Blog Interviews-update

For right now the blog-interviews of our members have been put on hold for unknown time being. 
The Admin-team are working hard on "Mermaid Month" and all focus have been put into this monthly theme of ours. 

Previously Admin Inaa was the active interviewer and in charge for posting said member-interviews onto the WIC-blog.
And also composing the emails sent to the group. 

She will be replying to emails and start back on planning new interviews as soon as Mermaid Month is over, along with another Admin.

More information to come soon! 

The WIC Admin-team
//Inaa, Samara, Liisi, Meg & Louise

Historic Recreation

Two Switzerland-based photographers Jojakim Cortis and Adrian Sonderegger, back in 2012, decided to recreate famous pictures as miniature life stills. Little did they know that their little side project would turn into something a lot bigger. “It started out as a joke,” Cortis told Wired. 
“In our free time, when there’s no money coming in, we decided to try to recreate the most expensive pictures in the world.”

The Moon Landing (1969)

the Hindenburg disaster (1937)

The Loch Ness Monster (1971)

The Wright Brothers - First Flight (1903)

Concorde Air France Flight 4590 crash (2000)

Tianenmen Square (1989)

The first ever photograph (c.a. 1826 or 1827)

The Hiroshima & Nagasaki Atom-bomb (WW II)

Rhein II (1999)

Sources:
https://www.google.com
http://existenz.se/out.php?id=121752
http://canyouactually.com/two-guys-recreated-some-of-historys-most-iconic-photos-and-the-results-are-stunning/

History of the Mermaid

Mermaids, myths and legends have existed since ancient civilizations and have now become embedded in popular culture and fairy tales capturing the imagination of many. The name "mermaid" came from the french words "mer" (sea) and "maid" (girl/young woman). They are often a thing of beauty and mystery, however past stories have often portrayed them as powerful and vengeful creatures who would bring misery to those who dare to cross the ocean, river or lakes.

The story of the mermaids starts in the ancient beliefs of the Babylonians. The goddess Atargatis is depicted as half female half fish and was the symbol of fertility and life.
Greek philosophers believed that the origin of life came from the sea with both goddesses Aphrodite (meaning "born from the sea foam") and Venus. They both symbolised the creation of life, love and fertility. They also however were seen as vengeful, jealous, cruel and proud.

Mermaids were seen as powerful beings that preyed on men. These beings were called sirens and soon most of Europe were hearing of these tales and these sirens became accepted as real beings. Christopher Columbus himself claimed to have seen a mermaid, though it was most likely to be a manatee or some other sea creature.

As the years went by, advancements in sea travel helped to reduce the numbers of deaths at sea. The image of the powerful, vengeful mermaid began to fade and were beginning to be seen as a more kind and good natured.
The 18th Century gave birth to the great author Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid".

Many countless individuals have been inspired by these mystical beings, bringing them to life through stories, paintings, music, theatre, fashion, jewellery etc. I myself find great inspiration in these mysterious creatures. It's hard to imagine a world, especially the art world without them.


This article was written by Admin - Samara Said

Source: www.realmermaids.net

Top 5 Mermaid Books

According to Goodreads, there are a lot of Mermaids books. Here's the top 5 most popular of them:

1. Of Poseidon ( The Syrena Legacy, #1) 

The book is about prince Galen who is sent to find a girl who has the abilities to talk to the fish. It will take a lot of adventures before Galen is sure about Emma’s gifts.
- by Anna Banks

 2. Forgive my Fins ( Fins, #1)

Its about Lily, who is half-mermaid, half-human. She lives like a normal person, attending to high school where she develops a crush on a boy but she is afraid to tell him about her secret.
- by Tera Lynn Childs

 3. Tempest Rising ( Tempest, #1) 

Tempest Maguire’s biggest dream is to surf the killer waves near her California home, continue her relationship with her boyfriend and take care of her father. But she has to decide before her 17th birthday whether she wants to remain on land or give herself to the ocean.
- by Tracy Deebs

 4. Everblue ( Mer Tales #1) 

The story is about two best friends Ashlyn Frances Lanski and Tatiana. They plan to leave their drab lakeside town far behind for college. Something unexpected happens that changes everything.
- by Brenda Pandos

 5. Ripple 

It’s about Lexi who is cursed with a dark secret. Everytime water draws her in, she sings her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. Since she is dangerous, she keeps herself away from everybody she cares about. But finally she falls in love. She’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life but there’s a price to pay for it.

- by Mandy Hubbard

This article was written by Admin: Liisi Gordejev

Source: http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/7878.YA_Mermaid_Novels

Leonardo da Vinci - documentary

This has Swedish subtitles but the program is in full American and British English.

Part 1

Part 2

Kristen Jarvis aka. Kris_en J__vis AR.T

Kristen (aka Kris_en J__vis AR.T)

Crafter and teen Kristen Jarvis from North Carolina, USA is one of our many talented members in Women's International Creative-group on Facebook. 
Recently she's been sharing many of her lovely fairy earrings and other crafts. We wanted to show you a selection of her work. 

