Thursday, June 20, 2024

It's always Halloween in Sleepy Hollow! -

We have a little teaser for you!

In the Fall 2024 issue of AUTUMN BRILLIANCE, we will be featuring coverage of the Tarrytown (Sleepy Hollow) Halloween Parade, with highlights from the 2023 event.

Photo: Ellen Gee/2016
 

If you've never been to Sleepy Hollow during this time of year... what are you waiting for? 

This fantastic old colonial American town is positively rich in sights and history (the story of the Headless Horseman by author Washington Irving often being the first thing that comes to everybody's mind). And it goes without saying, this beautiful New England town is just stunning in the autumn, with colorful fall foliage of all the trees enhancing the classic architecture with every rich, burnished shade imaginable. 

Sleepy Hollow truly is a magical Halloween town: everywhere, you will see Halloween decor. On street corners, in front of restaurants and business, along the pathways in neighborhoods, just everywhere you look. This town really knows how to embrace and showcase the Halloween spirit, which culminates with the marvelous annual Halloween Parade. People come from around the world to watch and participate, and it never disappoints.

Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow should be on your Halloween bucket list. Trust us when we say that - we've been there and found it hard to leave!

Photo: Ellen Gee/2016



(It was freezing when we were there in 2016 - hence my being all bundled up!)

 Look for this in the Fall 2024 issue of the magazine, available in September 2024! 

 

 

Sunday, June 9, 2024

Joyous June greetings to all!

Do you like our new stickers?

It's getting close to the time of year when we do our big reveal of our list of fabulous artists for the upcoming issue (Fall 2024). 

This year's response for submissions was phenomenal, to say the least, which is wonderful because it means the magazine has grown in its reach and scope of the Halloween world. We are eternally grateful for that! It never ceases to amaze us as we comb through the hundreds of submissions, loving what we're seeing and feeling that sense of pure elation that only handmade Halloween art can bring. 

This issue brings forth a treasure trove of goodies of artists not only from around the world (including England, Italy and Kazakhstan) but also from an incredible mixed bag of genres. You'll find superb sculptures created from both clay and spun cotton, colorful paintings that will send your senses into Halloween overdrive, and also something that is a first for the magazine: food sculptures! Edible art is an exciting new genre for us to explore, and we're all a-tingle to present this to you which, by the way, comes from a bona-fide television food show champion, nonetheless. 

Nope, nope, nope... ain't gonna say any more; you'll just have to stay in touch here to find out in the days to come.   

We will, however, give you a little teaser here, as far as who our Spotlight Profile artist is: 

He's been at the forefront of Halloween art for many years, and his stunning, highly-characterized works are instantly recognizable and much sought-after by collectors. He's loved for his enchanting and delightful sense of humor that he imbues into everything he creates. 

Think you know who it is? 

But for right now, Halloween and the glorious fall season is still but a dream away... so light a pumpkin pie-scented candle, dim the lights, watch a spooky movie or listen to a befittingly haunted soundtrack and keep dreaming those Halloween dreams...




Saturday, June 1, 2024

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Charmed Confections: the Sweetest Shop, ever!

 Our very first Spotlight Artist featured in the Premiere 2020 issue (available as a free digital download) was none other than LeeAnn Kress of Charmed Confections

                         From the Fall 2020 issue of Autumn Brilliance

     LeeAnn's magical artistry of sweet witches, vampires and monsters, ghoulies and ghosties have captured the Halloween hearts of so many people - including ours. So as you can imagine, having her scrumptiously spooky creations back in the pages of Autumn Brilliance for our Fall 2024 issue gives us such a sugar-rush, we might verily keel over with sheer happiness!

     In this upcoming issue, LeeAnn recaps a very sweet memory from her early days as an artist, with a splendid rendition of Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas that she made in her unique style, as a tribute to a dear friend.

Sneak peak of this incredibly beautiful doll below!

     You can see more photos and read all about LeeAnn's loving tribute later this year in September, when this exciting new issue of the magazine is available!

In the meantime, you can visit the wonderful world of Charmed Confections at the link below.

 https://charmedconfections.com/

Only 189 days until Halloween!

 

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

We remember with LOVE ...

Remembering  Dustin Poche'

                                From Autumn Brilliance, Fall 2023 issue

He was a deeply beloved and favorite fine artist of our time.

                                From Autumn Brilliance, Fall 2023 issue

Dustin was a member of the prestigious guild known as NIADA (National Institute of American Doll Artists) and truly one of the most spectacular creators of Halloween-styled characters we've ever seen, especially witches (Editor's note: I am proud to own "Juniper,"one of his original witches, in my personal collection; photo below).

    "Juniper" witch sculpture by Dustin Poche' / private collection of Ellen Gee


        
Autumn Brilliance was honored to have had the privilege of showcasing his artistry as our Spotlight Artist in our Fall 2023 issue which, sadly, he never got the chance to see, as he passed away from cancer in February of that year.

        From Autumn Brilliance, Fall 2023 issue - both front and back cover devoted to Dustin's art 

We will always grieve for this loss but the joy we get from viewing his artistry will last forever!

  From Autumn Brilliance, Fall 2023 issue 
 
 This fabulous issue featuring many of Dustin's magical creations is available 
by clicking the link to the left side.