Art/Photography, Friday Favorites

Connections and the Art of Brian Froud

35 Comments


(Faerie Queen by Brian Froud)

Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never saw before.
Say “please” before you open the latch,
go through,
walk down the path.
(from “Instructions” ~Neil Gaiman)

Once Upon a Time (II) is about journeys…yours… mine…ours. I frequently find myself aware of the serendipitous occurrences, the coincidental connections, that unveil themselves when the seasons synch up with my reading. My awareness is heightened when we are traveling on these seasonal reading journeys together.


(The Faery Kissed by Pixies by Brian Froud)

As March 21st approached the weather took a spring turn. I hopped into my truck one morning to head to work and as I thumbed through my CDs I somewhat absent-mindedly grabbed the Labyrinth soundtrack. It was not the CD I was initially looking for, but the instant I laid my hands on it I knew it just felt right. The scent in the air and the time of year was particularly Labyrinth-like. I spent the day being serenaded by this enchanting soundtrack.


(Sarah and Hoggle, from Labyrinth, image by Brian Froud)

Soon after I decided to pick up Terri Windling’s book, The Wood Wife. As you no doubt know, I loved it. Coincidentally, it just happened to contain several references to the work of Brian Froud. I was first introduced to Brian Froud’s work when I saw his marvelous design sketches for the goblins in Labyrinth. The Wood Wife finished I craved more of the same and the obvious place to go was to an author Terri Windling discoverd–Charles de Lint. I am midway through Moonlight and Vines as I break to type this. During a similar break at lunch today I was perusing the Once Upon a Time II Review Site (incidentally, as of this moment we already have 64 reviews up. 64!!!) and came across Robin’s review of Charles de Lint’s book, The Wild Wood. Robin did her research. It turns out that The Wild Wood and The Wood Wife were two of four books commissioned by Brian Froud for the Faerielands Series. Brian Froud describes it thus:

“…I met with four authors who were to write the books, Charles De Lint, Patricia McKillip, Midori Snyder, and Terri Windling…spread out the drawings and paintings I’d completed–over fifty of them in all. The writers divided the images among them, choosing the ones they were most drawn to, and then they each went away to write the story the pictures whispered to them.

They had the freedom to write whatever they chose, just as I’d had the freedom to paint what I chose; yet we’d agreed on a central premise: a recognition that Faerie, inextricably bound as it is to nature and natural forces, is gravely threatened by the ecological crises that human beings have brought to our world.”

Isn’t that wonderful? You can see the cover images he did for the various books here.

And again, how serendipitous considering where my own reading and music had recently taken me.

All this combined with a near overwhelming desire to once again watch Mirrormask and Labyrinth (and to give Labyrinth the Mirrormask treatment here on the blog which I have threatened to do for two years) has me in a Brian Froud state of mind.

And what does that mean for you, dear readers?

It means you get a bit of an early Friday Favorite. Or a late one considering how you look at it. I wanted The Wood Wife to have your full attention over the weekend thus no Friday Favorite post on the 28th. I appreciate you indulging my giddy babbling over the many recent connections I have experienced lately and hope you can enjoy the few Brian Froud images that grace this post.


(The Faery Godmother by Brian Froud)

For me Brian Froud has been the quintessential painter of the realm of Faerie in contemporary times–a post that he shares with Charles Vess and possibly no other. He is every bit the Arthur Rackham of this age. His images often evoke the beauty of Faerie while either hinting at or fully revealing the darker aspects of the fair folk.


(Queen of Bad Faeries by Brian Froud)

My feelings for the work of Brian Froud are inextricably linked with my passion for Jim Henson and the film Labyrinth. I cannot see the work of Brian Froud without it conjuring up the familiar magical feelings I associate with that film. Brian is such an amazingly talented artist. His work predominately has a very distinct look, and yet I have seen work, for example the image below, that demonstrates that he can get away from his slightly skewed style and paint other works of fine art.


