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!
Hello Hello!
Welcome to this Whimsy Wednesday!
Winter has most definitely arrived and settled in for a spell in my neck of the woods!
There is much sparkly snow and plenty of colder temperatures outside!
This, along with late Winter Holiday present coordination inspired me to create these heart-warming ornaments in the early morning hours today.
Take a look!
Sparkly side!
Golden Yellow Side!
These ornaments were created along the idea of the saying "Cold hands, warm Heart". See how those mittens are cradling the heart, helping it to stay warm? And how the heart is sparkly-firey-red and sunshine gold? Perfect to return the favor and keep those mittened hands toasty!!!
My wish is for everyone to have both warm hands and a warm heart, especially during this colder season! These are also created with a little bit of "heart-warming" whimsy and with an eye towards wishing people all the warmth and best of life has to offer!
Quite a bit packed into those little creations, eh?!
And with that, I'll close this post and look forward to seeing you on Friday!
Ciao!
Hello Hello!
Welcome to the first Fini Friday of 2014!
I hope your 2014 has been full of hope and joy so far!
I've a bit of Fairy inspiration to share with you today!
These two lovely pendants found their way to me through a good friend!
The smaller leaf pendant is carved from either stone, wood or perhaps buri nut! I love the organic shape and colour of it and can't wait to play with it more!
The Fairy pendant is so cheerful and sweet! I love the details in the visual tableu that is this pendant, from the Fairy's wings to her bouquet of simple flowers!
She calls for a design that is beguilingly simple, yet rich in details and possibly textures!
Stay tuned to see what these grow into!
See you next week!
Ciao!
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to the first Whimsy Wednesday of the 2014!
This is going to be a MAGNIFICENT year!
Let me take a moment to THANK all of you who have walked with me through 2013 and I look forward to sharing Spritely Goodness with you throughout this new year! YAYYYYY!!!
I'm so privileged to share these shinies I received on New Year's Eve!
Aren't these lovely?! I recently placed an order with the good folks at ArtBeads.com to obtain materials for a necklace repair I've been asked to do and received these beauties as well!
What a magnificent way to start out the year!!
May this year be filled with treasures and shinies for all of us!!
Wheeeee!
Ciao!
Legalese: I have received the
following products free of charge from ArtBeads.com and I am
honestly reviewing them. I have not been paid for my endorsement as it
pertains to the products received: Swarovski crystal beads.
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
This has been a busy week and I've missed posting nifty things for all of you!
I've much to share with you!
Shiny things first and then the news!
I've been wanting to create felt ornaments for quite some time and this bunch of Winter Holiday celebrations seemed the right time for hand-made (and heart-felt) gifts!
This double-sided heart is my first one!
Sparkly side first, of course! All of the felt used is made from recycled fibers! I'm pleased that this turned out to be such a warm, cheerful, whimsical and humble creation!
I've my eye on creating a moon, star, and perhaps owls or ?
Stay tuned to see what happens next!!!
And now, the news!
I've started working outside of Sprite Creations this week!
I love the new position, the company, the people and am so grateful to have this opportunity! What does this mean for Sprite Creations, you ask?
Sprite Creations will continue (of course!) as well as the trend in the past year of only participating in physical shows that are the best match for us! I am using this outside employment opportunity to keep Sprite Creations the beautiful, whimsical, magical gem that it is.
Please do keep in mind my online store ( Etsy shoppe), and that we're available to throw Sprite Creations parties at homes or offices as well as virtually and using Skype!
More details are on my website.
Have a fabulous weekend!!!
Ciao!
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
There was an unexpected delay in posting this week! It has been a rollercoaster of a week for me - so much going on!
So! Let's get to showing you a new creation!
This is the start of the finished creation I've to show today!
And here is the Fini creation!
Title: Ageless Play
Ingredients: Popcap Pendant (non-toxic, hand-coloured resin, Swarovski crystals (Fire Opal), stickers, popcap, metal), aluminum, reclaimed chain, lead-free pewter (USA).
Isn't that just a wonderful interplay of textures and colours?! I love the Fire Opal coloured Swarovski crystals in the pendant!!! Other details include the accenting firey orange and red jumprings from which the fanciful clasp and intriguing pendant are suspended. I just love that chain, don't you?! YAY!!!
Here is a close-up of that unique pendant!
Now you can really see the sparkly golden flecks of the pigment I mixed into the resin! The scrapbook sticker in the background is a relief design of the original playing cards. A Jack of Hearts, to be specific! Isn't that fun!
So! Stay tuned to see what happens next with us!
Do bear in mind that whilst Sprite Creations is on hiatus from confirmed shows, we are available for home Sprite Creations shows as well as shows via Skype!
Feel free to visit my website or contact me for more details!
ALSO!
I've ONE more BlogTalk Radio Interview in 2013!
Welcome to Being Human!!! December 22, 2013, 5:00pm to 6:00pm (CST, USA)!
Ciao!
Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Fini Friday!
This week has been a bit of busy-craziness and a time of rest in hopes of warding off any winter ick!
I hope it has been an excellent week for you-all!
I've a creation just beginning and a creation still growing to show you today!
This is a copper candle sleeve. I've had it for quite some time and have always thought of weaving beads into it. Perhaps watery colours for an Atlantean feel... perhaps with gears, metal bits and filigree for a Steampunk theme... or something else entirely!
What will I do with it?
Stay tuned to see!
This is a necklace creation that is still growing!
It may look finished, yet I'd like to secure the 10-sided die a bit better in that hand-shaped filigree setting as well as create a wire-wrapped bail for it rather than the simple chain harness it has now. There are all sorts of Fairy and sparkly details in this creation! See if you can spy them all!
Check back here for photos of how this grows into completion!
News for the rest of December!
Due to some last minute glitches, Sprite Creations regrets to announce that we are bowing out of the Women's Art Festival this Saturday at the
Midtown YWCA.
If you are in the Minneapolis area, we highly encourage you to visit the Festival and support all the fabulously talented artists there!
If you were looking forward to seeing us there, please keep in mind that we are also available for home Sprite Creations shows as well as shows via Skype!
Feel free to visit my website or contact me for more details!
Last, but certainly not least....
I've ONE more BlogTalk Radio Interview in 2013!
Welcome to Being Human!!! December 22, 2013, 5:00pm to 6:00pm (CST, USA)!
Ciao!
