Hannah Mermaid Dreams Fantasy Into Reality

Photo copyright Kristian Schmidt 2012

Your eyes do not deceive you... a magical mythical mermaid has taken form in our modern realm. With numerous creative undersea adventures, this mermaid travels the globe to be the focal point of stunning imagery in print and in film. The ethereal  'Hannah Mermaid,' is the world's premier professional mermaid and underwater dancer. In thoughtful collaboration with photographers and filmmakers worldwide, Hannah Fraser brings attention to the endangered species of the world's oceans in a most daring and alluring way. I have asked Hannah to allow me to use some of the images from her website to highlight her unique life's work. Hannah has graciously given me permission to share with you some of the most spectacular and exquisite photographs you will ever view. Dive in and enjoy! Lose yourself in the videos lower down on this page and enter an enchanted world few of us get to experience or even understand. You will be entirely mesmerized! Artists paint and illustrate lovely mermaids... although they cannot compare to the reality of this visionary fantasy come true!

Photo copyright Kristian Schmidt 2012

Many of the talented photographers and filmmakers who work with Hannah share her mission to help the creatures of our world's seas. Links to the talented photographers' sites are at the end of this post. Be sure to visit these accomplished professionals and you will be amazed and fascinated at what you will see! You will find an abundance of incredible images in their underwater portfolios. 

Photo copyright Kristian Schmidt 2012

Beyond Hannah's obvious natural beauty there is much she had to learn and endure to give those photos underwater magic. Imagine holding your breath underwater. How did your face look? Kinda like a puffer fish? How long can you do breathe underwater before popping up to get air? Training herself as a young girl in underwater breathing techniques, Hannah Fraser now does free diving, has her scuba certificate, and knows how to buddy breathe when on deep dives wearing her tail. On one photo shoot she had to be tied to a rock on the cold ocean floor only getting air from her buddy in between takes. In addition to needing a constant source of air, you must consider that ocean currents, waves, sharp rocks, and sharks, can be hazards in this unyielding environment too. Yet, what results is this extraordinary miraculous communion with whales and manta rays, captured by the tenacious photographers and filmmakers of the daring Hannah Mermaid. Totally comfortable in her under sea environment, Hannah's art and skill makes what she does look completely effortless. Hannah easily reflects natural emotion and fluid elegance interacting with her large sea companions.

Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs 2012

Hannah Mermaid's true gift is that she allows us to imagine we could be freely floating beneath the sea among the captivating creatures along with her. Hannah comments, "I'd like to help awaken people to their personal experience of creative play, where the lines of fantasy and reality blend. Being a mermaid is my lifelong expression of joy. I hope everyone finds their own passion...  and lives it!" 

Photo copyright Hannahfraser.com

Always drawn to the sea, this creative goddess drew her first mermaid at 3 years old, and constructed her first mermaid tail at age nine from an orange tablecloth. Child soul vision made manifest!

"Hannah age 9" Credit: Hannahfraser.com

Hannah continues to create the handmade gorgeous sparkling tails she wears herself! 

Photo credit: hannahfraser.com

Observe the sensational gifted work Hannah does in making her own mermaid tails in the photo collage above! She does not make mermaid tails for anyone else as the money needed for materials, the difficulty in fitting to the body, and it's taking four months of time to construct is prohibitive... unless you have $20,000.00! There are tips on her FAQ page if you'd like to give it a try at your house!

Painting copyright by Hannah Fraser

A modern Renaissance woman Hannah is a fashion model, performance artist, environmental activist, artist, costume designer, photographer, educator, and a professional mermaid. Pretty darn cool!

Photo credit: hannahfraser.com

Living as a mermaid is a vision Hannah has held in her mind since childhood. She lives her unique dream with passion! Be sure to go to the Hannah Mermaid website and read the FAQ page to learn more interesting details about being an actual professional mermaid. Not your average job; there are many variables to consider before making the plunge.

Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs 2012

Hannah explains her life mission in this way: "Being in the ocean is where I feel the most free and expressive. You can feel the connection and abundance of life around you as they move with the same currents, work symbiotically to survive, and adapt to suit their environment. Most sea animals are curious and interested in the humans that enter their world with respect. The ocean is the birthplace of life on Earth, and if I can be a visual link to inspire other humans who have become disconnected from this amazing world, I feel I have done something worthwhile."


The whale population has been pushed towards extinction and even with bans on hunting whales, many nations continue to kill these gentle giants. A film short called 'Betrayal' speaks to the sadness, starring Hannah Fraser and humpback whales, it was filmed by Shawn Heinrichs and is on Vimeo. 

