Fire Sidhe

The Snow Queen

2012-01-04T16:44:00.000-08:00

- The Snow Queen - riding across the Arctic twilight sky with her totem animals. Trust is theirs - there are no reins or bonds needed, their love, energy and focus holds them together on this sacred journey.

She brings the spirit of change, of purpose, fight, light within dark - rebirth.
And for these animals, who are all endangered the tide must change - she brings the human help they so desperately need...

Between the Worlds - 2011 - A Retrospective

2012-01-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all! The end of 2011 was so busy I barely had a minute to relax, let alone blog, but now here we are in 2012 - how on earth did that happen?

I was having a bath the other week, as one does, and thinking over the year that was - and so I thought it might be nice to do a retrospective of the art I created in 2011. So here are some of my fave pieces from 2011 - with some faerie tale music by Kevin McLeod...

Like the fool I am, I missed 2 of my favourite pieces out - so I'll add them as an extra here! :

The Wild Hunt and the White Lady of Avalon

Wishing you every happiness for 2012, and the fulfilment of your dreams.

Laura

Handmade Solstice Standing Stone Yule Cards!

2011-11-23T06:05:00.001-08:00

Hello folks - I decided this year - rather than order cards with my

designs on for Yule, I'd craft some unique creations all of my own!

These are the first ones made - lovely Solstice Standing Stones

Yule/Christmas cards.

The print is mounted on luxury recycled and spangle-y heavyweight

paper, and the cards themselves measure approx 8X6'.

For more info please visit my etsy page: http://www.etsy.com/listing/86882879/winter-solstice-stones-handmade-card

More cards coming soon!! :)

Introducing Miss Star - Steampunk Princess as part of The Time Travelling Cats!

2011-11-17T15:04:00.001-08:00

Miss Star -Steam Punk Princess and Sir Cobweb are The Time Travelling Cats!

Well - here we are with Miss Star - The Quintessential Time Travelling Kitty!

Purrrrfect for the Winter Season - she is wrapped up in her gorgeously glam gear and ready to find adventure!

xxx

Solstice Stones

2011-11-15T16:29:00.001-08:00

Yule Card Artwork for 2011

This year more than ever I've spent amazing, valuable and blessed time in sacred places and stone circles; Stonehenge, Avebury, Duddo, Newgrange, The Hurlers, Beaghmore and others have served as teachers, healers, and places to feel connected to the magic in the land.

When I sit and watch/sketch the stones I always see their sparks, their energy moving out in waves, connecting each stone to each other, sending out, taking in information...

With this drawing - which is a mixture of various places, I can hear the quiet of a snowy twilight, the sounds of snow flakes softly pattering to the ground.

I feel that if I open my mouth, I could almost taste the snow flakes on my tongue.

I can feel the cold snow surrounding my boots as I wade through the snow to approach these stones.

There's a tension, almost like bells jingling in the air - heralding the beautiful solstice moment.

Solstice = Standstill.

The Sun sets on the shortest day, to be reborn a new.

My First Handmade Art Pendants!

2011-11-15T05:13:00.001-08:00

Afternoon all, this here is my first handmade art pendant I've created (yes I did try one earlier - but lets say that me, the glue and the ink had a small falling out!). I'm still wearing this at the moment as I love it! a little Steam Punk Kitty necklace is exactly what a girl needs to get her Tuesday going off with a bang! :)

I'm just perfecting my technique in making these necklaces and experimenting with some ideas, but fear not! I will have some for sale very shortly.

Have a good Tuesday!
:)

The Time Travelling Gentle-Kitty...

2011-11-14T14:38:00.001-08:00

Where am I now?

Cobweb asks eagerly.

'In a time that never was,

And a time that never will be...'

Where do I go?

Enquires the Cat thoughtfully.

'On an airship to the future

Which leaves at quarter past 3...'

At last we have a decent scan of this time travelling gentle-kitty... :)

Where will he travel to next?

Painting and words by me, 2011. :)

The Wild Hunt

2011-11-10T13:31:00.001-08:00

New Painting - The Wild Hunt...

The Wild Hunt is a spectre which rides across the sky every Samhain (Halloween). It's a night of wild abandon and freedom, where the world of the living meets the otherworld of the fae and the ancestors...

This is a painting I did after a Shamanic Journey where I saw, and was part of the Wild Hunt... I tried to recapture the feeling as well as I could with this painting. When I was working on this more and more animals wanted to join in - so it became quite a party!

For anyone interested there are prints available on Etsy...http://www.etsy.com/listing/85813785/the-wild-hunt

Lynx Fae Throw Pillow Laura Daligan's Art

2011-11-07T04:58:00.000-08:00

I hope you don't mind me keep blogging about all the pretties I've made but as well as necklaces, clocks, boxes and coasters we also have ...der derrrrr: Lynx Fae Throw Pillow Laura Daligan's Art

Featuring the lovely Lynx Fae!

Butterfly Faerie Necklace Oval Charm Laura Daligan's Art

2011-11-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I've been a busy bee, creating more gifts and goodies from my art work! Very reasonably priced cushions, necklaces and magical clocks... here's a beautiful necklace: Butterfly Faerie Necklace Oval Charm Laura Daligan's Art

Happy Zazzle Day! :)

2011-11-05T05:40:00.001-07:00

Happy Bonfire Night everybody! Talking of things which go ... Fizzzz Weeee Bang! I have a BRAND NEW Zazzle store where you can purchase beuatiful gifts and goodies all with my artwork on - so whether you'd like a faerie necklace, a cat keyring, or to wear your favourite Goddess on you chest with pride - please visit http://www.zazzle.co.uk/fire_sidhe See my store at Zazzle

Samhain Sidhe

2011-10-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

I am She

Of the Moonlit Kiss

The Burning Star

Of the Night's Frozen Bliss

I am She

Both Seen and Unseen

Riding through Darkness

Liminal Warrior Queen

I am She

And I am the Night

At Samhain tide

My Gift is the Light

The Halloween Special of the Kitty Comic!

