Tis the season for holiday greetings, and now there's a whole tarot deck based on Christmas Greetings! All very Victorian for you viewing pleasure. This is another great deck from the mind of Corrine Kenner. Enjoy!
I love the old style illustrations, and in keeping with the Christmas Craft tradition, you can download the deck and print it yourself! There's even a guidebook available. What a wonderful way to spend some Christmas cash. :)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Getting My Feet Wet
I'm working on getting my feet wet in scratchboard and watercolor, so I thought it would be a good idea to reactivate my account at WetCanvas.com and search around for some tutorials. When I looked at their index, scratchboard wasn't even on the list, PLUS it takes FOREVER for each page to load. It is a very slow server on their system. I guess we're supposed to be busy working on art while each page is loading. I like to keep my computer and my studio in seperate rooms, so that means running up and down the stairs for me. Not fun.
At least there is a thread where people are posting their work, and it's incredibly realistic too. I'm working on a sketch for a 9x12 board, and I've done the b&w part of two 5x7 boards already. I still have to scan them in as the black & white versions, and then finish them off with watercolors. Once that is done I'll be ready to start posting stuff. I think I need some more tools for scratching, I just have the one for now. I really do love learning new techniques!
At least there is a thread where people are posting their work, and it's incredibly realistic too. I'm working on a sketch for a 9x12 board, and I've done the b&w part of two 5x7 boards already. I still have to scan them in as the black & white versions, and then finish them off with watercolors. Once that is done I'll be ready to start posting stuff. I think I need some more tools for scratching, I just have the one for now. I really do love learning new techniques!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Last Chance Holiday Shopping
This will be your last chance to buy gifts from the Cafe Press store because I will be shutting it down after the holiday season. There are all kinds of changes happening at Wyrdhaven Studio in which will involve a complete make-over of the website and all my online merchandise as 2010 draws nigh.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A Late Samhain
Last night we gathered in Minneapolis to celebrate Samhain, it was a night a ritual and feasting. I had the runes I made blessed in circle, and the song that we sang is apparently a traditional American Halloween tune, and the words are this:
So I looked online trying to find if there's any hint of an author of it, as it is taught with a variety of melodies on grade school playgrounds across the U.S. I did find a version that says it's the Ghost of Tom, and is attributed to Martha Grubb, and it includes chords:
It may be included in the following school song book: McGraw-Hill Share The Music Grade 4 Teacher's Edition by Rene Boyer-White , but I have no way of knowing as there is no listing or info on this.
Ghost of John
Have you seen the Ghost of John?
Long white bones and the rest all gone,
Ooh, ooh!
Wouldn’t it be chilly with no skin on?
So I looked online trying to find if there's any hint of an author of it, as it is taught with a variety of melodies on grade school playgrounds across the U.S. I did find a version that says it's the Ghost of Tom, and is attributed to Martha Grubb, and it includes chords:
Em Am Em
Have you seen the ghost of Tom?
Em Am Em
Long white bones with the skin all gone
Em Am
Ooooooooh Oooooh Oooooooh
Em B Em D Em
Wouldn’t it be chilly with no flesh on?
It may be included in the following school song book: McGraw-Hill Share The Music Grade 4 Teacher's Edition by Rene Boyer-White , but I have no way of knowing as there is no listing or info on this.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Norse Magic
OK, so it's been quite a while since I updated the blog. I'm busy exploring who and what I am all about, finding my center. One place I'm looking for that is through my ancestral myths and legends. I'm half Norwegian on my father's side and half Finnish on my mother's side. So I'm reading up on Norse mythology, and studying Volva Staving with Kari Tauring to tap into my subconscious to see what I can stir up.
I recently saw Kari with Drew Miller (of Boiled in Lead fame) Live at the Capri:
It was a really magical night, and I already picked up the CD for this one.