(Tapestry by Brian Froud)

Brian and his wife Wendy create some of the most incredible two and three dimensional work around. You can see more examples of his work as well as Wendy Froud’s unique sculptures at their website.

While there I encourage you to check out The Goblin Market. This is Brian and Wendy Froud’s online store. They are currently running specials including Brian Froud’s latest artbook, The World of Faerie in combination with The Secret Sketchbooks of Brian Froud for only $35.00 for the two of them. The art book alone is a $50 value, so this is a steal! You can take a sneak peak at some of the pages contained there in by clicking on the link in the middle of this site’s description of the book.


(Queine of Pharie by Brian Froud)

I am so excited that the Once Upon a Time II Challenge and the influence of so many of you and what you are reading has reminded me of how much I enjoy Brian Froud’s work. It was thrilling to see how much he inspired Terri Windling and I look forward to reading the other three books in this series as soon as I can get my hands on them!

For those of you keeping score at home, it is week two of Once Upon a Time II and I could not think of a better reason to keep this whole connection thing going by offering a prize that ties in to today’s post.

The World of Froud has a wonderful poster for sale featuring the poem Instructions by Neil Gaiman and artwork by Brian Froud. You can see a very blurry example of the poster below:

Instructions is by far my favorite Neil Gaiman poem. You can read this (the unofficial theme of The Once Upon a Time Challenge) in its entirely here,

OR, you can take the more enjoyable route and visit this Endicott Studio link to see and hear a live recording of Neil Gaiman giving a brief explanation as well as reading the poem. I recommend going by that path!

I have ordered one of the posters for one of you lucky readers. All you need do is leave me a comment below sharing your thoughts, memories, etc. regarding Brian Froud and his art (or the movies he has worked on, or his books) or thoughts, memories, etc. regarding Neil Gaiman and what he means to you. If you choose to share something about both gentlemen, your name will be entered into the drawing twice!

I will draw a name on Thursday, April 3rd at 11:59 p.m. from all qualifying comments left in this post and will announce the winner at the end of this week’s Friday Favorites post on the 4th.

Thank you once again for indulging me and I sincerely hope the artistic creations of Brian Froud inspire you to explore the realm of faerie during your Once Upon a Time II reading. If any of you are reading this and have not yet signed up for Once Upon a Time II, but want to, please follow the link on the side to the registration post. This is a long challenge and we have just begun.

I close with this quote to tie everything together. Coincidentally enough, Anais Nin was one of the non-fictional persons featured briefly in The Wood Wife. We have come full circle.

“Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together.”
~Anais Nin

35 thoughts on “Connections and the Art of Brian Froud”

  1. I love Brian Froud! I first ‘discovered’ him through the Faerie Oracle, and that remains the only art of his that I own. It’s the only deck I own that isn’t just tarot, and it has provided me with some of my most interesting experiences working with cards. It’s just so easy to meditate based on any of the Oracle faeries-all of the paintings are so detailed and lifelike and just beautiful. Of course, some of the faeries are definitely darker, but I think we need that too.

    And, of course, Neil Gaiman’s works mean so much to me. The first book of his I read was Good Omens, recommened by a friend really into Terry Pratchett. When I went on to Gaiman’s other books, it was as if someone had taken all of my jumbled up interests and thoughts about mythology and contemporary life and put them into stunning fiction. I still get that magical feeling whenever I reread the books, and I can’t wait for his new one to come out! Just recently, I got to recommend American Gods to a complete stranger; I was in a Barnes and Noble reading (I was a houseguest w/o a bedroom in a family of TV-watchers, so I went to B&N quite a lot these past couple of weeks), and American Gods was on the 3-for-2 table, and a guy asked if I had read it. When I said yes, he asked if it was any good, and I just had to laugh! What I love about Gaiman, aside from all of the mythology stuff, is the way that he can write in so many different styles and still be himself. I don’t think there are many writers that can do that, who are so adept at everything they turn their hand to. I only went and saw Beowolf (the movie) because he was so involved w/ it, and it was just such a neat interpretation of the story that it surpassed my expectations. I’m jealous of his daughters-I wonder what kind of conversations they have over the dinner table! 🙂

