Fairies at Play

Fairies at Play
Oil on glass, 9x12
print available here

This is the final painting of six fairy scenes by special request.  I love the happy, playful energy of these little fairies - it makes me happy just to paint them.  Throughout these paintings I have sprinkled in a few single flowers of lily of the valley, and a few pink clover heads - one planted so many years ago by my grandmother, and the other popping up in the pastures every summer.  Each has their own distinctly sweet and heady fragrance, sending me back to childhood days rich with joy.  In this painting I have also added a dancing mouse!  Although a little morbid, this is a nod to the little creatures that feed my daughter's pet snake.  Perhaps one day, I'll paint her colorful corn snake.  Often has been the time where she doesn't eat them at all, but snuggles with them until they are both asleep.  Who knows why she sporadically spares their lives - but she does, so this one is dancing with his new found freedom!  Painting number 392 in 392 days and day 27 in the 30 day painting challenge :)

Fairy Dance

Fairy Dance
Oil on glass, 9x12
print available here

The weather was amazing today, and a spent some time on the front porch with the cats vying for my every attention.  As I looked into the gardens, I could just envision little fairy realms at every glance!  Little fairies dangling from the birdbath, riding an iron hummingbird, and encircling an old nest - all these sprang to mind.  With chores finished, and quiet stillness in the house, I pick up my brushes to work on the fifth panel of six.  Today finds me painting a fairy dance, complete with a couple of childhood friends in fairy form!  One is the piper and the other one dances with his wife.  It is illuminating, because doing this on purpose makes me realize that I often paint figures with someone I know in mind - without really thinking about it.  The fairy in the pinkish red is another childhood friend - Stephanie, who always had a perfect pixie haircut - although her hair is a little darker in real life!  Perhaps that is just the creative spirit in me that calls on the images of my past whenever needed.  More natural every day, this is the 391st painting in 391 days and day 26 of the 30 day painting challenge :)