I recently saw Kari with Drew Miller (of Boiled in Lead fame) Live at the Capri:
It was a really magical night, and I already picked up the CD for this one.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Ren Fest Trip
I'm off the the Renaissance Festival today! According to websters:
Renaissance
* Main Entry: re·nais·sance
* Pronunciation: \ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s, -ˈzän(t)s, -ˈsäⁿs, -ˈzäⁿs, ˈre-nə-ˌ, chiefly British ri-ˈnā-sən(t)s\
* Function: noun
* Usage: often attributive
* Etymology: French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation
* Date: 1845
1a : the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science
b : the period of the Renaissance
c : the neoclassic style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance
2 often capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity
Renaissance
* Main Entry: re·nais·sance
* Pronunciation: \ˌre-nə-ˈsän(t)s, -ˈzän(t)s, -ˈsäⁿs, -ˈzäⁿs, ˈre-nə-ˌ, chiefly British ri-ˈnā-sən(t)s\
* Function: noun
* Usage: often attributive
* Etymology: French, from Middle French, rebirth, from Old French renaistre to be born again, from Latin renasci, from re- + nasci to be born — more at nation
* Date: 1845
1a : the transitional movement in Europe between medieval and modern times beginning in the 14th century in Italy, lasting into the 17th century, and marked by a humanistic revival of classical influence expressed in a flowering of the arts and literature and by the beginnings of modern science
b : the period of the Renaissance
c : the neoclassic style of architecture prevailing during the Renaissance
2 often capitalized : a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity
Monday, July 27, 2009
Small World Gets Smaller
I was so happy to find Marc Gunn on the internet. Now I find that I would have found him sooner if only I had gone to Marscon 2009. I was busy with things like moving, the timing just wouldn't allow me to get to the convention. Now I'm more committed than ever to go next year. Crazy world keeps getting smaller. Well, here is Marc doing something Filkish with the Autoharp:
I was actually Artist Guest of Honor at Marscon in 2006. Really I was. Now I'm eager to get back into the swing of going to conventions, showing my art, and hopefully singing some good old fashioned folk music, Celtic and otherwise. I've had two autoharp lessons so far and I'm getting the hang of it to the point that I'm currently learning 3+ songs with multiple strumming techniques.
Isn't life interesting? I was just thinking it would be so much fun to have Marc Gunn come to CONvergence or Marscon as a musical guest, and he's already been here. This must be the year of the Autoharp or something.
I was actually Artist Guest of Honor at Marscon in 2006. Really I was. Now I'm eager to get back into the swing of going to conventions, showing my art, and hopefully singing some good old fashioned folk music, Celtic and otherwise. I've had two autoharp lessons so far and I'm getting the hang of it to the point that I'm currently learning 3+ songs with multiple strumming techniques.
Isn't life interesting? I was just thinking it would be so much fun to have Marc Gunn come to CONvergence or Marscon as a musical guest, and he's already been here. This must be the year of the Autoharp or something.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Irish Songs etc.
My Autoharp arrived safely to my home yesterday evening, completely out of tune and missing the tiny wrench needed for the fine tuning. Today I went out on a quest to obtain a tuner, some picks, sign up for my first lesson, and then to the hardware store for the wrench.
Online this week I discovered Marc Gunn. He's a fan friendly, Ren-Faire working, singer of Irish music and what's more - he plays Autoharp. For you purists out there, I will note that the Autoharp should not be played at a Renaissance Fair, as it was only invented in the mid 1800's, but it's great for Celtic music. But for me, it's the perfect fit, and he even has put together a lovely web-page for people like me who want to learn to sing and play Irish songs:
Online this week I discovered Marc Gunn. He's a fan friendly, Ren-Faire working, singer of Irish music and what's more - he plays Autoharp. For you purists out there, I will note that the Autoharp should not be played at a Renaissance Fair, as it was only invented in the mid 1800's, but it's great for Celtic music. But for me, it's the perfect fit, and he even has put together a lovely web-page for people like me who want to learn to sing and play Irish songs:
Monday, July 6, 2009
Folk and Art
While searching the internet for songs that I would like to learn to play on my lovely Autoharp when it arrives, I found this favorite of mine by Joan Baez. It's called "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda." A song about a young Australian soldier maimed during the Battle of Gallipoli (1915) during the First World War; written by Eric Bogle in 1972. The paintings of Degas, Sargent, and the visual arts of Spadecaller, augment the song's theme.
I heard her play it live once, her opening act was Dar Williams who made me cry. Seriously, just sitting there wondering if the opening act was any good and there I go...crying. I'm such a schmuck.
I heard her play it live once, her opening act was Dar Williams who made me cry. Seriously, just sitting there wondering if the opening act was any good and there I go...crying. I'm such a schmuck.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
SF&F Con Creates Music...And Musicians
It's all Becca's fault. If she hadn't pulled out that Autoharp from the case on that fateful June evening and played it right there in front of me and the whole world, I never would have known how much I wanted one of my own. So now I've gone and ordered this one from Ebay:
So now it's my latest obsession, along with all things related to folk/irish music. It even comes with it's own gig bag to keep it safe and sound.
Speaking of sound, I plan to visit Homestead Pickin' Parlor to pick up a tuner and see about taking classes with Karen Mueller, because she actually did write the book on Celtic Autoharp. I may never watch TV again, I'll be busy tuning my Autoharp. And yes, Becca, it has 21 bars and the fine tuning. It was a good deal on Ebay, brand new, free shipping and even had the soft-case with it. I'm all kinds of excited to dive right in and learn how to play well enough to sing, and then well enough to play with the Autoharp as my main instrument.
