The Long Lost Woods

The Giant Doll

2012-02-01T23:07:00.000+11:00

The third illustration out of four intended to be displayed at the Poznan Children’s Book Illustration Salon in Poland. In the Story the young King meets a little girl outside, who airily announces that if her father were the King, she would ask for a giant doll that reaches the ceiling. Later, the lonesome little King demands that just such a doll be specially constructed for her.

I write a bit about the story and illustration salon here.

As I will be leaving on Thursday as part of the Győr Delegation to the Salon in Poland, I don't think I will actually have time to complete an entire, detailed, fourth illustration. I am just too slow when I work. Hope they are satisfied with just three and a bundle of character sketches instead!

The Young Regent

2012-01-31T19:59:00.000+11:00

The Young Regent,Watercolour on Paper / 75 x 52 cm

The second illustration out of four intended to be displayed at the Poznan Children’s Book Illustration Salon in Poland.

I write a bit about the story and illustration salon here.

Melodies and Desires

2012-01-31T03:37:00.000+11:00

Trysting Fields

2012-01-30T20:50:00.000+11:00

A simpler piece from me, more of a sketch. Yet the ostentatious, elaborate frame does wonders for this little pen and watercolour portrait. I just ordered "Dangerous Liasons" by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos in Hungarian. I can't wait to start reading it - it'll arrive the day after my birthday.

Quiet Corners

2012-01-30T02:33:00.000+11:00

"Still life scenes". My paintings and etchings framed, photographed before they all went off to their new homes.

The Orphan King

2012-01-27T20:45:00.000+11:00

The first illustration out of four intended to be displayed at the Poznan Children’s Book Illustration Salon in Poland. I write a bit about the story and illustration salon here.

In this picture I depicted the moment described in the book when the old King dies, and young Matykó (Matty) sits despondently in his room – because whilst he has just become King, he has also lost his father and become an orphan, completely alone in the world.

I wanted him to look tiny, garbed in the oversized mourning robes of an adult, a news-paper crown on his head, the same a child would fold out of paper when playing dress-ups.

75 x 52 cm, Watercolour on Paper.

II. Winter Exhibition

2012-01-27T00:06:00.000+11:00

The night after my small group show, three of my illustrations were selected to be exhibited in the second “Winter Exhibition” (II. Téli Tárlat) here in Győr, which showcased the work of artists connected to Győr. 38 artists were represented in the halls and rooms of the “Napoleon House” (so named because Napoleon himself spent a night resting here.)

Fellow children’s book illustrator Zsuzsi Farkas was distinguished with a prize - she received a Solo Show in Sopron this year. I modestly accepted a highly recommended award - a beautiful book filled with the work of US-based Hungarian artist Joseph Domjan, who created intricate and detailed woodblock prints.

Wounded Rhymes

2012-01-24T20:31:00.000+11:00

Perhaps the gentleman she wanted to dance with is dancing with another lady? I'm not sure, but this damsel is quite dissatisfied with the situation she finds herself in.

Another piece, framed and ready for the upcoming Baroque Ball I will be painting at. I wonder if a handsome gentleman will ask ME to dance? At any rate, I will not pout like this powdered and rouged coquette, I will be busy painting ephemeral little Baroque-style portraits to entertain the guests at the Zichy Palace.

Baroque Palaces

2012-01-24T01:21:00.000+11:00

I’ve mentioned before how charming I find the inner town of Győr, with its pastel coloured Baroque houses and Palaces. Due to its rich history, the Baroque theme is heavily pushed by the town with special occasions and street festivals during the year. To my immense joy I was invited to an exclusive Baroque themed costume ball, held in the incredibly beautiful Zichy palace here in Győr.

I have already been for my costume fitting – a honey-pink gown, with layers of organza and silk, and a matching ostentatious costume hat decked in delicate roses and vines. I begged for the largest, most extravagant crinoline they had. And I got it. If you’re going to go to a Baroque Ball you might as well go all out, no?

During the night I will be one of the “entertainment”; with a little easel set up in one of the palace rooms to paint delicate portraits in my ephemeral style. A formal dinner is followed by a night of dancing, to which I am most looking forward to!

As I will be exhibiting some of my work during the Ball, I decided to raid the frame store again for some decadent, ornate gold frames. How gorgeous are they? I cannot wait to fill them with dames and coquettes.

Exhibition Photographs

2012-01-23T23:47:00.000+11:00

I’m trying to get both my flickr account and my Facebook Fan page into shape, and have been attempting to catalogue and file the photographs taken at various exhibitions and opening gala’s. I’m either completely scattered, or meticulously OCD when it comes to organizing things into categories and folders, and this was a good project for the latter part of my nature.

So if you’re a fan on facebook (LIKE me, LOVE me!) I’ll be adding more folders soon. And if facebook ain’t your thing, here is the Flickr set dedicated to the wonderful exhibition openings I have taken part in over the years.

The Three Faces to FairyTales

2012-01-23T04:32:00.000+11:00

"A Mese Három Arca" (The three faces to fairytales)

january 20 - february 26

2012

Richter Terem, Győr, Hungary

With fellow exhibited artists Zsuzsa Farkas and Hajnal Aurora Németh

Exhibition Press

2012-01-20T00:44:00.000+11:00

Some press in the local paper, The Kisalföld, regarding tomorrows exhibition in Győr, Hungary.

To my delight, my painting was chosen for the feature.

We began to hang the show today. I'll let you all know how it went tomorrow! Thanks for all the support!!

Customer Appreciation

2012-01-19T20:41:00.000+11:00

I just love getting little snapshots of my work in their new locations!

Late last year when my blog finally reached 100 followers I gave away a small little watercolour. Astera was sweet enough to take these beautiful photographs when the parcel reached her. Her camera captures a beautiful little romantic world, and I'm delighted my art is a part of it!

