Today is a very important day! It is my Friends and circle priest and Priestess Handfasting!
I will blog about it after today and go in to more detail about what a Handfasting entails. I can't wait as I know I will be spending the day with some wonderful friends.
Also last night I went to a shamanic drumming circle, which I will also blog about at some point. Right now I have to get ready!
Saturday, 14 July 2012
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Cornwall holiday
Gosh I can't believe we are in July already!
Last month was very busy for me as I had a 2 week break in beautiful Cornwall. I feel that it is the home of my soul and I love visiting and we try to go there every year. This year me and my other half decided to make a long break of it and left on 11th of June and didn't come back till the 21st!
We camped on Bodmin moor and the weather got a bit hairy on more then one occasion. One night our tent started leaking so we had to visit a camping store for some waterproofing spray.
My main aim for this holiday was to visit some of the many ancient sites that can be found in the landscape. We managed some but there are many left to find next year!
Now on to photos:
Last month was very busy for me as I had a 2 week break in beautiful Cornwall. I feel that it is the home of my soul and I love visiting and we try to go there every year. This year me and my other half decided to make a long break of it and left on 11th of June and didn't come back till the 21st!
We camped on Bodmin moor and the weather got a bit hairy on more then one occasion. One night our tent started leaking so we had to visit a camping store for some waterproofing spray.
My main aim for this holiday was to visit some of the many ancient sites that can be found in the landscape. We managed some but there are many left to find next year!
Now on to photos:
Yes, all that did come out of that Smart car!
The camp site kitties who made themselves at home in out tent.
This is the standing stone just a short distance from our camp site, the day of this photo we had done a lovely walk around the farm through some lovely wooded areas with a lovely clear running river.
We found The Stone circles called the hurlers and up from them the Cheesewring, a natural formation of the granite. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheesewring
While we were here we walked to an amazing disused quarry. I didn't take any photos here but if any one visits the Hurlers then I recommend walking across to the quarry. The deep turquoise water and the sense of calm I felt here was amazing. While were walking back to the car I realised that my phone was no longer in my pocket. I panicked and couldn't remember if I had my phone with me or not so we drove all the way back to the camp site to see if it was there, finding it wasn't we woke early next morning to find it. It was a foggy wet morning but luckily we found my phone who was no worse off from the cold night alone.
We also visited Mevagissey which is a lovely coastal town with an amazing alternative pagan shop called Lavender Pillow (see links at the end of post) and a great pirate shop too.
A beautiful area we found near St Agnes called the Blue Hills.
Scratch the Smart car enjoying the view
Saturday was 3 Wishes Faery fest day! I had a really great time and I was sad that we only went for the one day instead of all 3 but I managed to do a lot in that time. Here is the inspirational Brian and Wendy Froud speaking about their new projects. The lovely Troll in the middle is Mother Leap.
The Lovely faerie artist Linda Ravenscroft had a drawing workshop which I participated in. She told us to look around and be inspired by the things we find in nature. We each picked up a few objects to use as reference for a drawing. I found a tiny little conker, a lichen covered stick and a spiky conker casing. This is what I came up with:
All dressed up to take part in the word record attempt of largest gathering of faeries in one place. Requirement: Wings, a wand and a Tutu.
World record participators. We smashed the record with over 200 tutu clad faeries!
Evening entertainment provided by Frenchy and the Punk.
And The Dolmen!
On the Sunday we headed to Falmouth to see what the Sea Shanty Festival was all about. groups singing sea shanties, lovely ;)
On Monday we visited Padstow, where our friends Esther and Martin were camping for the week. we walked along the beach and came across some strange standing stones...
and balanced stones
On the next day we all went to Tintagel to see if you could not find the infamous labrinths carved near the rocky road on the route between Tintagel and Boscastle. Armed with a map and a book about ancient historical spots in Cornwall we set off and...
We found them!!
From there we made our way to the beautiful and magical St Nectan's Glen.
Cloutie tree
Our last full day in Cornwall had us seeking out Trevethy Quoit. A beautiful portal dolmen.
From the Quoit we saw signs on the map to Golitha falls so we decided to pop and have a look and I am so glad we did because it was the most beautiful area I have been too.
Only thing while we were there I got something in my eye and I wouldn't stop rubbing it and as a result I ended up get conjunctivitis in my right eye so my walk through the myriad of twisting paths was rather ruined. A trip to the harbour town of Looe and seeing the pharmacist meant I had to take eye drops every 2 hours. We ended the evening in Port Isaac and had a lovely meal in The Golden Lion Pub.