And she shows her talents off both in the group as well as on her Facebook fan-page Kris_en J_vis AR.T

Some of her Fairy Wing Earrings

Necklaces

Wire wrap necklace

Thunderegg wire wrap on a gray suede cord

Beetle wing necklace

Fairy magic necklace

Other craftings

Crochet Dreamcatcher

Snakeskin Earrings

Turtle Shell Earrings 

Fairy rose necklace

Source: https://www.facebook.com/KristenJarvisArtPage

DIY - Glowing Glass Globe

SUPPLIES NEEDED:
• Copper Ribbon
• Wood Varnish
• Glass Globe/bowl
• Rag
• Latex Gloves (optional)
• Circular Wood Plaque
• Copper String Lights
• Copper Foil Tape
• E6000 Glue
• 3 Double A Batteries

Gather your supplies

Stain wood plaque

Let it dry for 20 minutes

Put the sticky copper ribbon to the rim of the glass globe

Insert the copper wire lights and glue the rim of the globe, then place over the plaque and let dry for 20 minutes

Looks GREAT during the day...

...and amazing at night!

Source: http://www.boredpanda.com/diy-mid-century-modern-illuminated-globe/

DIY - Coffee Pot Terrarium

How you can turn your simple coffee pot to a cool looking terrarium!

White sand, colorful moss, river rocks, gemstones, and mini air plants

Cover what will be the floor of the terrarium with sand and colorful rocks, and arrange your plants.

Add your moss, and gemstones around the outer perimeter.

You can mist your plants regularly or dunk them in water once a week to keep them moist.

Finally, enjoy your finished project with a good cup of coffee!

Source: http://www.boredpanda.com/upcycled-diy-coffee-pot-terrarium/

Interview With Soft Pastel Artist - Adrian Frankel Giuliani

American artist Adrian Frankel Giuliani

1. Tell us a bit about yourself – who are you, where are you from? 
Originally from Queens, New York, I always knew that I wanted to be an artist. I drew from the time I was a very young child.  
Today I am a pastel artist, and primarily do children’s pastel portraits. I have recently done my first dog commission, Scooby, and I absolutely loved it! 
I have been happily married for 19 years, (although my husband and I have known each other for 26 years!), with two boys, ages 12 and 15.

"I always knew that I wanted to be an artist."

2. What got you interested in soft pastels? Have you taken any art classes?
I was first introduced to soft pastels by Flora Giffuni, the founder of the Pastel Society of America. When I was a teen, I had the very good fortune of taking a pastel class with her, in her home in Jamaica Estates, Queens.  
I had no idea what an honor that was, at the time! I proceeded to study at the Rhode Island School of Design, where I majored in Illustration. My favorite parts of RISD were painting from life, figure drawing and working in soft pastels. I worked in many different mediums, including watercolor, oils, charcoal, acrylics and pastel.  My favorites were pastel, charcoal and oils. 

During my junior and senior years I did a great deal of pastel work. I took a class with Richard Merkin, who was a fabulous teacher and really inspired me to embrace this medium.
In fact, pastel became “my medium!”  Back then I used Rembrandt pastels and Canson MiTientes paper, and they were a great introduction. During my senior year, I started taking photographs of the kids in Providence, playing outside. I began doing portraits of them, thus finding my passion for children’s pastel portraiture. I graduated from RISD with a BFA in Illustration in 1987.

"I was first introduced to soft pastels by Flora Giffuni... I had no idea what an honor that was, at the time!"

3. You have a plane ticket to go anywhere in the world to paint - where will you go?
If I had a plane ticket to go to any part of the world, that would be a difficult decision. Engaged in Paris, France in 1994 and honeymooned in Italy in 1995. Would I want to go back? Absolutely! There is a plethora of rich beauty and inspiration in the landscapes of those countries.  
However, beauty is all around us, everywhere we go. We just need to open our eyes and experience it.  

If I could choose one place to visit now, it might have to be Australia.  Taking in and exploring the beauty of the country would be remarkable.  However, I would be most excited to meet and visit with my wonderful friend, Barb Heidi Burns, who I have met via Facebook and who has become a very dear friend to me. 
Oh, to meet her in person... That would be thrilling!

"...Beauty is all around us, everywhere we go. We just need to open our eyes and experience it."

4. What is the tool that you just cannot live without?
The tools that I could not live without are my Terry Ludwig pastels! They are buttery soft, creamy and a complete joy to use! Using these pastels has made doing my pastel work truly a wonderful experience.

5. How do you deal with “pastel messes”?
Yes, soft pastels do create dust! Often I will notice a coating of pastel dust on multiple surfaces in my studio. I periodically spray them down and clean them, mopping my floor. 
While working in pastel, I wear a surgical mask and have an air purifier doing its job!

6. Do you have a favorite artist/s? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
I revere so many different artists, some contemporary and others who are old masters. A couple of the old masters whose work I am particularly drawn to are Vincent Van Gogh and Berthe Morisot. I love their work, because of its freedom and movement and celebration of color. 