2011-10-27T11:57:00.001-07:00

Just a quickie, to let you know that on my other new blog there is a Halloween Special of The Adventures of Cobweb and Star.... just so you know....;)
http://lauraredwitch-catcomics.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-special.html

Lugh

2011-10-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

Lugh

This painting took a while to complete - and a trip around the sacred sites of Ireland really helped to inspire me...

As I'm hoping to include this as a part of my Oracle Deck, any thoughts and ideas you have about this piece I'd love to hear!
Thanks :)

My Other Blog - The Kitty Comic!

2011-10-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

Please have a look at my brand new comic blog! The Amazing Adventures of Cobweb & Star! Yup it's all about Cats :) If you like it, please follow, as I have no followers over there at the mo - boohoo! (Oh Ok I only started it half and hour ago - but that's not the point!!!) http://lauraredwitch-catcomics.blogspot.com/2011/10/amazing-adventures-of-cobweb-star-part.html
Thank you!

The Ladies of St Nectan's Glen

2011-10-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

The Lady of St. Nectan's Glen

Has eyes the colour of autumn leaves

Hair which feels like moss through the trees

Skin as pale as waterfall foam

A voice sweet as bells ringing

Calling me home

Throughout the month of September I went on a magical and sacred journey throughout the UK and Eire. I was a guest guide for Dragon's Eye Tours - a small Australian touring company, and I had a wonderful, life changing experience being able to spend a month just being in these magical places. A month living and breathing meditation, exploration, history, myth, magic, ritual and archaeology. I met some wonderful, knowledgeable and fascinating guest guides throughout the trip including a chance to reunite with Ronald Hutton (he should be a Sir eh?!), Maria Wheatley and Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone.

I have so much to write and say about this trip, I'm looking over my diary of the time now, trying to work out the best way to format it - but for now I will leave you with a painting I have done inspired by an unforgettable trip to St Nectan's Glen and Kieve Waterfall.

These Lady's are drawn from a vision I had whilst standing in the pools of the waterfall.

I'm hoping these will make a lovely edition to the oracle Deck I am working on.I have so much more to share, so will be back soon.

Any thoughts comments and feedback appreciated. As long as it's constructive :)

Crow

2011-08-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

Crow Communes

"Well," said Crow, "What first?"
God, exhausted with Creation, snored.
"Which way?" said Crow, "Which way first?"
God's shoulder was the mountain on which Crow sat.
"Come," said Crow, "Let's discuss the situation."
God lay, agape, a great carcass.

Crow tore off a mouthful and swallowed.

"Will this cipher divulge itself to digestion
Under hearing beyond understanding?"

(That was the first jest.)

Yet, it's true, he suddenly felt much stronger.

Crow, the hierophant, humped, impenetrable.

Half-illumined. Speechless.

(Appalled)

Poem by Ted Hughes

Art by me.

Why I'm Running (tomorrow!) for Nowzad...

2011-07-09T04:50:00.000-07:00

Late last year my friend Oephebia and I went to an Animal Charities Day in west London, where we wandered the stalls, feeling heart broken for the countless cases of neglect and cruelty we witnessed on flyers, and through stories at the charity stands, but also heartened that so many wonderful people were putting their heart, soul and energies into helping animals.

We also went to a couple of talks there, and one talk by a man previously unknown to me named Pen Farthing. Pen had been a Segeant in the Royal marines in a small war torn town named Now Zad, in the Helmland Province. His story of how they survived there, under almost constant bombing, attempting to help and protect the local people was truly moving, but it was his tale of how he began to help and befirend the local stray dogs, who were not only caught up in the middle of a human war, but also hungry and unloved.

Pen says: “When we first arrived in the town of Now Zad I broke up a dog fight that was taking place right outside our remote compound. What I didn’t know was that one of those fighting dogs would then befriend me! I couldn’t say no to those big sad eyes, the now very former fighting dog, became my buddy and found himself a name – Nowzad”.

Pen was the first person to show Nowzad kindness and compassion, and soon became his firm buddy for life...

After creating a make shift home for Nowzad in the compound, Pen and the soldiers disocvered Nowzad was telling his pals, as more stray and undernourished dogs were finding their furry way into the supposedly secure army compound!

Soon, the lads were the first Dog Wardens of Now Zad, and Pen risked some daring feats to rescue and save animals from abuse, neglect and starvation.

Deciding that he just couldn't leave the dogs to starvation and bombing when he left Now Zad, Pen pulled nothing short of a miracle, to get the dogs transported to the only dog shelter in Afghanistan, which was a few days drive away.

Pen explains “So the difficult task of persuading a local Afghanistan driver to take the dogs all the way to the rescue in the north – a journey of several days – began. Eventually we found a taxi that would take the dogs some of the way to Lashkar Gar and then they would be exchanged with another driver for the journey to Kandahar and then swapped yet again into another vehicle for the drive to the rescue. We had a few issues with this as we knew that the vehicles would be stopped by the Taliban at road blocks and for that reason the driver wouldn’t let us put the dogs in cages, (a very British thing to do – definitely not an Afghan method of transporting dogs), so we had to tie the dogs up with rope and put the puppies into small crates, (Jena’s puppies went into an old bird cage!), not something we were entirely comfortable with – but what else we were to do?

I knew if the vehicle doors were opened without the driver paying attention then there was a chance one or two of the dogs would escape…”

Pen watched the dogs go, feeling success, tainted with sadness, as it would take a while for him to find out, whether all or any of the dogs made it to the rescue centre.

Finally via a phone call from back home the lads found out the fate of the dogs; Tali, Jena and Nowzad and 13 of the 14 puppies had made the animal rescue. RPG and AK had escaped when the car door was left open. One of the puppies had been stolen.

The Royal Marine's had no idea where RPG and AKwere when they escaped, and had no way of looking for them.