Thursday morning was the 21st and the Summer solstice. I woke up just before sunrise but the moor was coved in a thick mist, so after sorting out my gunky eye I went back to bed.
We managed to get a cooked breakfast before it started raining but we had to pack the tent away in the wet.
By then I was in serious withdrawl of a sturdy roof and a mattress!
More photos of the holiday on my Facebook:
3 wishes photos:
Links to places we visited/ Shops
Camp site: http://www.southpenquite.co.uk/ Our 3rd year camping here and it gets better all the time. Actual camp fires allowed! (No Caravans)
Lavender pillow shop: http://www.lavenderpillow.co.uk
Vintage/ retro clothing: http://www.enjoyclothing.co.uk/ amazing shop in Truro. Lots of vintage finds from as little as £10!
3 Wishes faery Festival: http://www.faeryevents.com/faery-events/3wishesfaeryfest/
Frenchy and the Punk: http://www.frenchyandthepunk.com/about.html
The Dolmen: http://www.thedolmen.com/band.html
The labyrinths: http://www.labyrinthos.net/rockyvalley.html
St Nectan's Glen: http://www.st-nectansglen.co.uk/ http://www.tintagelweb.co.uk/St%20Nectan's%20Glen.htm
Willow Moon pagan shop in Tintagel: http://willowmoontintagel.com/
Trethevy Quoit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trethevy_Quoit
Port Isaac: http://www.portisaac-online.co.uk/
Friday, 8 June 2012
The Magical Faerie Festival 2012
Last weekend I went to a Faerie festival run by The Magical Times Magazine. This is the first of two outdoor camps held in a beautiful village of Findon near Worthing and this time I took a stall with me to sell my artwork and mini top hats!
I turned up on Friday with my tent and trading wares packed into the smart car. People scratch their head and wonder how (and indeed why) I do it!
On the Saturday evening there was a faerie ball with music from The excellent Touch the Earth, Endless knot and Eleanor and the Lost. This is a time when people come out in their faerie best and I was pleased to see many people sporting their Mini top hats that they had brought from me earlier that day
I turned up on Friday with my tent and trading wares packed into the smart car. People scratch their head and wonder how (and indeed why) I do it!
Tent, air bed, sleeping bag, shelves, art work. Check!
Good job it was just me going to this one otherwise we would of had to bring both Smart cars!
During the day more and more people came to set up camp and stalls and it was nice to be with my faerie friends again.
The evenings entertainment was supplied by the wonderful Serpentyne. I remember learning some medieval court dances and roaring like a bear... The wine went straight to my head!
The next day we had breakfast and set up the stall again. Fellow artists Esther Remmington and Martin Winckles allowed me to share their gazebo with them which I was very thankful for as it did decide to rain half way through the day.
Lovely masks by EBG Leather
Mini top hats for sale!
More of my wares, including toadstool house earrings.
Relaxing by my stall. Photo courtesy of Breaca http://greenwitchgoddess.blogspot.co.uk/
During the day I got a henna tattoo done, I went for a Steampunk heart theme. How cool is that?
Blue and peacock butterfly hat
Another faerie with toadstool and ladybird hat
Listening to Touch the earth as the dark clouds roll in.
The faerie Celtic Moon crew!
After this photo was taken it began to rain so we piled in to the marquee to hear Matthew Callow sing!
Matthew with a faerie dancer.
During this time the rain continued to come down harder and the wind picked up. After Endless Knot finished playing and Eleanor and her band began to set up and play the rain was coming down in a deluge. So much so that the ground under the marquee was turning boggy and it became too dangerous with all the electric equipment every where. The set was cut short and every faerie, witch, elf and sprite ran as fast as they could back to their tents.
That night was was one of the worse nights sleep I have had in a long time. I was completes soaked and there was no where to get dry so I snuggled in my sleeping bag and hoped my tent wouldn't float away!
Early Sunday morning I awoke to the sound of crows cawing and people surveying the damage of the rains over night. Luckily all the stock was dry as I had put it in the car before going to the ball. Phew!
After packing up the soggy tent and gazebo we decided to get on the road and find some where to have lunch. It was a shame the weather decided to change as the weekend before it had been glorious. Oh well much fun was had at any rate.
