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May 09, 2008

A Séance in Fairyland...

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Ok, so I said that I had to take a small break. Well, I couldn't keep away! Regardless, my posts will more than likely continue to appear unpredictably haphazard until I am well and truly settled.

I would like to share some work that I have been attempting to finalize over the past month or so; I seem to have recently developed the rather irritating habit of obsessing over fine details. It never used to be this way! But nowadays, a piece of work will remain hidden, sometimes for weeks on end, until I am finally satisfied with it as a whole. I have become a perfectionist, it seems. Whether this suggests any advancement in my technique, an attention to detail that shall ultimately benefit my endeavors, or else a shattering collapse of nerve, I have no actual idea.....The following images are just a small few of those which have passed the initial test of nit-picking finicky-ness, that somewhat obscene stage of the process in which all flaws are evident to the naked creative eye. Well, my mad little eyes anyway;)

Here we go:

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Arielle

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S3

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Of healing and new beginnings. Not necessarily religious, although the image does contain many personal, spiritual associations, purely for myself. I like to envisage her as a sort of cross-cultural faith healer, whatever your actual faith, or lack of, thereof. Her creation was also semi-influenced by Japanese folklore, lunar myths and the usual staple of classic fairytales.

She resides, for the most part, on the moon, along with her dovecote companion (instead of the usual three black ravens). She is a distant relation of Dulcimer (whooda guessed???), although apart from the voluminous hairdo, they do not have a great deal in common.

I have several versions of this particular image on file. The decision to add the gnarly tree border, along with the little elf houses was a very last minute affair (neighborhood watch?). I think...... I'm quite sure, that it is finally complete ~

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All in a Row

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S55

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Hanging out, or, of ornithology and pretty maids.

Aww, what a sweetheart. But how on earth does she manage to perch with such incredible poise without tumbling forwards (or backwards) and breaking her egg? She evidently has access to the same, arcane secrets that dear old Humpty Dumpty possessed, I dare say. Sadly, Humpty did eventually topple over....No!

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Thumbelina

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S2_2

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This little Thumbling is most definitely not on the lookout for a stray, childless woodcutter to offer her temporary lodgings (unlike myself;). She resides at the Palace of Birds, just south of the Isles of Ambrosia. I am presuming that you all already know the whereabouts of the Palace of Birds and the Isles of Ambrosia, therefore I should not have to provide you with a map (they are quite difficult to get hold of around this neck of the woods).

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Parasol

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S1

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A complete, more symmetrical version of my 'back soon' image from the previous post. Did I mention the perfectionism? I simply could not live with the previous positioning of her legs. She had to undergo severe rearrangements before I was satisfied, and that parasol of hair, well....

Incidentally, the three ravens have names. They are the same three ravens that feature in many of my past works; Nigel, Rafiel and Tom O' Bedlam respectively.

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Séance

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Grid_seance

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A new series of darkly young ladies, inspired by Victorian Spiritualism and a book that I have been reading called 'The Other World'. (please see large for textures and details, or visit them in single file over at Flickr)

Otherworldly lovelies.

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Now, before I run along to resume my blog break, I would love to share these wonderful, musical MySpace links. I am enjoying all three very much!

Vermillion Lies

Elementals

Ghost Bees

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Back soon!

love, me.

xxx

May 03, 2008

Temporary Blog Break...

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Bssmalla

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Dulcimer returns! ...... I'm starting to wonder just how much influence Struwwelpeter had upon me as a child....

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Struww

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But...

....the time has come for me to devote myself fully to house-move preparations (yes, I am still in the process, it is looking to be a long haul) and a rather demanding commissioned project, so I must force myself to take a teeny weeny break from creating, blogging and daydreaming for a while.

I may still be popping in, briefly, to share little bits of this and that, and of course, my shop will be running as usual throughout. If I am a little slow to answer private (non shop related) emails, please have patience with me, I am still trying to catch up on quite a handful from over the past week or so. But not to fear, I ought to be back in full swing very soon!

