Here Piggy, Piggy!

Hale-oween final edition for 2009!

 Costume by Mike Hale

It seems piggy made a run for it on Halloween. We're not sure what scared him off, ghosts, ghouls or goblins...but he sauntered back safe and sound this morning.

Costume by Mike Hale

 

The actual Pig Pen is constructed out of a cardboard box and duct tape.  Mike Hale's head is hidden inside by a veil.

Costume by Mike Hale

 

The canvas backdrop is painted to look like mud, and Piggy's head is a soft sculpture using carpet padding.

Costume by Mike Hale

 

The mouth and snout are animated and equipped with a tube that shoots water. The hoof and leg, is actually Mike Hale's arm and there is a fence that runs across the back of the pig pen

Costume by Mike Hale

...and this little Piggy cried Hale-oween, Hale-oween, Hale-oween all the way home!

Until next year...

HAPPY HALE-OWEEN!

OINK! OINK!

Santa's Little Helper

We thought it was time to lighten things up a bit and post one of Mike Hale's sillier costumes. Today's Hale-oween ensemble is titled "Naughty Elf". You see, Santa's little helper has had enough of wooden toy making and is ready to do some celebrating...elf style.

Costume created by Mike Hale

The costume rests on Mike Hale's shoulders allowing him to operate the puppet-like arms ( and other unmentionable parts) from under the snow bank.

Costume created by Mike Hale 

Constructed from a cardboard box, the gingerbread cottage is adorned with faux gumdrops, candy canes, ornaments and twinkle lights.

 Costume created by Mike Hale

We're not talking Bozo the Clown!

We're talking..."Killer Klowns from Outer Space!"  A 1988 b-rated, comedy/horror film featuring clown-faced aliens who arrive on Earth via a "Big Top" spaceship.  Their goal...to harvest people for food by shooting them with popcorn guns and cocooning them inside cotton candy!

Costume by Mike Hale

Today's Hale-oween costume is definitely one of Mike Hale's scariest! Inspired by this cult film his creation started out with canvas, latex, acrylics and a vivid imagination.

Costume by Mike Hale

The eyes illuminate and move manually. As for the teeth, they are carved out of wood and the jaw moves up and down creating a very frightening effect! (Be sure to click on each photo for an enlarged image.)

Costume by Mike Hale

Dressed from hat to clown shoe, the costume measures at least 8 feet tall. Mike Hale's field of vision is actually through the mouth...between chomping of the blood stained teeth.

"Get your souvenirs!"

"Popcorn...cotton candy here!"

Hale at the Moon!

It's HALE-oween week so you better BEWARE! Who knows what could be lurking around the corner!

Costume by Mike Hale

A full moon means only one thing...WEREWOLVES! But according to legend "real" werewolves are known to change shape voluntarily.

Costume by Mike Hale

They are known to be witches who take animal form by using a magic potion...but whose to say they wouldn't we wear a suit?

Costume by Mike Hale

OK...I'll confess. This werewolf is better known as Mike Hale! Dressed in one of his many incredible, handmade costumes! I don't know about you but I would certainly lock my doors when the full moon rises!

 

Costume by Mike Hale

If you haven't had a chance to spook around the blog yet, check out yesterday's "Elephant Man" post, and please stop back to see more of Mike Hale's Halloween creations.

Hale-oween

Happy Halloween! This week I am posting a few of the costumes Mike Hale has created over the years. The characters are entirely handmade from various materials such as nylons, stuffing, cardboard, dime store toys and miscellaneous parts that are drilled, sawed, sewn, sanded and molded into works of art.

This costume was inspired by Director David Lynch's unforgettable film The Elephant Man, starring John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

Costume - Mike Hale

Photo - John White

The film is based on the story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the movie), a severely deformed man living in London during the 19th Century. His discovery in a freak show by Dr. Frederick Treves unfolds an emotional story about humans, humanity and hope.

