art – Play. Create. Discover…

art, Blog, Crafts, creative living, Events, Fidget toys, Market, Monster Monday, Monsters, puppets, Sensory, Toys

Home Gnomes & Goblins & Cards- Oh My- Sharing the Art of Nonsense

December 5, 2023 Kristy Fae

Phew, is it just us or is this a busy season?! You’ll have to excuse the monsters and I for being late with our Blog, but here we are!

Last weekend was a big eventful one for us creatures here at Art of Nonsense! We took a trip to the Winter Art Market in Fernwood, Victoria B.C. where many-a-monster found their way to new loving furever gnomes… I mean homes. But also gnomes.

Kristy Fae & Super Max with the Art of Nonsense Booth at the Winter Art Market in Victoria, B.C.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped us with the event and/or dropped by the booth to share in the love of monsterly nonsense and creativity last weekend! It means so much to us to have our monsters and creatures invoking smiles, spreading positive messages, and encouraging self-love. We so appreciate your support!

Back to Gnomes…Gnomes are abound this time of year, and we didn’t want to be left out! So we’ve welcomed handmade Home Gnomes, as well as their mischievous Hobgoblin counterparts, into our Monster Studio for the first time ever! They were a huge hit with their squishy bodies and beany-bottoms, not to mention those dangly legs and tiny shoes. Oh my, the cuteness!

We also introduced another new product into our line: Art of Nonsense Greeting Cards! First up we have the Dancing Dino, who’s sure to bring delight to any welcoming recipient. And in the name of the season, we have our West Coast Christmas Cards featuring a wildly enthusiastic rider on an orca, hauling a sleigh above the roaring ocean waves!

These new products, along with many others such as our Whimsical Art Prints, Beanbag Buds (sensory & fidget toys), fleecy Hand Puppets, and more, can be found in our online Art of Nonsense Shop or on our Facebook Page. Feel free to send us a message at kristy@artofnonsense.com with inquiries about currents products or custom orders!

We also loved the feedback we received at the Art Market about which products our monster-loving fans would like to see, including Gratitude Monster Greeting Cards and a restock of Monster Magnets! Please comment below with which monster products you’d like to see, along with your favourite current ones. The feedback helps us get the monsters you want into your monster-ready hands!

A big bunch of gratitude goes out to the organizers of the Winter Art Market from Island Community Mental Health and Greater Victoria Social Gathering Place. We so appreciate your hard work and all the care that was put into making such a beautiful event happen!

Oh, and if you’re looking for “Creative Homework” this week, try designing your very own whimsical Christmas or Seasonal Greeting Card using your favourite local creature as inspiration. All you need is some folded paper or card stock and either some coloured pencils, crayons, paints, or markers. Feel free to share your creations below or on social media along with the hashtag #artofnonsensecreations

Have a creative and joyful season everyone!

Play. Create. Discover… Be sure to subscribe to the blog to receive Biweekly reminders when we post! Also find us @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

Pssst- what I write in this blog is a reflection of my own ideas and experiences and/or interpretations of any referenced material. The content of this blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only. I am not an expert or therapist and cannot be held liable for any content provided or how it is used. Please enjoy at your own discretion. I reserve the right to change the content or management of this blog at any time. That said, I hope you enjoy it! © 2023 Kristy Anne Fae All Rights Reserved.

art, Blog, illustration, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, Self-Improvement

The Discoverer: Stepping Out of the Box

October 2, 2023 Kristy Fae

Happy October everyone! The tree are shedding, the air is cooling and Halloween is fast approaching. Creative energies are running high (at least they are here in the Monster Studio!) and what better way to honour a creative October than by participating in Inktober 2023! For anyone who doesn’t know, Inktober is a time for artists to create artwork daily based on a list of drawing prompts. This year, a fellow artist and loved-one had an excellent idea: to curate prompt lists for one another.

How fun!

