Antiquity of the Soul – Steven Paul Carlson
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!
Kitty 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.
Faeriegnomes – Steven Paul Carlson
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.
Faerie III, Woodland Opus – Steven Paul Carlson
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’.
Summer Girl – Steven Paul Carlson
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.
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.
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)
Summer Faerie
Summer Faerie
The Four Season Faeries – Graphite 16” X 20”
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.
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.
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.
Gandalf the Grey
“Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks!”
Not Gandalf the Grey! He’s the real deal, only real magic here. And Sir Ian McKellen is certainly the real deal when it comes to portraying the perfect Gandalf.
This is a graphite portrait I’ve been working on for some time; it’s not quite done yet. It’s one of those pieces I’m just doing for my own enjoyment but I did want to share it. It’s 16” X 20” the medium is graphite on board.
100 year-old wooden crate
Actually it’s a brand new wooden crate it’s a prop I made for my magic performances. It’s made from brand new wooden crates, the kind you find at craft stores. I took them apart and reconstructed them so there were no spaces between the slats.
The logo was created in Photoshop. I wanted it to have a turn of the century, carnival genre look to it. I hand painted it on the crate.
The aging process of the wood was done in two stages, distressing the surface to make it look worn and scarred through years of use and then further enhancing the illusion of age through discoloring and staining. The natural aging process has a definite quality that’s subtle but distinct, surfaces that are handled more wear and color differently it was a fascinating study. I visited antique and junk stores observing the distinct qualities of the aging process.
The metal trim is actually aluminum angle stock (aluminum for lighter weight) this was aged to look like weathered copper or rusted steel. Two products were used, one that coated the aluminum with super fine steel particles and then another product that caused rapid oxidation of the surface creating rust. I gave this a light brushing of steel wool and then some subtle hints of patina.
I’m more conditioned to take something very old and make it look brand new again. This was an interesting challenge because here the goal was to take something brand new and make it look very, very old.
Panthera Leo
Panthera Leo
Pastel – Steven Paul Carlson
Suitably named the King of Beasts, the regal stature of this noble monarch is caught here in a moment of repose. The last rays of the setting Serengeti sun wash across his majestic face and mane. A nocturnal hunter by nature, the coming crepuscular hour marks the beginning of the lion’s workday.
Revered for its legendary strength and bravery, the lion has been a symbol of supremacy throughout recorded history. The full grown male conveys a grandeur and self-assurance like no other animal. His magnificent mane is reminiscent of a king’s ceremonial headdress or an Indian chief’s war bonnet. His roar, a low grumble building in intensity sends a vibrating signal throughout his domain and literally makes the earth quake. All these unique qualities, and more, make the lion the undisputed king of beasts, the Monarch of the Animal Kingdom.
Gicleé prints are available.
art & magic 