The whale shark in photo below is the world's largest fish and was part of the first conservation fashion shoot between Sean Heinrichs, Kristian Schmidt, and Hannah Fraser.

Photo copyright Shawn Heinrichs 2012

The gentle lyrical Manta Rays are often wrongly confused with the sting ray that killed Steve Irwin. Divers and snorkelers know better, and look forward to their exciting encounters with this huge graceful animal. Unfortunately the Mantas are being over fished for their gills, and their limited reproductive biology cannot keep up with the demand. Witness the video below to see the elegance of Hannah Fraser and the manta together in 'Mantas Last Dance.'

Mantas Last Dance from Blue Sphere Media on Vimeo.

Along with bringing attention to whales and manta rays by her spectacular photo shoots and film work, Hannah dedicates a percentage of her earnings as a mermaid towards ocean conservation charities. Some of the key people involved in the conservation process have been photographer Kristian Schmidt, Shawn Heinrichs, Richard Branson, Blue Sphere Foundation and the un-named capable crews of people that are needed to create such important artistic projects. Many dedicate their time and work towards the end goal of protection for these magnificent giants of the sea. Below the brilliant Emmy Award winning film maker and photographer Shawn Heinrichs talks about making an underwater film, and his concern to protect the endangered creatures of the sea that propels his work forward. Please go to this Blue Sphere Media blog page to view more images and learn more about the environmental projects of Shawn Heinrichs. Now is the time to bring your voice to help these creatures of the sea thrive and survive by clicking through the links listed at the end of this post.

The making of "Mantas Last Dance" from NINETEEN87 on Vimeo.

I hope you have enjoyed this peek at an unusual performance artist that creates not only fantasy art in real life, but uses her beauty and talent to bring sobering attention to the oceans' environmental issues! Please visit Hannah Fraser's website to learn more about her inspiring work and continuing creative projects. May your dream bring you as much joy as this living mermaid brings to others!

Links To See And Learn More:

Hannah Mermaid

Kristian Schmidt

Shawn Heinrichs

Blue Sphere Media

Article about the photo shoots

Article about Manta Ray photo shoot

Article about the Betrayal Film shoot
Limited Whale Shark Fashion Prints

Wild Aid

credit: hannahfraser.com

American Visionary Art Museum

Come take a trip with me to a land of no boundaries, and no rigid pre-conceived ideas about art. I promise you will have fun!

You are going on a great googly-moogly trip to funky fun-town!

Let's ride down the river of free imagination. Let's get surprised, 

and fill our heads full of wonder and awe. Play, play, play!

Allow the shiny happy things in life to shimmer and shine their way into your heart. Watch and run through the sparkles and rainbows that scatter in all directions from this 'Universal Tree Of Life.' This is just like the Queen's own room of natural rainbows, gotten from stringing all manner of crystals in every window. The sun and earth together can make magic happen! So can you! Feel your lightness!

Yes just let your mind go. Be free to think silly thoughts and smile loudly! Now how often do you see a nest full of people? We are in a wonderland of ideas made manifest. 

We are happy like wax lips!

Yes, there are real peeps in that nest.

Where in the mad hatters world are we my dear? We are at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore Hon! There are no rules here...no boxes...and no formally trained artists.

Since they don't allow cameras inside the buildings my photos are taken in their outside spaces, which happen to have a few funtastical sculptures that I can share with you. I do wish I could have shown you the beautiful blue bottle covered hearse in the Jim Rouse Visionary Building. Elvis would have adored it!

Feast your eyes on this eight foot mosaic egg! The Queen loves eggs... and sparkly things...so I really wish for this sculpture to be in my castle! I just want to hug it! Gorgeous from every angle and when the sunbeams hit it look out! The mosaic design is based on the photos taken with the Hubble Telescope of our beautiful galaxy.

The museum sits next to Federal Hill where crowds come to watch movies on this wall with the giant hand over the big movie screen. Imagine that the hand is going to reach down and pluck someone right out of a movie scene. Bwah-hahahaha

It's time to go and see the crazy funkyfide art that lives inside The American Visionary Art Museum. Oh there is that egg again! Can't get enough of it!    Speaking of Galaxies, the show inside AVAM right now is called  'All Things Round - Galaxies, Eyeballs, and Karma!'  You have to visit the AVAM website as it is a wonderment in itself, plus you will get a peek at some of the things going on in the museum.

After going through all the levels of the museum we were hungry! So we went to 'Mr. Rain's Fun House' for lunch located on the top floor of the museum. Since it was a very warm October day we decided to eat outside on the patio over looking Federal Hill and the giant whirligig kinetic sculpture that constantly spins and moves in the breeze.

