Reviewing a Dream!

Hello Everyone!
I'm back after a bit of a hiatus and so glad you're joining me again!
The focus of this blog for 2014 and beyond is expanding to encompass all elements of living a magical life...mine, yours and everyone else's!
So, what does reviewing the first Episode of a brand-new Comic series have to do with a magical life?  Imagine being asked to review and write your opinion on a good friend's and fellow-artist's dream-come-true!

Chris Jones and I have known each other through CONvergence, a Science-Fiction/Fantasy convention (of which he is an original founder!) for several years. I've admired his visual artistry for years and was honored to receive a digital copy of his latest project, Parallel Man, for review.
I am not really a comic book geek, though I do have my favorite characters that I've followed off and on for years (Raven(original series), Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, and a few others). Being an artist myself, I do have an immense appreciation for all things visual and so it is from that perspective that this review will be written!

Parallel Man-Episode #1-Invasion America The premise of the Parallel Man series is this: “Imagine infinite Earths scattered across a vast multiverse... on one of those Earths...the United States developed the ability to travel through the multiverse...and were forced to annex other worlds for their very survival...unfortunately for us, our world is the next target...” Page 2 of Episode 1.
I could see why this project was so intriguing! Imagine having dozens of worlds with which to set and draw the story!!! Each world would be fantastic in it's own way and have it's own unique wonders, dangers and unknowns! This amazing multiverse and the story that takes us through it is brought to life in gorgeous colours, excellent visual detail and laid-out in a clear manner. Bouncing through so many worlds whilst introducing us to characters that have enough depth to encourage us to care about them (and the story) is no easy feat, especially when some of those characters are not human (Artificial Intelligence, dinosaurs and time-traveling, oh my!).

It was easy to follow the action of the story and fun to see happened on the next page. I especially loved the visual artistry of the holographic things such as the AI, the time-traveling bubbles and so forth. It seems to me that it would be easy to muddy the colours or the picture of what is happening behind or around the bubbles (or AI, etc.) and yet the details are crystal clear.

I have to give a shout-out (and a sigh of relief) to the portrayal of the high-ranking female soldier/villainess! She was drawn as you would expect a soldier to be outfitted for inter-verse travel and treated as such. No ridiculously skimpy costumes, impossible poses or anything else that would detract from her character and the story.
THANK YOU!

In summary, reading this episode was a treat! The storyline is unusual and unpredictable enough to hold my attention, the characters are easy to relate to and, again, the visual artistry is stunning.
I would highly recommend stopping by your local comic store and pre-ordering this series. On second thought, since this is a new series, call your local comic store and make sure they it in-stock for you (and others) to purchase.
You won't regret it!
Ciao!

Magical Monday! Out of the Fog!

Hello Everyone! 

Welcome to Magical Monday! 

First, a big THANK YOU to everyone who visited with us at the Cambridge Fall Art Festival! It was a beautiful day to be surrounded by artisans of every type, nestled outside an independent Bookstore, Food Co-op and Coffee shop! We had so much fun and, it seems, so did you!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!!
 

 It was a foggy start to the morning here in my neck of the woods, which inspired me to snap a few photos! 

Title: Foggy Fields

Fog obscuring the sometimes harsh details of the "real world" has always been a romantic perspective to me. 

Title: As Yet Unknown

 

In cloaking the details, it is a reminder that life and the world are mysterious, magical and full of things we don't yet know...including possibilities!!!

Title:  Telegraph

This last photo, with the old-time apothecary-style lamp might be a view from a Writer's garret (or Doctor's) window 100 years ago....

May your days and week be full of magic, adventure and possibilities!

Also!!!

TOMORROW!

The Faerie Messages for September on BlogTalk Radio!

Tuesday, Sept. 17th at 12Noon! 

Click on the link for details and to listen in! 

Hear the practical and whimsical advice the Faeries have to share with us about the month that welcomes the Fall Equinox!

Ciao!

Fini Friday! New Inspiration!

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to this edition of Fini Friday!
I've a bit of old and new for you today!
Let's start with the old... or should I saw, resolved!
You might remember a few days back on Whimsy Wednesday that I was colouring art on the "Spritemobile"!  I didn't yet have the web url completed and now I have!
Take a look!
I am so pleased with this!!
YAY!
And now for the new!

This is a photo of some new additions to my studio and home!  The bells and incense/Genie lamp are all brass, with a handsome patina on them.  The lamp reminds me of Aladdin and his story (of course)!  I'm keeping it close to the studio, so as to inspire me in magical ways! *wink*
The bells have beautiful, mellow tones and have inspired a mixed-media art creation that I'll fill you in on in time!  It represents art I'm prepared for yet have not yet stepped into!
Whee!
The marbles you see there are at least 50 years old...with the more dull one in the centre being likely 70 years old (or more)!  I love their vibrant colours and mellow, enchanting textures! 
And finally!  Those two plastic swords were acquired during a social outing a little while ago.  I brought them home because the idea of creating jewelry with them amused me so much!
I've worked with them a bit, mostly sanding down the sharp plastic edges. 
They will become earrings and are slated to stay prototypes.  I'll be testing them to see how much of a stabbing hazard they are with normal wear. 
Whilst I love the idea of them, safety is a HUGE priority for me!
Stay tuned for updates, as they happen!

Speaking of updates...before we cruise into this Summer weekend, I'll mention this!
My next BlogTalk Radio Interview is scheduled!

Tuesday, August 19th at 12 Noon (CST, USA)!!!

I'll be chatting with Cheryl Patton of 1Woman's Wisdom about (the often whimsical) Faerie Wisdom specific to the month of August!

It would be so much fun if you could join us!

See you next week!

Ciao!

Magical Monday! Around Home...

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Magical Monday!
This post represents a bit of a shift in what I'll be showing for Magical Mondays. I still intend to find nifty and beautiful things in and around the world to share with you. I'm shifting gears to include more magical, beautiful events that happen at home and/or on a more personal level.
This post is the start of that!
Let's begin with some visuals, eh?
We have a few farm cats around the place.
I realized that I've photos of the lady cats but none yet of our resident tomcat, Lenny. As I was coming back inside to stow the food from the evening feeding a few days ago, I noticed how stunning the sunlight was as it filtered through his handsome grey fur, creating a nimbus around him.
So I grabbed my camera and captured a few moments of this evening enchantment!
Photo #1 with a bonny column of light shining through...

Isn't that stunning?

Photo #2 Focusing on Lenny...
I hope you can see his striking, glowing green eyes!
Normally he is pretty cautious around most people-things.  Yet for these photos, he lay in the grass and looked the very picture of a majestic, domestic grey lion!
It seemed that he completely understood what was transpiring and was amused and entertained by it all!
Such a courtly, refined fellow!

Other gorgeous bits of magic...
Yesterday, I spied a huge flock of wild turkeys, right outside our window!
The closest fowl came withing 5 feet of our house! They were absolutely graceful, hunting and pecking (literally) at a stately and leisurely pace through our yard!
I'm happy to have them here as they eat all manner of bugs including ticks!
Hooray!
Today as I stepped outside and moved to and fro through our yard on errands I noticed several lovely feathers standing up like flags in and amongst the grass!
What a fabulous reminder of our gracious visitors!

Also on the list of charming events for today are dragonflies!
They've been around for a week or so now and really help with the mosquitoes! WOOHOO!!!
Where the magic comes in is that everywhere I stepped, when I was travelling quickly on errands that I "should" get done, were red dragonflies...right in my path! They hovered a little over knee height directly in my path for a few moments...as if to capture my attention and remind me of the joy in each present moment...and then flew on.
How awesome!

And speaking of joy... let me announce my next BlogTalk Radio Interview!

Tuesday, August 19th at 12 Noon (CST, USA)!!!

I'll be chatting with Cheryl Patton of 1Woman's Wisdom about Faerie Wisdom specific to the month of August!

It would be so much fun if you could join us!

See you Wednesday!

Ciao!

Magical Monday! Lights, Steam and Star Wars!