We both have different goals for Inktober this year, and our lists reflect that for one another. She brilliantly chose the word “discovery” for my day 1 prompt, as my intention is to challenge my illustration skills with new subjects and action poses. Gasp— I have to try NOT to draw monsters for a whole month!? Well, truth be told, some monsters will still be sneaking into my artwork this month, whether inspired by the prompts or otherwise 😉 Yet starting off my illustration yesterday, I automatically sketched a monster and had to catch myself, and redo it… as a HOOMAN! But I think turned out pretty well:

In conclusion, if you’re with me, let’s dub the month of October “Discovery Month” and try “drawing outside of the lines”…or the box…or the circle…Perhaps this means trying a new art medium, drawing different subjects, or even ones you’re not comfortable with. Maybe it means reconnecting to your “Little Me” to see what they want to explore! A good place to start is to revisit what you loved doing, or always wanted to do, as a kid…

Expanding the horizons of what we create, as always, can bring new playfulness, creativity and discovery! If you want to join in the fun, hashtag your work with #inktober2023 and #artofnonsense on your preferred social media platforms! You can find the official Inktober 2023 prompt list here. We’ll be sharing @artofnonsense on Facebook and Instagram so be sure to follow us there for more Inktober fun!

Happy creating and discovering, Monster Friends!

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

animals, art, Blog, Creative Learning, Funny, illustration, Monster Monday, Monsters, Poetry

The Platy-Pirate: Real Life Monsters 2

August 8, 2023 Kristy Fae

What makes a monster a monster? Is a monster simply a made-up creature? Is it defined by its unique and weird attributes? Does it need special powers or to partake in particular activities? Oxford Languages states that a monster is “an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening” while Myriam-Webster defines a monster as “an animal or plant of abnormal form or structure.” A simple search on Google will turn up multiple interpretations of this ancient word that is believed to have “derived from the French term ‘monstre’ [which] has roots in the Latin word meaning ‘monstrum’ [or] ‘evil omen’ ” according to Word Monster. Despite the many opinions about what a monster actually is, what seems to be agreed upon is that monsters are creatures of great awe and wonder!

Here at Art of Nonsense, we love monsters of all kinds. No monster is too big or too small; too scaly or too furry; too winged or too finned. We love them all. And we love creating them. A lot of my creature inspiration started in childhood, through finding awe and wonder in the natural world, whether in real life or through wonderful resources like Owl Magazine. From sting rays to blue-footed boobies, to bats, wild cats, and even pet rats— I was fascinated by them all!

Now, even as the majority of my pencil tips end up forming creatures that didn’t exist before the drawing took place, I very much like to revisit, honour, and “play” with the beloved animals that so captured my heart and sense of wonder (and still do!). One of such favourites has always been the Platypus. In fact, my favourite stuffed animal as a child was a green Platypus, who still sits near my bed (lovingly as ever, though with significantly less “fluff” than before). Platypuses really are one of those “real-life monsters”. Firstly, because… look at them. So strange, unique, and adorable right!? I get giddy just picturing them! Also, the more I know about platypuses, the more fascinating they are to me. Here’s a few reasons why:

A Platypus somehow has what appears to be a duck’s bill, a beaver’s tail, and the feet of an otter— oh my!
Platypuses are the only group of mammals to lay eggs.
Male platypuses are one of the few mammals today that produce venom, and they do so through a hollow spur in their hind legs, which is sometimes referred to as a poisonous claw (or in my case, “a poison toe”!)… as show by my illustration below:

“Platy-Pirate” Illustration & Poem by Kristy Fae

We very much enjoyed our playtime with this special Platy-Guy today. If you’re so inspired, we challenge you to look up 3 interesting facts about your favourite animal and see if you can create an artwork based on what you find!

*A special credit and thanks goes out to TrentT for sparking the idea of a Platypus Pirate!

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

art, Blog, empowerment, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Love

The Fae Queen: Embracing Your Mystical Self

June 12, 2023 Kristy Fae

Monster, Fae, Animal, Merfolk, Human, or otherwise, we are all magical, mystical creators of this wild, immense universe we’ve found ourselves in.

Just dropping in on this Monster Monday to remind us all to shine our light and show up as we are, in all our magnificent, unique glory— however strange that might appear to anyone else. We all deserve to be seen, accepted, celebrated, and honoured for who we truly are.

Kristy Fae

This week’s homework is to express something residing deep within yourself. Perhaps a side of you often kept hidden? Use whatever creative process or medium compels you. I stepped into my Fairy Queen power (using my iPad, Procreate, and a found winged-fairy image) and it was quite a beautiful process to embody the energy of a Fae Being and to really see myself in a new light.

Allow yourself to see yourself in a new, mystical way and magic becomes possible…

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

art, Blog, illustration, Monster Monday

The Kristy Kreature: Let There Be Life!

