Valerie
    Gender: Female
    Location: Rhode Island
    Relationship: Committed Relationship
    Orientation: Straight
    Religion: Other
    Ethnicity: White / Caucasian
    About Me: About me? I sculpt, drink coffee and live in the woods. I create figurative, fantasy art, paint, love music & BOOKS! Free time usually finds me in bookstores, art supply shops, antique stores, or lying on my back looking at the stars.

    I have two "feral furballs" that tolerate me; three amazing kids that are grown now, and three gorgeous little men who call me "Greenie", lol.

    I prefer to be outdoors, in the woods, on a mountain, sitting by a fire, and far away from concrete, cities and people.
    Likes: Sculpting, reading, photography, nature, birds, trees, Autumn, sitting by a fire, my GRANDSONS...Tristan, Gavin, and Aidan, my family~we're an eclectic bunch, silence, lying on my back and watching the stars, philosophy, psychology, corsets, my Celtic ancestry, genealogy, tea, coffee
    Hobbies: Sculpting, reading, bird-watching, hiking
    Vices: COFFEE!
    Virtues: Honesty, loyalty, compassion
    Heroes: Gaia for putting up with us as long as she has...I'm surprised she hasn't given us the Boot yet for what we've done to her!!!

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    Happy Faerie's Day to Everyone!!

    Thursday, June 24, 2010, 3:00 PM [General]

     

    Happy Faeries Day to you all. Get outside and do something wonderful with nature and the fairies today!!

    0 (0 Ratings)

    The Observer

    Thursday, June 24, 2010, 11:17 AM [General]

    Sitting at my sculpting table last week, I realized I was surrounded by more polymer clay leaves than I had a pile of in my back yard.  After time spent of mixing clay, imprinting leaves, and curing them I had a pretty substantial array…and yet, no motivation to do anything with them.  Uh oh, creative block !!!

    When life gets in the way (and head) of an artist, that finely tuned thing we refer to as creativity, muse, or inspiration will often grind to a screeching halt.  “Things” had gotten into the way of my “flow” as I like to call it. Family responsibilities, employment woes, you name it, I allowed it all to overwhelm me and each time I sat down to work all I could see were my problems.

    Fortunate to have a place to retreat to away from everything, I packed up some clothes, clay, sundry crafty bits, and high tailed it to the mountains of Maine

    P1090385 For two days I sat on the screened porch that overlook the mountains and listened to nothing more than the whisper of wind through the trees and birds who were ever busy at the feeders in the yard. I was an observer to the busy forest life that went on around me as if I were invisible. There are so few places nowadays where you can witness the rhythm of nature uninterrupted like this, and here it’s a magical thing.

    Birds tending to their young, deer coming to the lake to drink, the whimsical otter that busily swims back and forth searching for a tasty mussel, the whippoorwill who sings as the last light of day disappears.

    P1090366

     

    Mountain storms blow throw with a fierceness that is scary at times, and the wind howls like a freight train through the forest, and yet if I were not here it would still go on. I am just honored to share the experience...an observer.


     

    I thought about the birds particularly after a fierce mountain storm the other night. All during the day they were at the feeders with their young, back and forth and as the P1090367storm approached they slowly disappeared to take shelter. The forest became quiet and as the wind came through, and then the rain, I wondered how they fared. When the storm had passed and the rain subsided slowly, you could hear the symphony start up again and within minutes they were back at the feeders as if it had never rained at all. And I realized that to the birds the storm was an inconvenience, nothing more, and they stayed right on track with what they had been doing before.

    So I sat down to my table I have set up here and began to create once again. My muse was back. This time taking it in stride that I’ll run into a metaphoric mountain storm now and then, but maybe this time I’ll view it as an inconvenience and continue down the path I’m traveling in Nature’s stride.

    P1090356

    Thanks for visiting!

    0 (0 Ratings)

    What an enchanting place to be able to go to!

    Marianne
    June 24, 2010
    10:01 PM
    Delete Comment

    Woodland Frolic Necklace and new Art

    Tuesday, May 18, 2010, 4:04 PM [What's NEW in Elysian Fields!]

