New bronze mouse up for grabs on Kickstarter. Meet Neo Chubby Mouse!

Here's a link to the project (running for 1 month, so you can get in early at 20 percent less than retail).

http://kck.st/2Oay21K

Here's Neo Chubby!!

Neo Chubby Mouse - Solid bronze, in an elegant art deco style by Steve Worthington

New bronze plaque up for pre-order on Kickstarter

Hello, it's me again.

Nope, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth just yet, but I have launched a quick 7 day only project on Kickstarter (click HERE) to hopefully pre-sell some of my chicken and mouse plaques at a special early bird (of the chicken variety) price.

Dare I say 'going cheep'?

Now the plaque has a new quote in place of the original custom poem.

'Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies' Aristotle

'Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies' Aristotle's quote on a paper overlay on Steve Worthington's chicken and mouse bronze friendship bas relief plaque, approx 8" x 10"

The Kickstarter project page, which has a quick video and beneath that a re-telling of the story behind the plaque, is HERE. 

If you like it and you'd like one, now would be the best time to snap one up!

Either way, thanks again for looking of course!

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

Chubby Mouse and his mission from God...

Here's something really touching for my 200th blog post!
Recently Christian Brown contacted me to see if I could modify a bronze mouse to install in his church for a very special purpose.
Since his words tell the story much better than mine could, I'm reproducing his telling of Chubby's latest adventure (from a recent email he sent me).
Take it away, Christian...

Federated Church is located in the village of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, just 20 miles east of Cleveland

'Steve - I have lots of pictures to share, but wanted to let you know the mouse was a home run.  There were over 600 people attending the two services.  The Congregation LOVED it, and so did Larry.  Larry's family was really enjoying your handwritten note, and said they were going to frame it.  I told several people about your installations throughout parks and institutions west of the Mississippi and that this was the first one to come east, and the first one in a church.  It is not yet installed, so I can't take pictures of that yet.  

Below was my speech, verbatim, in case you want that background.  We are going to publish an "Ode to Larry" this month in our newsletter that is also available online - called "The Spire".  Pictures to come....'

Larry has run the sound board in the sanctuary for his entire career

Dedication of Larry the Church Mouse: Larry Trace is retiring after 47 years of ministry, as Head of Properties for The Federated Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  
 
There is no doubt that Larry knows this church building better than anyone.  He knows every nook and cranny, floor to ceiling, basement to bell tower.  It is kind of like children’s story of the church mouse, which doesn’t just live in the church; the mouse is a part of the church.  Even Larry’s office, a space behind two short walls, under the stairwell, is so small that it barely fit for a mouse.  Larry is Federated Church’s mouse, his presence may not always be known, but he sees all, hears all and knows all.  
 
The church mouse has another meaning for me.   When I was three years old, my family moved to West Bloomfield, MI, and we attended Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian, a large, beautiful church outside Detroit.  In the narthex of the church resided a small mouse beautifully carved into woodwork.  Each Sunday the first thing I would do is run up to the mouse, pat him on the head and have a little conversation.  Like so many other children in that church, we developed a relationship.  He was a dependable, friendly character, and I was excited to come back to church each Sunday.
 
A few years ago I was back in the area for business and I went back to check on that church mouse, and he was still there, his head had developed a rich patina from all the hands over those 35 years.  I realized that day that my relationship with that mouse was really the beginning of my relationship with Christ.  I wondered how many generations of people have been drawn closer to that church and to God, through their relationship with that church mouse?
 
And Larry, through his 47 years of service, ministering to this Congregation, he has been that friendly, dependable figure as children of all ages enter the sanctuary through the Narthex.  Generations of people have been drawn closer to this church through your presence.  
 
But unfortunately, Federated’s Church Mouse is retiring.  So in honor of your service, The Congregation and Staff would like to dedicate this bronze mouse to Larry, which will be permanently installed into this building, for children of all ages to discover, to touch and to deepen their relationship with this Federated Church.  
 
So Larry, and the Congregation, I would like to introduce you to Federated Church’s newest member, Larry the Church Mouse.

Christian Brown and Rev. Hamilton Throckmorton, Senior Pastor, congratulate Larry Trace on is 47 years of service

The children of Federated Church take part in a standing ovation lasting several minutes

Larry Trace is making friends with Federated's newest member, Larry the Church Mouse

Steve back again now: I'd like to thank Christian Brown and everyone at The Federated Church, at Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Here's my mouse page on my regular website...click HERE
For more Chubby Mouse posts type 'Chubby' into the 'search this blog' bar at the top left I believe.

