Vote for Searching For A Starry Night Cover!

My cover is among those considered until April 4 for the Covey Cover Awards. Please vote for the cover of Searching For A Starry Night - #18 - at
http://thenewcoveycoverawards.blogspot.com/

The poll is on the left of the page.

Thanks!
Chris V.

Vincent Van Gogh in Miniature!

I finally received my miniature figure of Vincent Van Gogh made by dollmaker Bonnie Glazier! The 1" scale doll is about 6" tall (1/12th - 1 inch scale is 1"=1').

He is fashioned after the self-portrait Van Gogh completed in early 1888 in Paris, which is now at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

I think he looks like him, don't you? I was absolutely thrilled with the results!

A Miniature Van Gogh Scene

I am going to make an attic studio scene featuring the Vincent Van Gogh figure and his paintings. I hope to display it at book events as a unique conversation piece. It seemed the perfect project to do since my book, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, focuses on the hunt for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's Starry Night.

Decorating the Van Gogh Scene

I already have an easel. (Ok, I cheated; I decided it was something I didn't want to tackle, so I bought a nice wood one. Some things are best bought instead of made, at least by me. ha!)



As described in an earlier post (see the 1/12 entry for details), I do have a fantastic miniature oil painting of Van Gogh's (The) Starry Night and his famous Sunflowers painting, done by miniaturist Lucie Winsky.

Another fantastic accessory is the great paint palette, brushes and paint supply set made by my Dutch friend, Kitty Balke. She, too, added some incredible details.



(Note: More of Kitty's work can be seen in the story I wrote on her, our miniature tea shops and our long-distance friendship, in DollsHouse and Miniature Scene Magazine, April '08, #166. She made most of the teapots in my Teapot Shoppe featured and also seen on my website, click Miniatures Gallery.

Usually I do make most of the things I put in my miniature scenes and houses, but with writing and as the book promotion tasks multiply, I knew I might not have time to do much. I thought it best to leave the doll dressing and painting to the experts. (The painting is something I have not mastered or tried and I have not dressed any male dolls yet; I started one, but the jacket is still unfinished.) The paint supplies were a much appreciated surprise gift.

I will post soon on the progress of the miniature art studio, so check back!

I'd love to hear your comments!

Author Interview: Patricia Guthrie - "In the Arms of the Enemy"

This week we have a treat - the first of an occasional series of author interviews.

Meet Patricia A. Guthrie, author of the just-released romantic-suspense novel, IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY, (Light Sword Publishing.)

Guthrie, a dog and horse lover from south suburban Illinois who's trained and showed her prized Collies, and has also broke and trained horses, sets her first novel in the field of horseracing. The premise is one that you see occasionally in the news - the death of a prized racehorse, insurance scams, and murder.

In IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY, horseman Adam Blakely goes undercover to find who killed a prize racehorse and horse trainer, only to fall in love with another trainer - and his prime suspect, Maggie McGregor. The pair uncovers an insidious insurance scam and must learn to trust each other before they are the ones exterminated.

Horses, of Course

Having horses as the theme of her first novel was natural for Guthrie, who's owned horses for about 25 years. It also was a way for her to bring attention to the dark side of the horse world. She dedicates the book "to those horses lost to man's inhumanity and greed, and to those humanitarians whose mission it is to save and protect them."

"I can't remember not having a horse," she says. "The seed for the novel was planted years ago when a scandal broke out in the horse show world about some sleazy characters killing show horses for insurance money. Since then, I've heard stories about racehorses receiving the same treatment. I had to write about it."

In the book, horse lovers will meet: Black Autumn, a 3-year-old thoroughbred, and candidate for the Kentucky Derby. He and his trainer are found murdered. Playboy, a bay quarter horse gelding about 20, who'd been used as a track pony until he was abandoned and rescued by the heroine; and Black Autumn's sister Bluebird, a 4-year-old thoroughbred mare who belongs to the hero. There are other horses, too, although they don't play a prominent part in the story, Guthrie says.

While Guthrie is now a full-time writer, her own background can serve as creative fodder for dozens of stories. She studied music in New York, sang opera for many years here and abroad, and was soloist in a prominent cathedral. She was a music therapist and taught music for the Chicago Public Schools.