I believe Vincent said that as he became deeper in despair, his colors became more and more vibrant. I saw an exhibition of his work at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and it was an amazing experience. It was one of my favorite exhibitions that I have seen to date.  
I love Berthe Morisot’s strokes. Her freedom was so extraordinary, yet still very precise. That is something I embrace as well. I want my work to be loose and free, yet accurate.

7. Ever had a commission that was really memorable or special to you?
One commission that was quite memorable to me was my piece, Childhood. I was inspired by the light cast on this little girl’s face and her wonderful, blissful, childlike expression. Commissioned by this girl’s grandma, I set off on my journey, which always begins with a black and white sketch. 
After that, I embark on the pastel.  In the process of working on the pastel, I captured something good and posted it.  Everyone loved it. 
However, I knew that the piece had some drawing problems that, once rectified, would make the piece much stronger.  I ended up overworking that version, at which point I had a good cry. Then I pulled myself together, knowing that I would eventually achieve something much better. I started anew, and I was right. I loved the results. How incredibly honored I was to have that piece, Childhood, juried into the IAPS 24th Annual Exhibition, which was held at Vose Galleries in Boston last year.

"I was inspired by the light cast on this little girl’s face and her wonderful, blissful, childlike expression."

- Adrian, about her favorite pastel piece

8. Is there a ritual that gets you "in the zone" for painting/drawing?
Most mornings I go for a run, with my dog. That was part of my daily routine before we adopted loving Sedona, but now I have incorporated her into my run. 
When the weather is nicer, I go out after our run, for a longer power walk. I also go through daily gratitude every day, saying thank you for everything and everyone who blesses my life. 

Listening to music energizes me when I run and while I do my artwork.  That typically gets me in "the zone" to do my art.

9. Where else can we find you in Social Medias?
I am only on Facebook, in terms of social media I am also one of the administrators of the Pastel Society of America FB page, which is a large commitment, but a truly rewarding job. 

I have an art page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/adrianpastelportraits , where I share my work, the beautiful work of my talented peers and the brilliant work of the old masters. 
More work and news can also be found on my website, which sadly, has not been updated in quite awhile *winks*  www.adrianpastelportraits.com

10. Last and final – this is a great opportunity to share your 3+ most special pieces and tell a bit more about them.

Jami Swimming II, pastel.

Childhood, pastel on Wallis White sanded

The Life of an Artist, pastel on Wallis Belgian Mist

Scooby, pastel on UART 400 grit.

Interview With Color Pencil Artist - Barbie Spitzmüller

Hungarian artist Barbie Spitzmüller

1. Tell us a bit about yourself – who are you, where are you from?
Hi I'm Barbie Spitzmüller, an artist from Hungary. 
I love to draw realistic pics, I want to become better and better. This year I'd like to start tattooing, hoping I'll be good at it.

"This year I'd like to start tattooing..."

2. What got you interested in color pencils? Have you taken any art classes?

I always used colored pencils, easy to use and you can make great drawings with them. 

I never studied art in school, I just drew at home and had fun. I can't draw when there are many people around me and there is noise - everything gets disturbing. It's much better to draw at home, you can stop if you are tired or whatever. 

3. You have a plane ticket to go anywhere in the world to paint - where will you go?

Well my dream is America, to live there but also to continue my art and also tattooing. 

So I'd like to go to Florida, or somewhere else but it'd have to be a hot place because I hate the cold! 

"I'd like to go to Florida..."

4. What are the tool that you just cannot live without?

It's hard to draw what I like beside school, it's sad but true, I couldn't live without my pencils and every other tool I got over the years. 

5. Where/How do you gather inspiration for your works?

Most of the times I see good pictures on the Internet, and I just want to draw them. I have a lot of pictures saved on my computer. 

6. Do you have a favorite artist/s? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?

I have a lot of favorites: Pixie Cold, Marcello Barenghi and Heather Rooney. 

I like a lot of tattoo artists too, but my favorite is Zsófia Bélteczky, a Hungarian tattoo artist and one day I want a tattoo by her, um... a lot of tattoos. 

"...my favorite is Zsófia Bélteczky, a Hungarian tattoo artist."

7. Ever had a commission that was really memorable or special to you?

I have commissions, but they aren't special, I just draw what people want and it's not a big thing to me. I hope one day people will buy my drawings. 

What I actually like to draw is sweets, animals and some portraits. 

"I hope one day people will buy my drawings."

8. Is there a ritual that gets you "in the zone" for painting/drawing?

No there isn't any, if I have time and energy I draw. I listen to music and that's it, nothing special. 

9. Where else can we find you in Social Medias?

Well I have a Facebook fan-page which I actually use the most. I'm on DeviantArt too and I have a YouTube channel, but I can't edit my videos so I don't really upload tutorials:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/barbieartwork

YouTube: Barbie Spitzmüller
DeviantArt: www.barbiespitzmuller.deviantart.com

Instagram: @BARBIESPITZMULLER

10. Last and final – this is a great opportunity to share your 3 most special pieces.