  2. I still can’t believe I didn’t know about the Faerielands Series! I’m so looking forward to reading all four books!

    I discovered Brian Froud relatively late. See, I completely missed Labyrinth when I was growing up. Don’t tell anyone, but I only watched it for the first time some two years ago. (But in those two years I’ve seen it three times :P) Anyway, Brian Froud. I found him when I was 18 and worked at a bookshop. They had a copy of Good Faeries/Bad Faeries, which I used my employers’ discount to buy, and I completely fell in love. They also had The Goblin Companion which he did with Terry Jones, and I absolutely loved it even though I had no idea the Goblins came from Labyrinth. After that, he quickly became one of my favourite artists. My favourite piece by him is this one. There’s just something about her expressions that I love…wild, almost menacing but not quite, wise, ancient. Looking at it makes me want to write a story. I can definitely see why his work has inspired so many writers.

    As for Neil, you know well what he means to me, and how I discovered him through Tori Amos and it pretty much changed my life. I loved Instructions, and the only reason why it’s not my favourite poem is the fact that Locks touches me even more.

    Thanks for doing this, Carl! I look forward to reading everyone’s thoughts/memories.

  3. I’ve liked Froud ever since “The Dark Crystal”!! I hope one day I can own the book he has out with his art work on the Dark Crystal..
    Beautiful post Carl!… makes you wonder how so much can be in one mans head … and not be real!

  4. Wow! Fantastic start you three have made to this.

    Eva: I hadn’t heard of that card deck but I can only imagine that the art is wonderful. I was in Border’s yesterday and saw that there were copies of Neverwhere and American Gods on the hold shelf for someone and I was so thrilled knowing that someone was in for quite a treat. The Neverwhere was a hardback of the U.S. first edition so obviously whoever ordered it must really want it. I’m confident it was going to a good home.

    I hope your houseguest days end soon…although regular trips to the bookstore aren’t a bad thing!

    I can only imagine what Gaiman’s dinner table conversations are like!

    Nymeth: You’re not alone. I didn’t discover Labyrinth when it first came out. I rented it on video back in 1989 not long after Mary and I were married. It had some really interesting messages that I got out of it about growing up, etc. that I may discuss more when I do a proper review of the film. Did you know that Toby Froud, Brian and Wendy’s son, was the baby in Labyrinth? And of course they used his actual name, Toby!

    Deslily: That would be a great book! He definitely has interesting visions, that is for sure.

  5. What a beautiful post! I was lucky enough to have a Grandpa who shared his love of fantasy/adventure books and films with me from when I was very young, so was fortunate enough to see Labyrinth in the theater – I’ve been a HUGE Brian Froud fan ever since. You are spot on when you say that he’s the “Arthur Rackham of this age.” Even more than Charles Vess, his work has an appeal that is universal – I know folks who aren’t generally drawn to fantastic art that love Froud’s work.
    If Froud is this generation’s Arthur Rackham, then Neil Gaiman is our Lord Dunsany (or William Morris); the blending of his lyrical prose with such an incredible imagination result in works of pure bliss – Stardust will be loved and read forever.

  7. Ken: What a fantastic grandpa! I aspire to be just such a grandfather, uncle, etc. I would have loved to see Labyrinth on the big screen. I wish they would re-release it for its 25th anniversary or something.

    Nice thoughts on Gaiman, I heartily agree with your assessment, especially concerning Stardust.