(Photo: Guthrie's Brood of Collies)

Dogs aren't forgotten

Guthrie enjoys weaving new tales, with several books already completed. Animal lovers will be glad to know that she's continuing her trend of including a special animal in her books. Her next novel, "Waterlillies Over My Grave," will be out next spring and features an 8-year-old Collie named Lady who helps "sniff out" the bad guys.

Interestingly, Guthrie's fiction seems to inspire her real life, as well. Her beloved horse, Socks, died last year at the ripe old age of 25, so Guthrie bought a quarter horse named Jackson.

"Strange. Jackson looks like Bluebird," she says. "Not intentional, I don't think."

* * *

First line, IN THE ARMS OF THE ENEMY - "It was a great day to catch a killer."

Favorite Scene: "I guess that would be the scene when Adam is lunging Bluebird pretending to be a beginner. When a motorcycle roars down the driveway and Bluebird spooks, Adam is forced to show his skills as a horseman, letting Maggie know he's not what he pretends to be."

** Find out more about Patricia A. Guthrie at her blog and at MySpace.

Today in History: Uncle Sam Wants Canines

Today is memorable, according to This Day in History, for Uncle Sam calling up more troops in 1942 - dogs, that is.

On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army launched its K-9 Corps As part of its new War Dog Program, the Army began training dogs, with over a million dogs serving on both sides during the war.

In World War I, dogs became valuable message carriers and companions. Famous war dog Rin Tin Tin, an abandoned puppy discovered in France in 1918 and brought to the US, made his film debut in "The Man from Hell's River," a silent film released in 1922.

During World War II, the American Kennel Association and a group called "Dogs for Defense," urged dog owners to donate healthy dogs to the US Army. The initial list of 30 accepted breeds of dogs was narrowed to seven: German Shepherds, Belgian sheep dogs, Doberman Pinschers, Collies, Siberian Huskies, Malumutes and Eskimo dogs. Dogs were trained as sentries, patrol dogs, messengers, mine-detection dogs and scouts.

Read the full Today in History newsletter on the U.S. Army K9 Corps here.

* Read more:

* US War Dogs Association

* History of war dogs

Miniatures of the Month: Dogs in Miniature

Before the month closes, I wanted to get a post in about some amazing animals you have to see - in miniature, of course.

A dog lover in real life, Dutch miniaturist Dolores van den Akker knew she wanted better pets for her own miniature collection than the ones she’d found.

“I always loved pets and had only the plastic dollhouse pets, which I hated,” she says.

She came up with what any miniaturist would agree is a logical solution: “I started to make my own Yorkie, after that I made my own dog in mini, a Skye Terrier.”

Dolores has since made dozens of realistic dogs that will make any dollhouse seem more like home.

“Dolores’ Miniature Dogs” are available at her website. Additional dogs can be seen at her photo site.

Pets Plus

A miniaturist for eight years, Dolores enjoys making not only the dogs, but has branched out to dog and pet accessories such as leashes and horse saddles, as well as ceramic dishes and cups with animal photos on them.

And then there are the baskets, which seem to have taken on a life of their own. “Dog baskets, cat baskets, food baskets, you name it, I make it, ha-ha.”

The dogs range from tiny Chihuahuas, to giant Saint Bernards, and all sizes in-between. Dolores starts with a wire frame and then builds up the body with clay. It can take from 45 to 80 hours to sculpt the body. After that she applies the wool for fur.

She doesn’t discriminate, either. She also makes cats, other animals like squirrels, and even the tiniest of guinea pigs. The animals average in size from 1 to 6 cm. (3/4” to 2 ¾”). Dogs range in price from 15 euros, up to 125 euros for the largest dogs. She also donates 5 percent of each sale to the world animal shelter.

Dogs and More...

Dolores has found a welcome audience for her life-like animals, which isn’t surprising given her artistic background. Besides working in miniature, she paints life-sized decorative art on walls, specializing, of course, in animals. During the summer, it isn’t unusual for someone to even bring a door over for her to paint cartoon figures on for a child’s room.