BTW-I sing well without an instrument, but accapella sounds lonely in a music circle. The thing about Autoharps is that they are not respected by folks around here much. They probably heard more than one that was horribly out of tune and decided they weren't cool. Also, all you have to do to get a chord is push a button. That's a big plus for me as a vocalist, because it will be much easier to learn material without having the difficulty of learning guitar.
Life is meant for living, and I'm tired of sitting outside the music circle when my voice is longing to soar. I love the sound of the 'harp anyway, always have, and I plan to learn to play it well enough to earn a little respect with it as well.
So now it's my latest obsession, along with all things related to folk/irish music. It even comes with it's own gig bag to keep it safe and sound.
Speaking of sound, I plan to visit Homestead Pickin' Parlor to pick up a tuner and see about taking classes with Karen Mueller, because she actually did write the book on Celtic Autoharp. I may never watch TV again, I'll be busy tuning my Autoharp. And yes, Becca, it has 21 bars and the fine tuning. It was a good deal on Ebay, brand new, free shipping and even had the soft-case with it. I'm all kinds of excited to dive right in and learn how to play well enough to sing, and then well enough to play with the Autoharp as my main instrument.
BTW-I sing well without an instrument, but accapella sounds lonely in a music circle. The thing about Autoharps is that they are not respected by folks around here much. They probably heard more than one that was horribly out of tune and decided they weren't cool. Also, all you have to do to get a chord is push a button. That's a big plus for me as a vocalist, because it will be much easier to learn material without having the difficulty of learning guitar.
Life is meant for living, and I'm tired of sitting outside the music circle when my voice is longing to soar. I love the sound of the 'harp anyway, always have, and I plan to learn to play it well enough to earn a little respect with it as well.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wyrdhaven Studio Notes - July 2009
It is the morning before CONvergence starts, and I wisely took today off from work as well as tomorrow. Wyrdhaven Studio Notes include music, because I'm listening to "Meander" by Riverfolk this morning.
Believe it or not, I actually plan to have a new piece of art completed and for sale at the convention. If I can get it done and scanned and framed and...well you get the idea. No work in progress pictures though, I want to unveil the tiny little thing at the convention. I'm heading off in a slightly new direction artistically which I will discuss at more length in later posts this month. Enough to say I plan to be doing some art at the con at my little table in the Artist Alley. I'll have prints available for sale there directly on Friday Morning and Saturday Morning.
I plan to have originals and maybe some limited editions in the Art Show as well.
Riverfolk will be playing at the con too, on Friday night. For more details on the CONvention itself, check out my live journal post of their Email newsletter. I'm looking forward to hanging out with 3000 of my nearest and dearest friends.
I hope to see you there!! :)
Believe it or not, I actually plan to have a new piece of art completed and for sale at the convention. If I can get it done and scanned and framed and...well you get the idea. No work in progress pictures though, I want to unveil the tiny little thing at the convention. I'm heading off in a slightly new direction artistically which I will discuss at more length in later posts this month. Enough to say I plan to be doing some art at the con at my little table in the Artist Alley. I'll have prints available for sale there directly on Friday Morning and Saturday Morning.
I plan to have originals and maybe some limited editions in the Art Show as well.
Riverfolk will be playing at the con too, on Friday night. For more details on the CONvention itself, check out my live journal post of their Email newsletter. I'm looking forward to hanging out with 3000 of my nearest and dearest friends.
I hope to see you there!! :)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Celtic & Ren Faire Music
One of my favorite things to do is listen to live music, with my favorite being folk and celtic music. I am longing to get out and do some singing you see, which can be kind of difficult without an instrument to sing along to. I tried taking up the guitar a couple of times, the first time in high school with a six string, the second time in my late twenties with a twelve string. I loved the sound of the twelve string, but my tiny fingers had problems with holding down two strings and a time. But all those strings sure were yummy!
Fast forward to last Saturday night, when my husband and I went to see Riverfolk play at the Riverview Cafe & Wine Bar. When I saw Becca pull out an Autoharp memories of my childhood flooded back to me. You see my grade school had an Autoharp and they let me take it home to play with. I sat for hours strumming away on it, and I remember that I was loathe to return it to school after the weekend. A quick search on Autoharp and it yeilded some fabulous YouTube videos.
Next weekend is CONvergence, can you beleive it? Riverfolk is scheduled to play Friday Night in the Harmonic Convergence Room, and I'm certainly going to make an effort to go hear them play again.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Caught in Lucinda's Web
Today was supposed to be the day I got caught up on housework, where all the dishes would be done, floors would be mopped and clutter would be de-cluttered. Then I decided to start reading one of the books I picked up at Eye of Horus. Nine hours later I'm typing the review, now that the book has been completely devoured. Essentially, I got caught in Lucinda's Web and lived to tell about it.
