That magic moment. 

The kind of moment when you step outside yourself and realize this moment is so incredibly amazing and you want to record it in your memory. The split second when magic happens – the magic bean taking root, the dragon hatches, the apple is bitten. 

A few weekends back I had a moment  – I slipped away from my tent, my art and wares, my job… to sit with Carolyn Turgeon and Charles Vess. They were doing a collaborative “talk” on magic in the creative process at the Spoutwood Farm May Day Faerie Festival. I have met them each on numerous occassions and wanted to see what they would create in a tent, on an idyllic farm, on a sunny Sunday… 

Carolyn is a fabulously charming, witty and very talented author. Her work most recent work takes classic characters from fairy tales and reinvents them in a style all her own. Captivating! She was reading from her novel “Mermaid” and Charles was drawing – a touch of pencil and then Sharpie! Carolyn read the scene of the mermaid’s transformation – and stopped at that magical moment before the potion is consumed. She asked us to imagine that moment  and what we would create from that point.

Where did I go – since you saw me over Charles’ shoulder, scribbling away on my 3×5″ card… 

I plan on making this piece – as close as can be without harming any mermaids… It was a lovely creative respite from a fun filled festival day. I count myself lucky to be in such good company!

Did I mention my sketch is on Carolyn’s blog? And a huge thanks to Carolyn for the pictures! 

Read more: 

Carolyn’s Mermaid blog post on this topic ( on www.Iamamermaid.com)

Charles website: Green Man Press 

“Mermaid, a twist on the classic tale” on Amazon.