Journalings from Kirstin Mills Fairy and Fantasy Art

Revamp Part 1

2008-08-18T11:23:57Z

So I decided I couldn't wait any longer and I uploaded the revamped version of one of my websites! :D It gives away no secrets though as to my secret project...I was careful to cover any clues up! :) Not long now though and hopefully I'll be able to reveal all!

This website was so fun to design and I've been itching to release it for ages! Before, it acted as a combined portfolio/gateway to all my sites but now it's even better and has some awesome new things added to it! Check out the "Information" page for some little aside information not be found anywhere else! I've also decided to really emphasise the whole "The Magical World of Kirstin Mills" thing, being my business name, with a map of this world on the index page! On it are the various realms that exist within this world, meaning the different websites and businesses that fall under the umbrella of 'The Magical World of Kirstin Mills'. I wanted to really emphasize the union of them all under my main business name but their inherent separate qualities as well. Plus make it a lot more exciting!

Anyway, I'm super excited about it all and just couldn't wait any longer to show you! So consider this a sneak peek of what's to come!...

http://www.fairyandfantasyart.com

New Art - Toadstools

2008-08-17T02:21:22Z

This was a commissioned artwork for a fairy portrait I've been working on and finished a few days ago. I've got the all-clear to release it now, so here she is! A bit different for me with its detailed background but I had a lot of fun taking on that challenge and will definitely be exploring more down that track. This is all watercolour with a bit of ink. Prints will be available as of next month.

Ugh

2008-08-14T09:59:50Z

Chicken burgers dripping with sauce and mayo and chips smothered in chicken salt....never again! Blagh! I feel like someone has just forced some nuclear waste into my stomach and I'm either slowly rotting from the inside out or about to implode into a tiny, dense blob of dark matter. I'm on the computer so that I can be sitting hunched over around my stomach and groan while still feeling productive. Sheesh.

Update

2008-08-09T04:39:49Z

I've got so much on my plate at the moment and it's not leaving much time...actually any time...for art. I've had this sketch for a while now all ready to paint and just noooo time. Before I get around to it I have a commission painting to do plus loads of research for uni AND I have lots of things going on behind the scenes to do with my secret project. :D So this one may sit idly by for a bit longer. She's quite simply called "Frog Queen".

Olympics

2008-08-08T13:22:35Z

MY GOD the Olympic Opening Ceremony is mind-blowingly amazing! So beautiful! I loved the drums at the start and the beautiful movements the drummers were making....oh wow! I LOVE Olympics time and I'm so excited it's here! Yay! It makes me miss racing though...the excitment, the adrenalin, the pumping of blood through burning muscle, the pride in your team...oooh! Anyway...had to let out my emotional response before I explode! I'm sitting watching the opening ceremony with my laptop trying to do some website work at the same time. :P

Website designs and snakes

2008-08-04T08:08:39Z

I am up to my ears in website designs. I'm revamping all of my websites...and when I say revamping I mean totally overhauling. Yay!!! This is exciting but also a lot of work. It would be a lot less work if I could just decide on a design instead of going back and forth changing bits here and adding bits there and starting something fresh one day and plotting other ideas the next. Then there are the designs that I just love except for one thing, like the background colour, so I change that and they just don't seem to work with anything else. Hmph. I'm so not supposed to be spending all this time on them either! But I get so carried away that it's hard not to.

On another note, a few months ago Ash and I came across a hideously big snake skin down by the lake on his property, which lots of people went on to identify as an Eastern Brown snake *shuddering the rolling ice down your spine shudder of utter disgust* And this thing was HUGE like probably over two metres long. So we've been dreading the coming of summer with a massive Brown snake lurking in the bushes ready to strike, and his property has heaps of bushland on it coming right up to the house. ANYWAY, today we went for a row on the lake and I spotted what looked like the fattest garden hose I have ever seen curled up on a fallen tree that was leaning into the water amongst the ferns that skirt the lake...and within a few seconds of drifting closer we saw that it was a massive, brilliant green Diamond Python! But what's more, the patterns on its skin matched those of the dried skin we found so it must have been this guy that went round leaving his PJs on the ground, not a Brown snake after all. I hope. Geez, I hope. This guy was soooooo pretty and so well camouflaged! And massive! His body was easily as thick as my upper arm in places...actually it was bigger. Maybe like my lower calf. He curled his big lazy muscle of a body round and round until his head lifted to look at us and he flicked his tongue. heehee! In a fit of originality we called him Monty then raced back to the house to get the camera. Unfortunately he was incredibly camera shy when we returned and had hidden half of his body back under the ferns. Here's what we could catch standing shakily in the prow of the small row boat and holding the camera up high while trying not to get too close...

