Sketches of Slavic Fairy Tales
Slavorum posted a wonderful article where they displayed the artwork of Russian artist ROMAN ‘AMOK’ PAPSUEV. It is his interpretation of Slavic mythological beings. Some of these are Russian, and some belong to other Slavic traditions. I’ll post some of his art here, but to see more, go to Slavorum or Roman’s main site.
I’m not claiming that these are EXACT interpretations of Slavic fairy tales. This is the artist’s creative rendition.
In his free time Russian illustrator Roman Papsuev ( @amokrus ) creates amazing sketches influenced by Russian and Slavic folk tales. Characters of Slavic & Russian folklore are redesigned in modern gaming-fantasy style. //Baba Yaga
The first drawings were created on the author’s thoughts and fantasies. He began, of course, with folk character Ilya Muromets — the main Russian epic hero and the strongest bogatyr or warrior: “On his belt hangs a bottle of dead water that heals wounds.”
Alyosha Popovich, third most important Russian hero. // The more the author got immersed in the subject, the more accurate his pictures became. He began to reread the tales and study the works of famous folklorists.
“What I like most is when people look at my pictures and then begin to read the tales and understand why, for instance, Vasilisa the Beautiful has a doll in her bag or why Vodyanoy rides a giant catfish. This grassroots revival of ancient folklore through my humble project gives me great pleasure.” // Vasilisa the Beautiful
Leshy, the forest guardian, is more radically minded than Lesovik, another woodland sprite. “His ‘dead’ right eye is usually larger than his normal left. His beard and hair are grey. His hands and feet are covered with fur. On the belt you can see trophies — the skull of a lost traveller, a drinking horn, a bast shoe. He collects them.”
FOR MORE PICTURES
Rik Garrett’s “Earth Magic” Photography Book – Witches of the Earth
Rik Garrett‘s “Earth Magic” photo series has recently been collected into a book, and is now for sale here (US) and here (International). “Earth Magic” portrays women in nature, in a raw, but very natural way. The women are one with the landscape of the wood, mysterious weavers of the weird within the forest’s primordial depths.
In the making and binding of the book, Garrett was inspired by the style of the Malleus Maleficarum, which was a sort of pocket-book for witch hunters in the 15th century. Garret’s intent is obviously more positive, but his theme is similar. If you are looking for witches in the forest – this is what they might look like.
Each book contains 13 photos (like the number of members in a coven) and each book is different. The pictures are picked from a pool of 30 total photos and randomized. So even if you buy two books, they will most likely be different.
Here are some photos from the Earth Magic series:
New Behemoth Video “Messe Noire”, H. R. Giger Tribute, Includes Sharon of Toxic Vision
“I believe in Satan
Who rend both heavens and earth
And in the Antichrist
His dearly misbegotten
The anguish ov our future
A Bastard spawned from lie
Born ov a harlot nun
Reign high in luxury
Aloft the kings ov man”
– Messe Noire Lyrics
Behemoth’s grim new video is a tribute to the Swiss surrealist H. R. Giger.
Giger is most famous for his role in the award winning visuals of the film Alien. He was named to the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2013. Giger is well known for his depiction of human bodies and machines in a cold, interconnected (and often sexual) relationship. His works primarily feature nightmarish, demonic and alienesque landscapes.
The music video above is inspired by Giger’s surreal style, with its focus on large demonic doors, as well as Sharon’s attachment to an occult and demonic machine that drains her blood. The story depicted is the fall of an archangel and his triumphant rise as Lucifer.
I can definitely see much of Sharon Ehman’s own artistic bent in the video as well. Sharon Ehman of Toxic Vision is without a doubt a fucking genius and the top designer of metal and occult inspired style in today’s world.
The director of the video is Zev Deans of Panorama Programming.
Zev Deans said the following about this video: “The story of Lucifer’s fall, followed by his defiant rebirth, reminds me of Nergal’s own personal struggles of recent years. Like Lucifer, Behemoth has recovered from hardship, and they are stronger than ever. With Messe Noire, I was lucky enough to work with some of the most talented people in the genre. I owe the success of this project to the intense SACRIFICE that Sharon and the rest of team gave to this work.“
THE ART OF H.R. GIGER IN MOTION
RELEVANT LINKS
(Sharon Ehman of Toxic Vision, as “Abysmal Queen”)
Pagans in Prison
(Inmates performing a Druid Ritual: Source)
The number of Prisoners who identify as Pagans is growing, and many of these prisoners need adequate spiritual services that fit their path.
According to The Wild Hunt, around 2% of all prisoners are adherents to a Pagan or Earth based Nature Religion.
It is interesting that many prisoners have found their Pagan faith while in prison.
Also, according to OldenWilde.org, prisoners who convert to Wicca have a very low re-incarceration rate.
Now, many reading this might think, who cares abut services for prisoners, they broke the law – they should be punished!
However, we must keep in mind that the U.S. has a vast and growing prison complex. There are many people who are arrested for non-violent crimes such as prostitution or drug use. Drug use is a disease that should be treated with therapy, not jail. It has also been shown that therapy is more effective for treating people who abuse drugs, rather than jail time.
Attending to the spiritual needs of Pagan prisoners is important for giving them a Spiritual Path that can help prevent future crimes, and give them a sense of hope to better their lives. So check out the resources for Pagan Prisoners on this page:
LINKS
(Source: Artwork From a Prisoner)
Religion in Prisons – A 50-State Survey of Prison Chaplains
What the New Pew Forum Survey Tells Us About Pagan Religions in U.S. Prisons (Patheos)
Culture and Community: The Complexity of Pagans in Prison (The Wild Hunt)
Wiccans in Prison (OldenWilde)
Pagan Prisoner Advocate’s Guide (Download)
ART AND POWER
Art is a gateway to that other realm
The shadow world where the Fey spirit us away
The artist is a shaman
Bringing inspiration and light into a mundane realm of grey
Feel like you don’t belong?
Many of the greatest artists have retreated to drink, drugs and even suicide
This is a great burden to bare
But do not despair
Yours is a gift from the Gods
Yours is a destiny greater than yourself
You are part of something infinite and complex
Let go of selfish desire and let the universe be your guide
Metal Gaia 