The Faery Catcher

Well, this has been a really busy and excitement-filled week for me. I managed to start a new piece, which came about from a little doodly drawing that I did at the start of the week and by late that afternoon I had most of the face completed. The addition of horns was another couple of days work, but I'm very pleased with the result....also the hands, which I think are improving with each pair I make. I've since completed both hands and the feet (sorry, I forgot to snap them) and am at the body construction stage as of today. He will be big and fat with no neck to speak of....your basic thug really. I'm going to re-visit the "faery catcher" theme with this piece. I made a couple of 'ogreish' creatures with poor, trapped faeries some years ago and feel it's time for another go at a theme that (I'm embarrassed to admit) fulfills a perverse need in me to see pretty little faeries punished and in peril.

It's been very busy at the studio with it being school holidays....there are quite a lot of people out and about, especially when we get a bit of sun and blue sky. On Tuesday, a package from my lovely friend Pat arrived at the studio, filled with the most wonderful Halloween goodies....the best of them a gorgeous little Witch made by Pat. As my children can attest, I was in a state of almost giddy excitement while opening this magical box.....Halloween is not really celebrated here and the stuff that is available is generally pretty crappy.....so to receive this amazingly generous treat was truly delightful. Thankyou Pattee!!

Last week I also spent a wonderful afternoon with a high school friend I hadn't seen in over twenty years! It was weird and fantastic at the same time....she is just the same (not really, but you know what I mean....no huge personality morph) and I'm so looking forward to catching up again soon.

Other very exciting news is the launch of my friend Linda's website. Linda's work is, quite frankly awe-inspiring. Her botanical illustration is the best I have ever seen....she infuses her work with a joyfulness that is so rarely seen these days.....and her little "naturalist" faeries are just superb. If you are lucky enough to know Linda, you will know just how much her beautiful work is an extension of herself....her love of nature and in particular the tiny, intricate details of it, is inspirational. I can't wait for her exhibition!

Yesterday afternoon was spent at Joanne's exhibition launch, "Beyond the Boundaries" at the Stationmaster's Gallery. Joanne's textiles and drawings are also beautifully realized and sensitively executed, a real pleasure to view. The last two photos above were snapped yesterday, but the room was too full for me to get properly decent shots.....I particularly love the triptych of "Spring flowers" and the lovely "Flower Brooches" pinned to the cotton dress. You can see Joanne's work (in a much better light) on her blog.

Well, I'm off to the studio to put the faery catcher together. By the way, there are only four "eeriefae" left.......

Till next time.