August Website Update

2008-08-01T01:27:00Z

August 2008 News & Updates from www.kirstinmills.com

July saw a lot of behind-the-scenes work on several exciting projects that are gearing up for release in the next few months! There are some truly amazing ventures and changes ahead and I can't wait to share them with you all!

This month however, I have a brand new painting to share with you: a beautiful big watercolour, it is called "Bring Me Tidings" and depicts a young mermaid waiting among the rough waves at the surface of her world for tidings of the far-away places she dreams of seeing. This was actually my first mermaid painting done in watercolour, so I hope you enjoy her! She is available in prints of all sizes, including our deluxe 17x23 inch prints! See her in the Mermaid Art Gallery.

Along with 'Bring Me Tidings' I've made last month's beautiful new artwork 'Dusk' available in all product designs. Both designs are now available as stunning Cameo Pendants, Locket Necklaces, Bracelets, Keyrings and Magnets. See them all together at the New Releases page.

Last month was the month of the Sydney Winterfest Medieval Fayre, which went very well and was so much fun! It was lovely to see lots of people in person and thankyou to those that visited! I've included a few photos from the event in the Photo Album if you'd like to see them! Also, there is now an Appearances page to check up on any upcoming shows, fairs and appearances in your area, as well as details of past events.

These updates are from the Kirstin Mills Fairy and Fantasy Art Newsletter. If you wish to receive this free newsletter, along with monthly art tips and special member-only discounts and offers, visit http://www.fairyandfantasyart.com/updates.htm.

New Art - Bring Me Tidings

2008-07-18T12:44:50Z

This one's been drawn up and ready to go for a couple of weeks now...and the sketch, which randomly popped out of my pencil one day when I was trying to draw something else, has been around even longer. I've just had such a hard time juggling my PhD research with my painting time and it seems no matter what I do I feel guilty about not doing the other. It's stupid too because I really do have time for both...if only I'd stop wasting time in between worrying about which one to do first and procrastinating to avoid facing either! Anyway, this one just kind of evolved on its own as I painted and I can't remember any more if it's anything like I intended it to be. My brain is tired. :) And I had a HORRIBLE time trying to work out where to put the copyright mark...where ever I tried it seemed to ruin the picture.

Anyway, it's called "Bring me Tidings" and is watercolour and a bit of gouache on paper. Hope you like! :)

Winterfest Medieval Fair

2008-07-15T09:00:57Z

I thought I'd report on how the fair went, since I haven't done that yet and it's been a while! It was my very first fair as a stall holder and the first public exhibition of my fantasy art and gifts, so I wasn't sure what to expect! I shared the stall with meggybee which was loads of fun! We were lucky to have two beautiful days of mild weather and setting up the stall was both fun and a learning curve...we did it much faster on the second day! There were so many wonderful stalls and exhibitions on, from swords, archery, craft and lovely food (mmmm pancakes!) to live demonstrations of falconry and jousting. So much to see! But the best thing for me by far was seeing the reaction people had to my artworks and products. It was so nice to see it in person, as opposed to getting feedback online, which is all I have had until now, apart from family and friends. Seeing people "ooh"ing and "aah"ing over my pictures (especially my little unicorn!) and holding things up for their friends to see made my heart skip inside with joy and pride that people liked what I have created! It was just such a lovely, physical confirmation of my heart's knowledge...that my artworks are what I should be doing in my life right now. I feel so good thinking there are people out there who took home prints or jewelry or gifts and are (hopefully!) enjoying them! It's a very nice feeling :) So I am definitely going to be doing more fairs in the future! I've posted a few photos from the fair on my website if you want to see them...just click on the photo below!

kirstinmills @ 2008-07-12T17:07:00

2008-07-12T07:02:28Z

Rice Bubbles, sultanas and brown sugar. F#*% yeah.

