Midsummer Magic 2012

My computer crashed this morning and it seems new equipment or parts are needed.  Bad fairies, one might say.  But the good fairies will still be at our annual Midsummer  Magic art show at Sovereign House, and preparations are still going forward...

even if I have to resort to paper and scissors.

I am also teaching art classes at Sovereign House this summer, painting scenes of the house and garden.

This beautiful Tiger Swallowtail was in the garden while we were painting last week.  Despite a very damaged wing (look closely, top left of butterfly) it was able to flutter on from flower to flower.

Faerie Footpaths

 

Here are a few photos from the Faerie Footpaths show now on at Arcadia Gallery.  There are fifty one paintings on display, starting at the gallery entrance with the signature piece, the Parasol Fairies that are featured on the flyer and advertising.

I chose a smaller fairy (with parasol) to use on the labels that identify the paintings,

sometimes with butterflies, as above, or with qotes from the Fairy Gazettes, like this one for a fairy caravan picture

 

  

Here is one of the groupings, paintings on a Fairy Wedding theme:

and here is another, of summer-time images.  I just recently rediscovered the "Wonders and Fairytales" banner that I painted a few years ago for a trade fair event.

  One of my favorite fairy paintings, the romantic Fairy Waltz.

From our Posy's Fairy Wardrobe collection, the Morning Glory Fairy paper doll, under glass but accessible for a quick wardrobe change:

 One of the visitors to the gallery this aternoon, very fairylike and silky:

July 24th, next weekend, is International Fairy Day.  You are most cordially invited to don your wings and join us at Arcadia Gallery for a celebration of all things Fairy.

Faerie Footpaths at Arcadia Gallery

 

I have a new art show coming up, Faerie Footpaths at Arcadia Gallery in Toronto.  The Fairy Gazette fairies will be on display for a month, along with books, prints and cards.  This is the first Toronto show for the fairy art and between teaching and painting there has not been much time for blogging.  A magic wand would come in handy.

Sweets for Shrove Tuesday

Here's a fairy selection of dainty treats for Shrove Tuesday. I have been busy teaching art classes this winter as well as working on new fairy images for an art show that is coming up in June, just in time for International Fairy Day. More about that closer to the date!

I have posted some of my art lesson material over at my other blog, All Around the Palette. Please do drop by and see the other side of the canvas, as it were.

It has been a mild winter for once, with just enough snow on the weekend for this charming scene on the nearby creek.

"Snowmen fall from heaven... unassembled." anon

Fairy Purses

The fairy purses have been mentioned mentioned before, they are Avril's crochet creations that were inspired by an antique "miser's purse". This one was in my Christmas stocking just a couple of weeks ago. Not miserly at all, these are stylish joined pockets of ingenious design; the entire work is a single continuous chain of crochet from one pocket to the other. Hard-to-find silky thread of just the right weight is necessary for the pockets to hang nicely and to support the beaded fringe.

Each pocket is 2.5 inches wide. The multi-layered flowers are Avril's invention too, plus the slider ring to keep the cords from tangling.
Designed to hold a few coins, perhaps or a sovereign or two, they are small enough to hang stylishly from a belt or belt loop.

Coming soon to the Etsy shop are these, in silky aquamarine

and fairy green.

Little fairy purses are beguiling things to shape and consider.

Peace on Earth

"....Thus spake the seraph and forthwith
appeared a shining throng
Of angels, praising God, who thus
Addressed their joyful song:

All Glory be to God on high,
And to the earth be peace;
Good-will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease."

Thank you for visiting Fairy Lanterns this year - wishing a Magical and Merry Christmas to all.

Merry Chris-Moose

I have been busy, on the move from one sales event to another with our books- though not as far afield as Santa travels!

Perhaps all nationalities see Santa as their very own. There is even a sense in this country that the North Pole is not so very far away, especially with the first snows falling. And if Santa is close to our northern woodlands wouldn't it be logical for the local creatures, like the moose, to be involved on Christmas Eve?

I have camped and canoed through this Great White North of ours, portaged around waterfalls and pitched tents beneath tall pine trees, and although I am not hardy enough for year-round life in the wilderness I find, like many artists before me, that the experience of the north inspires one's work ever after. Even to seeing Santa on a moose!
The "Here comes Santa Claus"card is now available on my Etsy shop.
Wishing a continuing safe and happy Advent to all.