(Photo of Erin and Cory Godbey, taken by Tara Larson Chang)

A week ago today began the weekend that was Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4. This was my second full year as part of the SFAL Committee and although last year was amazing, this year took things up a notch. Different event space and a new layout contributed to the word “intimate” being bandied around as a descriptor of the show and on a personal note I would have to agree.

The entire weekend felt relaxed. There was a feeling of intimacy on the show floor, during the programming, and at the Spectrum 22 Awards Gala. Even as a non-artist, I felt like I was among family throughout the weekend. It was that feeling, that was present even as early as show set up on Friday morning, that informed my experience throughout the weekend. The result was that the people I spent time with and the treasures I brought into my home reflected a desire to reconnect with myself. Things have been so busy in my work and private life that this weekend proved to be a time to not only give of myself to make the show special for artists and attendees, but was also a chance to bring that child who first became aware of the power of art through Peanuts comic strips and Edward Gorey illustrated books back into contact with the adult who can still look at a piece of art and be transported into another world.

One of the artists who has made that connection easy, ever since I first saw his work in the Spectrum: The Best of Contemporary Fantastic Art annual, is Cory Godbey.

(Photo of Cory Godbey, taken by Tara Larson Chang)

I knew I wanted to bring home a few original pieces this year and I made the decision early on that I was going to buy from artists that I had not purchased from in previous shows. Almost immediately my eyes fell upon the originals that Cory brought with him to the show. Without meaning to come off as overly dramatic, I felt an instant connection and started thinking about how magical it was as a kid to spend the Summer reading, going on adventures to fantastical worlds with fantastical creatures. I thought about how Cory’s work is so unique and whimsical and how the pieces he brought with him to Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4 made me want to rekindle that Summer reading tradition.

Many of the originals and prints that I’ve purchased at SFAL over the years have catered to my passion for science fiction, and it dawned on me that I hadn’t brought home many pieces that reflect my love of fantasy, myths and fairy tales. Suddenly my course for Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4 was set.

This is the piece I purchased from Cory Godbey. He had several lovely originals, all in amazing frames chosen by his wife, Erin. I won’t say it was hard to choose, because something about this young girl and the three bears called out to me. I can say it was difficult to get just one!

I look at this piece and I feel such a strong pull to wander off into the woods on one of my favorite running trails coupled with an equally strong desire to walk into the children’s section of my local library to put together an enchanting Summer reading list.

I was able to spend some time later in the weekend talking to Cory about his work and whether or not he had always wanted to create work like this. The conversation veered towards inspiration and ideas and one of the things Cory mentioned was that he had been talking to fellow artist and SFAL4 attendee Paul Bonner about his long tradition of painting around similar themes. I’m paraphrasing poorly here, but in essence Cory was asking Paul if he was ever worried that he would run out of ideas of things to paint, and Paul’s response was “no, I’m worried I will run out of time”.

Cory Godbey is a young man and hopefully has many, many years ahead of him to pull images from his imagination to put on paper. It was a pleasure to talk to both Cory and Erin during Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4. Their booth was filled with wondrous treasures and I am not alone in feeling that way as several of these gems found new homes before the weekend had ended. I have been following his work for a number of years and look forward to continuing that journey. I also look forward to seeing what flights of fancy are begun as I enjoy having this piece in my home.

Thank you, Cory and Erin, for coming to Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4, for being so nice and so generous with your time, and for bringing such great art along to share.

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Tara Larson Chang is herself an illustrator inspired by children’s stories and fairy tales. I am especially taken with her Snow Fae painting, currently featured on her Portfolio page. Tara attended Spectrum Fantastic Art Live 4, where she took some great pictures of the artists in their booths. She generously allowed me to use her images for this post. Thank you, Tara!