    Sarah: Thank you so much for sharing the picture. I’ve always thought that Brian Froud looks like a delightful person and I’m glad to hear that your experience with him gives testament to that. Are you talking about THE Comic Con, in San Diego? If so my jealousy knows no bounds. 🙂

  8. This a beautiful poster! I love the combination of Froud and Gaiman. I actually love the art of all of the Froud family and wonder about an imagination than create such lovely and unusual images.I still haven’t seen Star Dust but have put it in my Netflix que. My daughter fell in love with it!

  9. Wow. I’ve had little “connection” to Brian Froud. I recognize some of the works you posted here, but didn’t know they were his. His work is incredible! So gorgeous.

    I have Charles de Lint’s The Wild Wood sitting on my shelves unread. I’m thinking it may be time to give it a go. I find the story of the creation of the Faerielands series fascinating.

  10. I have enjoyed Froud since the first Halloween I watched The Dark Crystal. It is now a Halloween tradition to watch it, although I have been known to sneak it in during the rest of the year as well. I am very embarassed to admit that I still haven’t gotten around to watching Labyrinth. Now I am thinking I should rent it this weekend… Anyways, I absolutely love Froud’s art that you have shown on this post. He is fabulous, definiately one of my favourites!

    As to Neil Gaiman, I always try to avoid talking about him because he is very much a hit or miss author with me. I know so many people love him, but while I do end up liking the books I read by him in the end, he just doesn’t capture me like he does, well, you Carl. I really must read American Gods, though. That might change my mind if I ever work it into the reading schedule. I keep meaning to! I do really like Good Omens and Stardust by Gaiman, though, so it isn’t like I don’t like him as an author. I really don’t know what it is about him….

  11. Heyla! I’ve been a lurker on your excellent blog for several months now, your header caught my attention, and i kept checking back in occasionally. We have the same taste in books and art ^_^ so i’m always entertained. I’ve bought a few books just on your recommendation. The “Tesla” book for one.

    I first encountered Brian Froud when i snuck into my (much older) brother’s room and absconded with his copy of “Fairies”. It was worth the smack i got for going into his room. I’ve borrowed (stolen) several more of his books over the years, “Giants”, “Gnomes”, etc… One of my all-time favorites is of course Froud’s sketches for the movies Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal and the book, “Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairies” which was sickly hilarious. Labyrinth had so much going for it. Froud, David Bowie, a young Jennifer Connelly and of course Jim Hensen. It had the critters for the young folks and the underlying storyline of growing up and (it’s not fair!) for us older folks. It’s still magical!

    My introduction to Neil Gaiman was when i put Vertigo comics “Sandman” on my list of comics at the comic shop several months before it was released. After Sandman, i also collected “The Dreaming” and all of the “Death” mini-series and the “Destiny” mini series. I keep trying to get my brother to read Sandman, (I bought him several of the collected graphic novels), but he seems to be suffering from snoa severe lack of interest because they are comics. His loss, he doesn’t know what he’s missing. Gaiman is one of the authors i’ve always made a point of buying whatever i can get my hands on. The same with Charles De Lint, Emma Bull and Will Shetterly, who have kept me entertained over and over and over.

    Love your blog! and the Wood Wife was an excellent book wasn’t it!

  12. Carl, I did know about Toby, and I find that so cool. Not too long ago my boyfriend and I were talking about it, and we wondered how often people would come up to him while he was growing up and start singing “You remind me of the babe” 😛

  13. Nymeth: It is probably his least favorite song! 🙂

    Susan: The Wood Wife was amazing! I only wish there were dozens more Terri Windling books to read. I have yet to try Emma Butt or Will Shetterly, but no doubt will.

    To bad about your brother and Sandman. He is missing out.

    Labyrinth did have alot going for it. It certainly single-handedly turned me into a Jennifer Connelly fan and turned me on to David Bowie’s music.

    I’m so glad you progressed from lurker to post and I hope you continue to do both. Thanks for the kind words and don’t be a stranger.

    Kailana: That is a great Halloween tradition! I’m really sorry you haven’t made the connection with Gaiman that so many of the rest of us have. I have no doubt that there are many like you who just don’t get what all the fuss is about. We do not all connect with the same authors/artists in the same way.

