Shiloh Pepin, the brave little girl born with Mermaid Syndrome and known the world over as 'the real-life little mermaid', passed on away on Friday, October 23rd at age 10, from complications of a cold and resulting pneumonia.
Rather than go into details about her condition I will just celebrate her bravery against incredibly odds and mourn her passing. She was courageous and happy and touched many people in her short life, encouraging others to live well and enjoy life. Many other children with life threatening illnesses and great disabilities reached out to her and thanked her for her example and joy. She will be greatly missed.
Her funeral is set for tomorrow (Wednesday) and she will rest next to the stillborn sister she never knew.
For those who haven't heard Shiloh's story or understand the complications of sirenomelia here are some links HERE, HERE and HERE. Here's her FACEBOOK PAGE and one of many tribute VIDEOS.
Rest in peace little one. The world is a better place for you having been here.
I'm going to call today 'odds 'n' ends Monday' with this being the first post (see note below) in a number of random little fairy tale related things I found in the last week.
(NOTE: RE-POSTED DUE TO LARGE CONTENT UPDATE)
To kick things off, here's some lovely fairy tale-type fashion from Russia which reminds me of some Vasilissa illustrations I've seen (the clothing, not the model attitude).
Apparently, Russian fairy tale style fashion influence was a recurring theme on the premier runways for the 2009 Fall/ Winter season. (Found at the UK Telegraph. You can find descriptions of the clothing HERE.)
I also found an article and a video on the fashion series for you. This article talks about the influences and approach of the fashion creator and stylist (which included a matriochka doll as he was starting his Russian style showings this past year). Here's an excerpt:
But fashion would not be the weird and wonderful world it most certainly is without some fairytale element to delight, astound or even just amuse us. This winter the fantasy revolves around a romanticised Russia; land of the firebird, the sugarplum fairy, Zara, Dr Zhivago and Anastacia. Not since Yves Saint Laurent based a collection upon the Ballets Russes more than thirty years ago, has fashion so fallen under the Soviet spell.
You can read more HERE. Here's the video, which is a beautiful little piece to watch, even if fashion isn't of huge interest to you:
Some lovely inspiration. I'm ready to write a Russian fairy tale now. :)
Just in time for Halloween (and because I find this a little creepy), here's a make-up tutorial for how to do your face and hair as close as possible to Disney's cartoon Snow White.
Here's an excerpt from what the make-up artist, kandee, posted on her process of creating the look:
I researched the art and painting of Disney...they mixed and created their own colors! The look of the original Snow White: And the Seven Dwarfs, was soft with, bright lips and grey-brown eyeshadow...I tried to replicate it exactly as the art from the movie.
Here's the original:And here's the make-up:Transforming a person into a cartoon (which was one of her aims) will always result in some kind of de-humanization (for want of a better word). Definitely suitable for Halloween.
Go HERE for more pics, tutorial video (which is excellent if you're interested in make-up) aaaand sing-a-long. (Consider yourself warned).
Last Hansel & Gretel post of the week... I (almost) guarantee it!
I found this steampunk Hansel and Gretel by Montreal artist Donglu Yu a while back when I was researching 'the best steampunk fairy tale illustrations on the web' (see HERE for the last of three posts, which also links to the previous ones) and didn't include it because it didn't really catch my eye as representing Hansel and Gretel very well at the time.
I've since found the artist's overview of her painting from concept to final and I can appreciate the art - and her interpretation of the tale - far more now. I missed some important ones on my first few viewings. I didn't even see the witch up in her lofty room stirring the pot at first.
I'm hoping by showing you some of the development you'll come to appreciate her vision of the story as I have.When you realize what's in the details, this piece becomes very interesting and it's clear why Donglu's work has been recognized by an elite group of digital artists.She and her artist fiancé were featured in the prestigious digital art publication Exposé (7) this year in June (see article HERE), along with a very nice print of Donglu Yu's steampunk Hansel and Gretel (it has better contrast than most copies of this piece I've seen on the web, so the details are more noticeable).From introduction to the artist's project overview:
This is my great pleasure to discuss about the creation process for my latest work “Hansel and Gretel”. This image is originally created for the Steampunk Challenge hosted by CG Society. Right from the beginning, I had the intention of making a whimsical image which can remind us certain magic moments that the old folklores and fairy tales have brought us during our childhood. Hansel and Gretel has been one of my favorite bedtime stories: I can still remember how I was imagining those two little kids walking through the forest to arrive at the witch’s house which is deliciously decorated with all kind of confections. I want to recreate that feel of wonder that I have experienced longtime ago with the proper visual language.
Here's the final image, which I've saved till after the other details so hopefully you'll be able to appreciate it as I do now. (Click to enlarge)You can see a MUCH larger version HERE, which will zoom you in on all the details but you'll probably need to scroll up and down to see the whole piece, so you don't the impression of the story as you do from the smaller version shown above from the Exposé 7 article.
You can see many more development pictures and read about her process on this project HERE. The project is shown step by step, almost as a tutorial, though not quite. I'm so glad the artist decided to share!You can see a lot more of her work HERE at her online portfolio with the CG Society and in this excellent interview, in which she talks about her process HERE. I look forward to seeing more of Donglu Yu's work in future.
I found this graphic novel reviewed at The Graphic Classroom and though it came out last year it's very appropriate for the end of Hansel & Gretel week.
Here are a couple of excerpts from the review, which is aimed particularly at teachers and parents:
I always wondered: (as a child reading/or being told the story of Hansel & Gretel) could this happen to me, too? How would I survive if I were left alone to my own devices? Which brings me to this graphic novel version of the classic tale and I can say that this Stone Arch version, adapted by Donald Lemke and illustrated by Sean Dietrich, is strange and odd and creepy in every way you would want the story to be. HANSEL AND GRETEL make good use of the graphic novel format as we see the fragility of the situation etched on the faces of the kids.
...One huge bonus to the Stone Arch fairy tale collection is that in the back of the book, there is a nice overview of where and how the story originated (in this case, the Grimm Brothers may have heard the story of Hansel and Gretel from a woman named Henriette Dorothea Wild, Germany, in the 1800s). The book also features three discussion questions, three writing prompts and then urges readers to explore more about the story on their own. These additions are a nice touch for teachers and students using graphic novels in the classroom.
You can read the rest of the review which looks at the content, the artwork and the suitability for children and for use in the classroom HERE.
The book is by Stone Arch Books graphic novel arm, Graphic Spin, and is one of a series of retold fairy tales. (You can find out more about Graphic Spin and their Fall 2009 releases HERE.) Below are all the fairy tale covers I could find. You can find the amazon list - which includes the Spanish versions - HERE. There is also a complete set available through Stone Arch Books and Amazon.Personally, I love the range of illustrative styles and non-traditional (or non-Disney-esque) representations of the characters and stories. I'm putting a couple on my wishlist to check out the writing and interior .
Hansel and Gretel: The Graphic Novel is available at Amazon HERE.
Aesop's Fables Poster (Found at AllPosters.com) Artist Unknown
Of course there were fables before Aesop - in fact, according to THIS article fables are thought to be the second oldest source of stories known (myths coming before then) but apparently many think fables were all Aesop's idea.
It seems funny it should even need addressing but this article I found is a nice read with a lot of interesting things about ancient stories and when they were written down so I thought I would share.
Aesop: Fox and a Sick Lion Color Woodcut by Joseph Low
Please note: this article does not make mention of ancient forms of story recording by Mayans, Egyptians and Australian Aboriginies among other ancient peoples. From time to time a new way of looking at these surviving 'art-writings' or 'visual stories' (in murals, cave paintings, pictographs, pottery etc) reveals our 'translation' of these artforms has been incomplete or crude. The beginnings of writing and recording stories is one of those topics that get academics a little steamed so I don't presume to present the complete historical fact for you here. Just thought I'd mention the omission.
In addition, there's a little bit of information about Aesop himself too. Here's an excerpt:
As nothing in that era was written down (except the exploits of a King or warrior), it is impossible to know exactly whether Aesop thought of the fables himself, or whether he was a wandering storyteller who collected fables. In the days of such widespread illiteracy, it is likely Aesop could not even read or write. Some have suggested he may have been blind, as Homer is suggested to be. The earliest reference to written fables we have is from the Greek historian Herodotus from around 300 BC. Unfortunately, Herodotus seemed to think everyone knew Aesop and his fables so well that he did not need to give any details of Aesop or his work.
My thanks to 'Anonymous' for pointing me in the direction of this production. Here's their comment in response to Monday's post that set this post in motion:
I'm in NY and there's a great show at The New Victory Theater in Times Square of Hansel and Gretel: LINK
They basically re-did the whole theater from top to bottom as the haunted forest of H&G!
'Anonymous' wasn't kidding - throughout this post you can see some pictures from the Scottish Catherine Wheels Theater Co., production.Here's an excerpt from the article:
Mounted throughout the theater, which is transformed into a cluttered, old haunted house with swirling nets, mad drawings and a variety of art installations made of dolls, the production begins downstairs, where a cellist plays tunes by the Bay City Rollers inside the 1970s-style house of Hansel and Gretel. As soon as the two (played by the apple-cheeked actors Tommy Joe Mullins and Ashley Smith) start dropping bread crumbs, the audience is led upstairs through a hallway backstage and around a maze assembled inside the theater.
It goes on to describe how the audience are, at one point, seated along a large dinner table, as if guests at the over-the-top feast (see below).And here's a description from Theater Mania :
The Grimm brothers' fairytale will literally unfold from the top to the bottom of the theater, and theatergoers, in groups of a 100, will follow the action from, according to press notes, a "kitschy 1970s inspired home through a spooky forest and into the dangerous clutches of a bald-headed witch who is at once nasty, funny, and completely off-her-rocker."
The show is aimed to be child-friendly so, despite the subject matter, the show is designed to be enjoyed by most ages (I would caution against very young children attending). The British Theater Guide HERE gives a good write-up of the show and addresses its suitability for children. I'd see it based on this report alone, if I could.Here's a trailer which gives a good idea of how the whole show is staged:
I love the whole 'leading the audience through the woods and making them a part of the scenes' approach. This is exactly the sort of thing I loved doing in theater when I had a chance - the show was different every time because it partly depended on the audience's involvement and partly because the close proximity with the audience provided opportunities for improvisation that the traditional audience-on-the-floor-actors-on-the-stage simply couldn't. Possibly the best result from staging a production like this, though, is that anyone who comes to the production will remember it forever. And this is why it's so important to do a REALLY good job!
The article - link HERE (the same as the link above) - is a very good review, hi-lighting both the good and the bad of such an adventurous show. Overall, the show is a recommended experience - it's currently sold out and has a wait list - and I sincerely wish I could go.From the copy: “Hansel and Gretel” runs through Nov. 1 at the New Victory Theater, 229 West 42nd Street, Manhattan; (646)223-3010, newvictory.org.
Hansel & Gretel overhear the plan to leave them in the wood
Today's artwork is from a similar project to the animation student posted on Monday HERE.
Gino Whitehall is now a working professional in design and illustration. The Hansel and Gretel project is from his final couple of years while studying at the prestigious Art Center College of Design and is included in his current professional portfolio.
Here you can see more concept sketches and how they developed into the final pieces.I like seeing how he translated the traditional witch's house into a Taco Stand. (From the description on his blog: "evolution of the witches house from a loose frank loyd wright inspiration to a taco stand... ") Notice the "Kids Eat Free" sign, which I can't help mentally switching around into "Eat Free Kids"...I particularly like how the witch gets her comeuppance.You can see more of Gino Whitehall's work HERE in his blog or HERE at his website, whitehallstudios.com.
Friend of Once Upon A Blog, the incredibly talented and world-renowned tarot artist Lisa Hunt (who's work I've had the privilege of sharing before HERE), recently let me know she's about to be involved in a new exhibit of (contemporary) fairy tale art in Brooklyn. It opens this Friday - the 23rd of October, 2009. (All art included in this post is by participants in the show and included in the press release.)
The exhibit will focus on the "duality of fairy tales" - showing the dark side (of which many people remain unaware) juxtaposed with the dreamy, pretty side that comes to mind most often when people hear the words "fairy tale".
Persephone by Kristina Carroll
[Aside: Incidentally, I've noticed that "fairy tale" is often spelled "fairytale" but that an unconscious separation seems to have occurred between the two terms. When the two words are joined, as in 'fairytale', the term is generally used to describe an ideal state or happy resolution to a story or personal experience. This single word, 'fairytale', now seems to be a part of modern day vocabulary and describes a state which has, ironically, not as much to do with "fairy tale/s" as most imagine. When I read 'fairy tale' as two separate words, the reference is most often to the actual tales and stories traditionally classified as 'marchen' or 'wonder tales'. I don't believe this distinction happens with any intent of distinguishing, except perhaps by fairy tale and folklore scholars/enthusiasts who insist on referring to fairy tales/stories with a two-word term. There's duality for you.]
The Frog Prince by Kris Waldherr
But back to the exhibition. Here's an excerpt from the press release:
Fairy tales have a special place in our childhood memories. But did you know that these beloved stories were originally written for an adult audience? Fairy Tales: From The Dark Wood to Happily Ever After is an art exhibit which explores this surprising duality. It presents a wide variety of visual responses to fairy tales — from children's book illustration to fine art; from fantasy to graphic novels. The exhibit opens Friday, October 23 at Kris Waldherr Art and Words gallery in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn.
Kris Waldherr, owner and curator of the Brooklyn studio-gallery, says “This exhibit goes way beyond Disney to explore the rich complexity of fairy tales. I'm very excited to bring together such an illustrious group of artists for it." Waldherr is also an author-illustrator of many books, including Doomed Queens and The Book of Goddesses; she will have paintings from her picture books The Firebird and Rapunzel on display in the exhibit. Other artists in the exhibit include Kristina Carroll, Leela Corman, Mary Louise Geering, Lisa Hunt, Aram Kim, Amy Saidens, Carisa Swenson, and Karen Zuegner. All are Brooklyn residents except for Hunt, who lives and works in Florida.
Yay Lisa! Congrats on being included in what appears to be a wonderful exhibition!
Puss in Boots by Lisa Hunt
Lisa says she feels honored to be involved. Here's a statement from the announcement on her blog:
I am so honored to be sharing artshow space with these immensely talented artists, each bringing a vision of Fairy Tale land that is uniquely their own. I will be having original watercolor paintings from the recently published The Fairy Tale Tarot (Llewellyn Publications) as well as pencil drawings from the book and limited edition prints showcased in this splendid collection of outstanding fairy tale works. This is a rare opportunity to see my original art and the work of others on display for viewing and purchasing. I have to tell you, I LOVE this gallery. It’s a treasure filled with books, art and endless inspiration. I was so lucky to have been able to spend some time in this beautiful sanctuary with my close friend and owner, Kris Waldherr. It felt so comfortable and lovely and was filled with this ineffable artistic energy that really induced feelings of creative satiation.
You can find the rest of the information on where, where, entry fee and books/prints etc available HERE.
Note: I will share more on Lisa's amazing work in a separate post, rather than make this one any longer. To have the chance to see her work (and the others) in person is something not to be missed if you can possibly manage it. The exhibit will run through the holidays and children are welcome.
I bring you sad news today.
