A moment

In the last couple of  years I have amassed a steadily growing collection of books on art and creativity, mixed in with a few copies of gorgeous Stampington magazines and copies of Uppercase - I've even read some of them.

I found myself enjoying a 'moment' a few nights ago. I had gathered a stash of these weighty tomes from various points around the house where they had accompanied me on my thoughtful meanderings. As I was about to return them to their home in my bedroom, that little dreamer inside me (who hates tidying up) thought my time would be better spent having another browse.

So, I sat on my fluffy marshmallow duvet surrounded by the paintings of Waterhouse and Froud and instruction and inspiration from my art heroes. I sank into a deep bliss of contentment. Art makes me happy. Books make me happy. Life is good.

Taking stock

This protracted (albeit minor) illness is causing some serious think time. It's fairly obvious I'm run down - so how to fix it before total burnout? Writing stuff (see the play on words there?) down should help, so might as well do it in an open forum!

If dream interpretation is anything to go by, I need to go through a period of adjustment. Night time adventures seem to either involve a last minute and streesful packing up to move house - usually to or from University, but holidays sometimes involved too. I'm also constantly plagued by zombies and apocalypse scenarios.

So here comes the fun bit. According to various online sources...

• To dream that you are attacked by zombies, indicates that you are feeling overwhelmed by forces beyond your control.
• To dream of the apocalypse, signifies an emotional and dramatic change taken place within. The dream may also indicate the end of one kind of lifestyle and the beginning of another.
• Moving signifies your desire or need for change.
• To dream that you are packing signifies a new and significant beginning ahead of you.
• To dream that you are repetitively packing and unpacking signifies confusion in your life. You have many too much on your plate that you feel you should take care of and you are overwhelmed by the burdens you face.

This is all somewhat scarily true. What? You mean my night time subconscious understands me better than I know myself? Who would have thought it eh?

It's taken me all week to write this post. By contrast this painting took about half an hour. The Muse hasn't been out to play all week - she had a cold too. We both found a little spring in our step today and, inspired by a recent purchase of a book of Brian Froud's artwork, we created this creepy creature. She's a combination of his Fideal, with a touch of the woman suffering with a cold for far too long! At least I retain my sense of humour.

The green background was made weeks ago to use up some paint - just brayered on a page in the sketchbook and left for when inspiration struck. She was drawn with Inktense pencils and neocolour pastels. Water application gave her life and depth - somehow appropriate as traditionally she lives in the reed beds and swamps waiting to seductively lure her prey into a watery embrace. They leave her with damp clothes and a runny nose...

She's for Paint Party Friday, but they will only allow her in if she promises to use a tissue when sneezing.

Fairy enchantment

Do you believe in fairies? I must say if I'm in a patch of ancient woodland wandering along paths beaten over the centuries by paws, hooves and feet and I peer among the moss covered logs and rocks sometimes, just sometimes I wonder if that flicker of light was a gossamer winged creature with pointy ears and a mischievous nature.

This week on Tam's course we are inspired by the work of Brian Froud - the master fairy painter who professes to have met the creatures and, when you stare deep into his paintings, do you see anything familiar? See how his backgrounds come alive with life if you only look closely enough. Is that what we need to do? Just look closely enough to really see what's hiding in there!

There's a large spider hiding in my bathroom, I know that much. I saw him scurry across the tiles and into a crack. I think he wanted to listen to the bedtime story I was reading my son while he was in the bath. Perhaps he has his tiny teddy in his arms and is snuggled down in his bed of dust and web.

Another week is creeping towards its end and I have done little other than work and sleep. I started this post days ago with the intention of illustrating with a piece of my own crafted one evening. Instead, I'll just have to post this one from a collage sheet by piddix on Etsy.

Also, there's a magical giveaway I wanted to share on Faery Realm Creations - a wind chime designed especially to attract fairies to you.Well, who could say no!