    Heather: Glad I could introduce Brian Froud to you, or at least make you aware of him. I am hoping to read The Wild Wood sometime soon as well.

    JenClair: I will be interested in your assessment of Stardust. While I love parts of it, the more I think about it and analyze it the more disappointed I am about the whole thing. There are always changes in book to movie transfers, but some things with this just don’t make sense. Okay, I shouldn’t get started on this. I do hope you enjoy the film. It is magical in its way, but could have been so much more.

  14. Brian Froud was the first fantasy artist that I ever truly discovered and I’ve been a huge fan of his work ever since. Megan’s a fan of his even more so than me and has all of his books, quite a few of his prints, and I get her one of his calendars every year for Christmas. He’s always been the quintessential fairy artist to me…when I think of fairy art, I think of Brian Froud and his paintings and sketches are just amazing. He can put so much comedy, or so much beauty, or fear, or any combination of the above into one painting. I love his use of color too…there’s something very distinct about the purples and grays that are often seen in his paintings and how he can make a light actually shine like you show in one of the above paintings. And like you, I can’t help but think of him every time I think of The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.

    As for Neil Gaiman….well, he’s an author who has been near and dear to me since I discovered him and I imagine that he always will be. I first discovered him when I was big into comics and would read back issues of Sandman, but didn’t become a giant fan until I started reading his novels….starting with Good Omens….and then I became an all out super fan after reading American Gods. That book will always remain one of my favorites. Gaiman has a charm about him that just can’t be matched…it’s rare to find a quality like that in another author, though I’ve found talent similar to his in Orson Scott Card (though different in subject matter mostly) and recently in Charles de Lint.

    I was thrilled to see you giving away this poster mostly because I didn’t think it was available anymore! Even if I don’t win, I’m getting me one! I was trying to win one off of Ebay after Comiccon because I thought that they were extremely limited and were now out of print. I’m so excited that they’re still available!!!

  15. Chris: Froud does have a really distinctive color palette. As I said in the post, I am really happy that my reading, etc. has brought me back around to an examination of his work. I need to work on tracking down his art books because he certainly is an artist I admire.

    I’m glad the posters are available as well…I got confirmation that my order went through so I HOPE they are still available! 😉

  16. I am not especially into artists by name (except William Waterhouse), usually just paintings/drawings.sculptures. Over the last few years though I keep getting drawn to Brian Froud’s work. My husband bought me the beautiful World of the Dark Crystal book which is just amazing. I just read the first in the Manga series of Legends of the Dark Crystal which is based on his artwork and I have The Labryinth first two to read as well. I would love to own any more of his work.

    Neil Gaiman is some who’s books and graphic novels I have been slowly working my way through mostly since last year. I have been really enjoying his novels and short stories and am currently reading through The Sandman graphic novels which were the first ones I ever bought and started to read. Thanks Neil for introducing me to such a great genre of reading.

  17. Part of the magic of growing up is making connections between the magic of the things I saw and heard as a kid, and the genius of their creators later on.

    Dark Crystal and Labyrinth are both films I have fluttery memories of. To make the connections between them and Froud (and consequently his other work) has opened up a whole tangent of magic and beauty to explore.

    Thanks for the links to Gaiman’s INSTRUCTIONS. I have only read CORALINE. The writing was very pretty and wove the words into a unique world, even if it did freak me out a bit. Button eyes…shiver.

