I am reminded that truly you can manifest and consciously create your world with your thoughts! As a "Froudian" I was surfing the World Of Froud website a few years ago and saw information about Faerieworlds which is a festival on the west coast. I had also read about festivals in England where well known fantasy artists like Brian Froud would gather. I wished these Faerie and Fantasy events would come to the east coast of the United States. Within a year I would find myself traveling to the first 'Faerie Con' which was held in Philadelphia. Now... as I would really love to have it, just a few years later, this same gathering in Maryland is even closer to home!
The Faerie Con events are wondrous because they involve talks and panels of fantasy artists, writers and people from the Mythic Arts business. Here you learn about aspects of these worlds that come from the creators themselves. Plus there are many vendors to fill your home with fantasy items, and cloak your body with all manner of sparkly and flowing adornments! There is music and art to expand your soul, masquerade balls to fill your senses, and a Wegman's across the street to tempt your belly!
This year while attending RenCon, I once again was blessed to be in the same space as the inspirational masters of the world of Faerie, Brian and Wendy Froud. They are truly gracious and patient hosts to their many appreciative fans. In fact I felt just what Wendy Froud talks about in their new "Heart of Faerie Oracle" book and deck of cards, (copyright Brian and Wendy Froud 2010).
When reading about card seven "The Queen Of Hearth and Home" Wendy Froud explains that Brian always stands when he signs books for people because he feels he is inviting them into his home and he wouldn't sit while people were standing in his presence. Such is the gentle thoughtful soul that is Brian Froud, the most revered name in the world of Fae. If you get the chance to have your copies of his books or prints signed by Brian in person, you will be delighted to get a wee original Brian Froud drawing along with his signature!
After ten years since the best-selling "Faeries Oracle," Brian has released this new Faerie Oracle Deck filled with marvelous paintings as a collaboration with his wife Wendy Froud. Brian's work has evolved over the years incorporating more depth and textural elements, along with the realism that comes from years of experience creating art. I found the original deck written by Jessica Macbeth and illustrated with Brian Froud's continuation of 'Good Faeries Bad Faeries' images to be quite spiritual and intuitive.
I especially love the 'Singers' which are paintings of light and represent the most wondrous knowledge of spirit. I look forward to getting to know this new Oracle deck as well. It takes time to work with a deck and learn the many aspects of oneself through the introspection sparked by a reading. This is not fortune telling... this is a way to learn more about yourself and perhaps glimpse at what may be possible if you try to affect your own self and life.
In the new deck "The Heart of Faerie Oracle" the first 9 cards are all Faerie Queens! They are important power representations of the nine aspects of the feminine. "The Queens of Faerie, hold up the mirror of clarity, allowing us to face up to the delusional light of our polarized certainties." (Quote Copyright Wendy Froud 2010.) The paintings are of course exquisite and each has it's own character and strength. I am enjoying reading Wendy's thoughtful explanations of each oracle cards meaning. A tough act to follow with Jessica Macbeth's writing. I feel Wendy has done a great job on this deck.
Brian Froud became well known after the publication of the the book 'Faeries' in 1978. This was a joint venture with the great Alan Lee of 'Lord Of The Rings' fame. (Oh please come to Faerie Con Alan Lee!) The book became hugely popular (#4 on the New York Times Best Seller List) and I think that showed the world how the love of Fairy Tales and Folklore continues to be a life long enjoyment for so many of us. We continue to play and dream! Pixies, trolls, sprites, vampyers, goblins and faeries in their magical world, invite the imagination to take hold and leave the mundane world of silly people behind. As a lover of Art Nouveau, and things of Beauty, the gossamer wings of faeries are quite soothing images to me. I have spent much time gazing at Brian and Alan Lee's faerie images over the years. Those images have inspired countless other artists too.
Brian continued in the world of Faerie and worked on "The Dark Crystal" (must be the name of my shadow side), since Jim Henson was largely inspired by Brian Frouds artwork for the creation of this movie. Wendy who is a master puppet maker designed the Gelflings and worked a radio controlled unit to control Jens facial expressions. Another character Wendy Froud had a hand in designing was a little guy you may have heard of named... Yoda. Can't forget their work in the really cool movie "Labyrinth" with David Bowie either. So many fun books like "Lady Cottington's Pressed Faeries," "Strange Stains and Mysterious Smells," along with fantastic and iconic fairy prints from books like "Good Faeries/Bad Faeries" have been created in the Dartmoor area of Devon England, where Brian (and Alan Lee) live and work. The landscape there has inspired worlds of ideas! You can read more about that area of the world here. This is yet another example of why it is so important for artists to paint what they know! Brian must know the little nasties too, because he also loves to share the world of the dark faeries and pesky little goblins that are a huge part of his artwork. Yes...Brian believes in Faeries.
When spending time at Faerie Con and RenCon it is always so nice to attend informational talks given by generous souls like the Frouds. Actually getting to meet people who have been artistically inspirational is made even nicer by the Frouds being genuinely warm and kind to you. So when you are home sitting with the Froud's many books, that are so immersed with creativity, feel the warmth of an old fashion hearth and the comfort to dream with a wide open imagination!
The good news for lovers of Brian and Wendy Froud's movies is that "The Power Of the Dark Crystal" is now in production in Australia and the official word is that it will be in 3D! Here's to all the Faeries conspiring to make sure this project gets completed!
You can learn more about the Froud family at 'World of Froud.com' and while you are there become a Froudian yourself.
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