Animal lovers around the world were moved by Pen's efforts and so the charity Nowzad Dogs was formed in May 2007.

'The charity is mostly run by volunteers with the sole aim of improving the welfare of the animals of Afghanistan; especially the dog population. This aim is to be achieved through education of the local people of Afghanistan. Without their support and understanding then we have no hope. Afghanistan is a country full of potential. The Mayhew Animal Home in London supports a vets training scheme for participants from developing countries and the Nowzad Dogs charity fully supports it. Through the fantastic support of donors to Nowzad Dogs we are continually striving to support the many cries for help we receive from servicemen and women that have against orders taken in a stray puppy or rescued a dog or cat from cruelty.' From nowzad.com

Many of the dogs are rehomed and Nowzad and Tali found a forever loving home with Pen and his wife, and their pack of dogs.

There is so much more to the Nowzad story, and Pen's bookes 'One Dog at a time' and 'No Place like Home' are truly inspiring, and will have you gripped!

After Pen's talk last year, both Oephebia and I had used up all the pocket tissues we could find,sobbing our eyes out. What a story! But the story continues, and if Pen can risk his life several times over to rescue animals, I (hopefully!) can run 10K tomorrow morning!

I'd like to say a humungous THANK YOU to everyone that has sponsored me so far! You have made me (andNowzad!) so happy.

If you've yet to sponsor me, please spare whatever you can for this wonderful charity, and help me reach my target. Hopefully, as you can see it truly is a worthwhile cause.

http://www.justgiving.com/laura-daligan/

To find out more about the work of Nowzad please visit: www.nowzad.com

Thank you for reading this! xxxxx

Laura

Dexter the Afghan Pup

Nowzad, the dog who started it all...

New Artwork

2011-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Lady of the Lake... inspired by the following quote from An Ogham Wood by Cliff Seruntine: 'The pale white face of a lady gazed up at him from beneath the surface. She was deep eyed and her skin was like the moonlight. Her hair floated like suspended gold around her white cheeks, framing slender shoulders clad in green. She was as still as death, and around her tiny golden radiances darted about, like minnows'

A quick impression of something/one I felt and saw in my awesome Shamanic Reiki treatment with the wonderful Paolo last week...

Sketches from Hackney City Farm

2011-05-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

I am currently taking a brilliant course at The Princes Drawing School, called 'Animals and Art'. Animals... Art, my two favourite topics in life ever. :) I always think it's important to keep pushing oneself, and drawing animals who usually decide to move, just when you are about to finish your picture is without a doubt a challenge. This course is 10 weeks, so expect many more animal pictures!:)

A Review of An Ogham Wood...

2011-05-04T14:18:00.000-07:00

A Review of 'An Ogham Wood' by Cliff Seruntine

'An Ogham Wood' - A Tale which Sings to your Soul

I absolutely adore this book. It is a rare, magical tale which weaves it's narrative into your very being with glittering threads. An Ogham Wood is a tale of love, loss, grief, redemption, the faerie faith, the earth, the sea, and what it means to have a soul. I felt moved to write a review for this book as I feel An Ogham Wood deserves to be read and re read by many, many people. I guarantee that whilst you are reading it you will have at least 'one foot in faerie!'

This book is a hero's tale with a human twist, showing that dark things can not only happen to good people, but sometimes must be done by good people, and the results of what this can do to the human psyche. It's a faerie myth which spans thousands of years and sings to your soul as well as firing your imagination.

I think the most striking thing about An Ogham Wood is that it feels real. To me this book is a real, living, breathing myth which grips you from the very beginning, til long past the last page. There are some things in life which just feel 'right', like they've always existed in some form or another, and we are simply waiting to rediscover them. This book, in the best possible sense is a beautiful example of one of these instances.

I love the characters, the folklore and I love the beautiful dark mysteries and light laughter of faery which are woven so well throughout this story. And yes, I was crying whilst reading it on the train, as I approached the final chapters...

The wonderful cover artwork by Marc Potts is absolutely beautiful and works with the book so well.

It's hard to sum up such a well researched, rich and emotive book, but all in all this story teams with ancient mystery, and is a must for those interested in magic, faery, or simply for those who enjoy a poignant love story...

I can't wait to read more of Cliff Seruntine's books...

Here's a link to the book on Amazon.

The White Lady of Avalon

2011-05-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

I just realised I have also not posted this painting of The White Lady of Avalon! How naughty with blogging have I been? :) Well here she is, she was painted after a visit to Glastonbury Temple, after I saw her in a meditation.

Morgan Le Fae

2011-05-04T13:48:00.000-07:00

I realised that I hadn't posted my painting of Morgan le Fae!

Beautiful Goddess and Dark Faery Queen... here she is in her fae glory. I hope you like her.

Prints are available from my Etsy Store :).

The Avalon Faerie Ball and Fayre - Glastonbury and The Magical Faerie Fest - Canterbury

2011-05-04T13:40:00.000-07:00

At the Magical Faery Festival in Canterbury, April 2011 - Photo by Leon Staden

As Medusa at the Avalon Faery Ball in Glastonbury March 2011 - Photo by Gordon Burns

My Stall at the Avalon Faery Fayre...

Glastonbury Tor Pilgrimage

With Artist Esther Remmington

A wonderful time was had at both faerie events, I met so many lovely, magical people, sold some art and got very inspired!

Roll on more events! xx

Featured Artist in Faenation!

2011-05-04T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

I do have some new art to show you, but Mercury Retrograde was unkind to me leaving me with a broken scanner, a3 printer amongst other things! So I'll post my new work up as soon as possible. However in other news: I am the Featured Artist in Faenation this month! Yippeee!

Please go and have a look and say Hi, it's a beautiful site and a must for all faery fans...

Much love,

The Green Lady of Avalon - a better copy!