Would just like to add that today (8th June 2012) our beloved pet Codie Claws was put to sleep after weeks of deterioration in health. He was a beautiful Siamese kitty who I shall always remember with lots of love.
Useful links:
Magical Time magazine http://themagicaltimes.com/
Serpentyne: http://www.serpentyne.com/
Eleanor and the Lost http://www.eleanoreandthelost.com/
Monday, 28 May 2012
Pin-up artist interview- Kathy Siney
Introducing a new section to my blog where I interview artists who work features a Rockabilly, Pagan, Steampunk or Pin-up theme. The first interview was with the lovely Kathy Siney, Pin-up and Burlesque artist.
Strings and Stripes
1) I first become aware of your art through your fantasy and faery art work,
when did you decide to include Pin-up to your themes?
I've actually always drawn pin up girls from being young. In school I was
drawing Marilyn Monroe and I always loved the glamorous looks they had. I
used to draw them as a hobby whilst I was still doing fantasy art, and it
was just one day I decided to publish one of them to Facebook and it got
lots of comments! Until then, I never thought anyone would want to see
them, so I'm happy doing more of them now; Im doing what I love!
2) Who would you say is your biggest influence to your art work?
I think Rock n Roll and the 1950s as a whole, has been my biggest influence;
the pin up girls, the music, fashion - it all inspires me and I get so many
ideas from that. I love to see other artists' work too and I greatly admire
Olivia De Berardinis from the USA.
3) Do you get your inspiration from modern day pin-up models in the industry
now or do you look at models from the era you're trying to capture?
Usually I get an idea in my head of a picture Id like to achieve and then I
set about finding reference pictures to give me more to work from. I love
that the whole vintage and rockabilly look is so popular these days, that a
modern day model can look like she's walked right out of the 50s anyway!
4) What is is it about the pin up art that makes you draw and paint them?
I love the 1950s and everything that goes with it -so for me, its a way of
expressing the fun and glamour of that time. I love the hairstyles and make
up and of course the beautiful dresses!
5) What is you favourite era of pin up art work?(1920s, 30s 40s 50s?)
I think everyone would guess its the 50s! I do love the 40s too, the looks
are very similar in style.
Knickerbocker glory
6) Has anyone been offended by the art you produce? Or that you choose to
draw women in sexy poses?
(I really hope not!)
I really hope not and I have never been told if it has offended anyone. I
like to draw pin ups in a 'cheeky' style rather than overtly provocative -
unless it's a specific commission for someone. I like to create artwork that
could make people smile, without it being distasteful.
Tessa May
7) Do you think that the way women models are perceived in today's media is
better or worse then It was in the 40s 50s?
Today's views are much more relaxed, for example when you look at Bettie
Page back then, she was seen as completely shocking, because society at that
time, just didn't accept such images- even Elvis Presley was considered
vulgar because of his hip shaking! However, I personally feel that today's
levels of acceptability have gone too much the other way... magazine covers
can now display images that even just 20 years ago would have seemed
outrageous! Today's media also portrays certain types of images that some
women can feel pressured to look like. I find it very sad when I hear of
extremely young girls suffering from eating disorders and whilst the media
is not solely to blame, it does play a large part in displaying air-brushed
models, 'perfect' figures, the latest quick fix diets.... I love that
people like Gok Wan have come along and fought against that. I really like
that the 50s fashion was intended to accentuate a curvy, hourglass figure.
8) Do you have any projects in the pipeline at the moment? Any events where
people can see you and your work?
I've got a busy year ahead, mainly designing new images for merchandise
which will appear on T-shirts; and I will be relaunching my website and
collaborating with other people in the Vintage industry. I am also getting
more involved with charity work for Help for Heroes; there are so many pin
up projects being put together for our soldiers and I think its a wonderful
cause.
9) You also paint burlesque dancers too. Have you ever been to a Burlesque
class?
I have never been to a class, but I would like to! My mind is willing, but I
just need a little more courage!!
10) Vintage style and fashion seem to be getting more popular, why do you
think that is?
I think the 1940s and 50s encompass a whole lifestyle more than any other
decade . People who love Rock n Roll music usually also love the look to go
with it; its timeless. Films like Grease have been consistently popular and
of course Elvis has always been incredibly successful, even years after his
death. In the 1980s, Shakin Stevens , The Stray Cats and The Jets brought
this kind of music back to people, and today we have The Baseballs and many
40s style girl bands out there, who are introducing rock n roll to a whole
new generation. There are so many new magazines out right now, that focus
on vintage fashion and capturing the look, its wonderful to see!Its such a
beautiful, classy way to look.
