Artist Spotlight

Emma SanCartier

We haven't spotlighted a fairy tale artist in several months, so here is some lighthearted relief via the whimsical, folksy illustrations of Emma SanCartier.

6 swans

You could put a lot of things into the category of "folksy," but when I look at her prints, I think of medieval wood stamping with a pleasant, unique mix of Maurice Sendak.

the snow queen

They are highly imaginative and superbly colorful, with luscious sweeps of the watercolor brush and veils of blues and oranges overlapping.  She also uses patterns reminiscent of native textiles.

gerda takes flight

And infuses the old tales with a little attitude.

little red riding hood

rapunzel takes action

Support Ms. SanCartier and snag some cool Christmas presents on her etsy shop.

As always, if you or someone you know is a budding fairy tale writer or artist, Spinning Straw into Gold wants to spotlight them!

Currently Reading

Over the summer, a gentleman kindly gave me a Kindle copy of his short story collection.  This gentleman's name is Bill Saunders (you may have seen some of his work over at Enchanted Conversation), and the collection's name is Leah and Her Twelve Brothers.

Ann Anderson, from the Golden Wonder Book

I've had so much going on, that I haven't actually finished yet, but I couldn't let any more time lapse until I shared what an enjoyable and well-crafted read it is.  If you're looking for something of substance, technique, and just the right touch of magic, you can purchase it for a crazy-affordable price here.

A more thorough review to follow when I've finished it and had some time to let it percolate.

Poem: The Story-tellers

Huddled, our plumed bodies curve
in arabesque.  Convex vertebrae
are charms; they
ward off the dark and cold.

We pass tales like glass
marbles back-and-forth,
in pinched beaks.  Friction
warms our palms, our words.

Prometheus, have pity.
Breath ignites 
salvaged kindling, a spark
as hot as a pin-prick.

Now we chant each others' stories,
a noisome flock in blanketing
gray and whisper a rumor
of dawn.

P.J. Lynch, The Six Swans

This is the second draft, much changed (and better, I hope), from the first.

Still, this is not quite hitting the spot of what I want to do with it.  The third stanza limps.  I'm trying to find a way of showing how the friction of passing the stories back and forth ignites a spark.  And I like the pin-prick, like when you get stung by the spark from a sparkler, but I don't know how to use it.

I wanted to say something about "a benediction."

Oh well.  I guess now I should just let it sit.

Comments, constructive crit.?  Please and thank you.

Please take a look at our fairy tale writing contest and consider joining.  I'm thinking of extending the deadline, if you've seen and are hesitant because of lack of time.