So far, Dolores has made dogs in dozens of breeds, either by request or after looking in a dog breed book. She’s made Shepherds, Poodles, a King Charles Spaniel, American Spaniel, Afghan Hounds with silky hair, Borzois, Westies, Bassets, Corgis, and more.

The dogs are realistic, with personalities all their own. Looking at her Beagle, it’s easy to see the charm of the breed that made Uno a winner at the recent Westminster Dog Show. She’s also had the honor of having her Dachshund, and many of her other dogs, on exhibit at the Poppenhuis Museum in the Netherlands.

Besides dogs, Dolores creates cats and even the teeniest of guinea pigs less than 1” in size.

That, of course, is just the beginning. After all, she has many breeds yet to make. She loves trying new sculpts and admits that it can be addicting.

“Everything about it is great,” she says. “You work on the head, you give it eyes, and to see it looking at you is a thrill. When you finish and work on the poses, you can’t stop. You keep on working with them.” #

Dachshund Petey from "Searching For A Starry Night" has a new friend!

Petey, the mischievous Dachshund from SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT made a pal!

Bratwurst, (pictured) is a little older (and much wiser!), so here's hoping goofy Petey learns something.

You can see what the two of them had to "bark" about in today's post at The Diary of a Dachshund blog.

Boy, that dog sure gets around!

SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT - Chapter 1 - Meet Petey!

Chapter One of my upcoming mystery, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, A Miniature Art Mystery - coming in MAY '08 - is now online!

Meet Petey, the mischievous Dachshund who has his nose in everything, including finding the missing mini Van Gogh!

Meet Sam, who thinks the end of summer is ruined, but finds herself immersed in tracking down the missing minature art.

Meet Lita, Sam's bff, who loves writing despite her friend's teasing ("too much like homework," says Sam). When Petey digs up a family curse, Lita is sure she's doomed. Is she?

You can read Chapter 1 at http://www.echelonpress.com/chapters/cv-sfasn-chap1.htm .


***Watch for upcoming contests, prizes and more in the coming weeks! Let the fun begin!

SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT DUE DATE: MAY!!

I got the word!

My upcoming book, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, A Miniature Art Mystery, will be out in MAY!! Once the book is up on Amazon.com (probably before then), let the pre-ordering begin! The book is being edited now. Stay tuned for updates! Online virtual tours and other events will begin shortly!

Do You Know What A Dachshund Thinks?

I do.

Petey, the mischievous Dachshund in my upcoming mystery, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT, finally has his say in my new short story, "Secrets" in today's Flashshot. You can read the story here , or click Last 10 Flashshots.

I will post it on my site soon; a link will be at cverstraete.com/fiction.html

Art in Miniature - Van Gogh's Starry Night

Van Gogh's masterpiece, The Starry Night, is one of my favorite paintings, and part of the plot of my soon-to-be-released mystery, SEARCHING FOR A STARRY NIGHT.

Thanks to artist Lucie Winsky, I now have a real-life version of the miniature painting featured in my upcoming mystery novel. The painting's frame measures 2 5/8" long x 2" high.



Lucie's Art

Lucie, who is also a skilled miniature doll artist, has been painting "since I could hold a paintbrush," she jokes, but has only been painting in miniature since 2006.

Her inspiration to try painting in miniature came from her desire to paint a portrait of the Victorian lady who is the logo for Dana of Miniature Art's Mini Doll List. The logo is based on the circa 1907 painting, "At Home," by Philip Boileau. The painting was donated as a prize for a contest on the doll list.

This painting, like her other miniature art, is done in oils, just as a life-size painting would be done. It can take up to a month or longer to complete one painting.

No Small Feat

Each painting is done using tiny paintbrushes that are trimmed down, along with split toothpicks. Even more incredible? Lucie paints without use of a magnifier! "My eye doctor told me that I have really good close-up vision," she says.

There is one pitfall to working on such small detail, of course: "Neck pain from looking down too much," she admits.

The secret to Lucie's work? She half-jokes: "Patience."

Read more about Lucie's art at her website, Art By Lucie .