Journal of Journeys...

Charles Vess' STARDUST RISING Festival

2007-10-02T02:16:46Z

September 7 & 8 2007

My friends Cynthia King of www.magicmoonshadows.com , Shane Odom of www.mythicalmasks.com and I drove down to Adbingdon, VA to share in the celebration of Mr. Vess' Stardust art show. The beautiful grounds of William King Regional Arts Center houses a museum quality gallery which displayed the original artwork from his and Neil Gaimann's book. What a treat to spend time with this wonderful man, his wife, Faerie Magazine (.com) and many local artistic groupies! The crowning touch to our weekend visit was watching the Stardust movie with Charles! You HAVE to see this movie, as it's such an original feel-good rollercoaster ride of a faerie tale.

Otakon 2006

2006-08-07T22:48:51Z

Wooohooo! Another great year at the Con of all Cons! I still can't describe the impact of being in a swirl of creative talent such as this. I love the imagery-come-to-life by the kids who spent hours, days, weeks making their own costumes, and employing the personalities of each character. They seem so happy to strike a pose for us when asked, even tho some can't even walk a few feet without someone asking for a photo op. Can't wait to see what everyone cooks up for next year! (check out my photo album for a few pix).

Also, I wish to thank Rachel Ann and all others involved for their great planning for the Alley this year.... it was the smoothest ever!

Faerieworlds Festival, July 06

2006-08-07T20:33:10Z

Attending this fest was a long-time dream. Finding the time to escape my studio to journey across the States was a very slim prospect. At last though, during a wintery day, my two dear friends Regina and Posie and I inked the dates onto our calendars, and along we went! (This was my first time on the West Coast, and it didn't disappoint me. Staying with friends in Eugene, we were immersed in the beauty of the hills and gardens and friendly folks around town. Life there is slower, without the constant bustle that defines my hectic life here, and a much needed respite).

Faerieworlds Festival itself was a wonderful treat, and anyone reading this should make the committment to attend one day. For the most part, the costumed Faeries there were very Earthly creatures, dressed in every imaginable shade of green and leafage. We all shared in celebrating the music of wonderful groups, like Woodland, Scott Huckabay, and the SugarBeets, some of my favorites there.

Check out my meager photos in the photoalbum for an idea of what we saw. Perhaps more will be shown on their link:

www.faerieworlds.com

Otakon and Renn Fest 2005

2005-11-02T18:40:41Z

Sorry it's been so long since there's been an update! It's been a pretty crazy time, especially now that Faerie Magazine has taken off and I'm advertising my new calendar in it. I also had two of my designs picked for Baltimore's Crab Art (did you see them all over the city?), and was working on them for a little while. I'll show you some photos later.

Otakon and Renn Fest 2005 were both great festivals. You can see some new photos up on the website (and yes, for those dedicated faeries, the website has changed a little bit). I was interviewed by MTV2 at Otakon, and they said it would air a few months after that show, so I'm still waiting for that!

MD Ren Fest was great, the weather got a bit hot at one point, but we faeries are troopers! Overall a great time. I'm looking forward to perhaps vending more than my usual first "Children's Weekend" there in future years...

Well, that's all for now! I hope to keep this more updated in the future! Check back soon about the calendars!

2004 Fairie Festival

2004-06-06T18:23:42Z

Whew! Fairie Festival and my *after show hang-over* are about over! 2004 was a great year at FF at Spoutwood Farm! About 9,000 folks visited, mostly on Sat, as it threatened to storm on Sunday (every year it seems that one of the two show days has started off wet, but as opening time comes, it dries up. hmmm, it has to be faerie magic, for sure!).

We saw lots of repeat visitors, and as many newbies, all of whom enjoyed this event (it's so great seeing all my older 'children', i.e. wings on past participants!). It's about the only show I'm a part of that has a genuine overall feel of love and respect, not just for the mortals there, but for the Earth's resources and spirits. Now if only the world's populace could embrace this view, we'd have a lot less problems today! Think globally, act locally.... that quote from an early 70's poster still holds true today!

If you've never had the opportunity to join the folks and fae here, why not plan on making a pilgrimage next year (always the first full weekend in May of each year)...I promise you'll have a unique new outlook afterwards!

Havre de Grace Art Show

2003-09-06T22:41:51Z

(Aug 16,17 2003) This is a big show for fine artists and craftspersons, of which I'm both, I suppose. I won 2nd place for my drawings, and everyone enjoyed the wings, as faerie sightings aren't too common in that part of the world. We were rained out on Sat, but very glad that no one was fried by lightening! This is beautiful town, with lots of history, water and color. I met some awesome talent there, especially a townielass who creates the most amazing dragon purses... I now have 2 and need more!

GrassRoots at Oregon Ridge

2003-09-06T22:35:44Z

(Aug 9 2003) Wow! A little bit of rain all day didn't interfere with the great sounds of Rusted Root, Jimmy Cliff and others. Very nice folks were everywhere, and the food was delish. Some of the best moments there were playing with the little faeries that came to visit with us... and sharing Sherri Faerie's eggs.

Otakon!

2003-09-06T22:28:29Z

(Aug 8,9,10 2003) This was the most amazing show! The incredible creativity of the kids there was mindblowing... I loved being a part of this atmosphere, as fantasy rules! We were asked to come back next year to Artists Alley, and , for sure, we'll be there. Many thanks to all of you there who continue to support my work.

Bastille Day

2003-07-15T14:43:05Z

Bastille Day, this past Sunday at watercolor lavendar farm, was really nice. It was a gorgeous day, no rain :) and lots of interesting things to see. The lavendar was beautiful, we were right next to one of the fields.

Pictures will be on the album as soon as we get the film developed. Thanks to those who came and saw us there!!

Celtic Festival!

2003-06-30T14:47:44Z

We just arrived home last night from the CELTIC FLING weekend at the PA RenFaire. The weather cooperated with us, and it was bright and sunny the whole weekend (maybe a little *too* hot, but that's ok!) Kilts and bagpipes were everywhere!

There's some pics up, of what it was like there. Some wings, some music, some kilts, a good time...

Thanks to everyone who was there, and a big thanks to my helpers who came with me!