2011-04-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

The Green Lady of Avalon - drawn from a vision I had whilst in Glastonbury. I feel she has many things to say, if we take a few moments to listen...

Running through the Wild-Woods

2011-03-30T05:53:00.000-07:00

I knew I had to draw this image after a meditation/journey I went on before sleep the other night. Those yellow eyes and purple hair were burned into my memory, and here we are...
I'm also calling it 'Here come the Boys' as it is about time I started painting more chaps!

The Green Lady of Avalon

2011-03-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

The Green Lady of Avalon - one of the ladies I saw whilst meditating in the Goddess Temple in Glastonbury. The scan came out weird, with a funny yellow line down the side, so I'll rescan her, in her full glory on the morrow :) ♥

‎'And so she resides amongst the bowers, whist we wander unknowing of her powers...'

The Channeled Freyja painting for the book launch of 'The Gate is Open'

2011-02-28T02:51:00.001-08:00

As part of my talented friend, Katie Gerrard's book launch for 'Seidr - The Gate is Open', I decided to invoke Freyja and create in a semi trance (all whilst streaming on Ustream!!)
The painting which was only meant to take 3 or 4 hours became a bit o a Norse saga itself, but was completed yesterday, and is now available on my Etsy store as prints :) http://www.etsy.com/listing/68987020/painting-of-the-goddess-freyja

The Dragon of the Faery Mound

2011-02-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

The Dragon of the Faery Mound...
The Moon is bright and full in the night sky, and inside the Faery mound a party is brewing.
The Dragon coils protectively around the hill, guarding the door from any unwanted visitors...

My Little Gothic Girl - ACEO

2011-02-09T07:57:00.001-08:00

My 3rd ACEO, my little gothic girl, adorned with black widow spiders, and a tell-tale trickle of blood. Every time I look at this I start humming 'Gothic Girl' by the 69 Eyes... Or Lullaby by The Cure :)....
Anyhows all my ACEO's are for sale on my sparkling new Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/LauraRedWitch?ref=pr_shop
And £2 from each sale goes to the NOWZAD animal charity.
Until next time... x

A Venture into the world of ACEO's...

2011-02-08T16:14:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd give making some ACEO's a go! I only heard about them last month, but now I'm seeing them everywhere. It's quite a challenge to keep the drawings small, but lots of fun! Here are two new faerie friends for you! Evangeline Crow Heart and Snake Sidhe...

Hurrah! My Etsy Shop is GO! :)

2011-02-07T07:24:00.000-08:00

Falmouth Illustration: Retrospective

2011-02-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

Me at the exhibition, with my framed cover art for Anna McKerrow's 'Spectral Emphatic' poetry book.
Was lovely to go to the open night, see a couple of faces from my Falmouth days, and some wonderful artwork to boot.
The exhibition is on til February 12th @ The Illustration Cupboard, Bury St, Mayfair, London.

The Spark

2011-02-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

She brings the spark of life, of love, creativity and hope when you need it the most. When winter seems too long, the moon too dark, and people too cold, she will weave her shimmering web of ether for you, and illuminate the night.

She watches her hand with focus and care, and creates something new; something gold, silver, sparkling and blue.

Just as she creates her own magic, she shows you how to create your own. Never forget you have the power to create yourself, hopeful and new each day. The spark of light and love is always within you, she is just here to remind you...
Imbolc Blessings ***

White Lie Butterfly

2011-02-02T18:02:00.001-08:00

This picture was done yesterday, but as you can probably tell by the state of the picture, I was way too tired to manage scanning in and blogging! So this is yesterday's sleepy offering posted today. It was dark moon yesterday, and strange energies were afoot! Here's the results :)

Dragon in progress...

2011-01-31T16:15:00.000-08:00

Dragon sketch in progress... hopefully paint him tomorrow. :)
One of the old, wise ones...

Lynx Fae - The Knower of Secrets

2011-01-30T17:06:00.001-08:00

About the Lynx Fae....
If you can find her, she'll be in the North, hidden in snowy forests, looking down from the highest hills.
If you can hear her, she moves as softly as the newly fallen snow.
She is only seen when she allows it, as hers is the gift of the hidden.
Her smile belongs to those who know the heart's deepest secrets.
She is the Keeper of Secrets, the Lady of Silent Knowing.

The Lynx and her are one; one mind, one magic, alert and attuned to the environment, their ears pricking to the slightest sound, the subtlest shift.
Theirs is the magic of Knowing what others do not.
If you ask, they will weave sparkling webs of your dreams, allow you to see truths from falsehoods, help you see the unseen...

Their wisdom is the cold winter, which strips life back to the core.
Their lesson is deep inner knowing.
And so they smile, their secret smile, and turn into the woodlands, she looks over her shoulder back towards you, but before you manage to say a word, she is gone.

The Morrigan

2011-01-30T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Morrigan - Phantom Queen - Lady of the Crows - Faery Queen

I hope you (and She) like this little painting I did of a very important Goddess to me. I've tried many times to capture her in paint, and none of them have really worked... I'm not sure if this has totally worked, but it was a powerful experience painting Her, and I feel it has something!
Love to hear your thoughts and stories, as ever...
L xx

Morrigan Sketch...

2011-01-29T18:23:00.000-08:00

Evening (or err... morning!) Well I spent about an hour on a sketch that went in the bin, so here is my second attempt tonight at my Morrigan sketch. You'll have to use your imagination a bit with this one. hopefully it will really come alive when I bring in sme colour. So, tomorrow I have my Lynx and Morrigan to paint! :)

Lynx Fae Sketch

2011-01-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

Evening all, today we have the sketch of a lynxy lady. I am a huge animal lover and Cat slave :). Of all the big Cats, Lynx and Snow Leopards hold such beauty, elegance and mystery for me.
The Lady of the Lynx is the Knower of Secrets. Together they discover and share hidden wisdom. She knows the power of silence and the strength of invisibility.
I hope to paint this tomorrow.
Night!

