Swedish artist Ann Mari Sjögren passed away peacefully early on Sunday 11 July 2010, her legacy to thousands of families and friends worldwide who spent a Day in Fairyland with her, and will continue to do so.

Ann Mari Sjögren

Over 92 years old, yet still alert and full of humour here she goes out to talk with Per Arne Skansen in late June 2010. There is some general talk (in Swedish) about the weather and daily routines then after some discussion in Swedish about the sunset in the evening, they turn to English. This treasured dialogue from probably the oldest known Fairy Artist in the World who made her fame with her book A Day in Fairyland published in 1947 and many subsequent books, pictures and illustrations, is all the more poignant.

Fairies are not the friendly creatures you think, Dr Bob Curran investigates the folkloric roots of the fairy kind, tracing their origins from the sprites and maenads of classical times to the sanitized versions of the English Victorians. Illustrated by Ian Daniels this book will enlighten those who wish to know that fairies are not always doing good as Disney might have us believe, it is time that centuries of folklore are examined, enlightening new believers their connection. Dark Fairies  is a must read for any fae follower.

Dark Fairies

Dark Fairies

Dark Fairies

ISBN-13: 987-60163-110-7 Published 2010 Career Press.

Click here to purchase Dark Fairies by Bob Curran

Simply Read Books is excited to announce the release of a beautiful new book by renowned illustrator and artist Jessica Albarn, entitled The Boy in the Oak. In this magical tale, Albarn tells the story of a lonely young boy and the journey he takes upon discovering an old oak tree in the garden of his family home.

The Boy in the Oak draws on the grand tradition of fairytales, demonstrating not only Albarn’s skill as an illustrator through her delicate and ethereal drawings, but her profound connection with children and the enchanting nature of the childhood experience. This is a story of good and bad faeries and ancient Druidic oaks: a tale where nature is powerful, demanding and ultimately just, and which promises to appeal to young and old alike.

The Boy in the Oak is a beautiful collector’s item, enlaced with opaque layers of acetate, which are interwoven with the illustrated pages. To celebrate this new release, there will be an exhibition of drawings taken from the book, which will be on display at the Gallery in Liberty, London from 17 June — 11 July.

Jessica Albarn will also host a special event and reading from Boy in the Oak as part of this year’s House of Fairytales at the Port Eliot Literary Festival in July.

About the Artist:
Jessica Albarn is a fine artist who studied sculpture, painting, drawing and printmaking at Middlesex University, London. Inventor of an interactive toy called Brainbow, and a finalist at the BFIY (British Female Inventor of the Year) awards, Jessica prizes a connection with the magical time of her childhood, and this inspires much of her work.

She has exhibited extensively around London , most recently a solo show at the Nelly Duff Gallery. She has collaborated with Modus Design Co., Helmut Lang NYC on their spring /summer collection followed by an exhibition spread across 4 venues In Tokyo and Oasis for their Designer Collective collection last Autumn. Jessica has also published a limited edition book Bee-headed with Cederteg Publishing in Sweden.
Fascinated by nature, Jessica has worked closely with insects and spiders in all of her art, finding beauty in all creatures, dead or alive. As a child she loved old faerie tales, and the idea of faeries being both delicate and deadly, like insects, existing in a world we co-habit, formed the basis for her first storybook, The Boy in the Oak.

About the Book:
The Boy in the Oak is published by Simply Read Books, and is available to order from www.turnaround-uk.com.
It will be available to buy exclusively from Liberty from June 2010, and then from all good book shops from September 2010, at RRP £12.99

About the Exhibition (Listings Information):
Address: Liberty, Great Marlborough Street, London W1B 5HA
The exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday 17 June — 11 July.
Opening Times:
Monday — Saturday 10am — 9pm Sunday 12pm — 6pm.

The Boy in the Oak

The fairy tale came true today when Snow Fairy bought  by her publicity-shy French owner and breeder Cristina Patino for only £1500 when Snow Fairy was put through the sales ring in 2008 only 18 months ago, won the Epsom Oaks Classic race, winning over £200, 000 for her delighted owner in prize money.

SnowFairy wins Oaks

Snow Fairy won the Oaks at Epsom as champion jockey Ryan Moore held off the challenge of Meeznah in a thrilling finish. Moore expertly guided his mount from the middle of the pack to claim his first British Classic win and a second victory in the race for trainer Ed Dunlop.

Theo van Joolen, the Fairy Poet debuts at the May Faery Festival at Spoutwood Farm, Pennsylvania.

Theo at Spoutwood 2010 from Fairiesworld on Vimeo.

A fairytale success for Michael Ellis MP as he gains and wins the Northampton North constituency in the UK General Election with a 6.9% swing and a majority of 1936.  Congratulations to Michael and to all his supporting team for this resounding confidence from fairy artist MP- Myrea Pettit.

A Fairytale Win for Michael Ellis MP with Myrea Pettit

Chris Down will be having an exhibition of his fantasy art at the Moontree gallery in Boscombe from 29th May until 24th June 2010. There will be a wide variety of framed pictures, originals, limited editions prints and open edition prints. Chris’s work comprises painted, pencil, pen and ink and has appeared in over 40 books. Among those are his Celtic and Fantasy titles in the Crafters Design Library series which have been published in English, American, French, German, Russian and Chinese editions gaining his work an international audience. Launch day for the exhibition is Saturday 29th May and Chris will be there all day from 10am until 5.30pm.

Gallery details are: The Moontree Gallery at Baraka, 16, Sea Road, Boscombe, Dorset BH5 1DB Tel:01202 394949         Web site

'Enigma' 2010©Chris Down

Eric Pickles The Conservative Party Chairman, visiting prospective conservative candidate Michael Ellis for Northampton North congratulates Elle Riché who with her Conservative team at Northampton High School won last weeks mock elections Conservative taking 50%, Liberal Democrats 31%,  Labour 19% of the vote.

The Fairies are all over the place and tonight with the Full Moon we are expecting real magic in the air from dusk until dawn. Even the squirrels are stocking up on food to watch the show, it promises to be a wonderful occasion for Fairy watchers and is likely to continue all over this Beltaine weekend

Daniel Merriam is hailed as one of the world’s most celebrated and gifted watercolorists. His paintings take our hearts and minds away from reality and into the depths of imagination and beauty.

Daniel Merriam©Centre Stage

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to meet this uniquely-gifted artist in person and see his new works. We hope to see you at the show!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT THIS SHOW!

When
Friday, April 16 from 6-9 pm
Saturday, April 17 from 6-9 pm
Sunday, April 18 from 12-5 pm

Where
Fashion Valley Gallery
Fashion Valley Shopping Center
(2nd Floor near Neiman Marcus)
7007 Friars Road, Suite 683
San Diego, CA 92108
800-599-7111