Seeing this little snapshot makes me realize just how important a nice clear photograph is to present your work as an artist. Until I return to Australia I am dependent on a really battered little point and shoot, with my nice DSLR waiting back home. One of my little postcards here.

Astera Torralba writes a touching and genuinely kind post here on her blog: the mermaid in the living room. I'd recommend popping over promptly, not to further ogle my work, but to have a peek at her own incredibly beautiful artworks.

Pastel Glimpses

2012-01-19T20:30:00.000+11:00

More little "mist spirits" - doodled in the early hours, late evenings, or to overcome moments of artist block.

Ready...Steady....

2012-01-17T05:16:00.000+11:00

9 little sketches, a triptych, and 7 A2 watercolour paintings have been selected to feature in my upcoming group show “A Mese Három Arca”, opening in one week’s time in Győr. I will be exhibiting along two other very talented young women, similarly working with themes from Hungarian stories and fairytales. I have exhibited with Farkas Zsuzsi twice now, and I’m delighted to be showing with her again!

Here are my lovelies, awaiting matt-board cutting and frames. I won’t see them again till the 20^th!

In other news relating to exhibitions: the very next day one of my works will feature in the "Téli Tárlat" Exhibition, on show at the Napoleon House in Győr. I will get to personally accompany the illustrations I create for the Children's Book Illustration Salon held in Poznan, Poland during the 3-5th of February. And finally, the date for my Solo Exhibition at the Eszterházi Palace (the main building of the Museum of Fine Art in Győr) has been penciled in for the 4^th of May – a most auspicious day for me, as that is my name day! Which also means my return date to Australia will be postponed till after that. Until then, I continue to live the life of a full-time bludger, I mean…. Artist!

Illustration Salon

2012-01-15T03:02:00.002+11:00

In early February a few of my watercolours will be traveling further abroad to feature in the annual Children’s Book Illustration Salon held in Poznań, Poland. Fellow Győr illustrator Farkas Zsuzsi and I were selected to represent Győr and Hungary at the Salon with roughly 4 illustrations each, relating to the children’s story written by Janusz Korczak titled“I. Matykó Király” in Hungarian, (or the original Polish version: Król Macius pierwszy, Nasza Ksiegarnia, Warszawa, 1955.) The Poles are renowned for their high quality Children's Book Illustrations, so this is a wonderful opportunity for us! (edit: Apparently, I might get to go!)

In English, the story title would translate perhaps as “King Matty I.” and it is the story of a young prince who suddenly becomes King at the passing of his father. I’m desperately reading snippets for inspiration, as we do not have very long to complete the illustrations themselves, seeing as the Salon will be held between the 3^rd and 5^th of February! Hopefully I will squeeze in a quick photo shoot with my young muse early this coming week so that I can get to work!

The size specified is a little larger than I have ever worked on. Since my desk is not big enough to accommodate this scale, I’ve moved my “workspace” to the wall beside my bed. Now I can truly say I just stay in bed all day!

Beautiful Secrets

2012-01-13T21:00:00.000+11:00

The working title for this piece was “Remorse”. However, as I neared completion she began to look less and less remorseful, so I gave her the title of one of Sarah Blasko’s songs instead, “Beautiful Secrets”.

I managed to get my greedy hands on a beautiful ornate frame, and it feels incredibly decadent to have one of my paintings framed like this. If I could have my way, all my paintings would be exhibited with such glorious frames at my solo show later this year… but alas, I would need a small fortune!

Pastel Presents

2012-01-10T23:04:00.000+11:00

Little portraits on their way to new homes....

Customer Appreciation

2012-01-07T22:08:00.000+11:00

A wonderful little lady who purchased one of my prints sent me these darling photographs she took when "Fireflies in the Marsh" arrived. I liked them so much I thought I'd share!

Thank you Annina, you're an angel!

Framed and Hung

2012-01-03T00:25:00.000+11:00

Visitors to the Szalai Restaurant in Győr, Hungary can now dine in the presence of my painting... even the soup matches! The wait-staff get a kick out of it, so I am thrilled!

A precious gift....

2012-01-03T00:16:00.000+11:00

Right before Christmas, far from home, family and friends, I was pleasantly surprised with a wonderful gift. Even though I knew to expect a package from far away, I was still caught unawares when I un-wrapped a beautiful portrait drawn for me by artist Astera Torralba.

I received it on a day when I had just seen snow for the first time in my life. I’d had a spout of illness and troubles in the weeks beforehand, yet on this day a calm and tranquility settled upon my soul, and I was perfectly happy.The detail she infused this piece with is intricate and obviously a work of love, I am very very humbled to have received such a wonderful gift! She writes a beautiful post about the process on her blog, here.

Thank you dear Astera!

Farewell 2011

2011-12-31T21:19:00.000+11:00

Darling readers, thank you for bearing with me this year, watching my progress, commenting, urging me on.

This year, I can honestly say, was the best of my life so far. I had a bad spell between 2008 and 2010, where I felt each year was worse than the last. Wonderful things happened to me in those years, of course, but somehow on New Year’s Eve I found myself angry at the world and most angry at myself. This year however, I would struggle to remember more than a handful of bad experiences; mistakes, awkward situations, misunderstandings - nothing serious or with gravity. Instead I look back on 2011 as one filled with new experiences, adventure, art, and the infinite kindness of strangers. Most of all, the unbelievable kindness shown to me by strangers.

Being the Year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Zodiac, and being a rabbit myself, I feel almost as if the stars themselves helped me along this year. The Year of the Rabbit was predicted to be one of new beginnings; where you paved the path for a calmer future. This certainly seemed the case for me. I found myself in incomprehensible situations, where it seemed as if the stars themselves had aligned to make certain things possible. I left Australia in April and headed to Hungary, to visit the land of my parents. I got to go to England and Italy too, which for me was a great treat. I saw snow for the first time in my life. I danced and I laughed and I drank the wild air and basked in the wonder of it all.