Costume - Mike Hale

Photo - John White

The Elephant Man's haunting black and white cinematography, led Mike Hale to incorporate fellow IUP student John White in photographing his incredible creation.

Costume - Mike Hale

Photo - John White

Part of Mike Hale's creative journey is going into character, playing the part, becoming who he is, The Elephant Man.

Costume - Mike Hale

Photo - John White

MS 150 City to Shore Tour Update

The 2009 MS 150 City to Shore Tour was an official success! Let's have a BIG round of applause for BETTY STEWART, team MARK'S TSUNAMI RIDERS, the 7,000 cyclists, and all the volunteers who shared in this great cause! Check out this inspiring video showcasing just a few of the people who dedicated their time, strength, bodies and voices to this wonderful event! Please click here to view the video.

This year,  MARK'S TSUNAMI RIDERS set a team goal of $30,000! Incredibly, they have far surpassed that initial amount and continue to push forward at the $41,343.87 mark!

BETTY STEWART set her personal goal at $11,000! Leaving a bike trail of dust behind her, she blew by the initial amount and is still going strong at $11,500! GO BETTY GO!

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic and often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS, with new cases being diagnosed daily. Globally, MS affects about 2.5 million people.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society uses the money collected from the MS Bike Tour to not only support research to find a cure, but also to provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS. To find out more about this disease please visit The National MS Society's website...click here

(To read more about Betty and Mark's Tsunami Riders be sure to click on their names within this post.)

THANKS AGAIN!

To each and everyone of you who share in this fight!

Commissioned Corporate Paintings

Mike Hale has produced his fair share of corporate pieces but this one takes the cake!  The call came in Thursday afternoon that the painting was a "go", with one catch...it had to be completed by the following Wednesday morning! In short, that's 5 1/2 days to build (3) 30" x 30" panels, create the actual painting, varnish it, prep it for hanging, and make a delivery! With little sleep and lots of caffeine, the painting was signed, sealed and delivered on time...which made for one happy client!

©2009 By Mike Hale

Artwork truly does makes all the difference. It breathes life, color, movement and warmth into any space, be it corporate or residential. It can be very big...or it can be very small, but more importantly is the way it "speaks" to the viewer. Do you have a favorite piece?

Get out your lederhosen!

It's October and that can only mean one thing...OKTOBERFEST!

Eat, Drink and BEER Merry!!!

 
Early photo of Mike Hale enjoying an Oktoberfest celebration.
(compliments of an artistic hand and Photoshop)

MS 150 City to Shore ~ October 3 & 4, 2009

This weekend the 29th Annual MS 150 City to Shore bike ride takes place!  We want to give a shout out to team MARK'S TSUNAMI RIDERS, especially BETTY STEWART and LORRIE ROBERTS! You have touched our hearts! This devastating disease has brought us together and because of your time, support, strength and dedication we are going to find a cure for MS!

Please take a moment to watch Betty Stewart on CBS 3, click here... Betty's interview on CBS 3.

MS Bike Ride participants are given the opportunity to become Pedal Partners and then connected with an individual affected by MS. Mike Hale is honored to have Lorrie Roberts as his Pedal Partner, and every year he customizes her bandanna with a painting. At this year's "Meet the Riders" party, Lorrie displayed her framed bandannas from previous years and with a round of applause proudly unveiled this year's work of art!

©2009 By Mike Hale 

 

©2009 By Mike Hale  

 

©2008 By Mike Hale  

 

©2008 By Mike Hale 

Again, to find out more about MARK'S TSUNAMI RIDERS and make a donation please click here... Mark's Tsunami Riders.

THANK YOU!

To everyone who shares in this fight!

Words alone cannot express our sincere gratitude!

Welcome home Honeymooners!