Hello Hello!
Welcome to Magical Monday!
I hope your weekend was a blast!! Mine was full of good company, excellent food, much laughter and fun! YAY!
We're going to hop around a few different universes this Magical Monday post! We'll begin our adventure with Star Wars, wind through a bit of a Faerie and Enchanted Forest and end up landing solidly in the Steampunk Realm! Let's go!

Whoever did this in their freezer is awesome! I'd a little sad that we don't have a freezer that lends itself to recreating this because I would giggle every time I opened the freezer and glimpsed this!
Then again, perhaps my electrical bill (and freezer) will be grateful that I can't make this a reality just now!
Details and credits are here! 

Shaking off that snow, let's flit into a much warmer and magical world of woods, faeries and mysterious lights!
Aren't those just wonderful?? 
I'm not exactly certain if these are real wood or composite and how they are constructed, but I'd love to know!  
Here is where I found them on the 'Net! 

Our final destination continues to be warm (some would say steamy, even!) and full of imagination and invention! 
The Museum of the History of Science at the University of Oxford in the UK held a Steampunk Exhibition! 
It was chock-full of delightful curiosities and has been recording for your viewing pleasure here! 
Fabulous! 
And as we circle down and into our own worlds, I hope this gives your imaginations a recharge! 
See you on Wednesday! 
Whee! 
Ciao!

Magical Monday! An Owl, A Gargoyle and Levitation!

Hello Everyone! 
Welcome to Magical Monday! 
I hope your weekend was fabu!!! Mine was! I was honored to attend beloved friends' Fairytale Wedding!  It was truly amazing!! Many good wishes and love and Congrats!!! to the happy couple! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYYY!!!

Today I have a post for you that could be straight out of a wizard's world! 
Let's ease into the magic by starting with the more mundane! 
Owl Tree!
Mother Nature is a truly awesome artist! 

This next Magical bit is a most excellent yard companion and I'd love to give him or her a home in our yard!!!!! 
Giant Inflatable Gargoyle!!!!
I "heart" everything about this wonderfully detailed, heart-warming and mischievous beastie! In case you've fallen in love with him or her, too, here is where to purchase/adopt him or her! 

And now! 
Where Science and Magic meet!!! 
A short video about Acoustic Levitation and how it's actually being played with in laboratories right now!!!
What is Acoustic Levitation and how does it work, you ask? Click here for more details at How Stuff Works.com! 
So awesome!!!! Whee!! 
So!! What a nifty, magical, science-y (which I'm certain is a word!) start to your week! 
See you on Wednesday! 
Ciao!

Magical Monday! Adventures in Other Worlds!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Magical Monday!

I hope your weekend was most excellent!  If you missed us at the Arts & Crafts show in Saint Paul this weekend, it was a wonderful show!  We were surrounded by a beautiful space, lovely atmosphere and very talented fellow artists! 

That said, let's switch gears just a tad and look at some nifty images of different lives and different adventures in other worlds!  I'm always looking for new or different perspectives and I hope you'll join in this curiosity with me as I share a few glimpses into alternate worlds with you!

A Camel Haircut!

 

I had no idea that camels received haircuts! 

Also? This is absolutely art! I am amazed at the talent and effort of this haircut! 

I love that the style harkens back to the Ancient Greek style seen on much of the ancient pottery! 

Getting Some Games In...

This amuses me and I giggle at all sorts of insights this photo gives us! 

I'm always relieved and encouraged and admire monks who take the time to play and balance out the scholarly (and sometimes quite stuffy) tasks with play-full-ness and games! 

As a fellow motorcyclist, I *love* the fact that these Buddhist monks ride motorcycles, too! I imagine them zooming up and down the mountainsides where they might live! Fun! 

And the fact that there are permanent basket-ball courts where-ever in the world these monks reside is just charming! YAY! 

And speaking of charming.... This last video I'm linking to is absolutely magical to me... and I hope, to you, too....  

Whale Creates a Rainbow! 

So! 

There we are! A good bit of magic for your Monday! 

I've all sorts of nifty new creations in the works, so check back in with me on Wednesday to see what I've been up to!!! 

Ciao!