How does one find fairyland? Crawling under bushes and seeking fairies, kissing flowers, or reading a multitude of fairytales? I have tried all of these since childhood. Sadly, still no *real* fairies in my almost 62 years. In my adult years, I have turned to novels by Charles de Lint and my hands-down, all-time favorite, Wood Wife by Terri Windling. I have been dazzled by the artwork of Brian Froud, Arthur Rackham, Amy Brown, Patience Brewster, and many others.
Notwithstanding, my artistic skills are barely satisfactory. Even so, drawing and painting various forms of fairies appear from the ends of my pencil and brush in various stages of skill and mediums. Fairies large and small, as well as elementals of plants, have appeared.
In 2019 and 2021, I participated in Delaware Fun-a-Day (Delaware Fun-A-Day) to create 31 pieces of art in 31 days. The challenge is fun and gives the freedom to explore new and different forms of artistic media. 2019 the goal was to create a world of fairies for a potential children’s book series “Down Brambleberry Lane.” Not happy with the artistic results, I explored a new medium, shrink art, after the inspiration from a kit by Julie Haymaker. I am in awe of the creations of Julie and friends from the active Facebook group. The “Garden Dancers” emerged. I so enjoy creating these little fairies. I am not sure if I have found my medium…yet, but this is a start. And, they bring joy. The ideas for different fairies are as fertile and insistent as book ideas.
The Garden Dancers sway and play in the breeze of a garden or pot. And, to my delight, they glow in the dark! Groffs Plant Farm and Kathy’s Corner Shop have the Garden Dancers for sale. A gallery of Garden Dancers can be found on the Sharon Brubaker Pinterest.
