<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Happy Little Nightmares]]></title><description><![CDATA[Art for the cheerful monster enthusiast.]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:17:23 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[From The Memory Box: Boots and Ghosts]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a duly designated representative of the City, County and State of New York, I order you to cease any and all supernatural activity and return forthwith to your place of origin or to the nearest convenient parallel dimension. --Dr. Raymond Stantz, Ghostbusters “I want to talk about my relationship with my estranged sister.” When Regan (name changed) heard about Memory Boxes, she immediately knew what story she wanted to tell. What happens when the person you look up to starts talking down...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/from-the-memory-box-boots-and-ghosts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a42e9d169b2dfbbf1298e8c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:16:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_d2179d0f062441758483fa50f86a538e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_947,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From The Memory Box: The Vegas Story]]></title><description><![CDATA[I do commissions for people who have a story to tell and don’t know what they want the art to look like. You come to me when you want to make sense of something significant in your life and you’re not quite sure how. Your job is to tell me a story, and my job is to extract the core of your story and transform it into something visual. “Women in Vegas have no heads and no legs.” Reader, I didn’t have any more context than you when I heard that sentence, so I just had to sit there in silence...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/from-the-memory-box-the-vegas-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1a0bb069f69d4475b01189</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 22:18:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_5892e2cd43724c15848727cd134c31ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Behind The Commission: The Making Of "The Family Tree"]]></title><description><![CDATA[Amid all the other busyness of last winter, some friends approached me about a commission. The gist of their request was “Behold the distressingly empty walls in this house. We love your work. Pitch us something.” and they gave me a budget. In this case, I know the family well, and I have a good idea of what gets them excited about life, so I was eager to take this on. Some artists will paint anything you want. My commissions are a little different. I’ll paint your story. So let's talk about...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/behind-the-commission-the-making-of-the-family-tree</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f2981cd3f2ae6dd9180fc8</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:38:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_a2175b0e60ae43ac8531a6ed11996040~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Put On Your Best Hat And Knock Some Heads Together]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Compass . Or north star, or sign post, or whatever. Something that points the way. “You can do everything completely by yourself, but most likely you will achieve supreme, profound mediocrity. That’s easy. These days everybody is doing that.” --Stevie Van Zandt *** My recent reading has left me delightedly vexed, and I’ve been wandering around in a state of low-grade irritation, trying to decide what to do about it. When I head out on trips, I like to load up on library books in advance....]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/put-on-your-best-hat-and-knock-some-heads-together</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69cabc53e7de3cb006077ebd</guid><pubDate>Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:14:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_05b2b04d24ba4fdeae94fa26898c6c8a~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_792,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Dragon's Hoard of Shapes: The Making of “Resting Place”]]></title><description><![CDATA[I was in the middle of writing something else when I got the news that “Resting Place” has been selected for inclusion into Infected By Art Vol 14 * . This is the first time my work has made it in and I’m over the moon about it. So let’s take a look at how this painting got made. I’m fascinated by people’s collections of things that “might come in handy later.” There’s a certain type of person who saves every spare cable they’ve ever received. Some people have a junk drawer of every allen...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/a-dragon-s-hoard-of-shapes-the-making-of-resting-place</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a77267ffff75773eb7c31d</guid><pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:47:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_00470f3c65a84e0684b573bb3300aa93~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Racing Lemons and Building Icebergs]]></title><description><![CDATA["Season of Emergence", 2025. I've been thinking a lot about growth this month First of all, Happy New Year! Now, onto the good stuff. First of all, I promised I’d share the recipe for the Dragon’s Breath tea I served at my open studio event. It’s my new favorite cold remedy. These quantities are all extremely approximate and should be adjusted to taste. Dragon's Breath Tea (serves 1) 2 tablespoons juiced ginger* 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 drop liquid smoke** 12 oz...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/racing-lemons-and-building-icebergs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6972a49516ee2e05645739a4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:35:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_dd2b6622143b4cfeb573329a1fbca895~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Let’s See AI Blow Its Nose]]></title><description><![CDATA[Upcoming Events First Friday at Manna Gallery My work is hanging at Manna Gallery until December 13, and I’ll be celebrating First Friday in person.  Friday, Dec 5, 5-8 pm Manna Gallery 473 25th St  Oakland CA 94612 East Bay Open Studios Sat-Sun Dec 6-7, 11 am-5 pm 2908 Chapman St Oakland, CA 94601 Let’s See AI Blow Its Nose I've been thinking a lot about how humans matter , and how sick I am of AI slop. Humanity is glorious in all its gritty, wonderful detail. Every time I leave the house I...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/let-s-see-ai-blow-its-nose</link><guid isPermaLink="false">692a2658cb45ab7844df347d</guid><pubDate>Sat, 29 Nov 2025 17:32:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_b0ee2d6a4116477c87e2232118e4dd7b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wrapped Up]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the midst of all the IX prep in the last few months (hello, IX visitors!) I also had the honor of being asked to apply to Manna Gallery ’s  Wrapped Up  show. On the one hand, I was neck-deep in reinventing my approach to painting from the ground up and already overcommitted. On the other hand, this would be my first gallery show. So I applied and got accepted! Fine art is allowed to be more conceptual and less direct than commercial narrative illustration. The work I’ve been doing for IX...