  18. Well first off, I’m a huge Neil Gaiman fan. My favorite works of his are Stardust followed closely by several short stories from the Smoke and Mirrors collection ( The Price being my favorite ). I also have greatly enjoyed American Gods, Sandman, Neverwhere, The Wolves in the Walls well I guess I could list everything except I haven’t read Good Omens yet which I plan to rectify this year, of course I said that last year as well. What Neil means to me? He’s writes fanatasy novels for adults. He allows me to revisit the those feelings fantasy stirred in me as a young adult and allows me to enjoy them again with more of an adult spin. His stories move me. What more can I ask for? I have Carl to thank for introducing me to Neil now if I could just get him to read my favorite author. It’s no easy feat, trust me. 🙂

    Please don’t tar and feather me everyone but I’m not a fan of Brian Froud. ( ducking for cover now ). Ok. I hope it’s safe to come out now. Don’t get me wrong there are many pieces of his work I like and I respect him tremedously. It’s just a personnel preference thing with me. I don’t like the way he draws most of his goblins in a what I look at as a comical way and sometimes his fairies aren’t just the way I like, kind of elongated or something. I’m sure I’ve disappointed you Carl. Sorry. Normally we love so many of the same artists it’s just this one case where we differ. For every one of Brian’s pieces I like there’s one I don’t. The like to dislike ratio for me is just to high for me to truly enjoy his work. I will go now knowing my blog ban is coming. 🙁

  19. Rachael: I have to laugh, I read the last words of your comment and heard Jean Shepard (author/narrator of A Christmas Story) saying, “Button eyes, so help me God, button eyes”. If you don’t catch the yellow eyes reference, fear not. I watch and rewatch movies much more than is probably healthy! 😉

    I forgot to mention music in my post and comments. Inevitably this exploration of art and literature leads me to musical discoveries as well. The connections are so fascinating.

    Rhinoa: Over the years I have become such a fan of book illustrators that I am becoming much more aware of artists and their work. I’m so glad you are exploring the works of Gaiman. It always makes me happy when folks are trying out Gaiman, trying out comics, or are doing a combination of the two.

    Jeff: Begone oh foul demon!!! 🙂 No worries there mate, I’ll try not to look at you askance tomorrow in the comic shop. I think because I am such a fan of Labyrinth I love the way he draws the goblins. I generally don’t like cartoonish dwarves and elves, but there is something a bit dark and at the same time fun about Brian Froud’s work. I love the elongated style of his characters, it gives them a slightly sinister factor that I enjoy. His work really draws me in. I intend to spend the night meditating on all the good things in our friendship so that I can forgive you. 😉

  20. I always love your Friday Favorites, Carl, but this is a particularly nice one for me because I’ve been enjoying reading the Faerielands Series for your Challenge! I love the artwork you included, and all the information on the Frouds! I have really enjoyed reading each of the four books in the series and becoming more acquainted with de Lint, Windling, McKillip, and Snyder! And, my first introduction to Neil Gaiman was during last year’s Once Upon a Time Challenge, so your Challenges are having a wonderful impact on my reading. Thanks!

  22. Sarah: I am even more green with envy! I did have the pleasure of attending a reading and book signing in Chicago in ’05 and meeting Neil Gaiman. It was a wonderful experience that I still look on quite fondly. That whole trip was amazing.

    Robin: I am so thrilled that you pointed out this project as it makes me even more excited to read the other books!

  23. Of course if you look at me tommarrow with one of those evil goblin grins I’ll know I’m in trouble!

  24. Jeff, are you typing under your wife’s name because you’ve been blacklisted, or is this actually Keri. 🙂

  25. I have to admit….I’m fairly in the dark when it comes to art. And completely so when it comes to fantasy art. On the upside, I know what I like and what I don’t. The pictures you have displayed are gorgeous!!

    As for Neil Gaiman…..my very first exposure was right around the time of the first Once Upon a Time Challenge. American Gods. One of my truly favorite books now. Since then I’ve devoured all his short stories, Anansi Boys, Stardust and Coraline…with the rest to be savoured during this challenge and the rest of the year.

    And just think…I have all of you to thank!

  26. Where to begin ……. I have an anonymous personal blog (disassociated from my book blogging) where I spend much time railing against an empty nest. Marrying very young and having children very early led me to being an early empty nester. I’m looking for a new direction while longing for lost babies, and so much of my writing involves remembrances of the past (and I’m not that old!).