Oh My! The food is just as fantastic as the exhibitions of AVAM! Let's eat! While we waited our server brought us some soft pretzel bites and honey mustard. This Philly girl was extra happy when they brought us a second round of these fun little delights!

Wowie Zowie the food here was soooooo good! This is no museum cafe folks, 'Mr Rain's Fun House' is a really awesome restaurant!
Our first course was Butternut Squash Soup. Mmmm a fall favorite!

Then came one the best sandwiches I have ever eaten! I am getting hungry just looking at this salmon fillet sandwich again! Look at that bread all full of holes. So good!

Ben had an Asian salad and veggie sandwich combo.

Of course the art work does not stop at the restaurant door. They have big funky bottle cap n' pearled animal-like heads hanging out on the walls of the patio Fun House for your viewing pleasure.

Ben and I usually share a dessert and this was a yummy work of art!

As we stare deeply into all the mosaic walls covering the AVAM's exterior walls, we think we are so glad to have taken this trip through time and space and arrived at such a place of artistic freedom. I may love the 'old masters,'  but I also know when it's time to indulge my inner child! This museum is the perfect outlet for a zany zippy toothy grin-fest! You certainly will remember the pieces of art that immediately made you say, "How cool is that!"

If you are ever in Baltimore a trip to AVAM funky fun town should be a priority. The museum is filled with all kinds of inventive pieces from tramp art to phantasmagorical paintings. It is located between the Inner Harbor and the Federal Hill area at 800 Key Highway. There is also a fun spirited museum shop called Sideshow that will keep you busy looking at all the loony and kitschy gifts.

Just watch that Egg... there may be other worldly beings transporting through this galaxy gateway to check out the joint during your visit!

PQ found this universal message in the parking area. Spread the Love!

Jaime Brick's Enchanted Sculpture

We were so excited by these woodland inspired sculptures by Canadian Jaime Brick at Faerie Con that I knew I would have to blog about this imaginative and creative soul! Jaime was kind enough to let me take some photos of his extraordinary artwork. You can certainly tell this man has an understanding of natural beauty mixed with a sense of humor which is apparent in the two distinct styles of his sculpture projects. Check out those silly guys below!

 
Here is a quote from the Information card I picked up at his booth. " Abandoned as an infant, Jamie Brick was taken in and raised by a pack of wild medieval rabbits.  This unusual upbringing reflects in this artist's eyes as he sculpts, stone, wood and mixed media into creatures from a world that lies just left of center."...and...

Long-winded Artist Statement "My work reflects a didactic ascension into a downward spiral, metamorphosing into a translucent solid of good vs evil and my fear of abandonment."
 

In truth as with most art, the artist does not always know what direction the piece will take him on the creative journey, but you can smile in wonder when everything seems to work together perfectly.   

Many of the figures started as life casts, which Jaime has transfigured into very magical beings. How about being the subject of one of Jaime's sculptures yourself? You could be a woodland nymph, as Jaime also does custom commissions in which he can work on a theme along with your budget. He is a member of the International Life Casters association and he promises to provide you with a safe and comfortable experience using the latest materials. It would be so awesome to own one of his unique one of a kind sculptures and be the inspiration. Be sure to click on the individual photos to view the detail of his beautiful figures and sculptures!

 

If you should take on the quest of seeking out Jamie's Canadian studio to view his art or become a wondrous sculpture, your journey will lead you along a narrow winding road weaving through the forest of Draper.  "The forest is a rough magical landscape.  Legend has it that in the middle of the forest is a valley of white skin trees where Faeries still gather in gossamer gowns, their hair wild flower woven.  Great wizards still practice ancient lore.  At the end of the road near the edge of the map lies Bear Bottom Studio.  Here in the forest Jamie lives with his wife Annette in a century old cabin nestled against the Lake of Draper.  He invites you to visit the studio and walk through the lake side gardens or to sit by the lake and breath in the serenity."  

His work can be seen in the Life Casters Museum In Boston as well as other galleries that are listed on the Jaime Brick website. Jaimie's work ha been featured In Faerie Magazine, and Jaime Brick Studios will return to Faerie Con 2011. If you are traveling to Hunt Valley Maryland check his work out in person! You will be enchanted!

