2005-10-10 A stunning insight of contemporary Fairy Artists

My mother, bless her, introduced me to fairies as a child with a wonderful very large book called a 'Day in Fairyland', how wonderful to discover that the artist Ann Mari Sjogren is still alive and at 87 has contributed her work and her life story into this book, it somehow brings back all the magic of my childhood a sort of Fairy Godmother amongst today's greats and surely tomorrows as well. 'The World of Faery' is a feast of talent, this book takes us forward with the work and lives of the artists I was introduced to in 'The Art of Faery' and if that wasn't exciting enough introduces ten new exciting artists, who expand the horizons further.

From the Gothic vision of an Amy Brown front jacket ( Luna Sprite) inviting us to an outstanding foreword and images by Alan Lee are captured within the covers of this colorful edition, the cherubic and whimsy of Myrea Pettit and James Brown, the variety to be found is seemingly endless, and has been comprised of all mediums: watercolor, ink, oil, and pastel and now a small use of digital work has been added to show the possibilities of 21st century mediums but used only by artists whose background skills using other media is accepted, here Renee Biertempfel shows how she excels, John Arthur (his colourful drawing a tribute for his wife Maureen sadly ill with cancer), Jasmine Becket-Griffith ( those eyes fascinate), Linda Biggs ( I've seen her twice now on TV with her art), Hazel Brown (I would love to walk in a wood with her just to see the amazing images in pen and ink evolve), Jacqueline Collen-Tarrolly( beginning now to develop her own style), Jessica Galbreth (introduces us to her fairy visions, she is such a creative artist) , Natalia Pierandrei,( stylish Italian and colourful), Stephanie Pui-Mun Law (imaginative detailed but always graceful), Linda Ravenscroft (Stunning , rich and very moving, just look at that Goblin Tree), Paulina Stuckey-Cassidy (whimsical delight), Ryu Takeuchi ( A Japanese fairy force really going places) Kim Turner (shows bold colourful Australian fairies) Maria J. William ( beautiful drawing). What is so pleasing is that so many new male artists are introduced painting the fairy genre, Corey Randall, Scott Grimando, Jeff Spackman and Marc Potts are all recognised for their talents here, but for me it is the widening of the interests in this book of mind, body, and soul, and the spiritual enlightenment to mother earth that held me spellbound ,Virginia Lee ( where did she get that creative imagination?) and Josephine Wall ( a contribution so detailed her imagination excels). The use of double page spreads in this book Flight of the Lynx ( Josephine Wall), Mystic Garden (Linda Ravenscroft ) and Swan Lake (Scott Grimando) add to the excitement and detail that here indeed are the crème de la crème of fairy artists of this part the 21st century. This coffee table book is a delight for all ages to appreciate the genre and become involved and deserving of six stars if that were possible.