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store where Chubby often hangs out, CritterVille

Pre-Order my upcoming new Angel Mice at Kickstarter (for around half their expected retail)

Angel Pug wax and clay original (pre-cast)

That's right, if you like my new upcoming Angel Mice series now's your chance to snap one or more of them up for a steal!

They're a available for pre-order through Kickstarter.com for 30 days until Noon on Tuesday Oct 18th New York time.
Click HERE to go straight to my project.

It's my second Kickstarter project.
I had a blast first time, and I have to say I love their whole win-win concept.

I'd like to offer another huge thanks again to you if you participated last time or have collected my work through galleries or my Etsy store.
You are making it possible for me to do what I love to do.

And also a big thanks to anyone who's reading my blog and enjoying my handiwork!

I can't speak for other artists, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's ego gets a tickle every time someone likes what they do!

Above: Angel Chubby wax and clay original (pre-cast)

Winged Sprightly wax and clay nearly finished original (pre-cast)

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back

or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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All mice go to heaven 2...

Here's Angel Chubby in wax and clay yet to be molded and cast in bronze...

 As you can see this chubby little mouse is furnished with a dainty pair of wings that hardly seem able to lift the critter heavenward...

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back

or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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Would you like a Chubby Mouse fridge magnet?

'I love your food' Chubby mouse fridge magnet

Seeing that Globspot has just got 100 followers, and my facebook mouse page has just over that many likes, I'm in a rather good mood and would like to say 'Thanks'!

If you'd like a Chubby Mouse fridge magnet (whether or not you have signed up for my facebook mouse page or follow my blog) shoot me an email. 

You can find my email on my profile, or HERE on the contact page of my regular website.

They are about the size of a business card, and I just got quite a pile of them.
And if I run out I'll mention that here.

Include the word 'magnet' in the subject line, and of course where you'd like it sent in the email itself and I'll pop one in the mail for you.
Free, of course.


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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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Show announcements...

Just me tooting my horn for a few show announcements in this post...

'Crossing Over' will be part of the Society of Animal Artists 51st annual show...

My smaller sumo toads have been selected (I'm pleased as Punch and proud to say) for the Western Visions 'Miniatures and More' show in Jackson, WY at the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

'Crossing Over' has been selected for the Society of Animal Artists 51st annual show.
They're both around September time.

I had to write an artist's statement on Crossing Over for the Society of Animal Artists show, so here it is, sandwiched between the next two pics....

Life is a journey.
As much for mice as for us.

Sadly for mice, they usually end up as a tasty snack.
Happily for us, we're more likely to glide up to the other shore in our old age.

Either way life is fleeting.
Might as well enjoy the ride.

I'm also honored to be a part of the Albuquerque Museum's Miniatures and More show, which is closer to the end of the year.

Table top sized 'Sumo Wrestling Toads' will be at Western Visions, Miniatures and More, at the National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson, WY

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Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

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'Crossing Over' - Bronze on blackened steel base, 18" x 10" x 4"

Here is my artist's proof for 'Crossing Over'.
Bronze on blackened steel base,  18" x 10" x 4"

This is what the foundry will refer to for positioning and patina while they make the edition of 25.
It's currently (although only for the next few days before it's offered in galleries) available for pre-order through my Kickstarter project at a significant discount, along with a few other new mice.
You can click HERE to check it out.

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

'Crossing Over' - New mouse sculpture underway (and also pre-selling on Kickstarter)

I wasn't going to announce this piece until it was finished, but since I just added it to my Kickstarter project (available at nearly half what it will cost once it's in galleries and on my website) I'll also add it here.

It's called 'Crossing Over', and features Sprightly, Nosey and Chubby looking forward, backward, and enjoying life in the moment while on their journey aboard a primitive dugout style canoe filled with tasty seeds.

The pictures show it unfinished since the patina on the canoe, and the base are not done.

When it's finished the steel base will cradle the bronze sculpture, holding it aloft.

TX Cupcake, your time is running out to claim your mouse...
the next person in line is chomping at the bit to claim it in your stead when your time runs out at the end of the month...

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

Oh ye of little faith.....YEP, you WON!

Contest Winner!

That would be this contest I started in June or July...

It seems I'm immune to shame.
217.4 this morning, so the winner of my 'guess my weight in the New Year' contest is TX Cupcake.
Congratulations. I move a few pounds in the wrong direction and you get to pick out a mouse from Chubby, Nosey and Sprightly (little Santa hat not included)!

So I have two things spinning in my head.
1. The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
2. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

So in order to achieve the second, without incurring the first, I'm going to re-run the exact same contest for the next six months (guess my weight on July 1), with one small difference.

The plan I had for last time (move about more, eat a bit less): I'm going to implement it this time.
I have the whole New Year's resolution thing working in my favor.
See if that helps!

