Rapunzel

MCN: CJHT2-F3QA5-MWL7U

This is another shot from my first photo shoot. It's my favourite because of the amount of emotion that comes through. I always liked Rapunzel; children always seem to pay for their parents' mistakes and in that way the tale is quite realistic. Depending on the version of the tale you read Rapunzel does quite a lot to free herself, other than most of the other princesses, which only seem to hang around, often asleep or otherwise incapacitated, waiting to be rescued. ;-) I am still waiting for a gung-ho princess, although, saying that Fhiona from Shrek was a good start....

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0186

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

Cut Me

MCN: CYRGA-TE9U3-XWLF5

This one is an interpretation of Rapunzel, still going with the fairytale theme here.... Made me think about hair and how the power is 'ours' as long as we cut it, but not when someone else cuts it, then it diminishes us (i.e. what they used to do to women to 'mark' them as prostitutes). I remember some fairytales I read a long time ago, where the only way to 'cure' a witch was by cutting off her hair, she'd become a normal woman then. There is power in hair and the length of it...

Part of my new series of images for licensing on Arcangel-Images - use this code: SYST-0176

Created with my own photographs in Photoshop, no stock used.

This the Sea

MCN: CEKJU-DVK5V-JUYYC

This is inspired by the wonderful model Jess Truscott and the song This is the Sea by The Waterboys. You can listen to it below.

I've always had a thing about the sea and water in general. :-) The sea always made me feel safe and free and I was always drawn to myths about the sea, especially the one about Tethys, Goddess of the Sea.

Credits

Model

Red silk9 by faestock

Brushes

Hair brush set by para-vine

Textures

Various textures from Shadowhouse

All other images/textures/brushes my own my own or bought.

  All my licensing images are available on Redbubble, Artflakes and Bluecanvas as prints, cards, posters, skins for laptops, Blackberry, iPhones and other phones (for the skins go to Bluecanvas).

Lady Godiva

MCN: CQ1VW-WFPBQ-18N22

This image was inspired by the legend of Lady Godiva:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Godiva. After trying to persuade her husband to lift the oppressive taxation she finally ended up giving in to his challenge and riding naked through the town 'clothed in her hair' to get him to lift the taxes.

From that original idea I went on to think how women have used their hair to hide behind, to 'embellish' themselves, and the legend of witches who stopped being witches when their hair was cut off. Seems there's magic in hair, as it is one of our greatest weapons still and used in all sorts of ways to entice people to do what we want, which makes hair a double edged sword.

Another image created with a stock image of the beautiful Jessica Truscott (Faestock).

Credits

Model

• Red silk13 by faestock

Textures

• Vintage Oil Painting Texture Set by Shadowhouse
• Another Mixed Texture Set by Shadowhouse

Brushes

• Hair brush set by para-vine
• Hair Brushes Set 6 by Falln-Brushes
• hair brushes by WCS-Wildcat

All other images/textures/brushes my own. Created with Photoshop.

Wild at Heart

The latest in my Hipster series.
I love this series by the model, so I used two of the images from it.
Wild at heart is something that stays with you and it creates the memories you'll live on when you can't physically be quite so wild any longer... :-)

Credits

Model

• American-2 by xstockx
• American-7 by xstockx

Stock

• Dirty Polaroid Frame : I. by ArtOfDecay-Stock

Brushes

• Watercolor Brushes Vol 1 on WeGraphics.com

All other images/textures/etc my own.

MCN: CSESX-EB1CV-HSDR6

Sisters - Photo Manipulation - Diptych

 

 

 

Part of my diptych series.

Dedicated to my sisters, those in the flesh (three of them) and those in the spirit (you know who you are). :-) You are all special.

Credits

Model

• Three Sisters by Eirian-stock

Stock

• Heart Locket 1 by shelldevil
• bow 01 by chulii-stock
• bow by KAWproductions
• Bows PNG by AWorldOfMagic by aworldofmagic
• Wet Hair 6 by allyekhrah-stock
•  Scissors 02 by ashlee7307-stock

Backgrounds and Textures

• Stock 10 by UmbraDeNoapte-Stock
• Snow Stock 01 by mother-of-all-stock
• Trees Backdrop stock by rocamia-stock
• dunes 5 by darkw0lf09stock
• stew in your own juice by CKdailyplanet
• The Devil's Flesh Texture by Shadowhouse
• Slightly Delicate 4 Texture by Shadowhouse
• Square 89 Aged Canvas Texture by Shadowhouse
• Square 154 by Shadowhouse

Brushes

• Crack Brushes I by hawksmont

All other images/textures/stock/brushes my own.

