Succulent Saturday - Our Excellent Froudian Adventure

 Today, Julie Baroh (of Krab Jab Studio) and I/TLCWorkshops went on a little road trip to Portland - 

 We went to see Toby Froud's puppet-short premier at Portland's charming Hollywood Theatre.

 The actual puppets used in the film were on display in the lobby.

 They follow proudly in the Froud-family tradition in  look and feel.

 After viewing his film, Lessons Learned, Toby and a representative from Heather Henson's company (who is helping by giving seed money to various puppet artists to make their own short films. Toby's is 9th in their roster) came out for a Q & A.

 Toby was enthusiastic and charming - with his lingering British accent.

 After the film and presentation, Julie and I took a stack of personal and Krab Jab merch for the senior Frouds to sign (Julie - fan-girling at Brian's side. :-).

 Wendy gamely signed a large box of her gorgeous art book. We got to chat during the process - until we were hurried out as the next event was ready to start in the theater.

The Frouds are lovely, charming artists and people. It was fun spending a little time with them all. Hope to be able to do it again soon!.

Succulent Saturday - Faery Art Show Open

 Tonight was the Faery Art show open at Krab Jab Studios -

 There was a busy, consistent turn-out the entire evening -

 The faery-themed art was glorious - especially taken all together.

(My piece was hung in enviable company - here I am, next to Greg Manchess' piece to my left).

 The daughter and her boyfriend came to check it out (here standing by my illustrious sister and her husband's pieces over her shoulder).

The big coup of the show was the addition of work from the Froud's. 

A collection of original watercolors by Brian Froud.

A lovely faery from Wendy -

 (look at how exquisite those feet are!)

 And a charming troll from Toby.

It's a luminous show. Really worth taking in if you're in the area. It's up through the end of the month.

Music Monday - Qntal

Just felt like it was the right time of year to watch this again....

(Visuals by Brian Froud, et all).
If you can't see the video, try looking here.

Tricks -

It is the evening of Samhain...

"In this darkest, coldest, bleakest season, Samhain marked the onset of winter. It was a time of death, when the earth lay bare and livestock were slaughtered for the long winter ahead. The veil between this world and the Otherworld was lifted, and the spirits of the dead rejoined the community in the feasting and celebrations. Bonfires were lit on hilltops for purification and symbolized the longed-for regeneration of the life-giving Sun."

"Celtic Wisdom", Vivianne Crowely

A few intrepid souls brave the dark and the chill, dressed in something 'other' and troll for candy door to door.

(Sketch from a rejected proposed witch concept from last year. Too frightening. After nearly two years of twinkly fairy subjects however, I'm about ready for something scarier. She's one I'm going to follow up with if I ever get 'personal' work time again!)

Brian Froud's "Twilight" hangs on my bedroom wall. He signed this print as well as my copy of "The Faerie's Oracle" several years ago when he came through Seattle on a book tour on Halloween night. So appropriate - twilight also being one of those border places - between light and dark. Between this world and the next...

I recently purchased his latest book - World of Faerie, which is a gorgeously lush collection of his faerie art, previously seen and unseen. Sketches, paintings, photos, insets and text, all richly collaged together into a luscious, otherworldly offering.

Some of those images and mythological figures come to life in this musical video, as well as 'sacred geometry', which he and his son Toby designed for the German group, Qntal -

Check out this video: Qntal - Von den Elben (2006)

Many offerings for those between times and spaces can be found tonight...