Thursday 26 November 2009

Of Bears and other Beasts


Fairytales are everywhere I turn at the moment. There is wild magic in the air, the raging winds which buffet my little house make us want to curl up and retreat into imaginary worlds. We lit the fire, and watched a film - The Secret of Moonacre, which I somehow overlooked when it was released at the cinema. It was a beautiful, enchanting tale of the dangers of pride, redeemed by the ultimate act of self- sacrifice. It had my daughters and I mesmerised!( and it made us cry a tiny bit!)
And this song - Beasts by Slow Moving Millie, is the perfect song for a night of fairytales.
(Yes, it's THAT song from the Virgin advert)






I have been re- reading East of the Sun and West of the Moon, and reminding myself how much I am in love with Kay Nielsen's illustrations. His polar bear is hauntingly beautiful.


There are polar bears everywhere I turn at the moment. Tomorrow night we are attending the Fire and Ice Dinner, at Castle Drogo, which is fundraising for the Ice Bear Project. It promises to be a great evening, in a spectacular setting, with talks from Mark Coreth( sculptor), Nick Baker (wildlife expert and TV presenter) and arctic explorer Pen Haddow. There are still a few tickets left if anybody wants to come!




And here is a glance at the rough sketches for my latest project.
More on this later ;)

9 comments:

Gretel said...

Did you know that the Secret of Moonacre is based on an even better book called 'The Little White Horse' by Elizabeth Goudge? It has always been one of my favourite books.

Yarrow said...

I totally love these sketches, and can't wait for the finished pictures. I've often wondered about Moonacre and have heard some good reviews, but just can't warm to the main girl in it! I guess I could try ;)

Julia Guthrie said...

Oh I love that film! I heard about it a little while ago & found it on youtube! Spent a happy evening in bed watching...dont you just desperately want that girls bedroom, with all the sky & stars above? *sighs* LOL

And I love Polar bears too..there is something very magical about them.
I picked up a beautiful copy of East Of The Sun West Of The Moon (hardback) in the bookshop a while ago..am hoping someone lovely will get for me for xmas (hinted to hubby!). Those illustrations are magical:)

Linda said...

I must have missed this one too, I watched the trailer, and the imagery is just my kind of magic,that I love, must get to see it now. Lindax

Carol Anne Strange said...

There is definitely magic in the air, Danielle. Thanks for sharing your latest sketches and update. Wonderful! Wishing you well. x

Julie Harward said...

I love your latest project! :D

Unknown said...

There's something in the air, all right... my garden gate, that's what! Blinkin' wind...

Fab blog. Most impressed...

adrienne trafford said...

goodness - how can one post have so much incredible info for me!! i'm so inspired....by the movie, by the music (can't download it yet because it's not available in the US!!) - i had to post it on my blog...

have you seen Mercer Mayer's East of the Sun West of the Moon? absolutely beautiful illo's - i can tell you would like them!

thanks so much for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

thank you for the reminder about the movie "secret of moonacre" - it is a wonderful movie! unfortunately i cannot locate a copy that works in the states. and that song is SO enchanting! it inspired a drawing in me :)
thank you & best wishes,
jo

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