May 9, 2023 Kristy Fae

Hey creature cuddlers, monster makers and fantasy followers! With new life popping up everywhere, like the brilliantly blooming blossoms and the itty bitty hobbling goslings in the park, it feels like a great week for creating new life— especially of the fantastical kind!

And fittingly so, for if you’ve never heard of MerMay, now you have! Each May, illustrators around the globe follow prompts to get creative and draw daily or weekly— and it’s all mermaid inspired! How glorious?! If you’d like to find the prompts, and learn more, go to the official MerMay website here: www.mermay.com

I really enjoyed the first prompt, as shown below, which was “Self-Portrait”! If you’re inspired, see if you can carve out 5-10 minutes (or more) this week, find a prompt that calls to you, and see what comes out on the page! Yes, let there be life!!!

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

art, Blog, illustration, inspiration, Monster Monday, oracle deck, Self-Love

The Perspective-O-Possum: Accepting, Letting Go & Allowing

March 13, 2023 Kristy Fae

Hello Monster Fans!

Well, it wasn’t planned, and I didn’t see it coming, but I ended up needing to take a stint of time off. It was a leading up of events really— a lot too much pushing from my end, thinking I oughta be doing all-the-things. This ultimately wore me out. But you know what? The break did me so much good, more than the so-called “accomplishments” did when I was pushing so desperately hard. Now I’ve started drawing again, which feels wonderful and, to better illustrate my message, let’s bring in the Perspective-O-Possum!

This brightly coloured cutie—well— he is what he is, un-O-pologetically. The critter goes where he wants to go, eats what he wants to eat (which is often oranges and grape juice, by the look of his palette), and does what he wants to do. This isn’t to say that things always end up the way he originally wanted them. This seems contradictory I know, but let me explain how it is so. The Perspective-O-Possum, or the P-O-P for short, sets about with a desire in mind. However, when he runs into barriers that he simply cannot overcome, he doesn’t huff or puff, grimace or groan— but accepts, lets go, allows and forms a completely new desire from his present options, ie. he changes his perspective.

Yes, P-O-P’s are the very best at doing just this, for when they’re really stuck, you’ll see them looking at the world from a completely new perspective— upside down and hanging from a tree of course (though a lamp post, a bicycle rack, or even the antlers of a nearby animal, for example, are suitable substitutions depending on the given circumstances). From this viewpoint, everything that was once left, is now right; what’s closed is now open; what’s down is now up! So can you see how he, the clever P-O-P, always gets what he wants, when what he wants is what he gets? This can be a skillful way to navigate the world at times, such as when we find ourself in a particular situation that is outside of our control or not going the way we intended.

Though I didn’t know it at the time, I was operating under this critter’s principles as the unexpected circumstances arose before me over the past few months. And while I fought it at first, eventually, I let the world turn me upside down— I accepted, let go, allowed, and formed a completely new desire. This new desire, which was to rest deeply and to simply be, served me much better than the original desire, which was to “accomplish” and do. During this simply being came new and beautiful insights, ideas, knowledge, and healing— all of which I’d need much more time to elaborate upon (time that I just don’t have, as I’m running after that remarkable P-O-P to see what he’ll get up to— or up onto — next!).

But hopefully we, being the Perspective-O-Possum and me, have painted a picture of the message at hand, which may be something like this: “When you walk into a tree, try going up, instead of through”?

Play. Create. Discover… also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

art, Blog, Crafts, creative living, Fidget toys, illustration, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, puppets, Toys

Monster Max: Channeling the Inner Child

August 22, 2022 Kristy Fae

In case anyone didn’t know this about me…I ADORE PUPPETS! There’s something extra fun and unique about getting to animate your own character with your very own inner child in the driver’s seat. Puppets have been used in play and in therapy, in entertainment and in storytelling for ages. There are all kinds of purposes hiding behind those beady eyes and hinged mouths, but what I love most about them is that they are a great opportunity/excuse/reason for PLAY! You get to channel something within you that doesn’t always get to come out in everyday life, and often, for me anyways, that’s my inner child (and boy does she LOVE to PLAY!).

So I encourage you to grab an inanimate friend (whether it’s a puppet, plushie, toy, marionette, cardboard cutout, etc) and see what happens when you let your inner creative creature out. Start by telling a simple story about your day, or telling your version of a classic fairy tale or favourite children’s book or movie. Try out different voices and personas. What if the puppet was an emotion; how would they act and what would they say? There are no rules… that’s the secret! Let yourself simply play!