The story got me from the beginning, because I love a good fantasy and I love a good mystery, and this has elements of both. Throw in a couple of steamy love scenes and we have the romance genre covered too. But I digress. It is a romp worth romping for those of you who enjoy Mercedes Lackey. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I do.
Walking the path between a century old spell and reincarnation, Dorothy Morrison spins a tale about a writer, Tess, who is also a Witch of the Wiccan variety. As such, strange happenings begin when she moves into a new rental house in the South. Overall though, it left me wanting more, more depth, more character development, and more drama. But clearly I found this a fun read, since I refused to put it down despite gentle nagging from my husband that there were dishes that needed attention. So Lucinda's web saved me from that fate, at least temporarily. Overall it's a nice little book.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wyrdhaven Studio Notes - June 2009
It's June at Wyrdhaven Studio and the new garden is in, complete with birdbath which is being used by very stealthy (or possibly invisible) birds. The water has gone down and there's fluff floating, but we have yet to see our first bird in the birdbath.
Geek Update
In general news, my computer had a virus, and Norton eventually got it, but it took more than one try. My geek friend Ben went through everything, and found a couple of oddly behaving programs and deleted them, so it shouldn't be back any time soon. So that's why not much got posted this month in the blog.
Art Update
Creatively, my juices all flowed into planting the new flowers, now I'm eager to get some new work done in time for CONvergence. Speaking of which, they are looking at having a more formal "Artist Alley" so I'm not sure of the status of my demonstrations at this point. It was going to be a free-form event before, now they are talking about reserved time slots etc. I'll post any new news in the July edition of Wyrdhaven Studio Notes.
Upcoming Shows
This Friday at Eye of Horus Metaphysical, I plan on attending the Faeries Gone Wild book release party. I'm not involved with the book or the event, I'm a fan just like everyone else at this event. Except for the fact that three of my original paintings are hanging in the gallery there at this time. This event is not for children, the book has very adult themes, so do not bring your child or teenager to this event.
June 5th (Friday) 7-8:30pm
Lois Greiman, Michele Hauf and Leandra Logan, contributors to “Faeries Gone Wild” will be in the house, schmoozing, signing books and generally exciting the Faeries. These are Faeries for Grown ups .
That's all that I have for you in this edition of the newsletter. Have a wonderful month and maybe I'll see you this Friday for Faeries Gone Wild!
Geek Update
In general news, my computer had a virus, and Norton eventually got it, but it took more than one try. My geek friend Ben went through everything, and found a couple of oddly behaving programs and deleted them, so it shouldn't be back any time soon. So that's why not much got posted this month in the blog.
Art Update
Creatively, my juices all flowed into planting the new flowers, now I'm eager to get some new work done in time for CONvergence. Speaking of which, they are looking at having a more formal "Artist Alley" so I'm not sure of the status of my demonstrations at this point. It was going to be a free-form event before, now they are talking about reserved time slots etc. I'll post any new news in the July edition of Wyrdhaven Studio Notes.
Upcoming Shows
This Friday at Eye of Horus Metaphysical, I plan on attending the Faeries Gone Wild book release party. I'm not involved with the book or the event, I'm a fan just like everyone else at this event. Except for the fact that three of my original paintings are hanging in the gallery there at this time. This event is not for children, the book has very adult themes, so do not bring your child or teenager to this event.
June 5th (Friday) 7-8:30pm- Location: Eye of Horus Metaphysical, 2717 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
- 612-872-1292
Lois Greiman, Michele Hauf and Leandra Logan, contributors to “Faeries Gone Wild” will be in the house, schmoozing, signing books and generally exciting the Faeries. These are Faeries for Grown ups .
Featured Fantasy Gifts for June
This Fairy & Fantasy Art gift collection is officially licensed with Ellen Million Graphics, one of the world's most trusted licensors of fantasy art. She's really cool, not only because she lives in Alaska, but because she has been a great resource for emerging artists in the field. Check out the collection:
|
| Available as: totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirts  |
 | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, button
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirts
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirts
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirt
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirts
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirts
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, totes, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons, unisex t-shirts, cap-sleeved ladies shirts - CLEARANCE, babydoll shirts
|
| | |
|
| Available as: mousepads, cards, magnets, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, buttons
|
That's all that I have for you in this edition of the newsletter. Have a wonderful month and maybe I'll see you this Friday for Faeries Gone Wild!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pirate Impressions
Now that I've had some time to digest the viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest, I must say that I quite liked it. Sure, the first film was great, but this sequel was quite strong, and the action and performances were all engaging. I was so happy to have seen it, that I couldn't wait to see the exciting final movie, so I popped the DVD back into the mail, and hopefully At World's End will arrive before the weekend.Because this was Netflix, I only got the first DVD, so no DVD extras there really. It is on the consider list for adding to my permanent collection, but I'm honestly not wure how many times I can watch a pirate/action/comedy movie. If there was more pure drama, I could maybe do it, but the comedy aspects lose their funniness when you see them again and again.