Featured Artist for July!

2008-07-02T07:26:43Z

Enchanted Designs very kindly invited me to be a featured artist on their website for July!

July Website Update (Jumping in early!)

2008-06-25T05:56:51Z

July 2008 News & Updates from www.kirstinmills.com

This month's update is an early one for July as there is exciting news that just couldn't wait! Firstly, there is a gorgeous new artwork available as prints in the Fantasy & Dragon Art Gallery. A beautiful baby unicorn, this little guy shows the sweetness and enchantment of a summery evening as he rests in long grasses under a crescent moon.

Click Image for Details
New Artwork - Dusk

For those of you in the Sydney area, I will be doing my first ever fair with the delightful meggybee at the Sydney Winterfest Medieval Fair! This wonderful event is held over two days on the 5th and 6th of July at Marsden Park, Culloden Road, North Ryde. I will be attending both days with all of my art and gifts, and I would love to meet you in person! There are also a myriad of wonderful events on, from jousting and sword-fighting displays to archery, falconry, medieval costumes and stalls and so much more! Look out for our tent banner "World of Fantasy"! For more information visit: www.winterfest.com.au.

Other exciting news this month includes the release of several cross-stitch designs featuring my art from Heaven and Earth Designs! Several of my newest artworks have been made available, with more to follow! See them all here.

A few more minor changes have been made around the site, including an improved navigation system through the detailed artwork views in the galleries, where you can move directly from one large artwork view to another, and a revised print sizing system, where all of our art prints are now offered in up to FOUR easy to frame standard sizes, from the small 5x7 inch prints up to the deluxe 16x20 inch prints!

If you wish to receive these updates direct to your inbox, plus special member-only discounts, art tips and news of secret sales and EBay auctions, subscribe to the newsletter for free at http://www.fairyandfantasyart.com/updates.htm.

Thankyou for reading about these updates from www.kirstinmills.com!
Fairy Blessings,
Kirstin

New Art - Dusk/Serenity

2008-06-13T09:52:40Z

My latest artwork and I have to say I'm quite pleased with this one! It just felt so natural the whole way through...the graphite seemed to flow from the pencils like paint and it practically drew itself! Such a beautiful experience to watch such a magical little creature come alive before my eyes! I've called it "Dusk" provisionally for now. I may change it. I wanted something more to hint at the aura of enchantment, serenity and twilight in it. Any ideas?

kirstinmills @ 2008-06-12T00:31:00

2008-06-11T14:30:09Z

Soooooooo tired! I'm literally cross-eyed from being so tired. It's only 12:33am...what's wrong with me?! Could be the minute details of the drawing in front of me..why do I do it?! :D I can't wait to finish this one so that I can be rid of this fear of ruining it! One thing about falling in love with an artwork is the accompanying fear with every stroke until it's done! And my cross-eyedness isn't helping!

New Licensed Product!

2008-06-06T22:49:34Z

For anyone out there who likes cross-stitching, my artworks are now available as beautiful cross-stitch designs through Heaven and Earth Designs! Six designs are up at the moment, with more to come soon. I'm so proud to have my work available in this form! Check out my page here: http://www.heavenandearthdesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=175_249

Motorbikes and dogs

2008-06-06T06:57:26Z

I've been inside all day at the computer researching and I was feeling quite drained by the afternoon. Ash had been at the other computer too doing his work, and our lovely little dog Max had been trotting back and forth between us scamming hugs whenever he could. So when we looked up this afternoon to see a brilliant light all across the trees outside cast by a magnificent setting sun, we grabbed Max and rushed outside to soak in the last of the beautiful afternoon air. Ash jumped on his motorbike and I hopped on behind, holding Max between us with one arm and holding on to Ash with the other: and then we were off! Zooming round his property (surrounded by lovely bushland and dirt roads and tracks) with Max half excited and half not knowing what was going on! He's never been on the bike before. But he loved it by the end! His cute little white hair (which is quite boofy at the moment as he needs a trim!) was all blowing back in the wind and he was making excited moaning noises as he peered over Ash's shoulder. And then when we stopped and finally put him on the ground again he couldn't stop running around, he was on such a high! :D It's amazing how refreshing something like a quick zoom on a motorbike with friends in the gorgeous, cool, Eucalypt-smelling air can be! I feel quite nice!

Yaaaaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-05T09:28:28Z

I've just found out that Disney is releasing a new movie and it's in the awesome 2D, broadway musical style of their films from the 1980/90s! Having grown up with these films and being diappointed when they moved away from the 2D musicals into 3D (which I still liked but they're not the same), I can't wait for this to be released! It's set in 1920s Jazz-era New Orleans (getting better and better...I LOVE jazz) and it's actually the first Disney Princess of African ethnicity. I'm so excited...I hope it's as good as it seems to be. It's even directed by the same people who did The Little Mermaid and Aladdin!

Read more at Wiki- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_and_the_Frog

June Website Update

2008-06-01T06:04:36Z

June 2008 News & Updates from www.kirstinmills.com

This month there are SO many beautiful new things available! Firstly, a new artwork has been released: "Amethyst Awakening", a beautiful little dragon hatchling, available in the Fantasy & Dragon Art Gallery. The original of this gorgeous little artwork is also available in the Original Art Sales Gallery.

Also available is the new Jewellery line, with many designs available in beautiful Cameo Pendants, Locket Necklaces and Bracelets! I'm so proud to offer these stunning products and have my own sets to wear too!

A new "Inspirational Gifts" line has also been introduced which includes the unique and magical "Fairy Blessing Charms" and "Deluxe Fairy Blessing Charms." Be sure to check these items out...I'm quite excited to release them because all are personally designed and hand-made by me!

I have also decided to release a very special print size for selected artworks, which will be printed in a limited edition run. These stunning giclee prints are a beautiful and luxurious A2 Poster size, 16 x 23 inches. See them in the Limited Editions Gallery, or by browsing the regular print galleries.

Pocket Prints have also been discontinued for the time being, except in artworks that are originally small enough to warrant being in such a small format. These trading-card sized prints are returning to the drawing board for now, where they may be re-released in the future.

If you haven't visited in a while, be sure to check out the many new pages and bits of information that have been added to the site, including the special gallery "A Twist in Time," released last month, which offers a unique tour through my childhood art and journey into the professional art world!

Also don't miss checking out the beautiful Perfume Oils, Body Washes and Body Lotions released by Star Dancer Dreams. These are just heavenly scents and last a lot longer than regular perfumes plus they are all based on one of my artworks!

Click Image for Details New Artwork - Amethyst Awakening	Click Image for Details New Product - Cameo Pendants	Click Image for Details New Product - Bracelets
Click Image for Details New Product - Locket Necklaces	Click Image for Details New Product - Fairy Blessing Charms	Click Image for Details New Product - Deluxe Fairy Blessing Charms

Today...

2008-05-21T09:06:20Z

I cleaned my room! :) Fiiinally. I've been meaning to do it for weeks. I had white flakes of dried gouache on the floor with the rolled up bits of eraser and god knows what else on the floor, books EVERYWHERE amid random bits of clothing (not mine either), bags, electric leads, USB cables, water bottles, paper, paper, paper, important documents under trashy recipes, all amid SO MUCH DUST! I finally found a place to cram the extra bedside table/cupboard thing I have that has sat half-crooked out into the room for ages. Not it sits firmly against a wall and looks quite neat! I can actually lean on my desk now to type without worrying what papers or drawings or art materials I'm crushing. I now know where all my product materials are that I had lost in the maze of THINGS! And yes...this is all in my bedroom! haha Most of the time I stay at Ash's house anyway so it can get left for longer and longer without me feeling the cramp and mess of it too much :d But now it feels so good to clean up!

Also today I came to an important realisation. I am such a Giles. Like a Buffy Giles. I have books and dust EVERYWHERE! I just love books so much and always get more to put on my shelves, even if I never get around to reading them, I just like to have them there incase one day I want to read random Celtic poetry from hundreds of years ago or check up on my Aztec history or read about medievalism in Fin de Siecle France. I think tweed coats, vests and spectacles are pretty cool and if I were a man Giles's age I'd wear them too. I'm obsessed with grammar and technicalities of language and think the written or spoken word is an art form, though admittedly one that is evolving and I'm a bit less stuck-in-mud!