My art has definitely changed – I find it hard to put my finger on the specifics, but scale is definitely one of them. My previous works were tiny little glimpses, intimate moments caged and trapped, visible only through a keyhole. The new pieces, though still melancholy in nature, are larger; the figures loose in a white space open to interpretation, un-caged, free, wild.

2011 was very good to me. I eagerly look forward to 2012; I can only imagine it being even better!

Happy New Year everyone!!

Little Faces

2011-12-30T03:54:00.001+11:00

I had a lot of fun painting these little faces. Little Apple and Little Peach.

Available in my Etsy Shop

Will Draw For Food

2011-12-21T23:48:00.000+11:00

I am a great fan of the idea of the Barter System: I can create something you like, and you have something that I need. Trade.

I have had a pretty good spell of luck here in Győr, Hungary. I have met some incredible people that have reached out a helping hand to help nurture my art, feeling it was something worth aiding and assisting to grow. I am speechless when I think about the opportunities I have literally been handed this past year – it has given me so much confidence with what I am doing, to see that so many people have gone out of their way to give me the chance to devote myself entirely to painting. I myself have seen an obvious change in the size and caliber of my work; I feel it is a little sharper, a little more sophisticated than before.

Faced with a cold winter unlike anything else I have experienced back in sunny warm Australia, my two main concerns were obviously shelter and sustenance – the basics for survival. Through my art and the help of the Győr Art Museum I was able to acquire both. As amazing as figuring out a trade for my accommodation was, even more amazing was when a local restaurant, Szalai, decided to help me through the winter by providing me with a free meal a day in return for one of my paintings.

I tortured myself over what to paint for them, I wanted it to be something very special… but who knows if they would appreciate a flower decked maiden in a floral frock, or rouged coquette reclining on a Victorian lounge… so I opted for something simpler and more mainstream, choosing to paint a portrait/ intimate dining scene inside the restaurant.

I took it to a local framer, and I have to say I am thrilled with the result. I want to see ALL of my paintings framed ALWAYS; I think they look wonderful behind glass with a handsome frame :-}

Young Luca Witch

2011-12-19T21:41:00.000+11:00

My second witch inspired by the Hungarian folk superstition revolving around the Luca Day festival. (You can see the first witch and read about this strange superstition here).

This time I decided to depict a young girl, and her horns are those of the Hungarian breed of sheep known as Racka – they have long twisting horns and their wool is either black or cream coloured dreadlocks.

In accordance with my other witch portraits so far, I was more interested in suggesting my witches were the victims of mass hysteria and the cruelty capable by mobs singling out someone who did not “fit in” in a small town. I was joking that I did not want to attend midnight mass with the locals because if someone stood on a Luca chair they would single me out because of my weird Australian-Hungarian accent - to which my comrades replied not to be silly, the boys would only accuse someone they did not like of being a witch (confirming my point.)

I thought of the way children often “flirt” with each other by bullying and teasing the one they secretly fancy, and the unfortunate consequences this might have in a superstitious community.

Luca Witch

2011-12-19T01:29:00.000+11:00

In Hungary the 13th of December is celebrated as Luca Day, a day when evil walks amongst us, similar to the Western "All Hallows Eve".

On Luca Day the young men of the town would start to build the Luca Chair. Each day up until Christmas Eve you had to work on a particular part of this chair, which eventually had to be constructed and carved out of 13 different types of wood, over 13 days. On Christmas Eve the guys would smuggle the chair into midnight mass hidden beneath their coats. Superstition was that if you stood on the chair at midnight you would be able to see who amongst those present was a witch. The Witches on this evening would grow long horns, invisible to the naked eye. Because of the horns they would have to duck or bend over as they entered the gate of the church. The person who stood on the Luca chair would be able to see the horns and identify the witch – then they would have to run home (screaming and hollering I imagine) lest the witch, enraged that she/he’d been discovered tore them to shreds. By dismantling and burning the Luca Chair in the fire you symbolically burned the witch – the little pieces of wood were rumoured to shriek in the fire as the evil spirits were burned.

I loved the imagery of the witches sprouting horns, and am working on a small series of Luca Portraits inspired by this tradition. The horns here are based upon a traditional breed of giant grey cattle confined to Hungary known simply as "Grey Cattle " (Szürke Marha).

Puddle Splashing

2011-12-19T00:24:00.000+11:00

Long time followers of my blog will occasionally see me produce these more stylistically illustrative pieces. They’re like little ice breakers… testing the water with a tentative toe before leaping in completely. I have always dreamed of illustrating for children’s books, and I think it is the career path I will whole heartedly pursue in the very near future.

Whilst I love my (usual) style, I do not see it reaping me enough financial rewards with which to survive. Selling an occasional giclee print on etsy for barely more than it cost to produce is not a sustainable career path. Ultimately I would love to do both, to create large-scale watercolour paintings that are exhibited in galleries, whilst working on children’s books as well. Well, this is the ultimate goal! I just have to hurry up and produce an illustration portfolio!

This little girl was painted as a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart for the director of the Győr Art Museum, who reached out and essentially became my benefactor, making sure I had the means to pursue my art without interruption during my stay in Győr. She’s been teaching me odd and lesser used Hungarian words, and our favourite sentence became an eccentric way of saying “The cheeky coquette splashes in rain puddles” (A rakoncátlan kisleány pocsétákban tócsázik.)

To get an idea of scale, here I am hiding behind the final framed painting.

My Etsy Shop Grand Re-Opening

2011-12-16T04:03:00.000+11:00

Giclee prints of my paintings are on offer once again!