Between the Worlds...

2011-01-27T18:10:00.001-08:00

Silver, yellow, navy blue,
The gate is open -
Follow through,
Wild and tempting,
Revelry calls,
Abandon reason,
Love and fall,
Into enchantments -
Midnight blue,
This shimmering dryad
Beckons you...

Today's Mischief & Mayhem... to be continued...

2011-01-26T17:21:00.000-08:00

Hello! Today's possibly familiar looking fae, is in need of colour and completion, but as the moon wanes, my energies to stay up til 3 and paint, as well as attempting to be human in the day time are failing! So, we have a half finished sketch at 1.30am instead... until tomorrow. :)

Even Faeries get the blues...

2011-01-25T17:11:00.000-08:00

It's true. Sometimes the bad news of the world gets to the brightest soul. You should see this fae on a good day... she is the lightning spark of the party.
But not today, sometimes what she sees around the human world weighs heavily on her heart.
But instead of hiding her heart away, she wears it on her sleeve; she'll cry, she'll sob, drink a cup of steaming tea and give you a hug. She'll notice a spark of kindness in your eyes, and she'll start to smile again. Just be gentle... and be kind.

Spectral Emphatic

2011-01-25T13:56:00.000-08:00

Exciting news! Wonderful poet Anna Mckerrow's new book 'Spectral Emphatic' is out now! A Gothic and elegantly twisted collection of deeply moving poems. Here is the opening poem or manifesto from the book:

MANIFESTO

THE GROUP WILL STRETCH SPECTRAL FINGERS INTO THE WRITER’S CONSCIOUSNESS AND POSSESS HER.

THE GROUP WILL MATERIALISE AS OCCASIONAL PHANTASMS.

THE GROUP SHALL SLIP IN AND OUT OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP SHALL TEETER AT THE EDGE OF THINGS.

WE WILL EMBRACE THE GHOSTLY AND LIMINAL.

THE GROUP SHALL BE LIKE EELS IN MURKY PONDS: SYMBOLS IN THE WRITER’S DREAMS.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE GROUP SHOULD BE AWARE OF THEMSELVES AS RESIDUAL FORMS CONTAINING UNSPENT PSYCHIC FORCE.

WE WILL INVESTIGATE THE WORLD WITH MAGIC PERSEVERENCE.

WE WILL ENCOURAGE THE WRITER TO EMBRACE THE SENTIMENTS OF HER GOTHIC AND SYMBOLIST FOREBEARS.

WE WILL DRIFT IN THE TIDEWINDS.

THE GROUP WILL RESPOND TO OTHER ARTISTS WHOSE WORK CONTAINS LIMINALITY AND THREAT, MENACE OR OTHERWORLDLINESS.

By Anna McKerrow - Spectral Emphatic http://www.knivesforksandspoonspress.co.uk

BTW that cover illustration? It's by me. :)
xxx

Dragon Kiss...

2011-01-24T16:30:00.000-08:00

I hope you will forgive me for not doing a full picture today. As you can imagine the March of the Midnight Faeries, keeping me up til 3am is not always errr... practical!
So today is a little sketch for an idea I have. I may expand on it over the next few days.
Anyway... this would make the perfect Valentines card for that special Dragon or Elf in your life... ;) Night! x

Incoming Dragon!

2011-01-23T18:53:00.000-08:00

Incoming Dragon! Swooping down from the clouds, this Dragon is definitely on a mission. I love Dragons. I've only recently started to draw them...
I'm yet again way too tired to write anything of any use! I hope you like her... off to bed and hopefully will be able to make more sense tomorrow. As ever your thoughts and words are appreciated. From the Dragon and I... Goodnight! xx

Butterfly Whisper... Fae Take Over :)

2011-01-22T18:13:00.000-08:00

The Fae muse take over continues... and long may she reign!

Something has been going on over the course of this blog, something which feels I don't need to sleep, or do practical normal things. Something, however that I'm loving so much. The muse is here, and she is rocking my world.

I planned something more simple today, after yesterday's Fae fox. But I'm happy to say 'Butterflies Whisper' isn't too simple. I was definitely in need of a more gentle energy. I tried to draw a sleeping fae (it's a hint, to remind the powers that be, that I, unlike Bon Jovi, enjoy a lil sleep once in a while!) but that didn't work, and so here we have her... delicate, gentle, at one with her surroundings and listening to the rhythmic whisper of the butterflies... I hope you like her.

Words from the Fae Fox (post below)

2011-01-22T04:27:00.001-08:00

As I start to write about this fae, the things I was supposed to write yesterday (if she hadn't kept me up painting her til 3am), a very loud Crow is cawing outside my window, and I feel this lady here has quite a tale to tell.

My friend and fabulous authoress Debbie Gallagher said about this painting, ' Wild and a little bit Wicked is she...' and I agree wholeheartedly. Crow, Fox and Foliage are her magic. Life and decay... the natural cycles without remorse or regret - revelry and extremes, a wicked glint in her eye, a cold January breeze, and a sense of wonder at her splendour; the huntress, the diva. Good or bad?

She sighs heavily, ' you humans and your need to categorize everything...'good and bad.' In your world those words are subjective; people do evil in the name of 'good' and feel guilt for what other people tell them is 'bad'.

I am a wild thing, wild and free. I am unconstrained. Life blood sap rising and quietening. I do what I like and I like what I do – mostly anyhow, she smiles...fresh dew laughter.

What's so terribly bad about a little wickedness anyway?

The Fae Fox

2011-01-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

This sketch appeared on my page this evening with a fox at her side. I'm not sure what to write about her at the moment, as I'm exhausted, and will hopefully be able to write and draw more coherently tomorrow! Perhaps a more simple sketch tomorrow... ;) As I can't write, I'll leave the words to you guys....

Iris of the Woods...

