Back From The Realm

So very much missing my tribe today. What a lovely time was had at ‪FaerieCon‬ 2014. It very much rejuvenates my spirit and renews my faith in humanity. The community there is filled with people who radiate kindness and acceptance (with the rare exception, of course - whoever stole those Amy Brown Fantasy Art Inc. wing sets intended to début there deserves to be excommunicated from the realm).

It was such a joy to reconnect with friends (hugs to Lithia Knopp, Jenny Davies-Reazor, Michelle Heffner, Simone Tomodachi, Suzanne Dobbs Mayer, Jane Starr Weils, Ash Evans, Kimberley Coffman, Meredith Dillman, Shane and Leah Odom, Chrissy and Marc Hudgins, Joanne Schempp, Ken Crampton...), meet long-time internet/facebook friends in person (high-fives Kayti Welsh, James Browne, Nicole Pisaniello...) and make some new ones (waves at Mindy Safire Morea, Ezia Leach, Rebbeca Wertz, Candalynne, Viviene...), say hello to inspiring people I've admired for years (Amy Brown, Stephanie Law, Bruce Coville...)

A few high points to mention: So much fun texting taunts to friend Brigid with Jenny. There's nothing quite like having men sprouting leaves and branches tossing acorns into your cleavage for luck and prosperity as they march by singing and drumming and jangling jangly things. Lithia and Suzanne are the best show neighbours a person could wish for, and I love them both dearly. Ken kept the beat, and gives marvellous hugs. I loved spending some relaxing time before opening everyday getting drawn and painted on by the lovely ladies in Michelle Heffner - Maryland Body Painter's booth. Likewise getting my hair tinseled in Dancing Hands' booth. The Mythical Designs by Miscellaneous Oddiments LLC booth is a portal to all sorts of faery magic. I passed by on my way to line up for Bruce Coville's signing on Sunday to find the man himself holding court there. I got to not only get my book signed without having to queue up (a blessing when you've got a table to get back to), but also got to hear some neat anecdotes about the series the book I wanted signed was part of (Philip Jose Farmer's "The Dungeon"). And, of course, meeting everyone who stopped by my table and said lovely things about (and/or purchased) my art.

Special thanks to my husband for watching my table so I could take a break now and then, and for helping with setting up, breaking down, and getting me there and home again safely.

I am already looking forward to next year!

FaerieCon 2012

I'm back from FaerieCon!  Thank you to all of you who came by my table and said hello and made me feel welcome in the Faerie Realm - and thanks especially to all who made a purchase! :)

I could attempt to wax poetic about how wonderful it was (because it WAS wonderful), but this post by C.S.E. Cooney best describes the magic that is FaerieCon:  FaerieCon: The Things They Don't Tell You.  I could never hope to top that - and it's all true!

It was my first time vending (and only second time attending) FaerieCon, and I was nervous!  I needn't have been.  My vendor neighbours were fantastically welcoming and helpful (shoutout to Herbal Turtle Teas, The Leather Lair, Lithia's Creations, and authors Patrick Thomas and John French!), and when the doors opened, there was so much bright energy from the crowds that my nervousness just melted away!

It was such a pleasure to see old friends and acquaintances: Ash Evans, Leah and Shane Odom, Chrissy and Marc Hudgins, Meredith Dillman, and Jenny Davies-Reazor, and a great honor to meet Jasmine Becket-Griffith and Rachel Anderson (both of whom I've had an online acquaintance with for years, but never met in person until this past weekend), and Terri Windling-Gayton who has been such an inspiration.  I also met another online acquaintance, Megan Congdon, although I didn't realize it at the time, as it was early on the Friday and I was a bit shell-shocked and dazed by the magical enormity of it all.

Such fun new discoveries, too - Wotan the Faerie Smasher, Bill and Sam Cass with Nymbol and friends, and so many purveyors of excellent faerie finery, scents, tastes, and beautiful art.  The Good and Bad Faeries Balls were enormous fun, with excellent performances from wonderful bands and solo artists.  And so many beautiful, strange, and/or mesmerizing costumes - an artist's inspiration fantasyland!

I've posted most of the photos I snapped in an album on my Facebook page, but here are a couple of me in all my silly glory, made up for the Balls!

Good Mary

Bad Mary

Click for my Facebook FaerieCon 2012 album - I don't think a Facebook account is needed to view the album, although you'd have to have one to 'like' or 'comment'!

New Art and FaerieCon!

I have some new art to share - both of these beauties are available on the web site.  

"Companions" is an homage to pet lovers everywhere, and features representations of 3 pets I have known and loved - my childhood companion "Kitty", my recently deceased (well, 2006) cockatiel 'Mo', and "Bronte" a gorgeous Chocolate Lab who was part of the family of my in-laws in Yarm, UK.

"The Witching Hour" is a Samhain-themed painting in the Art Nouveau style with a bit of a Steampunk flavour.

In other news, I'm going to FaerieCon this weekend!!  I'm very excited, packed and ready to go (although I can't stop double-checking to make sure I haven't missed anything).  I am not exhibiting or vending, I'm only going for the fun of it and to meet up with friends who are vending.  I'm looking forward to meeting the Frouds, Charles Vess, and Amy Brown as I'm just a big ol' fangrrl!

My friend Brigid Ashwood, who is a featured artist at FaerieCon, has written a post about the event- if you need some encouragement to come on out ;) GeekMom: FaerieCon - The Sparkly Side of GeekCons