When I left Australia in April of this year (2011) I closed down my etsy shop as I thought I would be returning within a few months anyway. 8 months on and I am still in Europe, and chances are I will be here for a fair while yet. As I have also been un-employed this whole time, money has become a scarce and worrying concern for me. Knowing that I have a box full of beautiful archival giclee prints just sitting around back in Australia, I would like to re-open my etsy store offering these for sale again.

Postage will be from Australia (NOT Hungary). My postal elves (dear mother and brother) have strict instructions on how to package the prints (sturdy matt-board backing and acid-free cello sleeves within a bubble mailer – the usual!)

The money raised will be used to buy myself soup :-) Whilst the romantic idea of being a starving artist is traditional and all, I’d rather have warm soup in my belly to help me stay creative!!

My Etsy Shop

The Milk-Eyed Seer

2011-12-14T21:02:00.001+11:00

Sometimes I don’t actually illustrate a particular character in a particular folktale, but either take inspiration from the essence of the tale, or wander down a completely different path. This was such a case.

When working out the composition for The Witch’s Daughter, I couldn’t decide between a portrait, or a full-body composition. I ended up choosing to depict the entire pose – I felt it was very important in order to convey the situation the girl found herself in – flung to the ground, awaiting her unfair fate.

The idea of a portrait however, nagged at my mind. I didn’t want this to be “The Witch’s Daughter #2”, but I struggled to find a suitable folk-tale to slot her into. The closest I came was a witch who traded specifically in eyes, and had a little shop set up in town. When a poor florist finds a blinded girl weeping by the road he takes her home, and goes to the witch to buy a pair of eyes for the girl.

Imagery of blind girls, milky eyes and witches began to meld together in my imagination. Once I finished painting her I felt she needed something a little more –she wasn’t eerie enough. I thought of the most horrible thing I could – moths. Not scary enough yet. Dead moths. Perfect.

In the end I don’t think she turned out so horrible and eerie anyway – which I am glad about. I prefer to show the proud and human side of the “ghastly” characters in traditional folktales, the ones you are supposed to recoil from in revulsion simply because they are different from the “common folk”. I also wanted to show that the ugly old blind woman was once young, able to see what you and I cannot.

The Gallant Swan's Little Sister

2011-12-10T22:55:00.001+11:00

In this particular folktale the King has to leave for war. During his absence the Queen gives birth to seven children (at once, I’m presuming, and of course, they are all his, no shenanigans you know!!) Six boys and one girl. The nursemaid of course, is an evil witch, and replaces the children with seven dog pups. The babes are taken into the woods where they are to be killed, but neither the witch’s son nor daughter is able to carry out the grisly task. Instead the daughter pities them and takes away their magical silver necklaces, which makes the children turn into swans. But she misses one, who is raised by a kindly old hermit into a valiant young knight. When he comes of age he goes to his parents kingdom, to find that his mother has been imprisoned after being accused of being a witch (how else to explain the fact she gave birth to pups instead of babes?) He explains the truth, the witch is killed, but only 5 of the 6 stolen chains are found. The royal family head down to the pond in the woods, and the chains are placed upon the necks of the swans, who all turn back into their rightful forms – except the youngest son, who has to remain a swan without his chain. They leave the swan-lad in the pond, and all return to the castle lamenting and crying. Every day his sister visits him, for she liked him the most. Pitying him, she removes the chain from her own neck and places it around his, and takes his place as a swan.

The tale gets rather complicated and winding from there on, but of course at the end everything is made right and they all live happily ever after.

I imagined the princess as quite a pitiful little character – full of love and care, but lacking any sense of self-worth. Although she has the biggest heart and sacrifices herself to free her brother, I think it is sad (but all too usual in folk tales) that a girl’s life is worth less than a boy’s.

The Witches Daughter

2011-12-10T00:07:00.001+11:00

I wrote a little bit about this character here, but let me introduce you to her properly.

In many of the folktales I’ve been reading I kept meeting this unfortunate character – the witches’ daughter. Simply because she is the daughter of a “witch” (read that as an old woman living on her own in the woods, ostracized by her community, efficient in the use of healing herbs and potions, perhaps grown bitter and cranky after a long life of ill treatment) she too is destined to an ill fate of being loathed and feared.

The princesses and daughters of rich barons all get wedded off to princes and dashing knights, to continue living their comfortable lives of wealth and privilege. The witch takes pity on her forlorn daughter, and uses her magic to make a prince fall in love with her. When the ruse is uncovered, everyone is horrified and furious – both the witch and her poor daughter are ruthlessly killed (sometimes in quite violent and barbaric ways) for having tricked the gentry. The prince in question marries a princess, and everyone lives happily ever after.

I imagined the terrible moment when the miserable girl awaits her cruel fate, destined from birth simply because she was born.

Pencil and Paper

2011-12-08T20:40:00.000+11:00

Usually I can’t wait to start painting a piece after I have finished with the drawing. I’ve gotten to the stage where I feel comfortable knowing that I can make the picture come to life with watercolours, layering translucent wash upon wash to build up a rich body of colour.

Sometimes, however, when I finish a piece that I feel particularly moved by…. I can almost not bear to.

This forlorn little waif will become “The Witches Daughter”. I have a soft spot for those poor unfortunate characters that are destined to be hated by “the good guys” in folktales. Just because her mother is a witch (what does that mean anyway – simply that she is an old woman who has been ostracized by her community because she is ‘ugly’ and perhaps knows how to efficiently use healing herbs and potions) she is destined herself to be feared and loathed, never to be accepted into the inner circle of fairies and princesses and dashing knights.

I felt very sad for this girl as I was drawing her.

I hope I can do her justice and show her unique beauty once I begin to paint her.