The Famous Spoutwood May Day Fairie Festival

This weekend is the 20th Anniversary of The Annual Spoutwood May Day Fairie Festival. Held in Glen Rock Pennsylvania, always on the first weekend of May, rain or shine, this is the longest running fairy festival in the country. What makes this festival the best, is the beautiful outdoor setting filled with magical places that wee sprite love.  Fae folk are nature spirits, and the obvious place to emulate that love for nature, is with a fairy festival in the country. 

Spoutwood Farm is an enchanted friendly place to relax, a wonderful place to enjoy people, the perfect place to feel the music, and most of all... a fun place to play!!! No matter what your age, come be a part of the of the annual celebration of the return of Spring! Enjoy the happy parade of colorful fairies, and creative people that fill the fields and walkways on Spoutwood Farm. 

There are 70 arts and crafts vendors throughout the festival grounds, along with two areas for food and drink. Music fills the air on a variety of stage locations throughout the weekend. Who will you see? What will you see? Who will you be?  

For children, the Spoutwood Fairie Festival is a wonderland at every turn as there is so much to see and do!

Waves of floating bubbles to run through! Run! Fly! Jump! Try to capture one for a fleeting sparkling moment!  This area is always shining with delighted little fairy faces!

A beautiful faerie along the woods creates some magic...

Stroll past a mystical Master Wizard...

Keep your eyes open for the Fairie King and Queen... 

A pony ride would be nice...

or even tickling your toes in a cool running stream!

Playing dress up and using your creative imagination is the best reason to enjoy your day at the fairie festival! 

Posie Fairy...perhaps we should join her for afternoon tea.

Time for some awesome music and tribal beats! There is Albannach performing last year, and wowing the large crowd that always gathers to feel their infectious rhythms! Spoutwood May Day Faire Festival attracts some of the best musical acts! This year the amazing 'Telesma' will be performing on Saturday and Sunday! You can check the Spoutwood website for this years full musical line-up.

The 'Gypsy Nomads' now known as 'Frenchy and The Punk' were up on the hill inspiring some free form faerie dancing in 2010.

Children's music is in a hidden realm made for exploring. A few years ago Ben and I ran into Ellis Woodward performing for the little people! Of course Ben joined Ellis for a few spontaneous tunes!

Lets go get our face painted!

We could get a beautiful hair braid by our friend Ellen. This is the kind lady who created the hairstyle for Painting Queen's wedding day.

Oh now its time for the drum circle! You can freely join in, or just watch what is a favorite activity at Spoutwood!

After all that movement, now it's time to take a moment to relax.

I think we are hungry for some of Jeff's delicious quesadillas and sweet potato fries!

Say hello to the Mossmen!

Let's go for a walk around the grounds! Wow! Something magical is happening! 

Enchantment at every turn!

That is one beautiful lizard!

The Greenman of Spoutwood is always ready to give the call of "Kubiando!"

In 'Nature Place' a group shares their knowledge of reptiles.

Beautiful llamas rest in the mid day sun.

Let's keep trekking up the hill towards Frodo's house.

Ahh there it is with a glittering fairy at the entrance!

Faerie Magazine always brings in the best fantasy artists to their tent. As you can see, the renown artist Charles Vess enjoys a great fairy festival. He will be there again this year giving a talk, along with the fantastic Gary Lippincott.

Candice Night Of 'Blackmore's Night' attended Spoutwood and shared her light with fans.

The 'Tribes of Spoutwood' exist for those who would like to express themselves within a like-minded group and enjoy the celebration of light that Spring and Summer bring to the world.

After indulging in some tasty treats up on Frodo's Hill and wandering through all the craft tents it's time to wind down the hill.

A creator of gorgeous Fairy Wings passes by in the crowd! 

Can't resist another trip through the bubble field!

There goes another wizard! 

I didn't know this guy smiled.

The weather is beautiful, and the air smells so sweet. After a long winters nap, it is good to be in the warm light of Spring with so many friends, loved one's and fae!

We have seen and experienced much today! We will return again to enjoy the sights and sounds of the 'Spoutwood May Day Fairie Festival.' 

Everyone is welcomed in this colorful glen filled with magic. You can play and express your creative self, while enjoying the beauty of other peoples expressions of light, and artful costume.

 The glow of the sun tells us this day is ending.

Let's catch the last sweet rays.

Even the animals try to squeeze in one more moment of fun! 

Heading back to the parking field. We are grateful for this day to celebrate life. Thank you Rob and Lucy Wood for sharing your land and your light with the world. Spoutwood May Day Fairie Festival is one of the highlights of the year for many of our friends and family! 




Credits: All images by Crystal Sherman, Textures - by Shadowhouse Creations,  
Green Frame - by Paula Kesselring, Orange Frame - by Christina Renee