I'm keeping everyone entered from last time, so if you don't want to change your guess just do nothing.
If you want to change it, shoot me an email with 'change contest guess' in the subject line.

If you didn't enter the last one, have at it. Same rules apply (click HERE to read the original post - entry period expires at the end of Jan 2011), results on July 1, 2011, when someone again will win a mouse!

Other News...

I have a few new mice I'm going to unveil in a fairly imminent post.
I'm going to launch them into the world in a slightly unconventional fashion, so check back in a week or so and see what's up with that!

Part of it involves making a video, but my voice is all bunged up and croaky with a cold so as soon as that's over I'll get right on the case.

Sisko Gallery in Seattle is opening a show of my work on Thursday Jan 6th.

Happy New Year to you all!

I hope your resolutions all work out for you, and thanks of course for staying tuned to this channel!

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

Season's Greetings from my politically correct singing mice!

They may look to be singing in perfect harmony, but these politically correct mice are all squeaking different songs celebrating different things in different languages at the same time.
It's a cacophony that looks way better than it sounds!
Mice at least can't sing very loud!

After they finished they all rushed off as a man (or a mouse) to share a tangy meal in the garbage can, followed by a nice communal snooze.
 

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

Is that the 'great pumpkin' and friends, lurking in the pumpkin patch?

What have we here, scampering about among the pumpkins?

 Why it's none other than Sprightly, Nosey and Chubby, looking for seeds!

Could it be?

Is that the elusive 'Great Pumpkin', come to join his crittery friends?

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

Using Lulu to put together 'The Mouse Project'. But not for the free PDF 'Lite' version

Cover layout using Lulu.com

I'm getting pretty excited now I'm seeing how the final book is going to look!
I must say, thanks entirely to the unbelievable enthusiasm from the artists involved, it's going to look fantastic!

Dreama Tolle-Perry's cat Eddie with Sprightly (aka Phyllis in Eddie's world)

I can hardly wait to hit the 'publish' button.
Using Lulu's design templates has been interesting.
I've never self published using online print-on-demand software before, so I'm learning as I go...

Jeffrey Hayes painting laid out using Lulu.com

You can see the page layout options on the left. Text in gray, images in black.

It's really easy to drop things in and move them about, but for some reason has been quite 'buggy' when it comes to formatting text, both when using firefox and safari.
For instance, if I want some words to be bold, and some not, once I've made the changes and then hit 'save', it all turns bold again.
Same thing for changing font size here and there.
So in the end, after some very frustrating hours of tweeking text and watching it tweek itself back again to how it wants to look, I just kind of let the ghosts in the machine decide!
It looks fine, but I'd still rather that it looked fine the way I wanted it to!

I'm using the plain option from the 'photo book' templates

I'm getting the very last paintings over the next week then I'll make final adjustments to clear it for take-off, and hit the magic button.

PDF 'lite' version showing the cover and some page layouts down the side

I'm also putting together the PDF 'lite' version (not using Lulu though) which will have one image per artist even if they painted more (and no close ups showing details of brush strokes or in-progress pics).
I'm trying to keep it under 1 MB. It will look fine on screen (since the images are 72dpi) but it won't be high enough resolution to make good prints from.

Each artist has a clickable link to their website in the PDF 'lite' version

So the free PDF will have 20-something low res images, while the published book will have around 60 images (including detail close ups) and be printed at a much higher resolution.

Mind you, the advantage of the PDF is that:
• it will feature live, click-able links to everyone's websites,
• you'll be welcome to copy and email it,
• it will be FREE.

Must be time for me to take a tea break!

I hope I end up doing everyone's hard work justice!
...Stay tuned...

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille

Nearly there! More Mouse Project paintings for the book...

Just a few paintings left to come in, here's another amazing batch for the book I'm putting together to benefit animal shelters.
It's all been just unbelievable stuff!
To see all posts relating to the project, click HERE

 Chris Beck's painting. A shocking discovery.

Lynne Windsor, Cetti's warbler with mouse

R. Garriott, I came, I saw, I concord

 

K. Henderson, Mine is a long and sad tale

Dreama Tolle Perry is doing a whole bunch, having re-named Sprightly mouse Phyllis, and featuring her beloved cat Eddie...

The First Meeting

The Grand Tour, Eddie Style

Lunch on the Patio

One Down, Eight to Go...

 

More on my new trough with turtles and resin for water experiment in the next post, and of course ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, MI starts next week (Weds I think), so if you're there pop into the public museum and check out my 'Amphibian Struggle' presentation!

Click HERE for more Mouse Project posts.

Click these links to visit my website... SteveWorthingtonArt.com - Sculpture that loves you back
or my Etsy store, CritterVille