Minotaur

Inspired by the recurring theme in Surrealist art today's post will be focusing on the Minotaur myth.
The Minotaur is the child of Pasiphae and either a sacred bull of the god Poseidon or Zeus in the form. Naturally the Minotaur was born with the head of a bull and the body of a man, his name was Asterion.

The Minotaur by George Fredrick Watts, 1885.

Minotaur Caressing a Sleeping Woman by Pablo Picasso, 1933-34.

The Minotaur was kept in a labyrinth beneath King Minos's (Pasiphae's husband) court and placated with human sacrifices from Athens.

Theseus came to Crete as one of these sacrifices to kill the Minotaur and thus save the people of Athens.

Cover of Weird Tales January 1945, cover art by Margaret Brundage.

Lucky for Theseus, Ariadne (daughter of Minos and Pasiphae) was willing to sell out her half brother. She gave him some string and held onto one end so he wouldn't get lost in the Labyrinth.

Theseus killed the Minotaur.

Theseus and the Minotaur by Chris Harding.

The Minotaur, Steadfast and Persistent by Shag, 1999.

And everyone lived happily ever after... except the Minotaur... oh and Theseus got bored of Ariadne and ditched her on some island. She did meet Dionysus there though and they proved quite the happy couple. I guess that's something.

Picture of the Week

Today's picture is from a book I got from the library on Indian art.

Hindu Holy Family - Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, and Karttikeya by anonymous.

For those interested the book is Art of India: Prehistory to the Present. Ed. Frederick M.Asher. 2003: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Hong Kong.

Surrealism Exhibition

Yesterday I went to the Surrealism exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane (there’s still a few weeks left if you want to check it out, ends October 2^nd).

Here are a few of my favourites from the show;

Chimère by Max Ernst, 1928.

Named for the mythical Chimera, I personally think it looks more like a Harpy. The colours were more vibrant in person.

The Red Model by René Magritte, 1935.

Heron of Alexandria by Victor Brauner, 1939.

At the gallery this painting seemed to have an inner glow, it captivated me.

Le Labyrinth by André Masson, 1938.

The concept of the labyrinth and the myth it relates to has always fascinated me. The blurb beside this painting stated that this was an inversion of the myth in which the labyrinth is trapped inside the Minotaur. I also really liked Masson's The Secret of the Labyrinth.

The Acropolis by Paul Devaux, 1966.

I'm so sad I couldn't find a better quality picture for you. The levels in this painting were delightful, each time I looked at it I was surprised. The sinister beauty was mesmerising.

If you live near Brisbane you really should check it out, the exhibition and history surrounding the Surrealist movement will blow you away.

Picture of the Week - I changed my mind

I made a diorama yesterday, which is why yesterday's post is today. A sudden whim took hold of me while in the shower, which is when I get most of my whims, especially my whimsical whims. (That was fun).

Anyway the diorama took a lot of time and I decided to use it to make a movie launching my new blog It's Just Hearsay. That's right I changed my mind, I am going to have two blogs, instead of messing with this one. It may mean more irregular posts but I will try my darndest to post at least once a week. It's Just Hearsay will probably be more irregular but it will feature all the happenings of my label Hearsay; sales, market days, new products, old products all with a touch of that kooky crazy mind of mine.

Here is a photo of the diorama. The full video can be viewed at my new blog or on Youtube.

What's in a Fairy

What indeed?
Not long ago I was looking fondly at an old children's book of mine, an illustrated copy of Enid Blyton's The Folk of the Faraway Tree. One picture in particular caught my eye as it looked very similar to one in book about faeries I had recently bought by Brian Froud and Alan Lee.

The Beautiful Fairy by Georgina Hargreaves from The Folk of the Faraway Tree (1984).

Leanan-Sidhe from Faeries Deluxe Collector's Edition
described and illustrated by Brian Froud and Alan Lee (2010).

It should be noted that the original edition of Faeries was published in 1978 however the collector's edition featured new art and I really couldn't tell you if the picture of Leanan-Sidhe was new or not. According to The Enid Blyton Society the earliest edition of The Folk of the Faraway Tree featuring Hargreaves illustrations was published in 1983.
So which came first? I couldn't tell you. Does it matter? I'm not sure.

In any case I like both these pictures and find it pleasantly spooky that I should end up with both of them on my bookshelf.

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes

I'm going to make some changes to Visions of Whimsy for the foreseeable future. While I love my little blog exactly as it is, the idea of running two blogs at the moment makes me want to lie down wherever I am and go to sleep.
Why am I even having ideas about two blogs you ask, well  because of the recent launch of my brand Hearsay and my desire to really make a go of it, I felt I should have a blog for it. Rather than making an entirely new blog however I thought I'd just tweak this one.

What you'll get more of

• Me! That's right me, maybe a couple extra posts but mostly more about my life, my likes, my dislikes, what I'm reading, what I'm watching, that sort of thing.
• Hearsay: you'll get updates on how the brands doing, markets I'm working, new designs, potential sales, sneak peeks. Whatever it is, you'll read it first here.

