloween "man cave")


Mr. Oktober 2015 & male model

Monday, September 14, 2015

Ghoultide Grouping

You guessed it-
these 23" Halloween figures 
will be heading to Ghoultide Gathering soon!
(warning: the skellie is a bit of a bad boy)












Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Naughty Cat Painting


A long painting after a lovely long weekend!

(if you look closely at the right side of the pumpkin, 
you can see a paw print left by a naughty cat)



naughty CoCo!

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

BHG Fraidy Cats



So late last night, I decided to "super size" 
a couple of my BHG fraidy cats... 
who knew that they would resemble old time-y Circus Punks?! 
Love the new size, 
but I swear that if they decide to croon in the middle of the night, 
I will throw a shoe ('cause who knows what I will win?;)

As you probably have already guessed,
All of these Fraidy Cats 
will be headed to Ghoultide Gathering on October 3.

Friday, August 21, 2015

August is Artist Appreciation Month

I was recently reminded that August is artist appreciation month by Patience Brewster Inc. They invited me to write a blog post about artists that have inspired me. I agreed and then quickly became overwhelmed when I started writing out an actual list. Quickly I realized that I needed to narrow my focus. Most artists I know generally agree on certain choices & reference them often. 
So I decided to go with two that are deeply personal to me & possibly a bit more outside of the norm...

Ta-Dah! (drum roll), I chose the 2001 movie "Amélie" by director Jean-Pierre Jeunet; more specifically the cinematography of Bruno Delbonnel & the whimsical illustrative paintings featured throughout by German artist, Michael Sowa. 
(I also have to mention that Yann Tiersen's sound track for Amélie is truly swoon-worthy & perfect music to paint to!).







When "Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain" was released in theaters in 2001 (or just "Amélie" here in the States), it was quite unlike any movie I had ever seen! It's quirky storyline is beyond charming; but it was the movie's distinct visual style that dazzled me with its saturated and selective colors. "Amélie" has a very specific color palette: warm colors with a Blue surprise element/accent every so often. Gorgeous Parisian settings are enhanced by clever editing and the use of different camera speeds, making for fascinating visual story telling... not to mention the humorous digital effects used to bring the artwork of Michael Sowa to life!


"Dog with Cone"
painting by Michael Sowa


"Fowl with Pearls"
 painting by Michael Sowa

I loved that this movie so prominently featured & integrated the art of a single contemporary artist!!! "Amélie" was an introduction for me to the art of Michael Sowa. His skill and slightly sinister humor has continued to beguile me. His paintings are beautifully crafted surreal enigmas. They are filled with absurdity, mystery and visual puns. How boring if he had chosen to be just a landscape painter?! I want to guess at his goofiness and marvel at his cleverness all the while being jealous of his execution/mastery of materials. 

This so sweet art movie from 14 years ago continues to influence my artwork & make me smile. It taught me to take pleasure in simple things & has caused a shy bobbed haired girl motif 
to frequently turn up/meddle in my paintings;)


"Amélie's Halloween"
mixed media acrylic painting
by Melissa Belanger, 2015



"Frenchie Halloween"
mixed media acrylic painting
by Melissa Belanger, 2013


Pastis & Sowa's Art book on my patio


Myself in Paris back in 2003





Monday, August 17, 2015

Halloween Gnomes!

These little Halloween gnomes 
showed up in my garden this morning!
They are enjoying the August sunshine
& greenery before being packed away
for Ghoultide Gathering in October.




Monday, August 10, 2015

New "fraidy cat paintings" for Ghoultide Gathering

These small 5"x7" "fraidy cat" paintings 
will be headed to Ghoultide Gathering
on October 3.


More photos from BHG Holiday Crafts Magazine






So very excited to be included in this publication!

Friday, August 7, 2015

The holidays are coming!

Summer is almost over, 
which means that the holiday magazines 
are just starting to turn up on newstands. 
I'm excited & honored to be in the 2015 issue of 
Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts Magazine. 
I have a Christmas and a Halloween project within 
and two of my little snow guys are even on the cover! 
This magazine will be available August 11.


Thursday, July 30, 2015

July EHAG Emporium

You saw it here first!
Both of these Halloween Gents 
will be available soon 
for your decorating pleasure! 
One will be making an appearance 
at the July EHAG Emporium 
tomorrow night at 8pm CST; 
the other gent will be attending 
Ghoultide Gathering on October 3rd.