Puppets and homemade toys can be made easily with nearly anything— an egg carton makes a great mouth or set of eyes, for example, and of course a sock with a few googly eyes glued on does just the trick! I’ve got hand-made monster puppets for sale if you’re looking for something fancier, but anything will do! Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes… it may take some practise to get comfortable with this, so don’t be alarmed if it’s awkward or uneventful to start! Also, it’s perfectly fine (and encouraged) to be absolutely RIDICULOUS. So if you needed it, there’s your permission. You can even use the excuse “I’m just doing my homework” 😉 Just don’t try to blame your puppet for eating your homework, fantasy only extends so far here… lol.

My favourite puppet Monster Max (aka Super Max) and I had a great time meeting everyone at the Community Art Event last night! There’s nothing like a big furry monster to break the ice, right!? Talk about a conversation starter and a convergence of the inner children in us all! We are sending out LOADS of gratitude for all the love we received at the event and for the support we were shown leading up to it. A monster-sized special thanks to the organizers at Image After Hours and the wonderful venue and staff at the Victoria Event Centre for making this Art Night possible!

Kristy Fae and Super Max the Monster at Art Night

In the next months we will be adding new products to the Art of Nonsense Shop online: all new puppets in bright and brilliant colours, new art prints, magnets, stickers, beanbag buds fidget toys/keychains and plushies…! We can’t wait to share more monsterly fun with you all! And if you have any questions or are interested in a monster or custom work, don’t hesitate to reach out to kristy@artofnonsense.com !

Play. Create. Discover…

Thanks for stopping by… also find me and the monsters @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube!

…

art, Blog, illustration, inspiration, Monster Monday, play, Self-Love

The Ele-tent: Embracing Creature Comforts

July 26, 2022 Kristy Fae

They say everything changes and yet, some things never do. Do you have any creature comforts that go back as long as you can remember? I do, so let me paint you a picture… and since elephants never forget it seems an appropriate example!

If you haven’t guessed it; stuffies, stories and blanket forts would be the correct answer. And if taking a trusted plush friend on a cozy adventure from the safety of your living room isn’t your thing, what is? It’s been a tough few years for most of us, and as such, this is an especially important time to get creative and to dive into your creature comforts. See if you can make some time for one of those things this week. Mine was a new plushie elephant who I’ve named Penelope 😉

Thanks for reading and remember to follow your creativity! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

art, Blog, Funny, inspiration, Monster Monday, Self-Awareness, Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Writing

Kevin the Neighbourhood Boa Constrictor: Reserving Judgement

July 5, 2022 Kristy Fae

Happy Monster Monday! Now, if you have a snake phobia, let this be your trigger warning…but I do promise, this one doesn’t bite even though he might look like he might!

When I was little, I was fascinated by creepy crawlies of all kinds. Insects, amphibians, reptiles—you name it— was of interest to my eye and my need-to-know-more curious brain. As I got older, which tends to happen to many of us “grown-ups,” I started to let my wonder be tainted by fear. My curiosity replaced by disgust. After-all, what kind of FREAKY thing sheds its entire coat of skin on a regular basis? *Shudder*… Guess what? ALL KINDS OF THINGS. And bugs aren’t MEANT to cohabitate with humans, right? Well actually, nature IS MEANT to be EVERYWHERE. It was here long before we ever were and everything came from it! There are perfectly reasonable, respectable, and remarkable reasons as to why creatures are the way they are, and if we cared enough to find out, we might appreciate them more. So why are we suddenly (or gradually) freaked out by spiders and snakes and such, and while I’m on the topic, by ANYTHING or ANYONE we don’t understand or relate to? The only explanation I can think of? Fear. And along with fear comes an even more dangerous beast: judgment.

When we judge things, we assume we know that which we don’t and thus falsely attach our belief to the thing we’re judging. If we first looked at chocolate and thought, “Ew! THAT looks gross!” and proceeded throughout our entire lives refusing to taste it, how sad would we be if we missed out on a whole lifetime of CHOCOLATE!? Yup, this theory is sound (at least for chocolate lovers such as myself). How many things do we miss out on, dismiss, push to the side, or otherwise refuse to have an experience with because of judgements we make? And yeah, we’re human, we all do it. But if we can at least be more aware of when and why we do it, we have a better chance at instigating change in ourselves that can be, well, life changing.