Take care, you lovely people:)

LOu ^_^

April 25, 2008

A World of their Own...

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Hello again!

Another brief-ish postie ( I am still caught up in a whirlwind of commissions, not to mention those curious, changeable emotions that accompany the art of moving house)...but I do have a couple of brand new creative offerings to share....

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Ribbons

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Ribbons_smalla

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A digital 'sketchbook' of minimal sweethearts.

I have always loved the idea of everyday, otherwise inanimate objects taking on a life of their very own. Here, my little lady does not seem at all surprised to discover that her pretty blue ribbons have decided to join in the dance. And why ever shouldn't they?

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Sweets

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Sweets_smalla

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Wayward braids and a candy cascade.

A rainbow of confectionary delights. Are they following her, or has she carelessly let them fall from her hands as she wanders off into adventures as yet unknown?

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Fortress of Doors

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Fortress_smalla

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"Can anybody tell me how to get to the fortress of doors?"

Said Alice.

American McGee's Alice, of course.

What I loved most about the narrative aspect of this particular PC game was the concept of a grown Alice having to re-address her relationship to the past. There are many dark moments throughout, but ultimately, Alice will discover her ultimate self in the form of acceptance, forgiveness and a forward-looking heart.

Well, this is how I perceived it:)

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Memory Hair

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Memhair_small

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And some things shall just have to remain a mystery for all time...

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.....Other goodies:

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Bapr2_2

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New books. More for the ghostie collection (I am thrilled to see a Fuseli image on the front cover!).

And the wonderful, if seriously odd, Kelly Link:

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Stranger

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Stranger Things Happen

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Music for waking dreams:

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Bapr1

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New albums by Colleen. Having never sampled her work before, I was in for a rather sweet surprise. Perfect mellow meanderings, akin to waking dreams. Childlike, ambient loveliness indeed.

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Some recent Etsy faves:

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A1_2

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Without You I am Nothing, by lushbella

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A2

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DuBuhDu Doll, Stella

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A3

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Is Anyone There, by KatrineK

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More soon!

so take care,

Louise xxxxxx

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April 20, 2008

Rabbit Candies..............

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Yet another inexplicably, nonsensical, thoroughly irrelevant title ~

....and on we go!

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Meet Dulcimer

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Bl7a

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Her full title, Dulcimer Nix. Shapeshifting lover of songs and stones, ravens and crows, scissors and bows. And another Magician's Daughter....

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Heathcliffe

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Bl5

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A strange, strange boy; somewhat vain, always charming.

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The Cot

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Bl6a

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The cot may represent confinement, security, or or a reluctance to leave the comforts of childhood behind. Perhaps. Yet here, there are no outer walls. The lowered side guard, the hesitant hand might equally suggest that our dreamer has the pleasure of experiencing both liberty and seclusion at will....... that freedom, after all, is surely a state of mind.

Again, perhaps...

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A rather brief visit this evening. I am still in the process of organising my move and working on new commissions. Nevertheless, some things must be shared!

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Like this! The very very hard to locate film version of Angela Carter's Magic Toyshop! I am so extremely joyous to have this film in my possession at long, long last...and do not be put off by the hideously disturbing cover, this is a magnificently beautiful film! One of my favourite ever books brought to life. I am forever indebted to Jeanette for such a perfectly thoughtful gift:)

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Mtsmall_2

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Ever heard of Grey Gardens? Sample the squalid splendour of the Bouvier Beales....for some curious reason, I have replayed this film at least eight times since it arrived last week. Some things just have....an intangible appeal. Find the film here.

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Gg 

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Below, my very first Fern Animal. I am so very in love with this little creature. The first of a growing collection, i hope!

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Bl2

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And finally, some Etsy/flickr goodness to share, in the form of Elle Moss, one of my favourite self portrait artists online.

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Ellem

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Be sure to check out her work:)

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...Also, my sincerest thanks to everyone who contributed to my previous post - for your input, advice and such wonderful encouragement.

Nightynight xxxxxx

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Bl3

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Lou

^_^

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