11) Do you have any advice for readers who perhaps would like to try doing
some pin-up inspired art?
Firstly, study anatomy! There are lots of great books out there about artist
figure drawing and even some dedicated to pin up art. Practise is so
important and to keep learning new techniques and what works best for you.
You realise how much you have progressed when you look back at your old
work. I cringe when I look at some of mine, from years ago, but at least it
shows I've improved!! I have days when nothing will work out right, and I
just have to learn to walk away and do something else that day!
12) Do you have more faery and fantasy art or pin up art in your home? Or
other pictures altogether?
I have mainly pin up art .In my studio, I have lots of inspirational 50s
style pictures ; The Baseballs, Elvis, Marilyn, Diana Dors, as well as
pictures by other pin up artists. I have lots of vintage Barbie dolls too
and its my dream to own an authentic jukebox!
Rockette
13) Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your work?
Where can we find it for sale etc.?
You can visit my website ( soon to be revamped!) at www.kathysineyart.co.uk
or find me at www.facebook.com/KathySineyPinUpArt and
www.twitter.com/Kathy_Siney_Art I love hearing from people!
Thank you so much Kathy for taking time to answer my questions and being the first artist to be featured on my blog!
ould you like to be featured on my blog? Drop me a line at aldanaart07@gmail.com
Monday, 21 May 2012
Celtic Moon Pagan Pilgrimage Part Two
Here continues my blog posts about my recent pagan pilgrimage with pagan community Celtic Moon.
Sunday was the day I was really looking forward to. As a group we managed to book time within Stonehenge.
I have been to Stonehenge before. I remember being very impressed by the ancient monument when I was stood on the outside but not 'feeling' anything as the distance was too great. This time we were going to be INSIDE it, on the grass and off the stone path. This was going to be something to remember.
For this chance we had to leave the cottage early, we were over an hours drive from Stonehenge and we were lucky that we had clear blue skies and the sun was bright and warm.
We turned up at the car park dead on 8 o'clock and was led by a polish security guard in a high-vis under the subway and up the slope to where the stones waited.
As soon as I cross the threshold my heart started to beat more prominently with in my chest. I stood and looked at one of the huge Sarsen stones I suddenly felt very humbled and very small. These stones are massive! How on earth did our ancestors do it?
After wondering round the village we head on to West Kennet Long barrow, a Neolithic tomb just outside of Avebury.
The long walk up to the barrow was met with the sounds of drums and as we crested the hill two men came out of the barrow with their drums making me wish I had brought my drum with me.
The first chamber of the barrow is open for visitors to go inside and so I went in not knowing what I would experience inside.
It was dark in the barrow, however there was small glass windows in the roof so it wasn't pitch black, probably for health and safety.
It was quiet within the barrow, allowing time to think and reflect, in fact at times the silence became too much and it was a relief to hear a bird singing outside or someone else in the barrow shuffle their feet.
Places like that take you out of the hear and now. Down there time is irrelevant.
Because this was a tomb and a place of death I had thought that a sense of sadness would take over along with the cold but as I stood with my eyes closed and my back against the freezing stone wall I felt anything but sad.
I felt like the stones needed us there, that it wanted our warmth for those who once laid within it's walls. That this was a place of celebrating life and what was to come afterwards once the tomb was sealed.
After a while being in the cold got to much and I walked above along the whole length of the barrow, deep in thought.
It had been a day I would never forget. Extremely emotional and powerful and not what I had expected at all.
That evening after dinner the Celtic Mooners sat round the dinner table, lit the candles and turned off the lights to share our thoughts of the weekend we had experienced.
This was a very moving time for me as it was the night when I officially became a member of the Celtic Moon Circle which just completed what was already an amazing and fantastic day.
The next morning was our last day in the cottage and the weather had broken, it continued to rain the whole journey home which made our trip away feel like we had gone abroad!
I know this was a rather lengthy blog and I thank you if you have read all the way down to here!
My experiences on this trip was very difficult to write down but I hope I managed to convey what a special time I had and if you ever get a chance to visit any of these places then do so. The ancestors are waiting.
We turned up at the car park dead on 8 o'clock and was led by a polish security guard in a high-vis under the subway and up the slope to where the stones waited.
As soon as I cross the threshold my heart started to beat more prominently with in my chest. I stood and looked at one of the huge Sarsen stones I suddenly felt very humbled and very small. These stones are massive! How on earth did our ancestors do it?