All in all, a good movie and I give it two thumbs up!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What's Better Than a Dead Man's Chest?
A live woman's chest...Arrrrrrghh...or so my husband says. I know from 20 years of history of attending these shindigs that the two months between now and CONvergence will be going incredibly quickly
. So I have some catching up to do on my fantasy films, and those saucy Pirate films are just the ticket. I got my email today that said that POTC Dead Man's Chest will be Arriving on or around: Thursday, May 07, 2009.
That's right, I subscribe to Netflix so I can watch all the movies I want and not fill up a house that's already overflowing with videos and books. I've tried to have the conversation with my husband, when he was saying what a great gift such and such book would be. I told him "No more books!" and he promptly responded "But you'll really like this one..." to which I replied, "I'm sure I would love it but we don't have room for more books...NO MORE BOOKS!"
I know, I'm really evil, it's completely wrong of me to say, but we have to cull the herd one of these days so we actually do have room for some NEW books.
. So I have some catching up to do on my fantasy films, and those saucy Pirate films are just the ticket. I got my email today that said that POTC Dead Man's Chest will be Arriving on or around: Thursday, May 07, 2009.That's right, I subscribe to Netflix so I can watch all the movies I want and not fill up a house that's already overflowing with videos and books. I've tried to have the conversation with my husband, when he was saying what a great gift such and such book would be. I told him "No more books!" and he promptly responded "But you'll really like this one..." to which I replied, "I'm sure I would love it but we don't have room for more books...NO MORE BOOKS!"
I know, I'm really evil, it's completely wrong of me to say, but we have to cull the herd one of these days so we actually do have room for some NEW books.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Half Blood Prince is Coming!
After several years of multiple fantasy films coming out, the selection has dwindled and I am eagerly awaiting Movie 6 in the Harry Potter collection. So much so that I like to stop by Mugglenet to check out what they've uncovered as we get closer to the release date of July 17th. The latest news is that you might be able to catch a glimpse of it in AMC theaters:
We've now learned that AMC theaters have started playing a Half-Blood Prince sneak peek of their own, and MuggleNet visitor Ellie wrote in to tell us all about it. This feature was seen during a showing of the new Disney documentary Earth, before the trailers.As excited as I am for the new movie to come out, I also see that the end is in sight for this era of fantasy fandom. Once Movie #7 has come and gone, what will become of all the people on Mugglenet or other Harry Potter fan sites? The sites themselves will go the way of the dodo and become only a memory in our minds. This is the web and things change pretty quickly around here. All the more reason to enjoy the present and make the most out of the fan resources that are out there!
New footage included a shot of Slughorn's head popping out of his armchair disguise. The armchair then unfolded and shrunk into Slughorn. There was also a conversation between Harry and Dumbledore atop the Astronomy Tower, a group of Hogwarts students in the Quidditch stands looking up at the sky (maybe at the Dark Mark?), some funny shots of Lavender hitting on Ron, and new interviews with director David Yates and producer David Heyman.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wyrdhaven Studio Notes - May 2009
Happy May Day! I'm taking my newsletter and putting it on the blog for everyone to enjoy. I've done it in the past, sort of re-posting the html version that I send out, but it makes more sense to just do it right here in the blog, and send a link to the post to everyone with a few highlights. To begin, the blog has a new masthead and title "the Wyrdhaven Chronicle" to make it sound more like a newspaper from my own little fantasy village of Wyrdhaven. Want to link to the blog? Here, download this banner:
New Store!
So now that we've freshened up the blog a bit, the really big news is that we've launched the Wyrdhaven Zazzle Store! (And the crowd yells Huzzah!!!) In fact, I will be concentrating on that store pretty heavily over the next couple of months. I want to get all of my artwork on some zazzley style stuff. All seven sprites have made the transition and are settling in quite nicely. A Fairy Realm is currently being developed, and did you know that you, yes YOU, get to customize your stuff? Because it's all about you baby! Do me proud and make something cool and magical.