2011-01-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

Iris of the Woods, in the deep blue night. Holds out her moon white hand, and leads you through the shadows to where the faeries play at midnight.
Still as a statue she looks back to the places she has been. Lost in a reverie; a graveyard dream.
Then, in the flicker of an eye, she flashes you a blood red smile, and dances into the thickening mist.
You look to the place where she used to stand, but all you see is cobwebs, and a key in your hand...

The Child of the Shimmering Veil... Full Moon Madness...

2011-01-19T17:29:00.001-08:00

The Child of the Shimmering Veil, walks the long silver, violet twilight between the worlds.
She comes from the 'Veil of the Shimmering Glimmers', which lies hidden beneath mists of faerie magic.

She shares secrets with those who can sense her starlit beauty; weaving mysteries of the forests, the stars and the deep oceans into the fabric of your dreams.

On the full moon she appears to those who remember how to wish, how to listen and how to believe...
<3

Faun Fae Speaks to the Snake...

2011-01-18T16:42:00.000-08:00

Before we leave Capricorn, I thought a Capricorn-esque faun was on the agenda!
So here we have her! A belly dancing faun fae in communion with a lovely snake.... and an egg.:)

Hmmmm as ever I love your thoughts and ideas...
Happy Full Moon )O(

Lunar Day 14... The Dancing Priestess...

2011-01-17T16:29:00.000-08:00

‘We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars...the stars form a circle and in the centre we dance’ - Rumi, 13^th Century

As an avid belly dancer, and a priestess, the spiritual/physical link between dance and the divine is an important one to me. I wrote an article for the Magical Times Magazine last year called 'Belly Dance and The Goddess - Rediscovering Sacred Dance'... here is a link to the article on my website: http://www.lauradaligan-psychic.com/page11.htm
xx
L

Drift away Sunday

2011-01-16T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sleepy head
Time for bed
Under dancing stars
And laughing moon

My dreams will fly
Through worlds unknown
While safe I lie
In my cosy home

Drifting head
Time for bed
Sunday sleep
A promise to keep

Winter... Lunar Day 12

2011-01-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

An experiment with a little drawing and a photo I took over Yule time. :)
x

Faery Cordelia...

2011-01-14T11:54:00.001-08:00

Faery Cordelia... telling me how it is! Wait a minute... hasn't she stolen my pocket watch?
'No' she says 'I haven't stolen it, I'm borrowing it, and if you want it back you'll have to catch up with me!'
:)

Medusa

2011-01-13T17:40:00.000-08:00

I love Medusa. She has had a seriously bad rap. Over the past year, I have come to love snakes too.. .and they also have been portrayed as evil monsters.
I was brought up to fear Medusa, every story showed her as a fearful, vengeful, serpentine monster.

However she was once (and always is in my eyes) a beautiful woman, whose hair was the envy of all who saw her. Some stories say that Poseidon ravished her, others say Athena was envious and angry at her beauty and gumption.
(What is this story of envious women? Really, these stories accusing women of grand and cruel jealousies are all written, well, not by women, and do they ring true? Is it all like an ancient edition of Heat Magazine? Anyway...)

So Athena turned her beautiful tresses into Snakes, and cursed her with ugliness, so that all who she gazed upon would turn into stone.

But if we look deeper into the story, Medusa existed way before the Greek pantheon was born, and was worshiped pre-ancient Greece by the Libyan Amazons as a Serpent Goddess. She was associated with the destroyer aspect of the Triple Goddess in North Africa and Crete, named Anath (also known as Athene).

The name Medusa, is also linked to 'Maat', the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of truth and balance. The actual name 'Medusa' means 'soveriegn female wisdom', and she appears to have been known as a symbol of female mysteries.

The fact that she was used as a protective shield, and is seen on many coins, pays tribute to the idea that she is more than just a pretty girl gone bad...
Anyway... this is not a great sketch, but a doodle that got me thinking!
XX
L

Seidr - The Gate is Open

2011-01-13T05:15:00.001-08:00

This is the forthcoming book from author and all round wonderful witch Katie Gerrard. Her previous book 'Odin's Gateways' is an informative and very accessible guide to the Runes, and this new book 'Seidr - The Gate is Open' looks at Seidr, Norse Witchcraft and Trance Prophesy.
The cover art for both books is by moi, and they are available from the following online shops, as well as all good esoteric bookshops:
www.thebirchtree.com
www.amazon.co.uk/Odins-Gateways-Practical-Through-Casting/dp/1905297319
www.avaloniabooks.co.uk

xxx

Lunar Day 9 - Loose Muse

2011-01-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

Hello all :) Well today I had the pleasure of being able to talk about my art and poetry at the Loose Muse event at the Poetry Cafe, with friend and poet Anna Mckerrow. Anna read from her wonderful, mesmerizing last book Taropoetics, and then I did a lil talk about my art, my journey and being an illustrator. I found that even though I can usually talk the hind legs off a donkey, I find it really hard to talk about my art and what it means to me as it is such a big, soulful part of me. It was a wonderful experience, and I think I have some ideas if I'm asked again to talk about what I do.
So getting back rather late, sans blog entry I sketched todays picture. I gave myself the theme of a loose muse, and waited to see how they would present themselves. This spring like image was not what I expected after what seems like months of winter, but maybe it's exactly what I need, a sense of burgeoning life and energy.
Just a little sketch... but again possibly something I could work more with.
XX

Lunar Day 8 - First Quarter Moon... Random Art :)

2011-01-11T16:19:00.001-08:00

Today consists of 3 offerings... mainly because er I didn't like any of them that much, so I thought I'd throw all 3 in. There is logic there. Laura Logic.
So I have a started sketch of Star (top), well there were several started pictures of Star, she just didn't much fancy the idea of sitting still for me :).

Then there were the random collaboration of faeries (middle) that appeared on the page... which are an interesting bunch, if not particularly well drawn... I think sketching the faeries that want to turn up on the page, with no forwards planning from me is going to be a recurring theme...

