Bieron Boletus and his grand adventures...

Books are full of surprises!

Today I spent the majority of my time perfecting a prize for the staff version of the Calgary Public Library's "Just for Adults - Read All Summer!" contest. I'm so excited! I hope that whoever ends up winning enjoys it! I may have been a bit of a bully telling everyone that they had to read, read, read - for the contest and decided that I ought to supply the prize for their efforts. The children's version this year had an "Eco-Heroes" theme trying to get them thinking of ways they could reduce their carbon footprint and go green. It was a cute story - the Superhero Captain Capable was... a bit of a doofus. Luckily he had two super kids, Clay and Terra (I may roll my eyes just a wee bit here...) to help him right the evil doings of Doctor N. Danger! (he he). Anyhoo that made me think that instead of going out and buying a prize for the adult contest I would make one with the Eco-Heroes theme in mind.

Meet Bieren Boletus! His clothes are made form reclaimed fibers and his accessories are a collection of found objects. I painted a book-box (appropriate for the library I thought!) with a miniature nature scene inside, and some seeds collected from my flowerbed (columbine and a blanket flower) to dry and use next year. Also, I made a batch of ginger sparkler cookies with cream cheese icing topped with golden raspberries from my garden. I'm pretty proud of how it all came together!

Bieren Boletus is a faery fellow who loves long walks, the mushrooms he collects on his long walks and the possibility of serendipitous adventures along the way. Bieren is prone to loosing himself in his adventures, he can be mesmerized by tadpoles for hours or in finding the most perfectly shaped leaves – he plunges himself into the world whole heartedly and appreciates every aspect of it. So, if you are out admiring the beauty of nature and the world around us, look closely… you may not be alone!

I took Bieren on a mushroom hunting excursion before he was cozied into his book - watch for his adventure album!

Ginger Sparklers: 2 1/2 cup flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, 3/4 cup butter/margarine, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 egg, 1/4 cup molasses. Bake @ 300F for 8-10 min

FaerieCon 2008 - The First Grand Adventure.

FaerieCon '08 was a wonderful, magical, experience into a world that you just can't quite believe really exists. All of the Authors and Illustrators we have admired since we were introduced into the realm of books and literature and art as children were there. The event was absolutely amazing. There were vendors, artists, authors, actors, storytellers... a faery fashion show. Bands whose music vibrated magic into your bones. Everyone at the even was like you - wrapped in wonder and radiating friendliness and warmth. As a parting gift everyone was given a moonstone that had been soaking up all of the positive energy at the event to take home. I carry mine with me wherever I go, a link back to faeryland and the perfect sense of belonging.

Art, mystique and musings in a faery realm...

Here we are... Our grand debut into the great wild web world...

I decided to start this blog because there are so many things in this world that I want to do or try. So many interests, so much to read, to learn, to do and to see... So, I've decided to record some of my adventures, thoughts, findings, inspirations and creations here to share. I hope that anyone that happens upon here will be able to take something useful away.

Firstly I have to say that much of the drive behind my inspiration to make this blog and behind my creations as of late has spawned from my adventures last year to FaerieCon (2008) in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, and this year to FaerieWorlds (2009) in Eugene Oregon. I will share pictures from these events, the costumes that myself and others have made, the art, the artists and the people. The organizers for these events, are absolutely amazing and are following a wonderful dream that I'm happy to have been a small part of. I've been lucky enough to have undergone these adventures with my best friend Natalie by my side.

Some art related notes: Natalie and I went to high school together, and graduated from the University of Calgary's Fine Arts program together. We both have a Bachelors Degree in Art specializing in Drawing and now share an Art Studio at Art Central in the heart of Downtown Calgary. Our studio is named the Flemish Monkey which we may start a blog for in the near future where we'll share some of our current masterpieces as well as upcoming events. Our studio is always open on First Thursdays at Art Central. These events are always something to look forward to - just remember, the First Thursday of every month you can come and experience a plethora of art and inspiration downtown! I'll try to keep you updated on that.

In addition to being an artist, I work at a Library. The Library is full of very talented individuals, there are so many people involved in art, music, drama and performance arts - it's astounding! It's also wonderful source of information and inspiration! There's always a story to escape into that fuels the imagination. Much of the art that Natalie and I have done has had a literary base to it, you can see some examples at our deviantart site currently - soon we will have our own official website once it has been created by our very talented friend at Roz E Creations.

So until the next post... My kindest regards (Trobei's as well!),

~Larissa