Since the store is BRAND NEW, I could use a little help getting the word out about it. Luckily, there is a solution for that: The Promote This Store Page has several options from sending your friends an email, to posting a flash panel on your own website. How cool is that? Even if you're not in a shopping mood, you can go and leave a comment on your favorite sprite and tell the world how much you love my artwork! It's like getting a hug every time I read something nice. :)
Upcoming Shows
In the previous post I talk a bit about CONvergence. Well, I contacted the Art Show Coordinator, and I will be able to do demos during the Convention! Here's the details on that from my email:
Wyrdhaven Studio
Don't forget my main website, where there are links to all kinds of fantastic treasures for you to choose from like...
Enjoy your May Day!
New Store!
So now that we've freshened up the blog a bit, the really big news is that we've launched the Wyrdhaven Zazzle Store! (And the crowd yells Huzzah!!!) In fact, I will be concentrating on that store pretty heavily over the next couple of months. I want to get all of my artwork on some zazzley style stuff. All seven sprites have made the transition and are settling in quite nicely. A Fairy Realm is currently being developed, and did you know that you, yes YOU, get to customize your stuff? Because it's all about you baby! Do me proud and make something cool and magical.
Since the store is BRAND NEW, I could use a little help getting the word out about it. Luckily, there is a solution for that: The Promote This Store Page has several options from sending your friends an email, to posting a flash panel on your own website. How cool is that? Even if you're not in a shopping mood, you can go and leave a comment on your favorite sprite and tell the world how much you love my artwork! It's like getting a hug every time I read something nice. :)Upcoming Shows
In the previous post I talk a bit about CONvergence. Well, I contacted the Art Show Coordinator, and I will be able to do demos during the Convention! Here's the details on that from my email:
It's a fairly laid-back process. A few years back, one of our artists didn't want to give up the painting time to come to the convention, but his wife dragged him to it, so he set up shop in the art show and painted all weekend. People seemed to enjoy watching the process and it drew people in to watch, so we set aside a few of the tables along the wall with the windows for artists to setup and work. It is also a promotional tool for the artist since they can say "If you like this, my art is hanging right over there...":-)That's the skinny on doing demos at the con, so if you're an artist, bring your sketchbook and take a seat in the Artshow anytime! Click here to Register for the Convention - pre-registration discount expires May 15th.But as for the process itself, if you just show up and say you want to demo, we can find you a spot. Any time we're open. Sunday you might get the dazed look, but that's just because we're fried on Sunday. Currently we don't schedule it or anything like that so that people keep coming back to see what's happening.
Wyrdhaven Studio
Don't forget my main website, where there are links to all kinds of fantastic treasures for you to choose from like...
Officially Licensed Stickers, Bags, Magnets, Mousepads & More from Ellen Million Graphics ~ Click Here for Fairy & Fantasy Gifts
Wyrdhaven Gallery
The archival prints in the print gallery are available in a variety of sizes, our hottest selling print this spring is Greenman Awakens. Carved in stone in many churches of Europe. This pagan nature spirit is also sometimes called Jack O the Green. Here he comes to life out of the stone, he has awakened to his power. A butterfly, a symbol of transformation, flies near. Celtic knots on the corners remind us that as life is ever-changing, it is also never ending.
Enjoy your May Day!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Fantasy Fans Converge Here...
Have you heard about CONvergence but never gone? I run into that from time to time, from fans on the outside of Fandom. What is fandom? It's the gathering of fans of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Tonight my keyword is gather, so of course I'm trying to find a way to convince you to come to CONvergence in Bloomington, MN, this Fourth of July weekend.
What is CONvergence? It's four fun filled days with people who think a lot like you do. If you've watched the Big Bang Theory, I can introduce you to characters a lot like Leonard (my husband David), Sheldon (my friend Kevin) and even the occasional Penny from across the hall. You can pre-register and save yourself $20 off the At The Door registration price, so it's $50 Until May 15, 2009.
I'll have my artwork in the Art Show of course, and my husband David will be in the Science Room much of the weekend as well. Unfortunately we will not be staying at the hotel this year, we didn't get our requestin soon enough and the hotel is sold out. The commute is pretty quick for us though, being local. At least we had the good sense to pre-register, so we'll be all set when that spectacular weekend comes! I'm even going to see about doing some demos in the art show, it sounds like fun and a chance to Play Art with an audience!!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Artemisia - Equal Rights for Men
Oh yeah, now that's what I'm talking about! More beefcake, less cheezecake. Scantily clad men, woohoo! AND cover art reviews. This is a website that a girl can really sink her artistic teeth into, seriously. I think I'll be visiting regularly, just for a little girl art power pick-me-up. You need that every once and a while as a fantasy artist. Sweeeet!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Musings on Moving
I remember when I moved into my college dorm way back when I first graduated High School. It was my first time away from home for an extended period of time, and I packed fairly lightly since I was sharing a tiny room with a roommate. Not a month went by when I realized that I missed my copy of The Lord of the Rings terribly and I asked my Dad to send them out to me as a care package, along with more of my art stuff. Fandom and fantasy art go hand-in-hand for me it seems. That's why this blog is becoming more focused on the fan part of things, with my art as an expression of that.
