Artistic & Magical Creations to engage your intellect, enrich your soul and enchant your heart

Latest

Video

One Coin Magic

Magic with coins is my favorite expression within the performance art of Close-Up Magic.  I have worked with this particular “One Coin” routine for approximately 35 years.  A magical effect is never finished it just keeps evolving and growing.  I sincerely hope you enjoy it!

My thanks to the very talented Kevin MacLeod, for creating the beautiful music and allowing me to use it here.

Music:
“Sardana” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b…

© 2015 Steven Paul Carlson.
This video is copyrighted and may not be used without the written permission of Steven Paul Carlson

Master Magician, Steven Paul Carlson

Master Magician, Steven Paul CarlsonYou are entering a world of magic and illusion where anything is possible… pick a card… any card.  😉

This is my new magic promo poster, I had lots of fun creating it, I hope you enjoy it.

Art & Magic studio

This is my dream studio.  Someday, with a little luck and fortune, that will be where I hang my hat and create 😉

Dream Art & Magic studio

Image

Antiquity of the Soul – Steven Paul Carlson

Steven-Carlson-Antiquity

Antiquity of the Soul – Pastel 16” x 20”

One can see and feel the history etched into this man’s face and antiquity its-self reflecting in his eyes. I had great fun painting the bright colored head cloth with its intricate patterns, wrinkles and folds juxtaposed with his face and the similar intricate patterns. This is one of my all time favorite portraits.

I met an individual at an art show who was from this part of the world.  He told me that the head wrap they wear, the colors and patterns, tells you what region the person is from.  Fascinating!

Image

Kitty vs. bug

Cat-vs-Bug
Look in the center of the Kitty’s paw 😉 I caught this shot by total accident. My greyhound dog Gabbie and I were in Colorado; I was showing my art there at the Renaissance festival. At our apartment, one floor below us lived the cutest and most unique cat. He love to ride in the car and even went for walks on a leash with his human.

One morning during Gabbie’s and my walk there he was sitting on his balcony, very focused on something his little head moving, obviously following something. I could not tell what he was so intent on but I had to get a photo of his extreme focus and concentration. As I clicked the camera his paw shot out at something in the air. I still didn’t know what until I pulled up the photo in my computer. He had smacked a bug right out of the air right off its flight path.

Image

Faeriegnomes – Steven Paul Carlson

Faeriegnome

Concerning Faeriegnomes

Fa’er•ie gnomé or fa’er•y gnomé n
Pronounced fair-ee nohm

May the reader bear in mind, the information offered here regarding these very shy and illusive creatures, is based on only a small number of sightings since the history of the “big folk” began to be documented. Sightings of Faeriegnome dwellings are fortunately a little more common. Both these sources and recent archaeological discoveries help to provide us with our current knowledge of the Faeriegnome folk, their temperament, attributes and customs.

Faeriegnomes are ancient creatures, tiny, quiet and shy by nature. They were believed to be of simple gnome ancestry but they predate even the earliest gnomish records. They are much smaller than a gnome, but larger than the leaf faerie.

Faeriegnome architecture is known for its clever construction and unique creativity.

The unique coalescence of both the Fae and Gnome bloodlines seems to account for their vast magical abilities, their immeasurable ingenuity and ancient wisdom. It also explains their extreme diminutive size. The size of the average adult male, by their standard of measurement, would be about 54 to 63 digits or fingers, which would be about 2.5 to 5 cm or 1 to 2 inches tall.

Writings predating antiquity indicate Faeriegnomes were a part of the Great Earth Caretakers. Their ability to travel extremely long distances enabled them to keep a watchful eye on the delicate balances of nature. Assisting them in these earthly stewardship responsibilities were their ever present, always faithful walking sticks, ‘Astar’, as they call them. The wood of the astar was from a tree, bush or plant of unknown origin. Interestingly, the astar continued its growth despite being separated from the root. In fact, it had to be regularly pruned or it would quickly outgrow its owner! Ordinarily the astar was quite plain, but on occasion a particularly creative and fastidious Faeriegnome might adorn it with a little silver, gold, gems or even seashells.

Image

Faerie III, Woodland Opus – Steven Paul Carlson

Steven-Carlson-Faerie-III
The Harp Faerie, as she has been affectionately nicknamed, and like its pair Faerie I, feature the Matrifaerie, a mature, dignified and sophisticated faerie captured here while creating upon the woodland harp. The woodland harp, unlike any other musical instrument, is a living entity. It grows from out of the ground, blossoming and even bearing fruit. Its gossamer, web-like strings produce a sound that few are able to hear. Only the truly ingenuous spirit can perceive its atmospheric musical air. Sylvan dwellers are drawn to the magical recital and a rare, ethereal appearance from a musical muse can be seen if you look quickly.

The artistic and musical collaboration of Steven & Patricia inspired this beautiful title song which appears on Mrs. Carlson’s Creative Harp CD ‘Woodland Opus’.

Image

Summer Girl – Steven Paul Carlson

Steven-Carlson-SummerGirl
Summer Girl – pastel 16” x 20”

Flyaway blond hair, freckles, and that faint smile easily makes this one of my favorite portraits.

It’s mid February and I have spring fever! I was hoping this beautiful summer image might hasten the coming of warmer weather.

But then…
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” – John Steinbeck,

There are no prints of this piece only the original.

Image

India – Steven Paul Carlson

India – pastel 16” x 20”

This stunning face still captivates me; it was an absolutely wonderful portrait to paint. It is one of those rare pieces of my own art that actually hangs in my house. 😉

The textures here also intrigued me; the necklace, the embroidery on her clothing and then creating the sheer effect of the veil.

Like the Viking portrait this too is rendered with pastels. It’s an intricate layering technique using different pastels with a final detail finish of pastel pencil. This layering process gives the portrait an oil painting, oil glaze look.

There are no prints of this work only the original.

Video

Dancing with the Queen of Hearts – Steven Carlson

The Queen of Hearts, with her charismatic charm, completely enthralls her eight suitors.

Originally I wrote a little story, about a princess, to fit the magical effect of this card trick.

Personally, I loved the story, but after years of performing and testing I found music to be the best accompaniment. I truly hope you enjoy!

 

Kevin MacLeod created the wonderful music!  Let me tell you, Kevin’s one talented guy!  Here’s his link.
“Sneaky Snitch” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0  http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

© 2015 Steven Paul Carlson.
This video is copyrighted and may not be used without the written permission of Steven Paul Carlson