Porcelain Mist

2011-12-07T22:22:00.000+11:00

Three more little misty sketches inspired by the porcelain figures of Lidiya Snull

My Sweet Mother’s Rose Tree

2011-12-05T20:38:00.000+11:00

Something hopelessly romantic from me again :-}

Almost every Hungarian folksong will open with a verse somehow relating to nature, and references to flowers or birds often allude to the girl being sung about. One of my favourite songs opens with the line: “My Sweet mother’s rose tree.” Further along in the same song the two lines that inspired this piece translate roughly as:

“I would recommend for everyone, that dreams are better than love,

Because dreams bring you calm, whereas love is only heartache.”

Édesanyám Rózsafája

“Mindenkinek azt ajánlom, a szerelemnél jobb az álom,

Mert az álom nyugodalom, a szerelem csak szív fájdalom.”

I’ve happily become acquainted with a fantastic local band here in Győr called Arabona, who re-work a lot of traditional Hungarian folksongs when they perform, and this one really wrung my heart - like any good hapless romantic. When I am painting I always listen to music, and I find that often what I am listening to will begin to inspire the mood of the piece inadvertently. Quite often a line from a song will end up becoming the title because the two can no longer be separated for me. Whilst I was painting this one I was listening to Florence and the Machine, and another verse caught my attention that seemed equally fitting:

“No more calling like a crow, for a boy, for a body in the garden.

No more dreaming like a girl, so in love, so in love with the wrong one.”

I’m debating painting the shadow of a rose tree spreading out above her. But we will see. Hope you like her!

The King of Crows

2011-12-03T04:09:00.000+11:00

The King of Crows, or The Crow King.

According to the Hungarian folktale by the same name, a poor peasant farmer with barely enough to eat for himself and his wife is informed that the troops of the Crow King are headed his way, and that he is to feed them during their stop-over, and after their stay if he heads to the King’s Castle he will be rewarded greatly. The poor peasant laments that he has nothing but his two oxen that he needs to make a living, and watches in dismay as the crows swoop down from the sky and devour his oxen in a ferocious frenzy. The next day he heads out on foot and travels for days and nights, occasionally hearing word that he is on the right track, and to just keep on. When he gets to the castle he is met by the King of Crows, who thanks him for his generosity and offers him much wealth – gold and jewels, anything his heart desires. The poor man says he has no use for such wealth, he simply wants the little salt grinder by the King’s bed (it is a magic salt grinder, aha!) With this he is able to create anything he wants by saying some magic words and grinding the little wheel away. The tale then detours and continuous on a different train about what he is able to achieve with the magic salt grinder.

The part of the story I really like is when the King demonstrates the prowess of his soldiers - at his call a black crow flies through the open window into the room, and in an instant lands on the floor and turns into a valiant and handsome soldier, then just as easily transforms back into a crow and disappears from the room. I was really taken with this imagery, and though there is nothing in the story to suggest the King also has such powers, I decided I wanted my King of Crows to be just like this – not entirely human.

Love and Blisters

2011-11-23T01:16:00.000+11:00

Inspiration comes in many forms, sometimes in a way you would least expect it. Many of you know I have been on a strange and wonderful journey far from home. When the wonderful ladies behind the incredible label High Tea with Mrs. Woo announced a little story competition, I decided to open my heart and share the spark of inspiration that led me here, to the other side of the world.

I am blown away as I have just been announced the winner.

Love and Blisters

Take a look at the blog to read my piece, and the work of the other entrants.

For Her Hand – And if you fail…..

2011-11-21T21:33:00.001+11:00

As I was researching Hungarian folktales to illustrate (reading children’s stories and drinking wine) I came across a particular trend that caught my attention. In a vast number of the stories I was reading, the plot goes as thus:

There is a King who has a daughter who is the most beautiful girl in all of the land. There has never been a girl as beautiful as her, and never will there be another. You could easily look at the sun, but not at her, for she is that beautiful. When the time comes for her to marry, she sets three tasks for her would-be suitors to fulfill – whoever completes this wins her hand in marriage and her father’s Kingdom… However, any one that tries, but fails, gets their head … (insert strange Hungarian word that I did not understand at the time).

At first I thought all the poor lads that were unsuccessful had their heads put in the stocks whilst rowdy villagers threw tomatoes at them or something. I already thought these princesses were a bit demanding… that’s a bit of a harsh punishment for failure. Then I was informed I had misunderstood the word. The boys who fail do not get their heads put into the stocks for a day, no... They get their heads put on stakes.

OHHH. Silly me, OF COURSE. In true Hungarian / Vlad-the-Impaler fashion the ultimatum for failure is a little more extreme than I initially realized. Suddenly the stories I was told as a child took on an entirely different and much more serious nature. And those beautiful princesses turned horrifically cruel and harsh in my eyes.

Yet the princes still come in hoards, all bewitched by the beauty of the King’s daughter, willing to put their lives at stake (pun intended) for the chance to win her hand, and to share her bed.

This is my depiction of the King’s daughter, cruel and unfeeling, with a horrific ultimatum for her suitors.

A Shady Pair to complete the Pentaptych

2011-11-20T21:55:00.001+11:00

Two more Shadow Beasts to bring the grand total to twelve.

And here are the five panels together as the final pentaptych. Sorry the photo is so terrible ˘_˘

(this is a follow on from this blog post which follows on from this one!)

Close to completion...

2011-11-19T06:13:00.000+11:00

I'm THIS close to finishing her my darlings! I have only to paint her hair... and a grisly surprise in the background.... then she will be finito!!

Here's how she is looking so far...

Progress: For Her Hand – and if you fail…

2011-11-18T21:09:00.001+11:00

Happily working away on another piece in my series of illustrations inspired by Hungarian Folktales. I’ll tell you more about her once she is done.