Believe it or not, there are fantasy artists out there who don't care a flying fig about the books, movies, and other fantasy artwork out there. They just jumped on the bandwagon and got in tight with a manufacturer and viola! Fake Fantasy Art. If you're a true fantasy fan artist, like me, you started out showing your stuff at the SF&F conventions, because you were going there anyway! But I digress. It seems that anytime I move, or begin a new phase in my life, I re-read The Lord of the Rings. Nowadays, I tend to just watch the movies again because it feeds more of my senses.
When I was painting the rooms in this house, I put my CD from The Return of the King in the boombox and went to work. Now we are just gathering the last bits from the garage at the other house and we are done! All I have to decide is how I will next experience Middle Earth in celebration of the next great adventure in my life, having just one house!
P.S. Please let me know if you like the new masthead for the blog!! ~BHB~
Believe it or not, there are fantasy artists out there who don't care a flying fig about the books, movies, and other fantasy artwork out there. They just jumped on the bandwagon and got in tight with a manufacturer and viola! Fake Fantasy Art. If you're a true fantasy fan artist, like me, you started out showing your stuff at the SF&F conventions, because you were going there anyway! But I digress. It seems that anytime I move, or begin a new phase in my life, I re-read The Lord of the Rings. Nowadays, I tend to just watch the movies again because it feeds more of my senses.
When I was painting the rooms in this house, I put my CD from The Return of the King in the boombox and went to work. Now we are just gathering the last bits from the garage at the other house and we are done! All I have to decide is how I will next experience Middle Earth in celebration of the next great adventure in my life, having just one house!
P.S. Please let me know if you like the new masthead for the blog!! ~BHB~
Friday, April 24, 2009
CafePress is Confused
I came home from watching a very cool movie on Earth Day, Rivers and Tides, to browse through my email and find an email from Cafe Press, where I have my fantasy art for sale on t-shirts, mugs, mousepads etc. It was a very strange email, which frankly didn't make much sense. Poor Cafe Press, they think they are a licensing and manufacturing company. Nope, they are merely a printing vendor for artists.
In one foolish move they changed their business model, and are going to lose buckets of money as a result. They decided that I only need to get 10% of anything they sell in the marketplace of my artwork. Nope, sorry, that's my artwork and I get to decide how much I make off of it. So I'm off to Zazzle to set up shop there instead. See Cafe Press? You are just a vendor and selling venue for me as an artist.
I LEFT traditional licensing behind me, with some very few exceptions, because of the low pay-out. And guess what? I was getting more from CafePress in a month than I did in a year at other places. Now I'll be getting those checks from Zazzle instead.
Are you a CP SK and need a pep talk? Visit the AngelCityArt Blog, cause she's been there, done that. Helloooo Zazzle!!!
In one foolish move they changed their business model, and are going to lose buckets of money as a result. They decided that I only need to get 10% of anything they sell in the marketplace of my artwork. Nope, sorry, that's my artwork and I get to decide how much I make off of it. So I'm off to Zazzle to set up shop there instead. See Cafe Press? You are just a vendor and selling venue for me as an artist.
I LEFT traditional licensing behind me, with some very few exceptions, because of the low pay-out. And guess what? I was getting more from CafePress in a month than I did in a year at other places. Now I'll be getting those checks from Zazzle instead.
Are you a CP SK and need a pep talk? Visit the AngelCityArt Blog, cause she's been there, done that. Helloooo Zazzle!!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Framed Art Sale and New Product Page :)
Imagekind.com is having a 25% off framed art sale. Just use Promo Code SPRING09B - but you have to hurry - Sale ends March 30th! Start shopping today at my Wyrdhaven Gallery where I have even picked out some framing samples for you to choose from.
I'm also super excited about their sleek new product page, it's much more streamlined than before, with everything in handy tabs:
I'm also super excited about their sleek new product page, it's much more streamlined than before, with everything in handy tabs:
Sunday, March 22, 2009
The Brownie - prints now available
"The Brownie" prints now available
click here to order
Prints are now available of "The Brownie" at my ImageKind Gallery. Created in the summer of 2007 in watercolor and pastel with a touch of colored pencil for dramatic effect, this Faery is in the business of keeping your house clean and free of negative energy. If you've seen the movie The Spiderwick Chronicles or read the books, then you know a bit more about brownies than the average person. I also have a nice assembly of gifts and T-shirts available at Wyrdhaven Workshop of The Brownie as well, so you can shop for cool Brownie gear now - clickity click.
