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

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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.

Posted by  |  February 18, 2015 | Categories: Art, Artwork, portrait, Steven Carlson | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted by  |  February 18, 2015 | Categories: Art, card magic, card tricks, Magic, Magicians, Performance, Sleight-of-hand | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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The young son of Bor – by Steven Paul Carlson

The young son of Bor - by Steven Paul Carlson

The young son of Bor – by Steven Paul Carlson

He was the young son of Bor, the father of the gods.  He was a shapechanger, usually appearing as a vigorous man of fifty with long hair and braided beard, wearing the skins of animals and carrying his unfailing weapon called Gungnir.  Here he is, in the ages before he gave up one of his eyes and before sacrificing his life in exchange for greater wisdom.  Before the time when the other mighty gods would serve him as children serve their father, before he became the god most favored by the Vikings.  His name is Odin, the god of the Norseman!

19” x 26”  Pastel (LE prints available)

Posted by  |  February 14, 2015 | Categories: Art, Artwork, portrait | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Video

Close-up Coin Magic – Steven Paul Carlson

In magic we call this effect, a coin assembly. Coins magically move from one place to another as if attracted and then, in some cases, instantly return to their original locations. This version, of this classic, is particularly intriguing because this happens numerous times in different ways.  My first post of this video did not have music so that is the reason for the new posting.

I hope you enjoy!
Steven

Music by Kevin MacLeod, “Not As It Seems” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

 

Posted by  |  February 12, 2015 | Categories: Art, Magic, Magicians, Performance, Sleight-of-hand | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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Summer Faerie – by Steven Paul Carlson

Summer Faerie
The Four Season Faeries

Herald of the summer solstice; certainly the most care-free of all her sisters Summer Faerie maintains harmony between prolific spring and fruitful autumn with the long, warm, tranquil days of summertide.StevenCarlson-SummerFaerie

Prints available at: http://www.stevenpaulcarlsonart.com

Posted by  |  May 18, 2014 | Categories: Art, Artwork | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Twig – The Faerie’s Secret, by Steven Paul Carlson

Twig
The Faerie’s Secret

Steven Carlson Twig
Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom…
Whew! That’s quite a name.  Fortunately her friends know her simply as Twig, the fun, whimsical, magical faerie that graces the renaissance festivals.  The young at heart, who are fortunate enough to meet her, often find themselves sprinkled with faerie dust and presented with a magical gem!   But be aware, if you ask what the secret is in her hands, she will only answer with her flute.  I hope you are fluent in double piped aulos.

Prints available at: http://www.stevenpaulcarlsonart.com

Posted by  |  April 28, 2014 | Categories: Art, Artwork, Magic, portrait, Renaissance | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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The Peace Wizard, by Steven Paul Carlson

The Peace Wizard

Wizard IV
Wandering Wiseman, Pax Consensio
Graphite on board 16”X 20”

Ancient lore tells of an old man, a wanderer who travels with his faithful gazehound (greyhound). His peregrinations take him far and wide, over mountains, through valleys and deep into the forests. He speaks the language of the rocks and the trees and the birds of the sky. Everything about this unique wizard exudes peace and harmony; look close and you can see his robe is embroidered with spells and enchantments of peace and harmony–pax consensio.

Look attentively for him when you are feeling the most troubled, but keep in mind he may choose to appear as a friendly bird or affectionate four-footed critter.

Wandering still, searching for the pure of heart and those in need, he gives his peaceful invocation to all who will receive it.

Prints available at: http://www.stevenpaulcarlsonart.com

Posted by  |  April 25, 2014 | Categories: Art, Artwork, Magic | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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Sleight-of-Hand by Steven Paul Carlson

Sleight-of-Hand

Sleight-of-Hand
Graphite 16” X 20”

This pencil drawing is still in progress. I sketched the original back in 1972, I was still in high school. My intention was to paint it however I never finished it and it has since been lost. I decided to start it up again and see where it would take me.

In high school I was very interested in this fascinating art movement called Surrealism. It greatly influenced my art at that stage of my young life.

Surrealism began around 1920 its objective was to combine incongruous images blending dream state with reality. Probably the most famous surrealists are Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and Max Ernst. The word “surrealist” was coined by Guillaume Apollinaire.

Available at: http://www.stevenpaulcarlsonart.om

Posted by  |  April 16, 2014 | Categories: Art, Artwork, Magic, Sleight-of-hand | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wizard III – The Family Portrait, by Steven Paul Carlson

Wizard III – The Family Portrait

A rare moment of relaxation for a Wizard; pictured here in repose with his extended family, this Wizard, though very old, is an imposing figure. Even seated he exudes the unmistakable power and wisdom of a Wizard of the highest order. Standing to his full height he would reach seven feet. His magical wolf and owl companions are also considerably larger than their kin. Only his feline companion, T. Thomas Tiger, Esq., is natural in size. The hidden images of faeries, raptors, dragon and wizard faces enhance the magic and mystique of this limited edition creation.

Steven Carlson wizard

Posted by  |  March 31, 2014 | Categories: Art, Artwork, Magic, Magicians, portrait | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gladden’s Grand Slam

Steven-Carlson-GrandSlam

For most of my professional art career, starting early 1970’s and still going today I have been an illustrator. This was one of my favorite commissions.

The Minnesota Twins 1st World Series Championship 1987. Game 1, Saturday, October 17 Dan Gladden hits a grand slam home run to cap off a seven-run fourth inning. –

Interesting note: The Twins came into the 1987 season number 13 out of the 14 American League teams.

This piece of art was done for the Twins and WCCO Radio for the 1988 baseball pocket schedule. It was truly one of those great art commissions for me.

Original art avaiable at: http://www.stevenpaulcarlsonart.com

Posted by  |  March 27, 2014 | Categories: American history, Art, Artwork | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment