Kirsty Mitchell's Fairy Tale "Wonderland" London Exhibition Begins (And A Book On the Way!)

Big news for Kirsty Mitchell fans:
1) she's having a 'selling exhibition' starting TODAY (May 7th) in London for 2(ish) weeks, featuring gorgeous 2 meter prints (6 foot prints for the non-metric folks), that show all the teensy details in each amazing shot

2) she also aims to have a book available of her Wonderland work by the end of THIS YEAR! (ie hopefully ready for Christmas!)

By the end of 2015, she hopes to realize a 'Wonderland' book in collaboration with esteemed British book designer Stuart Smith through the launch of a campaign on Kickstarter backed by the photography platform LensCulture.

(I can hear you cheering from here!)

But back to the exhibition. Here are the details from the press release. I'm including the biography and summary notes about Ms. Mitchell and how this series came to be, for those who don't know much about her work:

Kirsty Mitchell ‘WONDERLAND’

7th – 23rd May 2015

Mead Carney Fine Art, 45 Dover Street, W1S 4FF

The show is kindly sponsored by Nikon UK.

Mead Carney is pleased to present 'Wonderland', a new selling exhibition by award winning fine art photographer Kirsty Mitchell.

'Wonderland' is a project created over the course of five years as an homage to the artist's mother who tragically passed away in 2008.

Having worked in fashion for a number of years, Kirsty understood the constructed and filmic nature of the photographic image. Building on this, she incorporated childlike whim through the creation of her favorite fairytales that her mother read to her as a child. With minimal support and finances, she built what can be likened to a film set in order to stage each frame. The tailor-made dresses and make-up add an element of high fashion into the work. However, props such as ships, headdresses and books transform the image further; each item carefully built and placed so as to convey a personal sense of imagination.

Kirsty's oeuvre is whimsical and dream-like. It consists of over 70 photographs that intertwine fantasy, literature and personal mediations. The selection presented shows the breadth and complexity of the highly constructed artworks. The highly saturated colours give a vivid, fairytale quality to each image. Intense contrasts intensify the surreal quality of each work; reality is undermined by the lack of gravity and soft lighting.

Upon completion in November 2014,  'Wonderland' immediately won 2 international awards, with over 280,000 followers on its social media. It has been extensively featured throughout the world achieving a viral status online, and has been published by prestigious names such as Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Italia, The Guardian, BBC news, Germany's Spiegel Online and Stern magazine to name but a few. The images warranted coverage from BBC News, Italian Vogue, and Polish Harper's Bazaar, to name a few. She won a number of awards including the grand prize for visual storytelling by Lensculture in 2014 and a place as the Nikon Ambassador of Fine Art Photography. 

I had to include one of her wonderful behind-the-scenes videos, which I highly recommend for fans, photographers and storytellers alike:

I'm also linking you to her video behind-the-scenes of prepping the ENORMOUS prints for this exhibit. Just amazing stuff. You can watch it HERE, along with finding out extra details about the gallery, the Wonderland show (what will and what will not be shown - only some is shown in the panorama shots below) and her note to fans about the upcoming book.

For those of us who can't see the exhibition, you can see the series at Mitchell's website HERE. And while you're there, I recommend checking out her other galleries too. Some of her personal portraits are truly stunning. (I've also collected a variety on a Pinterest board HERE, along with costume shots and behind the scenes pics, since these photos wouldn't be what they are with all Mitchell's artistry in design, costume and prop making - that's right - she designs and makes them all herself!)

And we'll be keeping our eye on Kickstarter for the rest of the year and cheer this book on to get published. I'd love to see more about the stories behind the photos - not just how the photos were made but which stories told her by her mother inspired which pieces. Clearly there is a fairy tale sensibility here as well as a 'modern-Victorian' faery atmosphere as well, which I would love to hear more about.

And then there's the future. If this is where she journeyed to creatively over five years, we have to wonder: just what amazing things will she do next?!

Tale As Old As This Library...

Note: Today's special Beauty & the Beast post is for a lovely girl who adores this fairy tale above all others.

Happy Birthday dear friend!

This library has to be seen to be believed. It really is like stepping into the Beast's library...

And who'd bother going to the ballroom when there's all this space and beautifully Baroque surroundings (not to mention the smell of books)?

In late December of 2014, a creative team, led by the innovative Von Wong, were given a few precious evening hours to shoot some photographs (and a little video) in this amazing place, which houses the largest monastery library hall in the world. Admont Abbey itself dates back to the 1st century (and is still functioning as a working monastery) but the library dates back to the same time period as the first version of Beauty and the Beast, so it's more than appropriate they were paying homage to the fairy tale there.

What's even cooler? This was the first creative photo shoot ever made there. Take a look at some of the gorgeous results!

About this project Von Wong said:

I have always loved photography for the adventures and opportunities that it brings, not the hours I would spend retouching in front of a computer. As a result the desire to search and explore the most exotic locations and make a shoot out of it, has always been a particular passion of mine.

Projects like these are particularly magical because of how they bring people together. From fans (now turned friends) Eva Creel and Nicolas Cormier, American expats and photographers living in Germany willing to embark on a spontaneous roadtrip to drive me across Germany so that I can indulge in my creative shenanigans, to friends of friends like Oliver Schlichtherle, who drove all the way from Switzerland through Austria just to assist in whatever capacity possible… People from all walks of life somehow end up gravitating towards these amazing projects.

And at the end, we not only have fantastic imagery to share with the world… but a story to laugh and remember for the rest out our lives.
Dream big, anything is possible.

You can learn more about the process, the lighting challenges (can you believe it was night tine when they shot everything?) and see a few more behind-the-scenes images on Von Wong's blog HERE.

There's also a great behind-the-scenes video detailing two projects, one in a cave system and this as the other. I've embedded it below for your enjoyment (the cave one - also lovely - is first):

New (Beautiful!) Trailer for Gibran's "The Prophet" Released

If you haven't yet heard of the film, Gibran's "The Prophet" you really need to check it out. It's the passion project of Salma Hayek, who wanted to make a beautiful, poetic and family-accessible film, based on one of the most popular books of poetry around the world, ever published. Contrary to popular thought I grew up with, it's not a religious work at all, but a philosophical and poetic one.

Roger Allers, director of The Lion King is the (lead) director for the project but Hayek (who voices one of the characters as well) also brought together a number of award winning animators and directors from around the world to create special "chapters" or "mythic sequences" using different styles of art and animation, throughout the movie. On every level, this project has masters involved.

It's in the official selection for Cannes and is highly anticipated all round. It's more than a little unusual in that it doesn't fit neatly into a genre and although it's incredibly artistic, it's not an 'Arthouse' film, and though it has popular and mainstream filmmakers and talent involved, it's not mainstream either. Like poetry, it's been designed to speak differently to different people, to allow the audience to take away whatever they see in the film that resonates with them.

Here's a little more information:

(Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is) the animated adaptation of the world-renowned volume of poetry, produced by Salma Hayek and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), with animated sequences by a panoply of animation luminaries including Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea), Nina Paley (Sita Sings the Blues), and Bill Plympton (Cheatin’). The movie will be released in theaters on August 7, 2015.

SYNOPSIS 

The Prophet, by celebrated Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran, is among the most popular volumes of poetry ever written, selling over 100 million copies in forty languages since its publication in 1923. Gibran’s timeless verses have been given enchanting new form in this painterly cinematic adventure about freedom and the power of human expression. 

This breathtaking animated feature, produced and spearheaded by Salma Hayek, was an official selection at Cannes and made its North American premiere at Toronto International Film Festival. Written and directed by Roger Allers (The Lion King), the film intersperses Gibran’s elegant poetry within stunning animated sequences by filmmakers Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea), Nina Paley (Sita Sings the Blues), Bill Plympton (Guide Dog), and a host of award-winning animators from around the world.

Set in a Mediterranean sea-side village, Kamila (Salma Hayek) cleans house for exiled artist and poet Mustafa (Liam Neeson), but the more difficult job is keeping her free-spirited young daughter, Almitra, (Quvenzhané Wallis) out of trouble. The three embark on a journey meant to end with Mustafa’s return home – but first they must evade the authorities who fear that the truth in his words will incite rebellion. Featuring music from Damien Rice, Glen Hansard and Yo-Yo Ma.

And here is the beautiful trailer:

You may be wondering why this I'm highlighting it on a fairy tale blog. Well, firstly, it's mythic and anything considered mythic across various nations should be in the 'general knowledge backpack' of fairy tale folk. Being poetry, wisdom and philosophy as well as using mythic imagery, you'll find it overlaps a lot with the issues and themes you find in fairy tales and how people view and interpret tales in pop culture. 

There's a fascinating interview with Salma Hayek and why she chose this project and her approach to storytelling and film HERE (the first 15 minutes are the most relevant to the project, though she does get into production details around the 20 minute mark again - fascinating for all filmmakers and animation fans out there).

Here are the online links for The Prophet:

Official website

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Last "Fables" Artist Signing Event in UK Before Series Ends

It's going to be one of the last Fables signings, (I'm fairly sure), with the Fables series wrapping in just a few months... I was so disappointed to see there wasn't a single Fables-related thing happening for Free Comic Book Day this past weekend. Would have been the perfect chance to encourage a new teen readership. -sigh-

For those wondering who Mark Buckingham is, he's been a (the?) primary/key artist working very closely with Bill Willingham since Fables began and the series is almost as much his 'baby' as it is Willingham's at this point with their collaborative work over the last decade plus (*almost*).

Press Release:

Artist MARK BUCKINGHAM signs FABLES VOL. 21 and FABLES DELUXE VOL. 10* (FTNH Edit: to be officially released May 19th, 2015) at the Forbidden Planet London Megastore on Wednesday 13th May from from 6:00 – 7:00 pm! 

Published by Vertigo, FABLES is an Eisner Award-winning series telling the tale of many familiar fairy-tale figures forced out of their Homelands by The Adversary who has conquered the realm. The Fables have travelled to our world and formed a clandestine community in New York City known as Fabletown.
Vol. 21 is the penultimate volume, and the residents of Fabletown look to live ‘happily ever after,’ but there’s a steep price to pay for happiness as Rose Red clashes with Snow White! 

In the deluxe hardcover edition of Fables vol. 10, the existence of the Fables is threatened by The Literals, who just don’t like their messy, mythical lives. 

MARK BUCKINGHAM started working professionally on strips and illustrations for a British satire magazine called The Truth in 1987, where he first worked with Neil Gaiman illustrating some of his articles. His American debut came the following year as inker on DC Comics Hellblazer. Mark is best-known for his work on Marvelman, Hellblazer and Fables, though has worked on may titles for both Marvel and DC. He and Fables writer Bill Willingham have announced that they will switch roles in an up-and-coming one-off for the title’s hundredth issue. 

Forbidden Planet London Megastore179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR

*Description for Vol. 10: In an epic from FABLES #77-82, JACK OF FABLES #33-35, and THE LITERALS #1-3, the existence of the Fables is threatened by The Literals, who just don't like their messy, mythical lives. And in the original graphic novel FABLES: WEREWOLVES OF THE HEARTLAND, Bigby Wolf goes on a quest to find a new location for Fabletown, only to find a village populated by werewolves! *** COVER SUBJECT TO CHANGE ***

I really hope they DO change the cover - it's not going to look so nice next to my other volumes if they stay with this artwork. (Not being shallow - they've just worked so hard on the aesthetics of the covers to work together to date - it would look weird for it to look so very different, even though they will have to represent the crossover with "The Literals".)

Ask Baba Yaga: How Can I Feel My Feelings?

House of Baba Yaga by Georgy Podshibyakin

Distancing yourself from your feelings is generally a survival mechanism - which is a good thing. But there should come a time when you realize you should be 'feeling your feelings' again. Apart from the prospect being downright scary for some people, how do you begin the process? Baba Yaga has a great way of looking at it.

Today's timely question and answer (via poet and oracle Taisia Kitaiskaia* of The Hairpin):

(Originally posted at The Hairpin HERE)

Feelings as stormy clouds... Yes, this is helpful. Still going to take a whole lot of courage to walk up to those not-bison! 

What do you think of Baba Yaga's advice?

Want to ask Baba Yaga a question of your own?

You can!

There's now an email address where you can send your questions

directly to Baba Yaga herself.

AskBabaYaga AT gmail DOT com

To encourage Baba Yaga to continue imparting her no-bones-about-it wisdom (ok, there may be some gristle in there... bones too), I suggest we not to leave her box empty... 

Thank you Baba Yaga (& Taisia).

* Taisia Kitaiskaia is a poet, writer, and Michener Center for Writers fellow. Born in Russia and raised in America, she's had her poems and translations published in Narrative Magazine, Poetry International, and others.

Free Comic Book Day is TODAY and Officially Helps Kick Off Children's Book Week 2015

Yup - that is correct. Comic book stores around the US today will be helping to launch Children's Book Week for 2015 - officially - and not just by reminding you. They've gotten involved with the Children's Literacy Council and other reading advocate organizations for kids and are ready to encourage young readers (and would-be-readers) of all ages. The official Free Comic Book Day team and graphic novel artists and writers from all over have been preparing events BEYOND free comic book day  - to take place THROUGHOUT Children's Book Week  - to help promote reading, with comics as a launch pad to reading-success.

2015 preview of Labyrinth comic from the Boom Studios Anthology to be given away

From FreeComicBookDay:

On May 2, comic book stores will kick off Children's Book Week (May 4-10, 2015), the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading, by giving away over two million comics to younger readers on Free Comic Book Day! 

With over two dozen kid -friendly titles to choose from, there's a free comic book available to help every young reader get into the spirit of Children's Book Week which will be celebrated the following week with more fun, book-themed events, appearances from beloved children’s book authors and illustrators, and more in all fifty states. 

Comics’ industry leaders Diamond Comic Distributors and Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF) are partnering with Every Child a Reader and the Children's Book Council to bring greater focus to what comics offer kids, with cross-industry promotions and targeted resources for parents & educators during Children’s Book Week. In addition to Free Comic Book Day, the organizations will partner with authors, publishers, and comics specialty and book retailers to create Children's Book Week events spotlighting comics and the joy of reading at locations all over the United States! 

Jennifer L. Holm, three-time Newbery Honoree and CBLDF board member says, "When I was a child, my love of reading started with comic books. Today, as a comics creator myself, and as a mom, I'm excited by how much extraordinary storytelling is happening for young people in comics. Children's Book Week is a wonderful time for people to come together and share the love of reading comics with kids everywhere!"“Comics and graphic novels are incredible tools for fostering a love of reading in children, and transmit valuable literacy skills to readers of all levels. We are delighted to partner with Free Comic Book Day to share the joy of comics with kids nationwide this Children’s Book Week,” says Nicole Deming, interim director of the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader. 

“On behalf of comic shops nationwide that promote reading in their communities on Free Comic Book Day and all year round, and the writers, artists and publishers creating a fantastic array of children’s comics today, we welcome this opportunity to collaborate with Children’s Book Week and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund,” added Roger Fletcher, Diamond VP Sales & Marketing.

The kid-friendly FREE comics available this year will be more in number than usual and it's recommended parents take their kids and load up those arms!

What usually happens at comic book stores participating in Free Comic Book Day?

All the ones I've been to have had:

• costumed characters
• dressing up for guests (& contests)
• props and displays for photo ops (and general fun)
• artists signing comic books and special prints
• food!
• giveaways and raffles
• special appearances by guests
• art lessons
• FREE COMIC BOOKS!

Here's what our local store is doing:

Don't worry about breakfast, you can buy something delicious at one of the amazing gourmet food trucks, and Honu Coffee will be taking your order while you wait in line!

Did we mention the Stormtroopers, Ewoks, R2D2 and the LANDSPEEDER, not to mention Batman, Batgirl, Joker, and who knows what other characters might decide to stop by! In fact, dress to impress, and enter our SUPER COOL all ages COSTUME CONTEST sponsored by DK Publishing and LEGO!

Games, prizes, balloons, a rockin cool BINGO game, a DJ, gaming demos, free art lessons...SO much to do! Be sure you're following us on Twitter, for our giveaway game, where we will be giving away some amazing prize packages to the lucky winners.

And, OH YEAH: don't forget the comics. Miles and miles of free comics!

Get here early, stay all day!!! JUST BE THERE!

For fairy tale folk there are a few offerings in the free category, including a special Labyrinth comic (which you can see a preview page of in this post) and for slightly older kids, there's Steampunk Goldilocks. There are a variety of other kids fantasy too, though, sporting the prince, princess and monster motifs common to what people think of as fairy tales today as well though, so check them all out (and hey - if you don't like what you ended up with, donate them!)

Also DK are an official sponsor of Free Comic Book Day for 2015!

DK have signed on to sponsor and contribute toward the marketing and promotion of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), which takes places Saturday May 2^nd at participating comic book specialty shops across the US, Canada, and worldwide. DK will serve as a supporter of Free Comic Book Day offering a special edition comic book along with the opportunity to win prizes as they help shape and enrich the comic fans’ experience of the event.

DK will offer FCBD Fans the opportunity to win various graphic novels, comics, activity books, and additional prizes through contests hosted on the Free Comic Book Day Facebook page during April through July. 

There's a list of bona-fide kid-friendly comic book stores by state HERE, but seeing our local  book store isn't on there yet it definitely fits the bill, it's not a complete list. Although not all comic book stores participate, most seem to, so check out yours - and remember, the earlier you get there, the more likely you are to get the freebies you want the most...

Happy reading!

Of Flowers, Ribbons and Hobby Horses... Happy May Day!

Krista Huot* - The May Queen

Did you decorate a flowered maypole (or tree) with ribbons today?

Or get a visit from the "hobby horse"?

We did...

If you're wondering what I'm talking about, you can read a summary of the celebration - which has variations all over the world - (it's not just a UK/Celtic tradition) HERE. The short article explains the history, traditions and various characters that appear on the 1st of May. Beltane, also celebrated on May 1st, isn't discussed but isn't completely separate either, and there are definitely fairies involved with that celebration as well.

You can read a Scottish fairy tale (or perhaps it should be called fairy story) about a fairy horse appearing on Beltane's-eve HERE, titled The Water Horse of Poll Nan Craobhan.

Happy May Day!

*Krista Huot has created many fairy tale illustrations, as well as various fairies, and faery folk and events. What's a May Day without fairies?