Pooktre Tree Shapers
Tree shaping is the lengthy, but rewarding process of sculpting trees as they grow to predetermined designs. Once grown, the trees are harvested to create unusual indoor furniture, or left growing to make striking additions to the garden. Peter Cook and Becky Northey have grown mirrors, coffee tables, chairs, candelabras, and the wonderful living tree men in their Queensland property over the last 10 years. The quirky shapes and flowing lines would certainly not look out of place in a faerie castle, providing you are patient while they grow!
Filed under Home & Garden | Comment (0)Elf Fantasy Fair
The Seventh Elf Fantasy Fair is to take place on April 20th – 22nd at Castle de Haar in the Netherlands. This major event combines fantasy, the Middle Ages, witchcraft and Roman armies to create an action packed weekend at a stunning setting. Actors, musicians, artists and others bring these themes alive with live action battles, lectures, workshops, and performances. The yearly costume competition is fiercely fought with entrants excelling themselves in the quality of their costumes, and many of the regular festival goers wear stunning outfits for the weekend. Brian Froud is one of this year’s Guests of Honour, along with many other authors and artists who will be doing signing sessions. Tickets are €16.50 euro if purchased before April 16th.
Filed under Events | Comment (0)Where is Faerieland?
An elusive island, an ancient site, the depths of the forest or at the bottom of your garden – just were do the Faeries call home?
Some say they Fae inhabit Hollow Hills, the ancient burial mounds and man-made hills which are found throughout Europe and beyond. Their elaborate palaces are just below our feet, but you won’t find them by digging. If you are in the right place at the right time you may see the hillside door open and hear the sweet sounds of Faerie revels spilling forth.
Others claim they are to be found on a mysterious Island, somewhere to the West, where it is always Summer and death is unknown. These Islands are hard to find, some being under the water and only coming up at night or only visible once in a while. Many names have been given to these elusive islands, including Tir Nan Og (the Land of the Young), Tire Nam Beo (Land of the Living), and Tirfo Thuinn (the Land Under the Waves).
There are further thoughts the Fair Folk are found in the wild areas still as yet untouched by humans – the far forests, the remote moors, the mountains and lost valleys… Their habitat shrinks as humans encroach further and further into their world and they retreat further still.
Of course their world could also be all around us, it just remains invisible and intangible to our limited senses. Sometimes you will catch fleeting glimpses, usually accompanied by giggles and your keys mysteriously going missing…
Trolls et Légendes II Fantasy Festival
Mons.Expo in Belgium is the venue for the two-day fantasy extravaganza that is Trolls et Légendes II. This year’s festival is based on the theme of wizards and magicians, and takes place on April 7th and 8th. The weekend’s entertainments include concerts (with music from Corvus Corax, Omina and Faun); discussion groups and signings with international fantasy authors, including Pierre Dubois, author of a number of faerie books; a fantasy gaming arena; film screenings; exhibitions of artwork and a fairy market. The Guest of Honour is Alan Lee, who illustrated the original ‘Faeries’ book with Brian Froud.
Filed under Events | Comment (0)The Art of John William Waterhouse
John William Waterhouse’s paintings are some of the most recognisable images from the Victorian era. Associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement, he was inspired by literature and poetry such as Keat’s ‘La Belle Dame Sans Merci’, and frequently painted scenes from myth and legend. Waterhouse’s career spans 5 decades, from the 1870’s to his death in 1917 and has left a lasting legacy to this day. Shown above is ‘Hylas and the Nymphs’ (1896).
Filed under Art & Illustration | Comment (0)