    From a very early age my daughter loved everything fairy. She was never a Barbie or doll baby aficionado. Instead of rock bands and hot poster boys her walls were plastered with Brian Froud artwork.

    My son, on the other hand, was a bookworm. He didn’t care what hung on his walls because he was always too busy to look up from his books. He leapt from the SciFi realm to Neil Gaiman at about the age of 16.

    And all three of my kids loved and watched over & over & over many fantasy movies including Labyrinth & Dark Crystal.

    So when I associate these two men (aside from my own Gaiman obsession), I associate them with raising my kids. But then again… that’s what I associate everything with lately.

    Thanks for this really cool book challenge & contest. What a great first try for me!

  28. I have to agree with you Carl, Brian Froud really is the quintessential faerie artist. I don’t remember when it was that I first saw his art, but ever since I have been able to recognize it right away. Labyrinth and the Dark Crystal both hold very special places in my heart, as well. They were the first movies I saw that really introduced me to the realm of fantasy, and steered my course into the lover of the genre that I am today. My love of horses grew to a love of unicorns, pegasi, dragons.. I stopped listening to the Beach Boys and Frankie Valli and started looking into many other kinds of music, classical, the ethereal “mood” music.. and soon I found Loreena McKennitt and “The Highwayman”, which is still today one of my favorite songs. So really you could say that the art of Brian Froud shaped a great deal of who I am today. Odd to think about it, but it’s true!

    I wish I could say similar things about Neil Gaiman, as I know he’s such a great favorite of yours.. but alas, I have yet to pick up one of his books! A tragedy, I know, and one I mean to address in the future, I promise you that!

  29. that last quote is beautiful, I love Anais Nin!

    Froud is one of my heroes!! Even before I knew it was him behind labyrinth I was fascinated by the creatures in the film and by the whole atmosphere. In my late teens I went through a major “faery” phase, downloading tons of faery pictures from the internet, and my most coveted book was Faeries by Brian Froud. It was too expensive so I could only looked at it in the bookshops…until my kindred spirit and boyfriend of that time bought it for me for my 20th birthday!! along with a magic stick made and carved my him, which I still have. I used his artwork as inspiration tons of times and I revere his work as the real image of fairyland.

    as for Neil Gaiman, I’m new to his work. I’ve read some of Sandman and I always wanted to collect them but for some reason I never did. The first book by him I read was “Sandman: Dream hunters” and it was beautiful! So I knew Gaiman was going to be one of my favourites even if I knew little about him. As of today I’ve read and watched Stardust and enjoyed both. I’ve recently seen Mirrormask in the videoshop and I will rent it soon because it looks wonderful. and I know I will read all his books one day, sooner than later…

  30. It’s confession time for me. Until recently, I always thought of art like Froud’s or writing like Gaiman’s to be for those kids I call the “cape-wearers” or people who go to Ren Fairs, which I considered to be a little looney.
    Until recently, when I started to realize just how much of my own thinking is shaped by the ideas of the mystical, and now I humbly beg the forgiveness of everyone who I disparaged with my earlier mindset.
    I came across Brian Froud’s work a few months ago in, oddly enough, a collection of cross-stitch patterns. Someone took one of his paintings – the Queen of the Fairies – and turned it into a beautiful cross-stitch pattern that I wanted to make because of the effervescence of the image – like it was floating in sparkly water. However, I’ve since lost the pattern, so if anyone has seen it, let me know.
    Thanks for reminding me that my mind is opening, Carl.

  31. All weekend I’ve been surrounded by fairies, now I know why. I was looking for some stuff for my garden with JennSee in mind, found a little Pan that looks like Mysfit. I than read your blog, think how Jenn loved all of the above, right down to David Bowie. A sprinkle of fairy dust on you and yours. Cyn

  32. Wow! I didn’t realize I knew Brian Froud’s work until you brought him to my attention. I’ve always been a huge fan of Labyrinth and the Dark Crystal, I’ve read both after seeing the movies. I attended one of the few colleges that taught puppetry, WVU, and performed in a couple of their shows, as a puppeteer and a live actress. I so miss those days.

