Friday, October 26, 2012

I believe in Faeries...


There is magic to be found everyday, there is another dimension that is often overlooked and as life gets further away from the earth elements, as we intellectualise until nothing is real unless there it's accompanied by a formula or statistics to 'prove' it's existence, well we lose something... we lose the magic, the dreamers, the folktales, the faeries... 

I am just back from quite a wonderful journey with my family, and I hope to share some of the highlights of my adventure in the future. I have sadly neglected my precious blog friends (yes I'm missed you!!) but first post back - today - is to celebrate with Magaly at her Annual Blog Party 'The darker side of Faeries' (please check out all the creative party goers posts if you can)... So now... 
As one of our treks took us to the Scottish Isles of Skye, Harris & Lewis, to the lochs, & dense mossy forests to the land of rainbows and pools of deeps dark waters, where faeries were born and their tales still told, I am thrilled to take part in this celebration, because I want to tell you... they do exist... but treat them well, otherwise you may see their 'dark' side...

Faerie Glen near Uig on the Isle of Skye, never was a area more fitting to conjure up images of faeries, complete with waterfalls, toadstools, dripping moss, truly the most picturesque landscape littered with stone pictograms left as gifts for otherworldly entities, I'm sure I glimpsed a doorway, down from the ridge-top that weaved to the highest point in the glen, 'the castle' as this natural formation is named, where the little ones protect the Glen, it is a happy place, this is where everyone believes.
Callanish, stories, including those of faeries are connected with these megaliths from 3,000 BC. Our road trip had taken us to Isle of Lewis on the Outer Hebrides in Scotland where folk still speak of the sprite that came from the sea with salvation when the village had no food back in time unrecorded, and still 'the shining one' who walks up the avenue of stone at dawn of Midsummers Day. Standing here I can feel the energy from the earth & that of the sky, like a conduit I am part of the energy in nature & I see how one believed in the power of unexplained, and I listen to those stories of faerie, and... I believe, in the words of Hamlet touched on when speaking of the Sprite that appeared in Shakespeare's tale "And therefore as a stranger give it welcome.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
OK, now, under the influence (well it is a party & I've been here a while) I checked out the Washerwomen, I had never heard of these creatures until I read Magaly's blog post & I was intrigued, it was considered a foretelling of death if one encountered these stringy white haired pale women who in the rivers washed the shrouds of those about to die... these women did not 'kill' the person they 'foretold' of the event... they weren't evil but some say they may have saved other women from the endless work, laundry & chores that they have to do for eternity... these water sprites go from being ugly hags with boobs down to their knees in Scotland where they have to toss them over their shoulders to continue washing those bloody shrouds to the beautiful Irish banshees that do the same work, but if you HEAR their cries, well just order Moet with that last meal because it's all over red rover... below is the Banshee...
I also did this aceo Banshee below, with her pale face & long white stringy hair she takes on the appearance of a madonna, no evil intended in her deeds,  a female who's fulfilling her role in the darkened waters of the lochs and riversides where she lives forever more...
This, well is birth of a faerie, an aceo, a realisation that fairies are born of believe, and die through neglect...
Oh and sometimes... sometimes I think there are worst things than the boogeyman (aceo below), he that materialises under beds, in cupboards, he that scrapes at the doors and windows of the children's bedrooms... sometimes I wonder if he's just  lonely, needs company, is harmless... but maybe he was banished from the world of fairies & sprites for deeds unspoken... maybe it's right to be afraid, maybe he embodies the 'darker side' of fairies... 
You'd think I'd had long enough to do the randomiser thingy on my last 'giveaway' but I will announce next Friday if not before, and everyone that comments on this post goes into the draw to win one of my 3 new aceos (winner's choice) so I'll announce all winners together, old post & new... 
Now... Off to lock my doors & turn on the lights ;) Thanks for your company & if you hear someone scraping at your doors or windows... don't worry... it'll be me coming by for a long overdue visit ;)

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Shelle, I love, Love, LOVE the new aceo's! They are beautiful! I can't wait to hear more of your adventures. :)

Jenny said...

Welcome back Shelle... we have missed you... can't wait to hear more of your wonderful adventure... your pics are gorgeous... and your ATC's... sigh... stunning...

Jenny ♥

Carmen Esposito said...

Now, I want to go to the Isle of Skye! That Faery Glen is wondrous! Your paintings are great! And I missed you.

There. I think I've said it all. Wait! Is that scratching or scraping that I hear? It's probably the cats frolicking about. Yeah, that's it.

Maybe I'll turn on a couple of lights, just to be safe.

Gina said...

Mmmmmmmmm......thank you for that glorious stroll through the natural world :D These are all places I would love to visit...but I would never come back. Told my family that when I am beyond human help(mega old) to take me somewhere wild and leave me...I will die happy :D XXX

Virtual Boy said...

Such stunning work on all of these, I really love the banshee!
I'm very into fantasy right now, must be because of the season bringing nature closer to us with all the leaves falling and dancing about... =w=

// Virtual Boy

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I love your faeries! :) Even the boogeyman. :)

Craftymoose Crafts said...

So nice to have you back! You were certainly missed, and I am looking forward to more tales and stories of your vacation.

I really enjoyed your post and seeing the new art--you've captured each perfectly!

IrelandBrady said...

The photo of Faerie Glen is quite magical ... I can actually see little fairy images through out ... how did you do that?

And each of your paintings are just amazing ... your talent is growing by leaps and bounds!

So glad to have you back .... You have been dearly missed!

Big Hugs!
Karen Anne

Magic Love Crow said...

Shelle!!! I have missed you!!! I love these pictures and the tales! Very magical! Very special! I am in Awwww!!! I love the new art you did and would be honored to win any of them!

mirsini's creations said...

Wow !! Hello Shelle !! Wonderful fairy post !!!!
Your paintings are amazing and the place you visited is dreamy and so magical !!! I wish i will one day visit this beautiful and mystic place too !!
Your photos of the Faery Glen and the megaliths are so magically beautiful !!!!!
Thanks for sharing your adventures....kisses !!! ;oD

Ms Misantropia said...

I love the old stories about banshees and such. Lovely paintings!

MangaMem said...

Nice post Mum!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hi Sunshine Shelle, nice to meet you! Looking forward to hearing more about your fabulous trip!

Magaly Guerrero said...

Your Washer Woman is beautiful. I love her full belly and her hand ready to hold anything. And the Madonna? Precious; I'm enthralled by her smile.

I giggled at the sight of pinkish faerie. She is sooo stunning. And don't tell the Boogieman, but I think he is seriously handsome ;-)