BUT!

The thing that made me realise that I am a Giles more than anything is how technologically unaware I managed to remain pretty much until last year. I only set up my own email address at the end of 2002 when I finished high school and wanted an easy way to keep in touch with friends. That is pretty much ALL I used the internet for (email and chatting to Ash on msn...oh the delightful msn flirtations of our budding relationship! :P). Throughout uni I stayed away from the net for my assignments because until I was introduced to scholarly databases, google was the devil. I never once thought that ART might have a place online, let alone that there might actually be a whole fantasy art MOVEMENT occurring within the cyber space I was avoiding. I spent time drawing and wishing there were a way for my drawings to see more than the insides of folders stashed in my cupboards. How on earth is it that it took me until December of 2006 to realise that with a flick of a switch and a few minutes of connection time (dial-up back then!) I could have had what I've got now?! WHA? When I first came across the online fantasy art scene in 2006, I didn't even know who Jessica Galbreth or Amy Brown were. Of all the fairy artists out there, I didn't even know that the most mainstream and popular ones existed! I AM SUCH A GILES! If only I'd had a Jenny or a Willow to come and hook me up way back when :D

New Art - Amethyst Awakening

2008-05-19T11:52:26Z

A fun new artwork that popped into my head. It occurred to me as I was doing it that for all the baby dragons I've drawn I haven't yet done a hatchling! So here it is. I had ALL kinds of trouble getting this from the original to the screen...my scanner practically inverted the colours and Photoshop just couldn't seem to fix it no matter what I did. I'm sill not 100% happy with it now. But Ohwell. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow.

Website changes

2008-05-13T10:46:00Z

As of the next update, which will be around the beginning of next month, there will be a slight increase in the price of art prints, to cover for changes in the materials I am using to produce them (they will be printed on a new, better quality paper) and the changes in the conversion rate between US and Australian dollars. So if there's something you've had your eye on, best grab it now before the change takes place! :)

This month is also the last chance to grab one of the original artworks at the low sale price, with discounts up to 75% off, only until the end of May.

The Painted Veil and other things...

2008-05-12T03:22:26Z

I was going to make a post early last week but haven't til now because I've just been feeling so apathetic. Last Tuesday night I went and saw "The Painted Veil" at the movies. It stars Naomi Watts and Edward Norton (both of whom I really respect as actors) and it was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I wanted to write up a whole post in my feelings about it but I just didn't think I could do them justice. The next day I visited the film's website and was even more blown away by the artistry, intelligence, respect, hard work and dedication that went into the film. I haven't seen a film like that for ages and it still, a week later, has me feeling such a deep sense of respect and gratitude that there are people out there with such a regard for literature, art, culture and the human story that they could create such a masterpiece. Wow. Anyway, I'd HIGHLY recommend seeing it, even if just for the beautifully sensitive acting or the breathtaking cinematography which captures a rural China that Westerners have not yet been able to see. I believe it's one of the first Western films that actually combines Western film production with the Chinese film industry and with Chinese crews and cast...the result is a wonderful meeting between two cultures in the modern day to tell the story of the meeting of the same cultures in the early twentieth century. BEAUTIFUL. One more thing...the love story between the two main characters is one of the most romantic, un-sappy, beautifully handled and poignant that I have seen in a long, long time. It is by no means the traditional love story and was so refreshingly REAL. I could definitely relate to it on such a real, personal level and I found it absolutely amazing. The entire film, every single tiny part that went into its production seems to have been done with such a deep and sincere respect. And that in turn is what I have for this film and the people who brought it about.

