Paper Hearts

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New work for the Spectres and Dreams series.

Sort of returning to an older style here, combining digital collage with illustration. Darker, atmospheric, and unplanned! I woke today feeling quite dreadful, a head cold or throat infection, so I'm feeling a little bit sorry for myself. I turned to the wacom tablet for comfort, whilst revisiting an old favourite on dvd: Patrick McGoohan's Prisoner. Toast with full fat butter and honey most certainly helped! 

The work is somewhat influenced by the ghost stories of M R James, particularly a story entitled Lost Hearts. I made several versions, with and without spectacles, although the third image presented here is my absolute favourite. I like to think of them as llittle film stills, in some way how I might imagine filming James' stories, perhaps via animation - which I will never do, because I should never have the patience! I would suggest viewing these works at flickr for more clarity.

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She may easily be the solitary child, a child who chooses to be lonely in preference of her own company. The type of girl who sneaks off during lunch hour to a dark yet welcoming little clearing in the woods. Perhaps some of her closest allies are invisible. I like to imagine the heart printed paper bag contains an offering - although we shall all have our very own interpretations as to whom it may be for.

I will return soon, with this months print giveaway details, so take care ♥

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Comments

[ruta elze]

Great work! I also like the third version the most, it's so catching!

[Sarah Knight]

Dreamy, ethereal, and a touch dark, they look lovey!

[celine]

look nice!!

[Lisa Falzon]

I love the darkest central one best.. thes peices with the dark forest theme of yours are favourites of mine!!!

<3 M.R James' ghost stories.. another James wrote a ghost story that just disturbs me incredibly.. ever read 'The Turn of the Screw'? My hair stood on end just writing about it this moment.. I don't know exactly -why- but I find that story deep-down frightening.

[Julita]

They're beautiful! I love the one with the spectacles the best, it just gives her so much character.

[louise/Artandghosts]

Thanks x

Lisa, I absolutely loved that story, it was the cause of my current James obsession! I was also looking out for a decent tv version, but not located one as yet. The most recent UK offering didn't impress me.

[Lisa Falzon]

I watched one on youtube - in parts - the governess was exactly as I imagined her... brrr.

[Della]

You do great work when you're feeling dreadful. Third from top says it all. Very nice.

[withoutwords]

i adore your darker works lou. she's wonderfully enigmatic.

...with glasses
;)

[Frankie Kins]

Lou, I love this! Give us more!

[Mathyld / under the pyramids]

When I am not lazy, I love doing my hair like this !
She's absolutely adorable and my favourite detail is how lost she looks without her glasses ... Just as a real person.
I think she *really* needs them.
It might be your "older style" but you gave it a whole new "depth".

I hope that you're recovered, now.
Kittens & Mittens !
x x x
___m___

[Tracey]

Awesome work and info :)
Look forward to reading (and seeing)more!
Tracey
http://www.etsy.com/shop/traceystreasures

[Walter Helena Photography]

What lovely and dreamy art you create; thank you for sharing!

If you’d like, please drop by my blog for a chance to win a fine art giclee reproduction of one of my prints ☺

[Kim]

lou...

As we say in America ~ "Holy Cow!" These new works are spectacular. I feel ridiculously speechless. Just when I think I've seen the best of your work....you swoosh in and prove that you still, and always, have something else...something new up your sleeve!!

Thanks for keeping me intrigued.

Kim
Gerushia's New World

[Fryda]

Got referred here through a chain of links. Funny, I thought it was a piece about the mockumentary Paper Heart and I thought, sheesh that's the nicest Charlene Yi's ever looked! Whoops.

[jessieofoz]

Adore her spectacles. Just beautiful! :D

[nuvonova]

I wish I could do my hair like that. Lovely pieces.

Also wondering if you will be selling your art as postcards, or postcard size (6x4) anytime soon, as it's the only size I buy in!

[Marjorie]

Oh Lou, she is so sweet and mysterious and dainty...and I love her moodiness (and adorable glasses). I think she might also have spent her lunch-hour in the photography lab darkroom...which is where much of my own high-school lunches were spent....and in my own little corner of the library (next to the Pre-Raphaelite books) tee hee. :)

Happy new weekling to You, Dearie!

[annie markantonatou]

This is just great! it could easily be a poster for a film!

http://anmarkdesign.blogspot.com/

[Frank Zweegers]

I like the last one. It's so cute and at the same time dark and unpredictable.