    Spring has been a busy time here in the woods.  Much time has been spent outdoors getting the yard ready for summer.  Planting, raking, and just enjoying the birds and my pet chickens keeps me pretty busy.

    I do hope you are all well and enjoying the "rollercoaster" weather patterns that Mother Nature has had us on.

    It's obvious that I love being near the woods and all things that have to do with trees, nature and fantasy. Here are a few pieces I've created that are currently in my Etsy shop. Enjoy and Brightest Blessings.

    Woodland Frolic is a whimsical walk in the woods!  Sculpted toadstools, whimsical owls, chunks of turquoise, a fairy leaf focal pendant.

    Another nature spirit ornament. This is a sugar maple leaf and the dryad's face is done in a slight bas relief.

    3.7 (1 Ratings)

    Absolutely gorgeous. Love those little faces set into the leaves,very imaginative x

    Sandy
    May 22, 2010
    1:55 PM
    Delete Comment

    I've never seen anything quite like your pieces, they are absolutely gorgeous!

    Rachel
    May 25, 2010
    8:28 PM
    Delete Comment

    Thank you all for your comments. As far as I know I am the ONLY one doing this type of wearable art at the moment. Nothing like trying to break new ground, lol. It allows me to take my love of nature and faerie and combine the two. For without one the other cannot exist and the blend of both is my tribute. I also donate a portion of what I make to the Arbor Day Foundation for the education and preservation of trees and woodlands.

    Valerie
    May 26, 2010
    11:50 AM
    Delete Comment

    Do You Believe???

    Saturday, April 3, 2010, 6:42 PM [Daily Wonderings]

     

    I can't begin to tell you how many times I am asked that question.  As a fantasy artist I live and create in a world of make believe, folk lore, and the everyday magic that is nature.

    A better asked question might be, "who wouldn't want to believe in times like these?"

    Recent weather catastrophes, war, financial crisis's, drugs, violence, and the downfall of the "hero" in our society has left us bereft and adrift in a sea of disillusion and uncertainty.  As children we looked up to sports legends, movie stars, and presidents until it become glaringly obvious that they missed the mark, fell or were toppled off their pedestals by their actions or misdeeds.  After all they're only human, right?
    Faeries on the other hand are known to be duplicitous, tricks-y, pranksters, who depending on their type are pretty straight forward.  Most  fairy fall into one of three categories, Neutral, the Seelie, and the Unseelie. The neutral fairies are just that, neither aligned with the good or bad, and the Seelie are generally considered to be light (mainly positive) fairies while the Unseelie are quite the opposite.  With faerie you know where you stand.

    We were brought up believing in the Tooth fairy, Santa Claus,  Easter Bunny, and faeries.  Early memories of scouting fields behind our home for dew covered spider webs on the ground with the hope of discovering  fairy balls still going on.  Mushroom rings, dark hidey holes in trees, fallen logs, dense underbrush were inspected for wee folk.  My mom and grandmother would read to us each night of wee folk, goblins, and brownies who regularly stole our toys if we were bad.
    My favorite poem is still William Allingham's "The Faeries".
    Up the airy mountain,
    Down the rushy glen,
    We daren 't go a-hunting    
    For fear of little men;
    Wee folk, good folk,
    Trooping all together;
    den;">Green jacket, red cap,
    And white owl's feather!
    Down along the rocky sh
    Some make their home,
    They live on crispy pancakes
    Of yellow tide-foam;
    Some in the reeds
    Of the black mountain-lake,
    With frogs for their watch-d
    All night awake.

     

    While we were not rich in coin we were rich in imagination and we believed!

    Fast forward some forty years and I still believe. I believe in a world of imagination, of art, of music.  Nature has become my muse, my comfort, and my friend.  I turn off the TV and go for walks in the woods.
    The air is clean and sweet, vernal pools are now teeming with life, trees are waking and showing forth their finest buds and blooms.

    I believe.