  33. Carrie: Wow, a puppeteer eh? Very cool!

    Cynthia: Thank you so much. I had my copy of the poster framed that I am giving away for the June fundraiser and it is hanging on my bedroom wall. Mary and I think of JennSee often because of that and many other things.

    Andi: You bring up a good point with your thoughts Andi. I personally love people who attend Ren-Fairs and Cons dressed up and are that passionate about things. Although I don’t do that I feel that those people often mirror in an open way a similar depth of passion that I have about certain things. But saying that, I certainly don’t believe in fairies, etc. like I realize some people do. I think it would be, and often is, easy to categorize this type of work as either ‘for kids’ or for those who are ‘out there’. By dismissing this kind of work, however, one is dismissing the history and tradition and spirit of storytelling that has existed throughout all of time. I think I received so much of an education about this stuff reading Tolkien and so many Tolkien essayists, etc. over the last couple of years. The way he set out to incorporate language and mythology, etc. is something I see other artists and authors doing today and I admire that so much. It creates a nostalgia for a past that may have never existed and yet it did exist in the imaginations of our ancestors and the way that they looked at life. I’ve become very open minded about this stuff too over the years Andi, you’re not alone. As for writing alone, I have always personally felt like science fiction and fantasy and all their various subgenres do a much better job at communicating meaningful truths, messages, etc. than most standard contemporary fiction. But then I grew up reading this stuff so that makes sense.

    Valentina: I’m so glad you are well on the road to discovering all the wonders of Neil Gaiman. Based on what you have not read, you have a lot of fantastic reading ahead! I’ll be interested in your thoughts on Mirrormask. I know some who think it is ‘okay’ but aren’t wildly impressed. For me it is one of those magical movies that I like to discuss to death (and have), but I think it, and Labyrinth, and Dark Crystal, etc. are films that are as much about what you bring to the experience as they are about the film itself.

    Asara: I love Loreena McKennitt and ‘The Highwayman’ is probably my second favorite song of hers only to The Lady of Shalott. And that has more to do with my love of that poem than anything else. She is amazing. Great to read about the journey you took to loving fantasy, discovering music, etc. I envy you the opportunity you have to discover Neil Gaiman for yourself and hope that he is as inspiring to you as he is to so many of the rest of us.

    Koldo Barroso: Thanks for the link. I highly encourage you all to head over and read the post and check out Koldo’s great art work!

    Tasses: What an interesting perspective. I am approaching 40 and my daughter is approaching 16. For the most part I have always been interested in a wide variety of art, literature, music, etc. so much of what we have shared over the years is stuff that I love anyway and so I don’t associate it with my daughter so much as with my life as a whole. Very interesting, I certainly never thought of looking at things that way. I’m so glad you are in on this as your first challenge!!!

    Stephanie: If all I accomplished during Once Upon a Time challenges was to expose folks to Neil Gaiman I would consider them a sweeping success!!!

  34. We’ve found quite a few of his books at Half Price Books, so you may want to check there!

  35. Stainless Steel Droppings has opened up a whole world that I left behind in childhood. This site has been such a treat for me, and an inspiration. I read Neil Gaimans’s Neverwhere first, and thought it was simply incredible. I love London, and visiting its ‘underground’ was pretty cool. That next time I go back, I will look at things completely differently. Isn’t it wonderful, how books can do that?
    Inspired by the ‘Challenge’ I next read Stardust. Wall was very much a real place for me. I recently completed a manuscript (unpublished as of yet) and Stardust nudged me down a different path with the next story. I have been having so much fun, reading and writing, I wish it were my job!! Thanks Carl.

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