Photo not to scale
As I looked and walked around the circle I became more emotional. One of the other members of our group came up and as I spoke with her I began to cry! The feeling was so overwhelming I couldn't hold it in.
I dried my tears and along with others of our group, took off my boots and socks to stand on the very ground that the stones stood.
Hi- vis and pagans together in perfect harmony
During our time with in the stones we sat and closed our eyes, the sun falling on our faces and listened to the sound of the birds who had nested in the great arches.
After some meditation the members of Celtic Moon gathered in a circle and held hands as we started some cascading 'Awens' which vibrated around the circle and up into the sky above. It moved many of us to tears and was a moment I won't ever forget.
As our hour came to a close we took photos of us all with in the circle. I stood in awe underneath the arches and I felt my hands tingle, I can feel the sensation now as I write this it was that powerful.
As I stood there, in the shadow of the mighty stones I knew that what I am doing with my spirituality is right.
After some meditation the members of Celtic Moon gathered in a circle and held hands as we started some cascading 'Awens' which vibrated around the circle and up into the sky above. It moved many of us to tears and was a moment I won't ever forget.
As our hour came to a close we took photos of us all with in the circle. I stood in awe underneath the arches and I felt my hands tingle, I can feel the sensation now as I write this it was that powerful.
As I stood there, in the shadow of the mighty stones I knew that what I am doing with my spirituality is right.
That smiles says it all. photo courtesy of Esther Remmington
Sharing our time within the circle were other tourists include a pair of Americans who just viewed the stones as another 'Awesome structure.' That is not how I see them. They have so much to give us, to teach us if you are open to it. They are the old ones, the guardians and keep our pagan past alive and well in this fast paced world in which we live in now.
From Stonehenge we made our way towards Avebury (not before stopping for a hearty breakfast!)
I have also been to Avebury stone circle before so I knew what to expect, however what I hadn't experienced before was the power of Stonehenge and I found that being surrounded by the stones at Avebury was a real comfort and balancing energy.
Blue skies, green fields and grey stone
I have also been to Avebury stone circle before so I knew what to expect, however what I hadn't experienced before was the power of Stonehenge and I found that being surrounded by the stones at Avebury was a real comfort and balancing energy.
Just noticed a orb in this picture...
The fantastic roots of the beech trees. One of my favourite places.
After wondering round the village we head on to West Kennet Long barrow, a Neolithic tomb just outside of Avebury.
The long walk up to the barrow was met with the sounds of drums and as we crested the hill two men came out of the barrow with their drums making me wish I had brought my drum with me.
The first chamber of the barrow is open for visitors to go inside and so I went in not knowing what I would experience inside.
It was dark in the barrow, however there was small glass windows in the roof so it wasn't pitch black, probably for health and safety.
It was quiet within the barrow, allowing time to think and reflect, in fact at times the silence became too much and it was a relief to hear a bird singing outside or someone else in the barrow shuffle their feet.
Places like that take you out of the hear and now. Down there time is irrelevant.
Because this was a tomb and a place of death I had thought that a sense of sadness would take over along with the cold but as I stood with my eyes closed and my back against the freezing stone wall I felt anything but sad.
I felt like the stones needed us there, that it wanted our warmth for those who once laid within it's walls. That this was a place of celebrating life and what was to come afterwards once the tomb was sealed.
After a while being in the cold got to much and I walked above along the whole length of the barrow, deep in thought.
The barrow entrance.
It had been a day I would never forget. Extremely emotional and powerful and not what I had expected at all.
That evening after dinner the Celtic Mooners sat round the dinner table, lit the candles and turned off the lights to share our thoughts of the weekend we had experienced.
This was a very moving time for me as it was the night when I officially became a member of the Celtic Moon Circle which just completed what was already an amazing and fantastic day.
The next morning was our last day in the cottage and the weather had broken, it continued to rain the whole journey home which made our trip away feel like we had gone abroad!
I know this was a rather lengthy blog and I thank you if you have read all the way down to here!
My experiences on this trip was very difficult to write down but I hope I managed to convey what a special time I had and if you ever get a chance to visit any of these places then do so. The ancestors are waiting.
More reading:
Stonehenge: http://www.stonehenge.co.uk/
West Kennet Long Barrow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Kennet_Long_Barrow
Celtic moon Pagan community : http://celticmoon.ning.com/
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