MCN: CAMMK-J28YW-H31SU

The Secret Keeper - Story and Photo Manipulation

Illustration to accompany the story of the same name.

He stood in the dark wood, doubtfully looking at the moon through the trees. He shivered in the cold air. Before he had time to consider his choices and give in to his fears she stood before him.

Her hair was long and shimmered blue in the light of the moon. Ribbons were tied in it, each with a key at the end of it.

“You are the Secret Keeper?” he asks her.

Read the rest of the story here.

All images,patterns and textures are my own except for the credits given below.

Credits:

• Model, Faestock
• Background, Trinketstock
• Moon, Fantasystock

Textures:

• Texture 1, Sirius-sdz
• Texture 2, JRMB-stock
• Texture 3, Violentkiwiresources

Keys:

• Key 1
• Key 2
• Key 3
• Key 4
• Key 5
• Key 7
• Key 8
• Key 9
• Key 10
• Key 11
• Key 12
• Key 13
• Keyhole

Brushes:

• Clouds 1, Leboef
• Clouds 2, Leboef
• Script, Lady Victoire
• Lace Mix, NadinePau-Stock
• Hair, Para-Vine

MCN: CRWTN-C7A8W-VGSM1

Gift Flowers - Flowers in Your Hair Campaign

More flowers in your hair - this time presents:

Stacie's Pink Sorbet Flower

It was Stacie's 21st birthday on Friday, 13th March and to make her day I sent her one of my flowers to go with her new top. You can see a picture of Stacie wearing both here. Doesn't she look lovely?



Lots of layers of bubblegum pink, raspberry red and fluorescent pink organza, pink tulle, a clear flower button in the centre adorned with fluorescent pink faceted beads.




The flower sits on a small hair barrette that has been covered in a red velvet and a white satin ribbon, which has an edging of teeny cut out flowers.




Caroline's Cornflower Blue Flower:


Organza in shades of black, pale blue, cobalt blue and turquoise are layered with tulle in cornflower blue.


The centre is made up from a button in turquoise blue with lovely frosted Miyuki drops in turquoise blue.


Order your own flower...
... next to come a flower in the colours of a black forest gateaux and one in red and pinks to go with my new shawl (see below) . :-)

News:

I am working on knitting a pseudo shibori shawl a pattern by Laura Irwin in fuchsia Rowan Kidsilk Spray.

Organza Bonanza

Had fun yesterday making organza flowers to wear in your hair.

The blue ones are the largest at about 6cm (2.5") with larger hair grips (professional hair grips from the a beauticians' wholesaler) whereas the other 3 pairs are only 4cm (1.5") in diameter.

The small ones in pink and teal are perfect for small strands of hair, short hair and very fine hair, whereas the grips used for the blue and red/black flowers will hold larger strands of hair securely.

I have many more colours of organza and will make more, but here's what I've got so far:


The blue flower has 7 layers of organza in cobalt blue, pale blue and lavender. The beads are tear drop shaped and also cobalt.


The pink flowers are made from 5 layers of red and pink organza. The beads are lovely lustred raspberry red Miyuki drop beads.


These Gothic flowers are made from 5 layers of red and black organza. The beads are lovely red and black lined Miyuki drop beads.


The teal flowers are actually made from deep forest green turquoise organza. The Miyuki drop beads in the centre are also a soft teal.

The teal and red/black flowers are mine. :-) The others are for sale.

Crystal organza is an interesting material to work with - the organza is quite 'stiff', making it perfect for shaping. The light reflecting properties of the organza are almost like stained glass. Layering different colours creates a composite colour. Unfortunately this also makes it difficult to take pictures, especially on a grey day like today where the daylight alone is just not strong enough.

The edges of the organza petals are all singed with the help of a candle (and a small jar of water next to it!) and ensure that the organza won't fray.