Written by For our optional prompt of “Scary” today, I made a sketch of a little mouse trick-or-treating at a haunted house. Though this is certainly more spooky than actually terrifying since that’s all my style allows. As a kid, we always loved getting a bit of a scare on Halloween night and would try to spook each other as we walked from house to house. Indeed, many of my neighbors at the time would decorate their homes in ways that ranged from super cute to seriously disturbing. The latter was always preferred. We would slowly walk up the front steps of the house as ghosts watched on from the trees. It was obviously just decorations, but with a bit of imagination it was quite possible to convince ourselves that everything was real. This gave us an added adrenaline rush that mixed well with the sugar high we’d already acquired. It was totally awesome! I remember one house in particular that really went all out each season. It was actually a bit scary, to be honest, but that didn’t stop us kids from bravely marching up the front steps to get that candy. We were on a mission!
These days, I truthfully can’t quite imagine wanting candy that badly. I haven’t eaten the kind of candy I’d gather on Halloween for years now. If that creepy house were serving cake, that might change things a bit, but I’ve not really been a fan of candy as an adult. Yet, the memories of that annual night of begging for candy are still one of my favorite bits of nostalgia. There was something magical in the air and everything once fabled suddenly became possible. Sure, it was really just a side effect of overactive imaginations, but what a joyous ride! I always remind myself of times like these when I’m working on a new creative project. I want to imagine without limits and use the same level of courage I had as a kid! When it comes to creativity, the first step is assuming that anything is possible. That’s when a pretty good idea turns into something truly spectacular. It’s my favorite feeling in the world!
Philippe and I just spent a long weekend visiting a small historic town that we visit regularly. It’s the inspiration for the fictional place I’ve created for my next project which is the first book in a cozy mystery series. I’ve always loved reading mysteries and so I figured it was definitely time to write my own. As we walked through the town I would point out some of the shops and inns and tell Philippe the new imagined name I’ve given them. It’s a bit like when I was a kid, making up stories in my mind while walking around and seeing those decorated houses on Halloween. It’s the same neighborhood, but things are suddenly transformed into a different imagined story. Nothing ever too scary, of course. My own stories and illustrations will always stay on the friendlier side of spooky with plenty of happiness, humor, and hope. I think that the world needs that more than anything right now. Though, the kid in me will always have fond memories of that delightful nighttime candy dash, always excited and thrilled to visit that next haunted house!
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About the DoodlewashSketching Stuff Coloring Set – Da Vinci Watercolors: Charlie O’Blue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Opus (VIvid Pink), And Indigo. ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with Black ink, Princeton Aqua Elite Travel Brushes, in an A5 Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Watercolour Book. |
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While I certainly enjoyed eating all the candy that I collected on Halloween, I also enjoyed it because it was a treasure hunt. That was one of the reasons it was more fun with a group – “What did you get?”, and comparing your haul with the other people who went trick’or’treating elsewhere. That part was as much fun as the candy itself.
I agree! It was the treasure hunting that made it so much fun! And finding out from kids you passed who was giving out the coolest treats! hehe 😃💕
I still eat candy but I’m a lot pickier about the kind. LOL! I mainly like Lindt truffle balls. 😉 But, like you, it’d take cake or some other more sophisticated dessert to get me going door to door. Terrific perspective in your painting!
Thanks so much, Teresa! 😃💕 Yeah… I’d definitely need some really good desserts on offer to go door to door now! hehe
Charlie, mi amigo, what a cute painting! So beautiful! I love all the purple shades! 💜💜💜 You made me laugh with your comment about approaching a house if they were serving cake! 😂😂😂 You’re so funny.
I’m so excited for your new project! I know it’s going to be a blast! You’re awesome, Charlie. 💜💜💜 Enjoy the rest of your week. I’m doing okay. I’m coming along. Te quiero mucho, Charlie!
Hola, mi amiga! 😃💕 Glad you enjoyed this one! I’m excited for my new project as well. I have the entire town and characters created and the outline for the first book. Just have to write… a lot… and it will be finished! lol I hope you have a fabulous week. Much love to you! ❤️
wonderful painting and story! Reminds me of when I was a kid and a group of us would go trick-or-treating in our small town. Because everyone knew each others’ families, we were often given homemade treats instead of packaged candy. Sadly, it’s not safe like that anymore :(. But still have those fun memories!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 We had a few homemade treats when I was a kid in our town. That was always the best! Yeah, things have definitely changed though.
Awesomeness prevails, Charlie. I am getting my broom ready. My cackle needs no practice.
Hehe! Thanks, Linda! 😃💕 And I hope you have a very happy Halloween month!
I’m with you Charlie, I have such exquisite memories of Halloween and trick & treating. I absolutely love this painting of yours because it totally has the feel of how I felt going up steps to a spooky ol house! Just delightful. I love hearing about your plans for your new Cozy Mystery and I will be first in line to get it. I love Cozy Mysteries.
Do you and Philippe give out candy?
Thanks so much, Zoie! 😃💕 Yeah, I have such great memories of Halloween as a kid. And thanks! I’m hoping to have my first draft done for NaNoWriMo in November. Might shop this one to trad publishers, but not sure yet. It’s way faster to just publish it myself! hehe As for Halloween night… we don’t hand out candy. There aren’t many young kids where we live in the city.
Such a fun story and picture! I love this one. 💕
Thanks so much, Jeanne! 😃💕
Great doodle Charlie. It’s a very spooky house.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
Hello Charlie,
I LOVE the perspective you’ve played with here. Makes the haunted house look so overwhelming. You made me feel like the mouse! And though I have fond memories of Halloween, I remember not even trying all the kinds of candy that I got. I knew my favorites and stuck to those. But you put things in a completely new light by talking about cake. A cake and pie Halloween definitely sounds better! Thank you my dear friend for giving me something to daydream about till your next post. I will share details with you if any special daydreams pop up. Love you!
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 The perspective was fun on this one in that it was pretty much just made up entirely! lol Yeah, I’m definitely up for a cake and pie Halloween… way more yummy! And I look forward to hearing about your daydreams. Much love to you! ❤️
Delightful, Charlie!!! Brings back fun memories of when the treats might include a home made popcorn ball or sugar cookie. Yum!!!
Thanks so much, Mary! 😃💕 Yes!! I loved those homemade popcorn balls the most! Yummy!
Love the perspective, adds to the spookiness.
Thanks so much!! 😃💕