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/wrapped-up</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69110e911baa491de1883281</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:52:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4af61e_2c7e4e7c4707436784c1e77d7999c465~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[IT'S GO TIME]]></title><description><![CDATA[I'm headed off to IlluxCon's Evening Showcase: Oct 24 and 25, 8pm-midnight at the Hilton Doubletree in Reading, PA. Two months ago I threw out my entire art process and started over from the ground up. I bought ten illustration boards and covered them all in paint. I’m bringing my best five to IlluxCon  (at the time of this writing, I leave in less than 48 hours). I’ll write up something more detailed in the next month or two, but for now, please enjoy a sneak peek at my newest work. I’m...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/it-s-go-time</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f79ee33676c750f3a155b2</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:01:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_f52c086ae0444e2ea47f6b399c0ea715~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_796,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Ready, Set, Paint!]]></title><description><![CDATA[First, the upcoming events: IlluxCon !  I look forward to this event all year. I will once again be in the evening showcase, and I will...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/ready-set-paint</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68da9d65d3b5c27c520255d1</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 15:02:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_e7d62c0549954c179c0cb6c558d70c2f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Boldly Going Where Absolutely Everyone Has Gone Before]]></title><description><![CDATA[Upcoming Events:  IlluxCon !  I look forward to this event all year. I will once again be in the evening showcase and I will once again...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/boldly-going-where-absolutely-everyone-has-gone-before</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b2201f574c0242291451b4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2025 21:52:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_b32fe1f4fa2e46b08696abe76a830585~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[On Taste]]></title><description><![CDATA[You ever just wake up one day and realize you’re carrying around twenty years of psychic dead weight for no reason? I used to do a...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/on-taste</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6887d4a2594e3699b61792af</guid><pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:14:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_1e40eb76b0924b3da464867c16f4c7d9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Hero's Journey]]></title><description><![CDATA[One hundred artists. One DJ. One day only. " Attention art enthusiasts, supporters, collectors, curators, and creators!  Please join the...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/hero-s-journey</link><guid isPermaLink="false">686bf7f51bc03f082bfb5b5a</guid><pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:46:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_c5878c2290e84f7ba606f16e072dd7b2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_540,h_494,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Expectations vs (Sur)Reality]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s a meme now. We do something because we expect a certain result and when we don’t get that result, we’re disappointed. This, I think,...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/expectations-vs-sur-reality</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68311acd905d5dd1ac0c2cd2</guid><pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2025 01:05:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_edf5e754c5f84a62b15da74e9d349a9e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Come See The Studio!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Chapman Street Studios will participate in its first  East Bay Open Studios this year. We're a new studio, just opened, and we're excited...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/east-bay-open-studios</link><guid isPermaLink="false">680d035e6cf661ce98204718</guid><pubDate>Sat, 26 Apr 2025 16:21:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_6e65151ce60042e99ea6e02d3d986987~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Artist vs The Outside: Plein Air Week]]></title><description><![CDATA[Want to receive these posts in your email? Subscribe to my mailing list at the bottom of the page. Me, contemplating lugging all my...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/artist-vs-the-outside-plein-air-week</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67fe9916d2b5eeef5fc96931</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:38:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_060619ba794b485b873af778ff7d8c0f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Daily Practice, or, The Myth of Good Enough]]></title><description><![CDATA[There's a particular type of brain rot that afflicts creatives, especially aspiring creatives: those people whose ambition vastly exceed...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/daily-practice-or-the-myth-of-good-enough</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67be5376ae4be7e3155f4642</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 19:01:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_b3355bab4f7943928956f63c10a36596~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Big Ideas: Scale]]></title><description><![CDATA[The first of my pieces for my collaboration with Mollie's Organics. The newsletter is taking a turn this year. Definitely for the longer,...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/big-ideas-scale</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679927a54b4f21d5ea0e3216</guid><pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 19:26:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_6977de1e11c84579a980a0c262111d6c~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[IlluxCon Wrap Up and First Six Months Video]]></title><description><![CDATA[Well, IX ended ::checks calendar:: a month ago  so it's high time to welcome all the new folks to the list and tell the rest of you...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/illuxcon-wrap-up-and-first-six-months-video</link><guid isPermaLink="false">674e1a94cf5a0840716b12e7</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Dec 2024 19:08:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_66324d2487f24c64ba22d0843c524b70~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Come See My Newest Work - Pygmalion II]]></title><description><![CDATA["Pygmalion II" will be on display for the first time at our October 5 show at JAS . The thing about myths is people tell the same series...]]></description><link>https://www.happylittlenightmares.art/post/come-see-my-newest-work-pygmalion-ii</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66df0af2aa5ca478b114d9d7</guid><pubDate>Wed, 11 Sep 2024 18:35:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/77d639_932757c6d12348108b1837a8f2c9ed49~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Halloran Parry</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>