For your pleasure (and for a good laugh) here is the initial concept sketch for this piece in my sketch-book. Sketches are interesting; whilst they are rough, unrefined and rushed, often they convey so much more liveliness and character than the stiff final painting. It’s a matter of trying to achieve that same movement and sense of mood that was so carelessly caught the first time.

Because it’s getting dark so early here (by four the sun is setting, by five it is dark) I am drawing by lamplight a lot more – I get a surprise in the morning when I see how the colours change in natural light!

Porcelain Mouse

2011-11-17T20:58:00.000+11:00

Something a little different for me, at least for those yet un-acquainted with my artist-made porcelain doll obsession.

Recently I have been heavily inspired by the wonderfully charming dolls made by Russian doll artist Lidia Snull (of BJTales).

And maybe I have a soft spot in my soul for mice (well, for small rodent creatures in general, be it rabbits or chinchillas or bilbies, I just find their feet hilarious.) We used to have naked mice that I just adored. Little hairless wrinkly skin-coloured mice with see-through ears and funny feet.

So please, let me introduce you to my little portrait of one of Lidia’s dolls, “mouse the white”….

Warm Sunny Thoughts

2011-11-16T02:21:00.000+11:00

Sunny colours, warm thoughts, hot mugs of rosehip tea in a mug the colour of dandelions.... it's getting cold here in Hungary, in the mornings the frost bites the leaves and grass and anything green.

Shrouded in Mist

2011-11-13T20:59:00.000+11:00

You can tell I'm making a really valiant and determined effort at procrastinating on a proper painting, can't you? But I am having a lot of fun with these little pastel portraits.... oh the possibilities!

I feel she should be called Amoeba....

Rose Woods... inspired by the lovely Angela of Butterfly Bones

My current obsession... inspired by the dolls of Lidiya Snull of BJTales

Misty Visions

2011-11-13T00:15:00.000+11:00

Watercolour on paper, little post-card sized pieces...
Inspired by the recent shroud of fog that blanketed my little medieval town in white for a day.

Pastel and Blush Portraits

2011-11-11T21:33:00.000+11:00

Some more little portraits painted in pale watercolour.

To while away the hours as I procrastinate working on a larger painting...

"enyo"

"margot"

"isadora"

Pastel and Fog

2011-11-10T21:53:00.002+11:00

Taking a break from the large serious paintings I kept myself busy on a chilly evening with little sketches rendered in very pale washes of watercolour.

This one reminds me of a fox spirit.... one of my obsessions.

In the morning a thick fog descended upon the town, shrouding it in a heavy veil of white. I saw a nice corrolation between it and my misty portraits.

I love all the gorgeous pastel architecture here, perhaps it's having more of an influence on me than I initally realised...

Winter Approaching

2011-11-07T18:38:00.001+11:00

The Hungarian title I chose for this one is “Ördög Fiókái” which translates as “The devil’s hatchlings” – I like that the devil’s offspring are referred to the same way as small birds.

Update: I was asked if the little devil hatchlings were evil... Interestingly in Hungarian mytholgy the devil is not an evil character, he is much more like the god of the underworld Hades/Pluto... infact, the word devil translates as "Guard Creature" - the guardian of corpses. His daughters are often beautiful bird-like creatures and can even be very kind, falling in love with valiant princes trapped in his realm and sometimes help them to escape, becoming their brides.

Slowly Emerging

2011-11-06T19:07:00.001+11:00

She's emerging from the page very slowly indeed.

I had initially planned on titling this "The Descent", but now I like "The Dead Reef" as well... what do you think, which would you choose?

Emerging and Descending

2011-11-06T03:23:00.000+11:00

Slow progress on the new one, she's complicated and time consuming... and hopefully wonderful.

Playing around with some detail snippets

The Twelfth Sister

2011-11-04T02:45:00.001+11:00

Aaaaaaand... she is finished! Allow me to introduce you to my latest painting...

The Grey Rose, or, The Twelfth Sister

The central panel for a triptych inspired by a Hungarian Folk Tale about a curse that binds twelve sisters to an old mansion deep within the woods.

Here is a detail shot of her porcelain features. Unusually for me I left her hair quite simple, no miniature flower garden. But her dress is so detailed I felt that it, her pose, and expression should be the focus.

Here is the entire composition. I initally left a lot of room above her as I wanted to paint a few shadow wolves leaping around... but I am torn, the composition seems so nice with the blank space above her.

What do you think... add a couple of shadow beasts??

To spy a Rose

2011-11-03T00:29:00.000+11:00

Debating a final touch for her... you can't erase watercolour!

Progress on Winter Approaching

2011-10-30T02:52:00.000+11:00

A couple more progress shots of "Winter Approaching".

I can reveal her soon, in about a week... until then...

and the winner is....

2011-10-29T22:05:00.000+11:00

To celebrate my blog reaching 100 followers I anounced a little giveaway last week. Whenever I enter a competition I'm never one to complain about a small response, as it increases my chances at winning (teehee)

So Astera, thank you for your insightful comment, let me know your postal address and I would love to send you this watercolour and a postcard to show my gratitude!

Progress on Grey Rose

2011-10-28T03:02:00.000+11:00

A couple of glimpses at "Grey Rose" as I was working on her....

The first few layers of watercolour....

And after an intense day of painting, her detailed dress is completed. Stripes are much harder to paint than spots, I have discovered.... but I do love the final effect!

PS. This isn't her final title. I'm having trouble. The folktale she was inspired by is called "The Black Faced Young Lady" - but I decided to veer away from that image. She has eleven sisters who turn into wolves (see the previous post!!) but titling the triptych "Twelve" or "Twelve Wolves" or similar seems blunt and uncreative. I'm stuck.... any suggestions?

Shadow Beasts

2011-10-27T23:07:00.000+11:00

Following on with my Hungarian Folktales illustration project, these shadow puppies are going to be part of a triptych – the central panel of which will be the girl I previewed in one of my last posts.

