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 gloryā 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…
HeyĀ 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 lifeā especially of the fantastical kind!
And fittingly so, for if youāve never heard of MerMay, now you have! Each May, illustrators around the globe follow prompts to get creative and draw daily or weeklyā and it’s all mermaid inspired! How glorious?! If youād 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!!!
Well, it wasnāt planned, and I didnāt see it coming, but I ended up needing to take a stint of time off. It was a leading up of events reallyā 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 āaccomplishmentsā did when I was pushing so desperately hard. Now Iāve started drawing again, which feels wonderful and, to better illustrate my message, letās bring in the Perspective-O-Possum!
The Perspective-O-Possum by Kristy Fae
This brightly coloured cutieāwellā 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 isnāt 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 doesnāt huff or puff, grimace or groanā but accepts, lets go, allows and forms a completely new desire from his present options, ie. he changes his perspective.
Yes, P-O-Pās are the very best at doing just this, for when theyāre really stuck, youāll see them looking at the world from a completely new perspectiveā 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; whatās closed is now open; whatās 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 didnāt know it at the time, I was operating under this critterās 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 downā I accepted, let go, allowed, and formed a completely new desire. This new desire, which was to rest deeply and to simplybe, served me much better than the original desire, which was to āaccomplishāand do. During this simplybeing came new and beautiful insights, ideas, knowledge, and healingā all of which Iād need much more time to elaborate upon (time that I just donāt have, as Iām running after that remarkable P-O-P to see what heāll get up toā or up onto ā 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: āWhen you walk into a tree, try going up, instead of throughā?
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 anythingā 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” š 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 Shoponline: 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!
Hiya Monster Allies! Just dropping in to wish you a Happy Monster Monday and throw you some behind-the-scenes footage as I prepare products for the Art of Nonsense booth at the Community Art Night coming up on Sunday August 21st at the Victoria Event Centre, Victoria BC, from 6-9PM! Check out my Facebook event or the PCR Collaborative’s website for more info about the event!
So here’s a peek into the creative process…Yep, it starts out looking pretty rough (and I didn’t even include photos of the messy studio with 6 projects happening at once!). That’s part of the creative process! It’s a good reminder not to worry too much as the creative process starts rolling. Get messy. Be imperfect. Dive in. See what happens…something great just might be born!
These poly-bead filled, fleecy creations are great sensory or fidget toys: squish, squeeze, pet, admire, snuggle, or toss ’em. It’s SO satisfying if you’re anything like me and love a good squishableā and believe me, they ADORE the affection! Complete with a loop to attach them to your bag so they’re always there when you need them…
I’ve got more styles coming and I’ll be adding them to the online shop for adoption soon, so stay tuned! Do you think you or someone you know might like one of these? Why? Or would you love to be able to get your hands on a craft-kit to create your own? I’d love the feedback as I move forward, so let me know in the comments!
Happy Monster Monday everyone! I hope the last few weeks were creative and interesting ones. In case anyone was wondering where we were last week, I wanted to let you know that while we try to keep up every Monday, we sometimes let one slide. You know, life gets busy, health takes priority, art events suddenly pop up to prepare for…
Wait, what!? Yes, you heard me! The Art of Nonsense Monster Workshop has been buzzing with preparations for a local event showcasing the work of local talent on August 21st. Feel free to check out our Facebook Event for more info if you’re going to be in the Victoria B.C. area or if you just want some sneak peaks of new products we are working on (before they ever even make it to the online store)! Be sure to follow our Facebook Page which always posts updates and other inspirational content.
Art of Nonsense Collage
Anyway, there is definitely something to be said about having a fire lit beneath one’s bottom. The monsters and I have not been this focussed for ages, and I thought it was a good reminder for those of you with burning passions and dreams of your own waiting to be fulfilled: find a way to light the fire (safely)! For myself, I definitely work better with deadlines that are not controlled by me. If that’s your case too, find a contest to submit to, ask a friend or colleague to be your accountability partner, or find a way to have rewards attached to smaller goals? Whatever it is that works for youā work it darlings, if you can, and let me know how it went for you and what you ended up completing! I’ll be posting my results here in the upcoming weeks…until then, continue to Follow Your Creativity!
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!Ā
“The Ele-tent Adventures” by Kristy Fae
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 Iāve named Penelope š
Thanks for reading and remember to follow your creativity! Also find me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTubeor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!
Have you ever arrived at the table, Preparing for something palatable? When what could be seen, Was just SO obscene, That it looked like it came from a fable?!
Potatoes with paws and meatball-ish dogs, And critters resembling your drain clogs, Are some of the beasts That faced my defeats, Along with the spork-headed bullfrogs!
Have you ever run scared from the table, Escaping from things unpalatable? For what had been seen, Was so AWfully mean, It seemed better belonged in a stable?!
But next time you are given a big slew, Of foul-food that you turn your nose up to, Remember one fact, And be grateful thatā Though itās nasty, at least it canāt bite you!
“Palatable Monsters” Sketch by Kristy Fae
Just a fun little poem today, perhaps reminding us hooman-folk to look for gratitude in unusual places (and perhaps inspiring our fussy eaters at the same time?). In all seriousness though, I know from my own experience that during hard times or periods of struggle, it can be extremely difficult to find “the bright side” or the “non-biting side” of things. And while I definitely don’t advocate for ignoring our feelings, even the difficult ones, I do recognize the power in trying to see at least a bit of the other side, if and when we can. For example: I had a tough week. I was incapacitated by an injury and being stuck in bed hurting sucked. Yet at the same time, fun and silly phone conversations with good friends and family came of it, including the inspiration for this poem! I have so much gratitude for my tribe and the goofy moments we share: it fills my heart up and casts light even in the darkest nights. Surprises and joy can come from unexpected places, if we look for it and appreciate it. So letās keep our hearts open, our creativity flowing… and our eyes peeled…especially if something moves on our dinner plates!
Want more? Subscribe to this blog and follow me @artofnonsense on Facebook, Instagram and YouTubeor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products! And if nothing else, just remember toFollow Your Creativity!
Happy Monster Monday! Now, if you have a snake phobia, let this be your trigger warningā¦but I do promise, this one doesnāt bite even though he might look like he might!
When I was little, I was fascinated by creepy crawlies of all kinds. Insects, amphibians, reptilesāyou name itā 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 āgrown-ups,ā 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*ā¦ 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, āEw! THAT looks gross!ā 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 āHi!ā 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 THATā 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?Ā
Enter Kevin. Kevin is my cousin Zoeās 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: āWatch out for Kevin!āĀ
“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 š 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 youād like, take a moment to think about who YOUR Kevin is (a.k.a. your āfreaky creatureā). How could you think about it in a different light so that creatures like Kevin can get the loveā or at least the respectā they so deserve? Perhaps start with a google search for a few new fun facts about your dear friend Kevā¦
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 YouTubeor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!
After a playful gallivant down Creative Lane last weekend, tickled by the inspiration of Fatherās 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 fromā 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 becomeā¦
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 appreciateā perhaps even thankā 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…!
āThe Dabooā By Kristy Fae
Well, have you met our dearest Daboo? If not, I say, you really ought toā¦ With eyes of deep and emerald green hue, And song so strong itāll make you brand-new!
Beware his cunning tricksā heāll 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 barbecueĀ Itās sure to be a hullabaloo! Thereās neāer been one who can compare to, Our one true and most dearest Daboo!Ā
“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 YouTubeor visit the Art of Nonsense Shop for adoptable monsters and other products!
Play. Create. Discover... 