So maybe try saying “Hi!” to that person you see daily but don’t seem to have anything in common with and just keep an open mind. Pick up that new art medium you’ve always said “I couldn’t/wouldn’t/shouldn’t/daren’t do THAT” about. Travel to a place not on the number one travel recommendations list. Of course, caution and safety should not be thrown into the wind (yes there exist poisonous snakes that are important to be aware of), but could we use our discernment in deciding what things we may be judging that maybe we need not be?

Enter Kevin. Kevin is my cousin Zoe’s neighbourhood cat, which I didn’t know at the time when she referred to Kevin as being a menace to her own cat. Well, with two overly creative minds at work, suddenly the below scenario had been summoned up and jokes ensued about Kevin in a fit of laughter: “Watch out for Kevin!”

“Kevin the Neighbourhood Boa Constrictor” by Kristy Fae

Now this may appear to be darker humour than you’re used to from me here at Art of Nonsense, but I promise you, Kevin REALLY IS friendly and no cats were harmed metaphorically or physically in the making of this illustration. To be clear, Kevin simply pesters, not harms, this poor kitty. Now you can rest easy…

So Kevin is the reason I got thinking back to little Kristy and wondering why big Kristy is now so weirded out by snakes, like Kevin. And it got me thinking about how many other incredible and strange and wondrous creatures there are out there that I want to know all about, just like my curious mind wanted when it was carried by a younger me. Scales and skins and teeths and creepy crawly legs and all 😉 So perhaps Kevin is the first in a line-up for reclaiming “freaky” creatures with a sense of curiosity and wonder. What do you think!? If you’d like, take a moment to think about who YOUR Kevin is (a.k.a. your “freaky creature”). How could you think about it in a different light so that creatures like Kevin can get the love— or at least the respect— they so deserve? Perhaps start with a google search for a few new fun facts about your dear friend Kev…

As always friends, be sure to Follow Your Creativity (and curiosity)!

Remember to subscribe for more creative fun! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…

art, Blog, Funny, inspiration, Monster Monday, Monsters, play, Poetry, Self-Awareness, Writing

The Daboo: Meeting Your Inner Trickster

June 28, 2022 Kristy Fae

After a playful gallivant down Creative Lane last weekend, tickled by the inspiration of Father’s Day, I wanted to share this silly poem and illustration I created for my Dad. Well, this also got me thinking about how we are (and in this case, how our creativity is) shaped by those who brought us up and by those who have been or continue to be around us. I, for example, can easily trace back certain traits I share with family members who modelled ingenuity, artistic talent, and creativity in many different forms. I recall teachers and mentors who encouraged my writing and artwork, and how much of a difference it made to have their support. I have fond memories creating unique projects with imaginative and dedicated peers in Film School. How many happy moments of play and inventive stories were created with friends, I wonder, throughout my lifetime? And this week, I am reminded of where a big part of my inner Trickster came from— my dearest Daboo. The Trickster: the one who plays lovingly and for the sake of joy; who teases and jokes to break the daily monotony; who is able to scramble reality in a way that creates hilarity; who can juggle words and ideas like an otter with smooth river stones. What fun it is to release that inner creature, and to have it embraced and appreciated! And what a big and beloved part of me that creative thing has become…

I feel endlessly thankful for all of these wonderful gifts that have shaped who I am and what and how I create today. And I share these ponderings for three reasons. One, to encourage you to take notice of what special talents and gifts you have that you may take for granted. Two, as a motivator to reflect back and appreciate— perhaps even thank— a few of your most influential influencers. And three, to urge you to really put awareness into how you encourage and influence others around you, because your words and actions can and do shape those very individuals. So there you have it, straight from the beast, so please feast on these ideas, if you like, and have yourself a wonderful and creative week! But before you go, come meet the Daboo…!

“The Daboo” By Kristy Fae

Well, have you met our dearest Daboo?
If not, I say, you really ought to…
With eyes of deep and emerald green hue,
And song so strong it’ll make you brand-new!

Beware his cunning tricks— he’ll get you
With musings of a red-hot teaspoon,
Or willies wetter than a slug stew,
And hugs held tighter than a corkscrew!

And when he starts the grand barbecue
It’s sure to be a hullabaloo!
There’s ne’er been one who can compare to,
Our one true and most dearest Daboo!

“The Daboo” by Kristy Fae

Thanks for reading and remember to always Follow Your Creativity! Subscribe for more nonsensical fun and creative inspiration. Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!

…