And then the last little sketch of the mask. I like many artists, love the symbolism of masks. In this little sketch the idea was, well there was 2 ideas: 1) If you wear a 'mask' by pretending to be someone that you are not, then eventually you lose yourself and the pretense takes on a life of it's own, and 2) I had the Cure lyrics to pictures of you in my head 'I've been looking so long at these pictures of you, that I almost believe they're real'.

As ever I welcome your thoughts, comments and interpretations of things...
Til tomorrow xxx

Lunar Day 7 - Mesmerising....

2011-01-10T17:06:00.000-08:00

Sink into dream; these enchanted depths,
The Realm of muted wisdom'
Annwyn Beneath the Waves.

Please click on image to see full size.

Apologies for the lack of words today, I am tired... the picture and this song by 'Faith and the Muse' is my offering.... :)

Lunar Day 6: The Swan - Children of Lir

2011-01-09T16:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Swan Day... I took a walk on the Heath, and for the first time in weeks, the sky was blue, even though frost was still on the ground. I fed all my bread to my Crow family, and did some sketches of them, circling and cawing and then I met my friend Zoe; we continued our walk and met this handsome chap. To be honest he wasn't impressed that I'd fed all the bread to the Crows, but I did promise him a portrait (and possibly some cake next time I visit!) and so here he is...

Later today Ciara mentioned the Children of Lir legend on facebook, and so I googled off and read the story, with the above being the result of both encounters!

What I like and am enjoying most about this Lunar challenge, is that I'm indulging in being more 'sketchy' again. There are those that would say I'm always sketchy :) but of late I've become more polished and precise in my work. Those who knew me at art college knew that I was extremely loose and impulsive with my art, however things shift and change and our aims and styles evolve. Through this blog I'm revisiting a looser style, hopefully with some of the supreme wisdom (JOKE!) which I've gained over the years...

Any way, I hope you like!
I Love Swans...
I just Love Crows a lil bit more ;)

Earth-Star Dance

2011-01-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

'Earth-Star Dance' was inspired by a wonderful meditation led by my friend Helena Lundvik this afternoon at the New Moon Club. Just a little colourful sketch, but one which hopefully captures something of the magical energy I experienced.

Lunar Day 4: The Visitation

2011-01-07T16:46:00.000-08:00

A special moment. Crow saves girl.

Lunar Day 3... I Told You So!

2011-01-06T16:13:00.001-08:00

So, the thing is, I really wasn't planing on drawing this! But since when did plans come into the faerie equation eh?

I started out sketching Gordon watching the 'The Bear Family and Me' however I was watching the Bears and the lights were all ambient and dim, so... that went out the window, I did a quick simple sketch of Hope (a beautiful, feisty bear cub), which I will put up here, but Star is sitting on it at the moment and she looks very comfy, plus it's too small to count as my picture a day.
I tried a more detail picture, but I was getting grumpy, and I knew it was a bit late in the day for an epic bear picture (which is a shame, one day soon there will be an epic bear picture!)...

So I was about to lose my grumpy rag, and as I was doodling, She appeared on the page with these words on her lips 'I told you so!'...

And so she came to life on my page (with no help from me I hope you understand...) and she certainly is... well she certainly is her faerie self! Her name is Callista, with something debonair as a surname which didn't exactly roll off the tongue...

I will be making a painting of her.. I doubt whether I'll have much choice in that one...

Lunar Day 2...

2011-01-05T15:55:00.001-08:00

Today's simple and tiredly honest offering...

Loveletters... the perfect gift for someone strange...

2011-01-05T10:01:00.001-08:00

Loveletters by Laura Daligan | Make Your Own Book

Lunar Day 1: New Moon Kitties

2011-01-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

Well this is obviously a very serious piece of art to get me started... :)

The Lunar Cycle Drawing Blog!

2011-01-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Hapy New Year, I wish you all the best in 2011. I have the feeling this year is going to be one like no other with adventures, excitement and changes in abundance!

Today being the first new moon of the new year, I thought it would be a perfect time to set a new challenge for myself! Today is not only host to the new moon in Capricorn, we also had a partial solar eclipse this morning, making today all in all a magical day.

So, New Year New Moon, New Challenge - I shall be doing a picture a day, hopefully purely for this blog for the period from new moon to dark moon (who needs that Roman calender anyhow?!)

It all starts today with the new moon and ends on the dark moon on the 2nd February.

The idea of a drawing a day helps me to push my creativity, keeping things fluid and fresh as well as making me do something new and different each day, no matter what else is going on.

Each piece most likely wont be a finished, perfect piece of work, but hopefully something interesting will come out of it!

My boyfriend Gordon, is also a very talented photographer and film maker, and he is going to be doing a photo a day blog which you can check out here:
http://www.gordoncburns.blogspot.com/

Thanks for looking at my blog and come back again soon :) x

The Vampire and Baldr the Dragon

2010-12-13T05:11:00.000-08:00

Here are 2 new paintings... The Vampire and The Dragon.

In the Vampire I wanted to capture a sense of reflection and being lost in the moment. With a trickle of blood on her lips, it is left up to you to decide whether she is revelling in the taste of blood, or feeling remorse for her actions....

The Dragon (who let me know his name was Baldr, after the Norse God of light and beauty) is a recent commission, and my first attempt at painting Dragons... I have now realsied I LOVE DRAGONS! They have been creeping or flying into my dreams, and so watch this space for more Dragon paitings.

There's much more art, new and old on my website http://www.lauradaligan-art.com

And now for something different...

2010-10-13T04:49:00.001-07:00

This is my first attempt at painting a landscape from life. I've sketched landscapes in the past but never sat out there with my canvas and paints. It was a beautiful experience, watching the weather, light and tide change, dodging thunderstorms, which you could see coming in from miles away, and being brought tea from my mum's neighbors!

