Thursday, October 30, 2008

On Inspiration

I think that it would be faire to include here something that goes into the "Of Gold and Morning Light" series. The inspiration for the story is a woman, Irish folklore and the works of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm (Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White, specifically). A muse is a powerful thing. Whatever speaks to you is your muse. It is a product of the sublime. Websters states that sublime is:

adj. 1. awakening feelings of awe and reverence. 2. exalted; grand; majestic. 3. supreme; unexcelled: v.t. -limed, -liming, 1. to render sublime or noble. 2. in Chemistry, to cause (a solid) to change directly into a vapour by heat and then condense directly back to a solid state: v.t. to undergo this change of states.

I think I have spoken on the feelings of reverence and awe and I think these are pretty self explanatory. I want to focus on the verbs. The Romantics made art to elevate their experiences of the sublime to canvas or paper to inspire the sublime in others. They were rendering their work sublime or noble. They were attempting to bring their art to the level of Godhead, that experience of extreme, unequalled awe. I think it can be said that we all do the same thing with our own art. why even put it on paper unless there is something inspiring to relate, something sublime? We translate it through our lenses to render our ideas more noble that others might see them as noble and share in the experience of awe that inspired it.

I like the verb tense of this word that suggests a state change from a solid to a vapour (by heat) to a soild. I think that is what we are doing. We are starting with a solid, ourselves. Then, through the heat of the experience, the feelings of awe, and the formation of idea - the vapour - we are able to transliterate those experiences into another solid object (the finished piece).

I must give all credit for this exploration to the latest blog post at Archetypal Theatre's blog site. www.archetypaltheatre.blogspot.com. Check this site out. Her words will inspire you and her work will do the same. Oh, and buy some of her dolls! She is an amazing doll artist. You can link to her website and Etsy store via this blog by links to the right.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

"Of Gold and Morning Light" Project - Inside Image 4 Final


At long last the image is finished! I have 7 more to do, including a two page spread, which is next. So, keep your eyes peeled! 

Monday, October 27, 2008

Celtic Myth Podshow

Hello, everyone. Please visit the Celtic Myth Podshow. They are wonderful people and harbour a wealth of traditional celtic folk material that you may listen to, for free! So click the link to the right or bottom of the page and give them a listen. I guarantee you'll fall in love with the magic of the Celtic landscape and imagination through the bardic mediums Gary and Ruth.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Faerie Con - The Journey and Our Adventures There

Well, I have returned from my sojourn into Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faerie Con was great! We stayed in The Castle bed and breakfast. It was a large house built to herald the arrival of a successful personage. Go to www.castlebnb.com to see it. I highly recommend staying there. We stayed in the Library Room. If you go, tell Ellie that Justin and Sarah recommended you to them.

Once we got to Faerie Con we talked to many inspirational people. Some of them I hope will remain friends for years to come. Here is a list of those we met, along with their websites (if available).

-Michael Hague - http://michaelhague.com (one whose illustrations will be remembered as other classical illustrators are today. A true visionary)
-Kinuko Craft - www.kycraft.com (she and Mahlon were wonderful)
-Mahlon Craft - www.kycraft.com/mahlon_f_craft.html
-Larry McDougal and P.A. Lewis - www.angelfire.com/art2/faeriedust/larrymacdougal.html (both are lovely people; illustratours sure to be remembered for their beautiful visions. Thanks guys)
-Virginia Lee - www.virginialee.co.uk/home.html (another wonderful illustratour and a beuatiful person. Best of luck to you!)
-Charles Vess - www.greenmanpress.com
-John and Caitlin Matthews - www.hallowquest.org.uk (another awesome creative duo!)
-Ari Berk - www.mythicjourneys.org/guest_berk.html
-Toby and Wendy Froud - www.worldoffroud.com/index.html (Wendy and Toby were there, not Brian)
-Fairy Woodland - www.fairywoodland.com (a wonderful, whimsical craftsman)
-Fantasiation - www.fantasiation.com (congrats on your commission with Ms. Zimmerman!)
-The Mushroom Lady - www.innerfaecreations.com (lovely work! Sweet music choice on your site, too ;p)
-Basement Books - Donna Rankin (very nice lady... if you see this, keep that Wensel dwarf book for me ;p)
-Tate and Company - www.faerieglennj.com
-Claudia D. Newcorn - www.claudianewcorn.com (author of "Crossover." Buy this book!)
-Optivion - www.optivion.net (up and comers. Check 'em out!)
-Meghan - www.corvusblue.com (a wonderful person and artist!)
-Alexa Galtman - http://magichappens0306.deviantart.com (another up and comer. Check her out!)
-Dave Windham - www.thevalkyriewars.com/index.htm (an awesome guy and a great concept! This is going to be a comic. I recommend checking this guy out post-haste)

These are the people I can remember from the many conversations I had. There were many. I hope all of you were duly represented here and may this help bring you some exposure. Thanks for an awesome weekend everyone!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

To Faerie Con!

Well, headed to Faerie Con to try my fortunes. If anyone is following this blog, wish me luck. I, too, wish all of you trying to make it the best of luck in all your artistic endeavours always.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Excerpt from "Of Gold and Morning Light"

This is an excerpt from the story "Of Gold and Morning Light." Please, enjoy:

The raven watched the silver haired, child-sized creatures dance, dressed in naught but fur cloths about their loins, and felt the weariness in his bones from his long flight. How nice it would indeed be to rest a while in laughter and song amongst the ancient and beautiful Inir. But the pain in his chest from the iron ring about his heart reminded him of his task. He flew off, leaving the Children of the Dawn to their games and merrymaking.

Next he happened upon a giant woman washing clothes in a large pond. She was old and bent with age and she looked up and smiled when she saw him.

“O’ red bird! Won’t you perch upon my shoulder for awhile and entertain me with tales of thy wanderings whilst I wash my garments?”

“I cannot waste any time whilst my dying friend is suffering. Canst thou not tell me whence I might find the lady of these woods, the Witch of Wings?” replied the raven.

“I shall surely tell thee if thou wilt sit with me and entertain me for awhile with tales of thy wanderings whilst I wash my garments.”

The raven considered this seriously. For he was weary and his wandering in Telnirund had been two days. But the iron band about his heart again reminded him of his charge and he left the giant maid and flew off to look for the Witch of Wings.