In the story twelve royal brothers find themselves in an abandoned castle. During the night a girl comes to the oldest brother in his dreams and tells how she is the oldest of twelve girls who have been imprisoned in the castle. To set them free he and his brothers must not leave the castle for twelve years, twelve months, twelve weeks, twelve days and twelve hours. When the prince tells his brothers this in the morning they all scoff and get ready to leave. At the edge of the woods the eleven brothers are set upon by eleven wolves and driven back. When they next attempt to leave they are turned to stone. The oldest brother spends the duration of the curse in a lonely exile, occasionally visited in his dreams by the oldest of the sisters.

I like that in the tale the wolves that attack the brothers could be the ghostly sisters, but they could also symbolize the shadows lurking within their own souls, within all of us.

Grey Mornings

2011-10-27T20:11:00.001+11:00

Grey mornings are for sitting at my drawing desk, listening to Cat Power, staring at my drawings and thinking…

°°°

Yesterday I received a wonderful gift from the Art Museum in Győr: a bundle of beautiful hand-made paper made just for me. I am a paper fanatic, so you can imagine my joy. The ragged uneven edges are the most beautiful part of paper like this.

My mind fills with all the possibilities…. Oh, what to paint on them…

Speaking of hand-made - I ran out of my supply of little moo business cards. Instead of ordering new ones I spend sleepy mornings and late nights painting my own.....

Featured and Flattered

2011-10-26T20:03:00.000+11:00

I was just notified that my art and artistic-self were featured on the design site "Lost At E Minor: for creative people" by Tiana Vasiljev, so I'm pretty thrilled. Take a little peek if you feel so inclined:

Monika Viktoria's Of Lace and Moss Art Series

Also, a very talented artist (and I am lucky enough to be able to call her my dear friend) has painted a portrait of yours truly that she has shared on her art-blog, skip over to Laura Jade Art to gaze upon her incredible work!

(How amazing is she? I love the texture on the face!)

If you are on facebook, I'd encourage you to follow her page too: Laura Jade Art on facebook

Emerging Lines

2011-10-25T20:07:00.000+11:00

Lately I’ve preferred to start work and finish one piece before beginning on another, but I had to halt progress on my last piece (the descent) as I didn’t have enough reference material at hand (where is a coral reef when you need one??)

So I began work on this next one, and I have to say, I am just a little thrilled at how she is turning out.

Originally, because of the folktale she was inspired by, I had intended to paint the piece in monochrome blacks and greys, including her face. But I just can’t imagine it. She seems so soft to me, and I felt she was crying out for a paler palette. When I am undecided like this I will often do a little colour study like this one:

Yup… pink and grey it shall be!!

Progress: The Descent

2011-10-25T04:56:00.000+11:00

The base line-work for a new painting.... she's going to be a lot more detailed than this, I wouldn't be suprised if I don't finish her for another few weeks!

Perhaps because of this I've been working on multiple pieces at once. I'm finally getting to taste what being a "full time" artist will feel like, and I think working on several pieces at once should help keep things moving and fresh. Well... that's the theory anyway!!

100 Blog Followers Give Away

2011-10-22T01:13:00.001+11:00

Hurray!! You little lovelies just helped my little hide-out here reach 100 followers!

I find it strange and wonderful that the 100th follower happened to be one of my dearest friends (what took her so long?) But that makes it extra special (Luna you're number 100!)

But as promised, I said we should do something special to celebrate. Being far from home I can't offer a Giclee Print like I usually would, so instead.....

Leave a comment below to show your support, (feel free to include any shmoozing about what it is about my work that you like, I love the insights people offer!) and a week from today (that'll be the 28th of October!) I'll pick someone to send a few of my postcards to, as well as a hand-drawn thank-you card!

Thanks for all of your support darlings, it keeps me strong and focused!! xx

Pastel and Blush - Progress Glimpse

2011-10-21T18:45:00.000+11:00

Working away on her.
I always like taking a photo when the hair is unfinished and white and looks like mist.

Autumn is Falling

2011-10-21T04:20:00.000+11:00

I have always loved the idea of Autumn. And here I am in Europe, with the natural world beginning to go out in a blazing bravado of colour, ready for the steely coldness of winter who is fast approaching with unforgiving relentlessness.

I feel Autumn is the saddest, but most beautiful season.

Pastel and Blush and a hint of Sorrow

2011-10-21T04:03:00.000+11:00

The colour scheme for my newest painting.

I made a trip up to the herb garden and arboretum of PanonHalma, a 1000 year old Benedictine Monastary high atop a hill south of Győr. There in the chilly Autumn air I collected interesting looking twisted leaves... fuel for the next painting...

Settled for the start of Winter

2011-10-18T19:03:00.000+11:00

Winter is definitely on it's way here in Hungary. My breath hangs heavy in the air and my nose and fingers are numb and red in the chilly mornings. And it is only mid-Autumn. I have just moved into a little dorm room all on my own in the local University in Győr.... where for the winter I will be leading a small drawing class!

The view from my window looks out onto the river bank. I can just make out the water beyond the trees going on it's slow way. I am SO grateful I have a view of a natural scene to inspire me at my drawing desk, I think I would suffer creatively If I had to stare at a concrete wall all winter long.

The only "souvenirs" I allowed myself whilst travelling Italy and London where postcards from the Art Museums I visited. I spent my first night sticking these up for inspiration..... and I began on my newest drawing!! She's quite large isn't she???

Next step is actually preparing for my classes. I am very nervous, I've never taught an unruly group of college students before!!

Find me on Facebook!

2011-10-14T04:12:00.000+11:00

Did you know I have a little art (fan) page on facebook?

Today we reached 100 fans, hurray!

Please show your support and "like" my page! At each benchmark (200 fans, 300 fans, etc) I will give a little something away.