Northumberland is a stunning part of the country, and this was painted near Bamburgh and Budle bay. In the distance you can see Lindisfarne castle on Holy Island. I felt blessed to sit there, not a person in sight, completely elemental and relaxed.
I'll definitely be doing some more of these paintings, the light and atmosphere up north is truly perfect.

Samhain / Halloween Greetings Card

2010-10-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Available to purchase from my website (as of tomorrow - Oct 5th) all enquiries e mail me @ laura.daligan@gmail.com xxx

And one more Undine....

2010-07-30T03:48:00.000-07:00

Sketches for Undine...

2010-07-30T03:40:00.003-07:00

Drawings/Paintings for an upcoming project with poet Anna Mcerrow...

The Young Stag

2010-03-03T15:57:00.000-08:00

30" X 20" Acrylic on Canvas Board

New Work for 2010...

2010-02-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

Top Image: Brighid's Sacred Flame
Below: CD Artwork for Raven and The Shadowfell
All works for sale on my website.

The Frost Faery

2010-01-14T18:05:00.001-08:00

Belladonna - The Moon Fairie... in progress

2009-08-26T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is the first of my Moon Fairies, a set of darker fairies to complement the Sun Fairies I have also been working on. Well Belladonna has come alive and inspired me... she eve has her own playlist, which i will post soon. the final finished scan is on it's way!
X

New Artwork for you!

2009-08-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while but I have been busy like the bee...look see....

A Good Day To Be Heathen...

2009-02-23T15:08:00.000-08:00

An unexpectedly lovely February Monday. An inspirational walk on Hampstead Heath and a trip to the City Farm on the way home, plus Hot Yoga, thankfully no photos of Hot Yoga...

Little Ganesh completed...

2009-02-16T10:31:00.000-08:00

Little Ganesh, is indeed almost identical to his big brother. Yet compared to his brother's 2'X2' stature, Little Ganesh is a cute 8"X10". Little Ganesh has already found a home. Big Ganesh is still looking for his perfect home. Contact Laura at http://www.lauradaligan-art.com for more info.
Acrylic on Canvas.

Alive!

2009-02-12T11:04:00.001-08:00

Day 29

2009-01-30T14:09:00.000-08:00

Day 27 and 28!

2009-01-29T12:05:00.000-08:00

I know I have only made small changes to this but I have become uber OCD of late, and it's funny how small changes can take a lot longer than you think, especially on a Mercury Retrograde...!
I have also been continuing my Winter Queen... not really enough to show yet but soon.....

Day 26

2009-01-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I started a new piece called... 'Tax is EVIL Ouch Ouch Agh!'... however this was all in my head and came out as more of a scream, or growl....
Ahem, but really I started a Winter Snow Queen piece to accompany the Autumn Queen. See my website here.
Not enough to really show you.. though I may upload a bit soon.
I am starting a new beginners Art Course next week, which I have been organising and looking forwards to also. So apologies that nothing is posted here except something abstract I did recentl. There has been art done.. I promise!

Day 25... Ivy Logo

2009-01-25T16:42:00.000-08:00

Newer version... maybe more finished. Dome whilst Star did her first climb onto the TV and the shelves and whilst Cobby slept after keeping me up all night...

Day 24 Ivy Logo

2009-01-25T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ivy Logo Idea...

Day 23 ....

2009-01-24T12:37:00.001-08:00

Day 22 The Train

2009-01-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

Day 21

2009-01-22T04:12:00.000-08:00

Nikita the Psychic at work...

Day 20 - Ivy Paige's Scandalous! Part 2....

2009-01-20T16:16:00.000-08:00

Big White wigs and painted faces... corsets and gorgeousness!

Day 20 - Ivy Paige's Scandalous! Part 1...

2009-01-20T16:11:00.000-08:00

Ivy Paige is Scandalous - Live at Volupte
Sketched while performance going on. Fabulous show and was happy of guest list. :)

Day 19... Randomity!

2009-01-19T16:34:00.000-08:00

Here we have what I thought might be a better scanned copy of my snow leopard sketch, but now I come to think of it, I'm not so sure! Alas, I miss my epson... product placement I know, but since that little scanner died, I've known no resolution like it! Anyhow... Also scanned in is the majority of an old painting I did called 'Rose Red' and today's wee sketch, entitled 'Evil Gordon Planning to take over THE WORLD' TM...
Thank you and goodnight!

Day 18 Ideas and Sketches!

2009-01-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

This has been a very busy worky week, oh for the days when I can paint all day! Anyhow, here are a couple of sketches. Older Man on tube and my Starling darling watching Planet earth - she is like me... loves her animal documentaries! I have over the last 2 days also been sketching ideas for Ivy Paige's logo, which I'll show in its more finished stage if Ivy is happy with it.
Random fact... was asked to be on this years Big Brother, how funny! It's a 'no' by the way...

Day 16 - Ganesh!

2009-01-16T06:52:00.000-08:00

Even though I may well tweak him still (!), this is Ganesh pretty much finished! This is still a rough picture of the final piece. Will have him scanned in to his full glory very soon.
He is 24"X24" Acrylic on Canvas, and now... FOR SALE! All enquiries please e mail laura.daligan@gmail.com

and 1 more....

2009-01-15T16:27:00.000-08:00

Day 14 - La Clique! Drawing in the dark!!! Part II

2009-01-15T16:24:00.000-08:00

And more...

Day 14 - La Clique! Drawing in the dark!!!

2009-01-15T15:57:00.000-08:00

These are sketches I did IN THE DARK at a live Cabaret performance, La Clique. Utterly fabulous. I was drawing two men doing amazing acrobatics (The English Gents), Contortionists, Stripping, Hula Hooping Genius and much more.... these are the random impressions I had. To see more of La Clique, please click here.

Day 13

2009-01-14T06:36:00.000-08:00

Hello! Yesterdays offerings were brought to you from me sketching various people talking and doing their thang at work! Psychics, presenters and producers chatting...