     

    My grandsons are now of an age where Santa, the Easter Bunny, and fairy folk are real.  I will pass on the tales, poems, and stories that were told to me.  The seeds will be planted, nurtured, and if they are lucky, they will have the chance to experience the imagination of a magical world,  something that is slowly dissappearing from their daily life.
    So, the next time you lose your keys,  the lights go out, or toys go missing,  blame it on the faeries... you'll feel better and your children will love the stories.  Use your imagination!  
    Fantasy artists do it every day.  We live our lives immersed in music, art, folk tales, traditions,  and when the world around us is in chaos, we find the quiet place that faerie provides.  Our own oasis in a desert of disillusioned humanity.

    I ask again...do you believe?

     

    I can't begin to tell you how many times I am asked that question.  As a fantasy artist I live and create in a world of make believe, folk lore, and the everyday magic that is nature.

    A better asked question might be, "who wouldn't want to believe in times like these?"

    Recent weather catastrophes, war, financial crisis's, drugs, violence, and the downfall of the "hero" in our society has left us bereft and adrift in a sea of disillusion and uncertainty.  As children we looked up to sports legends, movie stars, and presidents until it become glaringly obvious that they missed the mark, fell or were toppled off their pedestals by their actions or misdeeds.  After all they're only human, right?


    Faeries on the other hand are known to be duplicitous, tricks-y, pranksters, who depending on their type are pretty straight forward.  Most  fairy fall into one of three categories, Neutral, the Seelie, and the Unseelie. The neutral fairies are just that, neither aligned with the good or bad, and the Seelie are generally considered to be light (mainly positive) fairies while the Unseelie are quite the opposite.  With faerie you know where you stand.

    We were brought up believing in the Tooth fairy, Santa Claus,  Easter Bunny, and faeries.  Early memories of scouting fields behind our home for dew covered spider webs on the ground with the hope of discovering  fairy balls still going on.

     Mushroom rings, dark hidey holes in trees, fallen logs, dense underbrush were inspected for wee folk.  My mom and grandmother would read to us each night of wee folk, goblins, and brownies who regularly stole our toys if we were bad.
    My favorite poem is still William Allingham's "The Faeries".

     

    Up the airy mountain,
    Down the rushy glen,
    We daren 't go a-hunting    
    For fear of little men;
    Wee folk, good folk,
    Trooping all together;
    Green jacket, red cap,
    And white owl's feather!

    Down along the rocky shore
    Some make their home,
    They live on crispy pancakes
    Of yellow tide-foam;
    Some in the reeds
    Of the black mountain-lake,
    With frogs for their watch-dogs,
    All night awake.

     

    While we were not rich in coin we were rich in imagination and we believed!

    Fast forward some forty years and I still believe. I believe in a world of imagination, of art, of music.  Nature has become my muse, my comfort, and my friend.  I turn off the TV and go for walks in the woods.

    The air is clean and sweet, vernal pools are now teeming with life, trees are waking and showing forth their finest buds and blooms.

    I believe.

    My grandsons are now of an age where Santa, the Easter Bunny, and fairy folk are real.  I will pass on the tales, poems, and stories that were told to me.  The seeds will be planted, nurtured, and if they are lucky, they will have the chance to experience the imagination of a magical world,  something that is slowly dissappearing from their daily life.


    So, the next time you lose your keys,  the lights go out, or toys go missing,  blame it on the faeries... you'll feel better and your children will love the stories.  Use your imagination!!

      


    Fantasy artists do it every day.  We live our lives immersed in music, art, folk tales, traditions,  and when the world around us is in chaos, we find the quiet place that faerie provides.  Our own oasis in a desert of disillusioned humanity.

     

    I ask again...do you believe?

     

     

     

    3.7 (1 Ratings)

    Your writing is so beautiful Valerie, it's imagery just creates wonderful worlds to drift off into :-) Thankyou. Do I believe? Wouldn't be here if I didn't!!! Kaety xxx

    Kaety Fae
    April 4, 2010
    4:35 AM
    Delete Comment

    It truly is a dialog worth revisiting, don't you think? Love and Light to you all!!

    Valerie
    April 4, 2010
    11:18 AM
    Delete Comment

    ~applause~ Beautifully said. I totally agree with you! :)

    Deanna
    April 5, 2010
    5:26 AM
    Delete Comment

    Thank you all for taking the time to comment. I posted this on my website blog and actually got some negative comments for it, lol. I'd love for some Enchanted Folks to stop by and subscribe or comment also from time to time. Spread a little of that faerie love! elysianfieldoriginals.com/2010/04/03/do-...