Monika Viktoria

Promote Your Page Too

Tuscany Sketchbook

2011-10-13T01:59:00.000+11:00

Pages from my moleskine sketchbook. I have never been inspired to paint the landscape before, but on my first day in Tuscany I was so overcome with how incredible everything was I found I could not NOT sit out on a hill and sketch the scenery spread out before me.

Sketching at Night

2011-10-13T01:53:00.001+11:00

A glass of wine, a small muse, and a new moleskin sketchbook... inspired at night in a 400 year old villa in Tuscany, Italy.

Sketching sketching.....

Since I am traveling I have to make do with what art materials I can - my pacer broke so I am drawing with the little broken pieces of lead. How impoverished :-p

Memories and Faded Letters

2011-10-02T20:54:00.001+11:00

A little sketch for a dear friend and wonderful artist, as thanks and as encouragement....

Take a look at Ilona's dear handmade porcelain ball-jointed dolls: www.lightpainteddoll.com

Ottoline

2011-10-01T06:09:00.001+10:00

In a previous post I mentioned that I had created two small watercolour sketches as a show of my admiration for the work of two of my hero's. When I met Chris Riddell in London, this was the piece of "fan-art" I had created of his character Ottoline from his children's series by the same title.

Eva 9

2011-09-30T22:08:00.002+10:00

In my previous post I mentioned that I had created a small watercolour sketch as a show of my admiration for the work of two of my hero's. When I met Tony DiTerlizzi in London, this was the piece of "fan-art" I had created of his character Eva9 from his children's novel "WondLa".

This is how she looked at the beginning. I am glad I took a progress photo, I love how ghostly she looks.

And the finished piece.

Meeting two of my Hero's

2011-09-25T07:12:00.001+10:00

If you had asked me earlier this year, "If there were any two people in the whole world I could meet, who would they be?" my answer would unwaveringly have been Tony DiTerlizzi and Chris Riddell.

Two Children's Book Illustrators who have been phenomenal inspirations for me, and whose work helped shape my desires to follow my own path in this direction. I discovered their work as an early teen, when I knew I wanted to "draw" as a profession when I grew up, and it was the vibrant creativity and magic these artists could achieve by illustrating stories that cemented in my mind the knowledge that I too, wanted to illustrate for books.

I am a regular follower of Tony's blog, where he shares his various stages during the conceptualisation of a story, the slow and lengthy process of character realisation, the work of his fans, and the work of those that inspired him. It was here that he announced he was going to London for a book tour of his latest illustrated children's novel WondLa, and a guest appearance would be made by illustrator Chris Riddell.

It seemed too good to be true, and an opportunity I decided I could not miss out on. I bought my ticket over, and embarked on my illustration pilgrimage.

Besides signing books for the little people, they both answered questions and talked about themselves, how and why they got into illustration, and recounted various humorous stories. I was struck by just how witty they were, and found myself sitting in the back row grinning ear from ear at their tales.

As a small show of thanks, I gifted each of them with a small watercolour sketch of one of their characters. Tony was incredibly sweet, it was my immense pleasure to have been able to meet him in person.

The other amazing part of the night was when Chris handed out three of his personal sketchbooks for the audience to look through. Whilst the little one's were getting their books signed, I sat and flipped slowly through these incredible tomes (because that is what they felt like). I felt my hands shaking in awe, it was a chance unlike any other I have ever had, to be able to glimpse in person the work of such a phenomenal artist. His "sketches" were mind bogglingly detailed and amazing works of art.

the detail blew me away...

she was my favourite....

They both urged me to not waste any more time and get my act together and submit my portfolio to publishers, and even though I knew this was the next step for me, it helped me feel more determined about it. I have a cold european winter fast approaching, where I will be working on a possible solo exhibition for next year. The work won't be exactly appropriate for a children's book portfolio, but it will be the beginning of this grand project.... 2012 will be the year that I finish a completed portfolio to submit to children's book publishers. That will be my resolution! Nothing will stand in my way!!

Next week I will be in Italy, as the end of my Art-Gallery/Illustration-Pilgrimage week is coming to an end here in London. The galleries have all been incredible, and indeed I filled 8 pages of my sketchbook at the Victoria and Albert Museum... but it would have been worth it solely to meet Tony and Chris. There is no one in the world I would have wanted to meet more than those two childhood hero's of mine.

A Photo or Two - Exhibition Night

2011-09-18T18:53:00.000+10:00

A couple more articles that were posted regarding the Győr Art Symposium and Residency I took part in. The photographs were from the opening night.

kisalfold.hu - nemzetkozi muvesztelep

kisalfold.hu - kiallitassal zarul a nemzetkozi muvesztelep

there I am, fifth from the right :-)

Drinking Champagne.. as per usual :-)

Zsuzsa and her little "witch" series

Supposedly my illustration of "Cerceruska" also made it to print in the paper, but I have not been able to get ahold of a copy yet.

Glimpse

2011-09-16T22:01:00.000+10:00

Glimpse at a new piece in progress...

I broke with tradition and painted her face first. I'm off to London for a week, but I will introduce you to this young lady when I can!!

Vignettes

2011-09-15T16:37:00.000+10:00

Spending my adventure holiday inside playing around with filters.... well in my own defence not only is it raining outside but it is below 20 degrees celcius.... which is cold for little tropical me :-)

Both of these littlle dears were inspired again by the incredibly eery dolls of Kamilla at Wooded Woods. I've been really entranced with her work recently.

Here's the original watercolour in my sketchbook...

Little Salt

2011-09-15T02:35:00.000+10:00

Happy with how my last little character doodle turned out, after a walk down to the river this morning I busied myself inside with this little watercolour sketch.

It's very rough, but I think this is a good way for me to practice creating characters in a more "illustrative" style.