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I was recently presented with the photograph of one of the most regal looking cats I've ever seen from someone hoping I could make two figures in honour of her beloved furry creatures.

I've said it before: nature trumps art every time. This cat was beautiful. And I'm not a cat person, so for me to be going on about a kitty says a lot. Something in the eyes. Wise. Confident. So much so, I could imagine telling this cat my problems.

Quickly, I knew I couldn't do the animal justice if I attempted to do a reproduction. So instead, I went with inspiration.

Thus, the Feline Oracles were born. Heads a little larger than normal, with features exaggerated slightly, I wanted them to clearly resemble cats but have a subtle variation that set them apart.

Their white prayer scarves are a nod to the beautiful tuft of white fur on their chests.

I hope she likes them, and that I've done justice to the two cats - Star and Angel - to whom these figures are dedicated.

Most of you know who Joshua Hoffine is, or at least you've seen his photography. If you haven't, check out his site. Don't worry. I'll wait.

I had the pleasure of meeting him and his fiancée Jen (who makes pendants) almost two years ago at Festival of Fear, and I reported back on what a nice guy he was in addition to being wonderfully creative.

I just found out he's actually offering his services for 15 weddings this year (yes, the bride and groom jumping through the fire loop on a motorcycle is his handiwork). Like the title of this post suggests, it's enough to make me want to have a wedding.

Needless to say, I'm a fan. Not totally fanatic, but he's high on my list of favourite artists.

Which brings me to my story that I promised you yesterday.

Really, this post should have been called I'm A Moron. Can I have a Do Over.

I'm exhausted. Exhausted from my day, and tuckered out by the pace I set to get these last dozen Plague Doctors made, photographed and posted.

I timed it fairly well though, because tomorrow a few friends and I are getting together to celebrate the success of these figures.

Will there be more? Oh, I'm sure. But not this week. And not next week. Maybe I'll go back to them in February some time. For now, I need a breather, and I have some custom orders to get to.

You can find images of the last two Plague Doctors in the Art Ghoullery here and here.

At the time of posting this, there are only 3 Plague Doctors left in my shop, including these two new ones.

UPDATE: They were posted, and then they were sold. With the last figure on hold for an enthusiastic buyer in Montreal, I am officially sold out.

It's the beginning of the end, my friends. I only have 4 Plague Doctors left. In total. All of the others have sold, and I only have this last series (3 of which remain unfinished. Hope to have one done tonight). Their success is faster than my posting abilities.

I am overwhelmed by the responses I've had to these figures and how quickly they've been adopted to new homes, along with whatever else happened to be in my Etsy shop at the same time. Thank you.

OK so let's talk about this fella. I will regret selling him, I know it. I hummed and hawed over whether or not to post him for a long, long time. But I have pretty strict rules about how many figures I'm allowed to keep, and I already kept one from the last series.

I don't often have plans when I make figures, so when this one turned out looking like an Italian street performer of time gone by, I was pleasantly surprised. More pictures in the Art Ghoullery.

OH. And I should mention this is the last figure who is not wearing their hat. The other 3 all have their hats on.

But hats are cool. So buy those ones.

(In her best Obi Wan voice: This is not the Plague Doctor you are looking for)

To make up for my lack of posts on the weekend, I thought I would push through and get one or two more up.

This, my friends, is the Blue Bruiser. With his red-tinted glass, he strikes me as a tough customer. Sure, you could say most of these figures have a certain air of danger, but...I don't know. Something about his pose. About those eyes. About his brooding colour.

It's amazing what a difference certain colours make. It completely changes the look of a figure, and the mood.

He is up on Etsy as well. (UPDATE: He's been adopted. Thanks!)

I think I might sleep better knowing he's been adopted by someone else.