Thus ends my shameless plug for the day.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
The TANSTAAFL Principle at Work
Once upon a time, there were aspiring fantasy artists trying to get noticed and move their careers forward. Then along came a book publisher specializing in Fantasy Art Books who would publish their work and "give them credit" in the book in return! Wow! Free advertising! Sound's great doesn't it? Except for the TANSTAAFL principle. Because the book publisher is selling your art and you're not getting a penny, not one dime, for the thousands or even millions of books sold. But the publisher IS. Please don't give away your art, it's what keeps starving artists starving.
I'm bringing this up because I just got an email asking me for that very thing. I KNOW this publishers from years of talking to other artists, and the artists never see a dime. Here is the email received and my response. Guess what? The person sending this email is getting paid, but the artist's will not be.
As you can tell, I feel pretty strongly about this situation. Please do not give up your power, even if a more famous artist out there does. While I withheld the name of the person who wrote to me, Quarto is the publisher in question and should be avoided by all artists like the plague. They are making a profit at your expense. So don't fall for their song and dance and give them access to your talent. You don't need it. This is really just a Con to get something for nothing, from artists who can least afford it.
I'm bringing this up because I just got an email asking me for that very thing. I KNOW this publishers from years of talking to other artists, and the artists never see a dime. Here is the email received and my response. Guess what? The person sending this email is getting paid, but the artist's will not be.
Dear Beth
I am writing to you on behalf of the editors of a forthcoming book, The Fantasy Art Bible, which is due to be published by Quarto Plc in the Fall 2009.
I have a letter prepared by Quarto containing details of the book and their request. May I send it to you please?
with kind regards
(Name Withheld)
Dear (Name Withheld),
I've heard all about Quarto and I know that they don't pay the artists for the Art Books that they create, sell, and pocket money for. I'm a fine artist and I don't give my art away for other people to profit off of. As an Empath and a Healer, I'm always astounded that people are involved in stealing the dreams of artists who have already sacrificed so much of their time and energy just to create the work itself.
Then comes Quarto to make the innocent believe that by being published in a book will make their work more authentic or find a wider market, and that they should be honored just to be included. It doesn't work that way. It's a hateful and abusive business that you're in, and if you don't change your life and leave the company, may Karma come back to bite you in the ass. In the immortal words of Isaac Asimov "There Ain't Know Such Thing as a Free Lunch" so please take me off of your contact list.
Sincerely,
Beth Hansen-Buth
As you can tell, I feel pretty strongly about this situation. Please do not give up your power, even if a more famous artist out there does. While I withheld the name of the person who wrote to me, Quarto is the publisher in question and should be avoided by all artists like the plague. They are making a profit at your expense. So don't fall for their song and dance and give them access to your talent. You don't need it. This is really just a Con to get something for nothing, from artists who can least afford it.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Wyrdhaven on Facebook
If you're anything like me, and you just might be because you are reading my blog after all, you've lost time while briefly "checking" your friends pages on your facebook account. So many Aps, So little time! As a general rule, I only friend people who I've actually met in person at some point, with few very rare exceptions. But we do have a fan page there for those who are interested in my fantay art, so with no more nonsense to get in the way:
Check out the new Facebook Fan Page!
We'll try to make it worth your while, heck you can jump in and do that yourself. It is facebook after all, audience participation required. :)
Check out the new Facebook Fan Page!
We'll try to make it worth your while, heck you can jump in and do that yourself. It is facebook after all, audience participation required. :)
Friday, March 6, 2009
A Dozen New Ways to Find Your Fantasy
That's right! We've got a dozen new ways to bring myth, magic, and fantasy into your everyday life at Wyrdhaven.com with our huge website update. Three new sections are made up by twelve new pages filled with inspiration and whimsy. The links in those sections will bring you to one of our affiliate or licensing Web sites, such as EyeOfHorus.biz, where you will be able to purchase and order the product. As a result, I will earn around 5-10% of the total price, at no additional cost to you.
Our Mystic Stitch Section features:
Faery Favorites features Eye of Horus affiliate products:
As does the Myth & Magic Section:
How's that for an update! Whew, that was a lot of work, but I love the way my little site is shaping up. :)
Our Mystic Stitch Section features:
Officially Licensed
|
Faery Favorites features Eye of Horus affiliate products:
As does the Myth & Magic Section:
How's that for an update! Whew, that was a lot of work, but I love the way my little site is shaping up. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)