So after having said all that...the next morning I was driving Ash to work, which is not far from his house in the rural area in which I live, when all of a sudden after turning a corner we found two trucks coming toward us on our side of the road carrying demountable classrooms and not going slowly! They veered back onto their side of the road quickly and we barely sighed our relief when a massive piece of guttering, a few metres long came hurtling off the back of one of them and straight into my windscreen. If it had've been a few inches higher it might have come right through into my face and I don't like to think where Ash and I might be if it had (certainly not on this earth, that's for sure!). As it was, it was low enough to be near the stronger part of the window near the seam so that it didn't come all the way through and just smashed up the window instead. So anyway, I'm waiting now for the repair people to come and fix it (I haven't been able to drive my car all week). As it is I had to spend this morning walking home from Ash's house (he does NOT live within comfortable walking distance!) in the hot sun along the dusty main road with rattling trucks rumbling past, suffering the odd beeping of dumb-ass cars, all while I'm wearing clothes I wouldn't normally do exercise in (jeans, volleys and carrying my handbag stuffed with abnormally heavy and unnecessary items). There was no vehicle there to use and Ash had to get to work. :D So hot and tired with sore feet, I arrived home rather later than I should have (I wanted to make an early start, but being car-less kind of threw a spanner into the works there). I'm supposed to be writing a thesis abstract for my PhD as well, but after the ordeals I've been facing this hectic week, my head just doesn't want to get into gear. How do I summarise my massive, interconnecting orb of ideas into a 500 word, neat and concise statement? It's OK though, I can feel the cogs turning subconsciously and the words will appear as if out of thin air when they're ready. That's how it happens. I just hope they come before I'm supposed to hand this in to my supervisor! :D

May 2008 Website Update

2008-05-03T05:51:37Z

May 2008 News & Updates from www.kirstinmills.com

This month is the last month of the MASSIVE Original Artwork Sale...everything that was in the gallery has been reduced by 50% between now and the end of May, meaning this is the last month to grab a bargain!

This month two new artworks have been released as prints, and one as an original artwork: "Sylphia Fairy Sketch" and my latest painting (and favourite so far!), "Morning Gossip". See them to the right.

Lots of new products are almost ready to go, and you can see previews of them in their awaiting pages: they include Fairy Blessing Charms, Deluxe Fairy Charms, Cameo Pendants and Locket Necklaces. I love all of these products and they make just beautiful gifts for your friends, family, or especially for yourself!

A very special gallery has also been created on the website, inspired by the new artwork "Morning Gossip." Tracing the development of my art from my first drawings to now, it shows some lovely images not seen elsewhere, and also some funny photos! It is also a celebration for me of finally finding my artistic voice again, and it provided a way for me to look back at my journey and be grateful for every part of it. I would love to share my journey with you: "A Twist in Time."

Click Image for Details
New Artwork - Morning Gossip

Click Image for Details
New Artwork - Sylphia Fairy Sketch

Click Image for Details
Original Sketch - Sylphia Fairy Sketch

To receive the full newsletter with special member-only offers and art tips, visit www.kirstinmills.com/newsletterupdates.htm

New Art - Morning Gossip

2008-04-30T14:24:21Z

I finished it! The image bounced into my head months ago while swimming in the lake at Ash's house...I drew it and laid down the background wash a week ago and only today and yesterday got round to painting the rest! It feels good to have it finished, and to have taken a bit more time than usual to paint...I feel I'm growing more respect for my artworks now :)

"Morning Gossip"

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes...

2008-04-28T09:46:57Z

Turn and face the strain..ch-ch-changes.... yeah anyway. Funny how there's always a song in my head that befits every mood I'm in or what I happen to be doing at the time! Yesterday was a day of changes for me, or NEW THINGS (!) at least....

1) I was in a film clip! It was all filmed last night and I'm in it and I can't wait to see the final product!

2) For this film clip I wore a corset..my first corset experience, and it was actually quite fun! Though I didn't have it done up tightly...god knows how those women used to manage!

3) For the film clip I also had to curl my hair, which is so stubbornly straight it's not funny, so its hard to curl at the best of times. Yet even harder when it's as long as mine happenned to be...I hadn't got it cut in 2 years, so thinking I could save myself some time with the curling iron I grabbed a chunk of my hair, lopped about 7 inches off it, handed the scissors to Ash and asked him to try to keep the rest in line with that length. I'd been meaning to get a hair cut anyway, so why not?! Ash's Dad stepped in to trim it for me since he used to be a hairdresser :) So now my hair feels all nice and short again (still long by most standards).

4) I made up a proto-type of a new necklace I'm going to offer on my website with my art on it and I love it! Gorgeous silver lockets with a cameo art print under a clear cabochon...yay!

Photos of my costume, curly shorter hair (I look sooo tired after a long night of filming) and close-up of my necklace...