What you'll get less of :(

• less posts solely dedicated to imagery. I know, I know, that is the blog. Well to be blunt, not anymore. There will still be posts focus on the beautiful and whimsical art around us. Hopefully this means, when I do do an art based post I can put more effort into it, Like the Eros and Psyche post, or the bird post.

What will stay the same

• At the moment a planning to still do a picture of the week every week.

Ok So now that the house keeping is out of the way, let's see what pictures I can russle up for you.

Cherubs by James Jean, 2010.

While I find this image incredibly disturbing, I like it as a representation of Cherubs. Cherubs are so often considered cute little winged babies, clearly a conflation of Christian ideology with the Roman god Cupid who was depicted this way. However in early Judaic belief Cherubim (as they were called) were described as having four faces, four wings and being somewhat dragon like in appearance.
Funny how things evolve. People mix things up and mess with them creating something new just as James Jean has done here.

Picture of the Week: Belinda Suzette

Scratchy by Belinda Suzette.

Oh What a Feeling

I had the Ra Ra Bazaar today, which was really fun (despite the wind and minimal sales) I met some new people and got some new tips, so overall I'm feeling really good.
But the real boost for me today (besides the jumping putty my mother just gave me) was the mention Hearsay/I got in fellow Bleeding Heart stall holder Shelley's blog, Alice and Lace.

Shelley writes:

"Sarah has a very simple yet eye-catching aesthetic with her creations."

and

"One of the things I liked most was how professional the presentation of her items are, and the layout of her Etsy shop has the same clean style."

Shelley sells her jewellery and hair accessories as Impossible Alice on Etsy and Madeit so you should definately check it out.

Along the Laneway

As it turns out my real 100th post is a bit of self promotion. Check it out lovers of vintage and handmade.

This Saturday is the first lane way market Hearsay aka. I have ever done. Until Friday I hadn't even heard of lane way markets and then later that night I received a very exciting email inviting me to be a part of one. The Ra Ra Bazaar is organised by Ra Ra Superstar, an adorable design and vintage store located in Paddington (QLD).

Ra Ra Superstar

Ra Ra Superstore can be found at 248 Given Tce Paddington QLD 4064 down a hot pink lane way, which is where you'll find the markets this Saturday as well (10am-5pm).

I, Hearsay shall be in attendance with many a little treasure for you pleasure, as will Tree Party Designs and Gone Dotti.
here's some sneak peeks of what I'll have on offer.

Also available at my Etsy and Madeit stores.

Mermaids

In honour of my most viewed blog post, 'Pirates of the Caribbean and Those Mermaid Vampire Things' I am doing another mermaid themed post just few pics, nothing specific, here goes.

Lttle Mermaid by Norman Lindsay.

Mermaid by Franz Von Stuck.

Mermaid's at Play by Arnold Bocklin.

The Mermaid by Charles Haslewood Shannon.

A race with Mermaids and Tritons by Collier Twentyman Smithers.

Catching a Mermaid by James Clarke Hook.

Mermaids Frolicking in the Sea by Charles Edouard Boutibonne, 1883.

A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse, 1901.

The Mermaid by Howard Pyle, 1919.

P.S. the date is questionable on this one, I got it from Wikimedia which also puts Pyle's death at 1911, sooo... yeah.

Going through my post list I've just realised a terrible glitch to the system, Saturday's Wild Things was not my 100th post, I had a few double up drafts which were being counted in my total and this post is only my 99th making my next post my 100th. Tragic though this may be I believe with the support of our friends and family we can make it through.
I'll see you next time for my actual 100th post.

Wild Things - 100th Post

Where the Wild Things Are is an iconic childrens book written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I read it and had it read to me as a child, I saw the movie in 2009 and today it serves as the inspiration for my 100th blog post on Visions of Whimsy.

I know you're all dying to see some wild things so lets begin shall we.

Illustration from Where the Wild Things Are written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak, 1963.

Happy Monster by Gabriel Rose available at Etsy.

Troll and Princess Tuvstarr by John Bauer, 1915.

 Illustration from Walter Stenström's The Boy and the Trolls  in childrens' anthology Among Pixies and Trolls.

Bolle by Chuck Groenink.

Monster No. 167 by Stefan G. Bucher from the Daily Monster Project.

Adoration by Alfred Kubin, 1900-01.

Bird King by Julia Sonmi Heglund.

Death's Head II by Liza Corbett.

Year of the Carnivore by Martin Wittfooth, 2009.

By Natasha Muhl.

The Ghost of a Flea by William Blake, 1819-20.

The Long Walk by Tom Bagshaw.

By Cory Godby.

And we end with Cory Godby's illustration of Where the Wild Things Are.
Hope you enjoyed this and the 99 other posts on this blog, see you later.