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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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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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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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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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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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

Comments

[annejulie]

"Arielle" and the "Séance" are totally breathtaking!! Fabulous ones.

[andrea]

I love the rainbow feathers in "Thumbelina". beautiful work!

[Gena M]

They are all so fabulous. I love your site ~ you are terribly creative and talented. Thank you for sharing.

Gena

[Frankie Kins]

Oh, thank you. I needed a good dose of artandghosties! This post's offerings are beyond stunning. I keep going back to look at them. I LOVE Arielle and All in a Row, as well as Parasol the most. You never fail to delight me. I only wish that I lived in a large house again so that I had wall space to fill.

Many thanks for not making me wait TOO long for another post!

[Ben Varkentine]

All in a Row reminds me, for obvious reasons, of Leonard Cohen's Bird on a Wire.

Like AnneJulie, I also love the colors on the bird in Thumbelina, and the four ladies of Séance I think all together make some kind of feminist statement. But I may be reading too much into them.

BTW, if ever you feel nervous about your "perfectionism," remember this quote by Michelangelo:

“Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle."

[Ben Varkentine]

PS: Excuse me, I said AnneJulie, I meant, Andrea.

[Casey]

I simply adore the "All in a Row" piece! So lovely and magical... :) (As are all the pieces!)

[Ruthie]

Louise, if you like Ghost Bees then you ought to check out Cocorosie. I think you might like them aswell.

[lurking helen]

Oh, what a lovely surprise, a post from you!

Your new work is really beautiful. I particularly like All in a Row. To me those flowers are pretty and sinister at the same time...

Hope your move is going well...

Best wishes, Helen

[Julianna]

I looove Thumbelina!

[Mandy Saile]

Hi there, I've seen your work before on Etsy and just loved it, so today when I came across your blog I was super excited. Your work is spectacular, really it is. There is something in it that reminds me of my work...I think perhaps its the juxtaposition of whimiscal elements that normally wouldn't be together. Anyhow, I mentioned you on my blog today and I'll definatly be checking back in to see your new pieces. Wow, thanks for sharing your fantastic vision/world. Be Well, Mandy

[Hilary]

These are SO beautiful! I've just found your blog and was wondering if you made prints/cards of any of these? I'd love all the dark-haired Dulcimer-esque ones!
Best, Hilary.

[lou]

thanks so much everyone!

xxx

Hilary, i tried to reply to you via email but the message was returned. you can always check on my etsy shop for dulcimer type prints (some will be added later this week) - or if you dont have an account there, i can easily arrange something for you! thanks:)))

[waterrose]

Oh there is so much going on in Airelle...you could look at it forever! I love Thumbelina...the colors on the bird are perfect! Now, if you are resting...I would hate to see what goes on when you are working...LOL

[Yoli]

I am SOOO excited to see the asian features in your work! Can't wait for more!

[Lynne]

oh my, my! these are so incredibly delightful!! thank you!

this is my first post here... i 'found' you in a somerset magazine some time ago! now i love to come here and look!

[DuBuhDuDesigns]

Your version of Thumbelina belongs in an updated children's book..mesmerizing!!

[Kim]

The hair on Thumbelina is so deliciously scary and coll all at the same time. Photoshop really is your friend!!!!

[Black-Eyed Suzie]

How odd - I just heard Ghost Bees the other say on the CBC and loved them...must sniff them out. I love everything (always) but particularly Parasol and the Seance Ladies (I might have to steal their outfits for dolls...) I'm sorry if I forgot to say thank you for your fascinating description of your doll to page process you sent me...it was amazing to read and explained it very well. And so odd about the PD JAMES thingy - right now I'm reading another of hers, The Lighthouse. Not as good as Shroud, but still fun. Great post - thank you!

[Black-Eyed Suzie]

How odd - I just heard Ghost Bees the other say on the CBC and loved them...must sniff them out. I love everything (always) but particularly Parasol and the Seance Ladies (I might have to steal their outfits for dolls...) I'm sorry if I forgot to say thank you for your fascinating description of your doll to page process you sent me...it was amazing to read and explained it very well. And so odd about the PD JAMES thingy - right now I'm reading another of hers, The Lighthouse. Not as good as Shroud, but still fun. Great post - thank you!

[Mike Jennings]

OK this is interesting. When I looked at Arielle again, I noticed the paving-stones beneath her feet. At that moment I thought she was dancing on a trapdoor, and this notion excited me. It occurs to me that a trap door would fit perfectly into many of your images and add a compelling new interpretation.

I love the mood in Séance. They reward scrutiny. I confess I too thought of the Björk video, and of the Leonard Cohen song with All In A Row. I like that the wire doesn't sag under her, as if she were as light as a bird.

I only just now noticed the tiny nest in Thumbelina. The spectacular coloring of the bird makes it hard to look at anything else. Again, your art rewards careful scrutiny.

[linda]

I found you on Etsy the other night and have only jst had some time to check out your blog! I had to tell you I just ADORE your work it is soooo beautiful! love it :)

[Sandy]

I LOVE the girl on the wire with the egg....fabulous!!!!

Sandyxox

[A Fanciful Twist]

I can't chose which one captures my heart more... But the wire and the birds and the egg!!! Divine!!! xoxo (but parasol talk to my heart!)

[jenn]

So you got me again..love them all and have to keep looking to find even more hidden detail. Especially the dark girls inspired by the book you are readings..love love love them! What a treat your post is!