Into the Woods, pt. 1

Greetings lovelies!

Friday was really sunny and beautiful, so I decided it was a good day to go for a walk in my favourite forested park, and snap some nature shots (with my GOOD camera this time, unlike last time). I've been visiting this park since I was ten years old, and it always held a certain enchanting quality for me. I always knew that Faeries lived there (and one day this summer I will take you to my favourite, most enchanting spot with the video camera!).

When I was about ten or eleven, my two best friends, Katie and Cathleen and I, used to dress up as gypsy Faeries, and prance around the park dressed in long skirts, and poorly sewn together gypsy inspired tops. We wandered through the brush, as faeries, trying to hide from mortal eyes... Ah! I miss those days.

I hope these photos inspire your own imagination to conjure Faeries and Otherworlds.

Stay on the forest path, lest ye be taken by the Fair Folk

Excalibur's resting place?

A little log welcomes you to step off the path, and take a seat...

I love these little bushy growths on the sides of trees. Perfect Faerie houses.

A close up of the leafy growth (left)

I think these may be Salmon Berry leaves. A tasty treat for humans and Fae alike. 

A fuzzy little bud. Faeries collect this for their bedding, of course. 

The twisted, gnarled, moss covered branches appear quite foreboding.

Close up of the moss covered branches. The moss looks a lot like hair draping down
from the branches. Creepy, yet very cool. 

The remnants of a tree stump, likely caught on fire due to lighting strike.

Last but not least, my favourite picture in the bunch! I love the hints of blue,
and the mysterious atmosphere. Very enchanting! :)

Thanks for joining me on my walk in the woods. :)

Part two is up tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Faerie Art and Life (kinda personal)

'Moon Dancer' by Sasha Fitzgerald

WELL. Consider my cheeks fully flushed! 

'Shades of Blue Faerie' by Sasha Fitzgerald

Those of you who follow my art, know that one of my favourite subjects to paint are Faeries. Ever since I saw Brian Froud's book of Pressed Faeries, I never turned back. He was and is such a huge inspiration to me. I'm sure he's heard that from many, maaaany artists by now, who were also inspired by his amazing works. 

I'm just beaming that someone is saying something like that about me! Thank you Susanna! <3

As for a book of tips and tricks to drawing faeries - that sounds like a fun idea! But I'm not sure what sort of things people are interested in learning. Does anyone have any ideas or questions or suggestions?

On another note (kind of depressing in parts, now that I look at it, so fair warning) - Over the past year I've been going through a major art block. I don't really feel drawn or inspired to painting anything, like you see here.

The idea of starting (or finishing) a painting, feels like doing dishes, going to the dentist, or some other tedious, generally unpleasant task. It's been like this for a while, and I'm not even sure sure if I can call myself an illustrator anymore, though it breaks my heart to even think it. 

'Shy Fire Faerie' by Sasha Fitzgerald

I'm not exactly sure why I feel this way, though I have some idea. I've been slowly recovering from... basically a nervous break down that I had in January of last year. I had an overwhelming panic attack, and was left with a lot of anxiety that has taken a while to alleviate and feel back to normal again. I had to leave school to recuperate, and am still not well enough to work in an actual 'job' (which is hard to admit). I was also financially crippled, and rung out with stress over how long my mom and I were going to be able to afford living in our home. Bill after bill... it never seemed to end (and still doesn't in a way). Up until a few months ago, I hadn't bought a new pair of pants in about two years, and the ones I did have were thrifted. I'm also very overweight; went from 140 pounds, to 240 pounds within three years. Obvious signs of something not quite right. 

I feel as if I've experienced, and sometimes still experience, the destruction of a person's will, hope, and soul. I know, that sounds really harsh and scary, or something. But I try to think of it as... growing, learning, and life experience. 

My anxiety and panic disorder gives me the opportunity to understand and sympathize (and maybe even help) with those who suffer from mental illness. Living with the barest of necessities, with very, very little money, has given me the opportunity to appreciate what I do have and receive, and gives me a sense of happiness when I can give to someone who has little as well. Gaining weight to the point of - ugh - obesity, has been a gift as well, believe it or not. I never realized how vain I was, and how judgmental I was of other peoples' appearances.  When I am fit and healthy again, I will never, ever feel self conscious that my belly isn't perfectly flat, that my legs are naturally rather chubby shaped, or that my body is adorned with glittering stretch marks. I will revel in it, and treasure it! 

In conclusion - life is a journey - and it's comprised of good, bad, and boring. Things we have to experience, overcome, and at times accept. I'm slowly working towards getting fit and healthy, feeling more comfortable in social situations and outdoors, and working hard to build my business. I feel that when I'm closer to who I want to be (and who I truly am), I will be able to create art with passion and love once again. 

Thank you Susanna for making me feel good about my art, and letting me know that I've inspired someone. Little things like this make a big difference :)

Paintings and Sketches

A painting I started over a year ago. I was working on Arches Cold Press watercolour paper, which I found really difficult to paint on, because my illustrations are so line-dependent & detailed. The only areas I tend to leave for
happy accidents are the background elements. Hopefully I will find the inspiration to finish this piece one day soon.

Dragon Lore is coming together. I've gone with a purplish pallet for this piece, along with some frosty grays, to emphasize a cloudy, stark atmosphere. 

An illustration I drew a while ago of mermaids. It's not finished yet
(obviously, lol).  When finished, it should look somewhat like this piece:
http://solarissky.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=24#/d1ugl7y

An ink drawing. You can really see my love for
 the Japanese manga aesthetic. I also have a love
for fashion, which is why I didn't finish the arms,
lol. 

Another example of my messy sketches.
I was planning out my ideas for 'A Dark Undercurrent'.

Spindly Spider Lashes. 

Faerie Doors

I absolutely love RoyalKitness's Faerie Doors.

Simple Rustic Fairy Portal

Each one is a fantastic piece of art unto its own. I love the wood grain texture sculpted into the door frame, the found accessories such as beads and buttons, and the cute little rope hinges that 'hold' the doors open and closed. They are truly special items!

Since I was a child, I read tales of the mystical moors, filled with faeries. It was a dangerous place to venture off to, especially on one of the Solstices, particularly on the longest night of the year, the mid summer night solstice.

Sewing Fairy Magical Portal

It just so happens that out in the moors, on the hot mid summer night, the Faeries come up through their Faerie mound, and break through their portal, into our realm. It is said they have wild parties, all appear to be beautiful, the feast lavish, and the music enthralling. They dance and dance until the sun rises.

If a poor mortal soul wanders into their gathering, they are welcomed to join the party. Unfortunately, mortals are not generally blessed with Faerie sight, and cannot see the trickery right in front of their eyes! For the Faeries are not beautiful (in human terms), with their large, knobby hands and feet, scraggly hair, and pointed ears and eyes. The feast is nothing but nature's floor, on a slab of wood, decorated with moss and dirt.

It is said that if a mortal eats or drinks the Faerie food, they will fall into a trance, be dragged down into the Faerie mound, and become a slave. A hundred years later, when all you know and love have passed from this world into the next, the Faeries will release you. Once you pass through the portal, and take your first step into the moorland, all of those years you've been gone will fall on you.  


Make sure to check out her enchanting shop: Here!

Stay tuned for my own interpretation of the Faerie Door...