Recently we celebrated the marriage of two incredible people! As we all know, weddings are a special event, but the time and energy it takes to pull it all together is staggering! So when the bride asked Mike Hale to create a painting especially for the groom, he couldn't pass up the "request of honor". It seems the groom has a passion for Ferrari's, but a car wasn't covered in the wedding budget. A-ha! Why not improvise? A painting of a Ferrari...Mike Hale style! After tracking down the official red paint, Mike Hale went to work incorporating an iridescent Ferrari logo (left side) that visibly changes colors from different viewing directions, and imitated a speeding Ferrari using the official paint!

 

"John"

©2009 by Mike Hale

Being that marriage is a union of two people, we decided to surprise them both with a second painting representing the bride! Marci's love for Fleur-de-lis was a must on her painting. Like John's, this too was painted in iridescence to add a watermark effect and create visual interest from different angles.

Because Marci and John both share a passion for nature, the two paintings were united together using a single motif. Leaf images (collected from Aunt Nette and Uncle Terry's house) were embossed into foil and placed across the top of both paintings.

Marci 
©2009 by Mike Hale

Like the wedding bands that now bond them as husband and wife, the paintings represent a coming together of two individuals. Here's to you Marci and John! Here's to a lifetime of love, health and happiness!
 

 

©2009 by Mike Hale

And the Crowd Roars!!!!

The finish line is in sight. Hearts racing we round the corner...almost there. Summer's clock is ticking down, Autumn is almost here!  5, 4, 3, 2, 1...and the crowd roars! A mere second to spare but our summer project is officially complete!

The new addition to the "veranda"...a water fountain!  Completely designed and created by Mike Hale. (I did get to help with the base coat of stucco.)  What a perfect way to end a fun-filled summer and usher in the autumn season!

So...did anyone guess correctly?

If you haven't had a chance to view the fountain in progress, please check out our 2 previous posts. It's hard to imagine that a few quick sketches...

...can evolve into this!

 

5:18 pm and Autumn has officially arrived here in Pennsylvania. We are headed outside to welcome the new season and enjoy the evening by our new fountain. Cheers!

Stumped? Here's a Hint from Mike Hale & Co.

For those of you who are stumped by the photos of our summer project, here's a hint...

It's 4' x 6' and makes a relaxing sound!

The Race Is On for Mike Hale & Co.!

It's been another marathon summer here at Mike Hale & Co., but there's one more race that needs to be run before we can cross this season's finish line!

Can we do it?!?

 

Better yet...what on earth is it?!?

  

Any guesses? 

Hurry the clock is ticking!!!

Mike Hale & Co. Has a New Path to Travel!

Paintbrushes down! It's time for something a little different... Mike Hale and I love to go junk hunting, and over the years we've accumulated quite the collection. Our finds range from tiny 1" trinkets to BIG 10' columns. Due to lack of space we've actually had to cut back a bit, but now that this project is complete we may have an empty spot to fill!

Right Front

I have no idea how MH does it, but with vision, talent and a little creative ingenuity he is able to build just about anything. After a few quick sketches he's off and running, and sawing, and nailing, and drilling, and...

Back

We picked up the old porch roof and ironwork years ago at local "junk" shops. The finial was a window shopping find that MH added copper to, and the smaller embellishments came from various "give-away" boxes. You know what they say....one man's trash is another man's treasure!!!

Front

No more going through the front door for me...I prefer taking this path home!
~ & Co.

The Birthday Girl Turns.....

What do you give your very best "Friday Night Friend" who is celebrating a milestone birthday? An original Mike Hale painting of course! Being an artist herself, as well as a collector and gallery owner of Sweet Mabel Folk Art and Fine Craft, we knew she would love this! A birthday of this caliber called for much more than just the "usual" whimsical piece, it needed to be something extra special, something that would knock the curl out of her hair!

Friday Night Friends © 2009 By Mike Hale

Detail © 2009 By Mike Hale

Detail © 2009 By Mike Hale

We've shared so many great times over the years and usher in almost every weekend together! Friendships like this are truly an incredible thing! Here's to another 50 years of great beer, great wine, lots of laughs, and dancing and singing to vintage vinyls spinning on the hi-fi!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACY!
Love you!