    Valerie
    April 14, 2010
    11:25 PM
    Delete Comment

    Spring Magic

    Friday, March 26, 2010, 11:42 PM [What's NEW in Elysian Fields!]

    Spring is here in New England, and while Nature has been throwing a few curve balls in the way of snow showers, crocuses are up, daffodils are blooming, and the sweet green tree buds are poking their heads out to greet the season.  This is always a magical time. Vernal pools are teeming with life, salamanders, known as fire faeries are everywhere and spring faeries are hard at work.  They bring forth new life and encourage flowers to bloom, they cast color in fields, meadows, and forests.  They are responsible for all things growing and each day as I trek into the woods and fields near my home I am witness to their magic.  

    In the spirit of all things new I sculpted a wee faerie toddler wrapped in a sugar maple leaf sleeping soundly in an oak leaf cradle.  While faerie children are rare, I'd like to think that some exist...if only in my dreams.

    In honor of my friend Merrie...xo

    0 (0 Ratings)

    This is so cute!

    Marianne
    March 30, 2010
    11:43 AM
    Delete Comment

    Love these!

    Lise
    May 21, 2010
    5:18 PM
    Delete Comment
  • Silke
    Silke

  • Neil
    Neil

  • Be
    Be

  • Drew
    Drew

  • Merrie_Fae_Tresses
    Merrie_F
    ae_Tress
    es

  • Cyndee
    Cyndee

  • Louise
    Louise

  • amy
    amy

  • Terry
    Terry

  • FrostFyre
    FrostFyr
    e

  • Bonnie
    Bonnie

  • Trish
    Trish

    New Friends
  • Xael
    Xael

  • Bonnie
    Bonnie

  • Jagdamba
    Jagdamba

  • Sue Miller
    Sue Mill
    er

  • Randi
    Randi

  • Rhonda
    Rhonda

  • Rachel
    Rachel

  • zoe
    zoe

  • Faery Ana
    Faery An
    a

  • Fen
    Fen

  • Teresa
    Teresa

  • Kaety Fae
    Kaety Fa
    e

  • Athina
    Athina

  • Silverbill
    Silverbi
    ll

Latest Comments


    I am both enchanted and inspired by your beautiful artwork!!!

    Bonnie
    August 16, 2011
    9:17 AM
    Delete Comment

    Thanks Valerie. I'm totally new here and figuring out all the choices and settings, and how to use this portal to share, and grow, and connect with others!

    Randi
    June 24, 2010
    4:13 PM
    Delete Comment

    This spot is so perfect! It is beneath the shade of several big trees and has enough room for me to spread my blanket out amongst the bluebells. Also to the far side of the wood so not many people come down there.

    sharonfae
    May 27, 2010
    8:23 PM
    Delete Comment

    Thank you so much Valeriexxx

    Sandy
    May 22, 2010
    1:52 PM
    Delete Comment

    Thank you for your sweet comment. Your sculpted jewelry is lovely!

    Lise
    May 21, 2010
    5:13 PM
    Delete Comment

    Thanks, you can link to my shop through the etsy and folksy buttons on the left hand side of my page. Love your jewellery, have seen them before and think they are stunning, Zoe x

    zoe
    May 21, 2010
    7:09 AM
    Delete Comment

    Thanks for checking me out Valerie. I'm glad your grandchildren liked the poem.

    sleepy
    April 14, 2010
    8:08 PM
    Delete Comment

    March 31, 2010
    11:29 AM
    Delete Comment

    BTW, I love your work. I work in clay too, but wheelthrown.

    Teresa
    March 27, 2010
    9:01 PM
    Delete Comment

    Thanks for voting Valerie! Teresa

    Teresa
    March 27, 2010
    9:00 PM
    Delete Comment

    Thanks for the welcome Valery, I'm looking forward to having a good look round in here, some amazing people :-) xxx

    Kaety Fae
    March 27, 2010
    5:17 AM
    Delete Comment

    Thank you for your kind words!

    Isabella
    March 27, 2010
    3:38 AM
    Delete Comment

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