From An Artist's Journal

Nea Wiseman

July 2008

Midsummer Message

Morven
Child of the Sea
         I am having wonderful day dreams lately and I share them in part by the drawings we put up for you to color. Morven, a child of the Sea is a gentle lad. I respond well to what is gentle and wise in the heart. Someone else can do the scary monsters and endless evil plots.

         Since Morven is manifest in a drawing, think of him as a very real being who you happen to meet while swimming one day. Everything we need can be managed in the imagination. Morven has a special breathing tool that you can use to go down into the sea. With great pleasure he will show you all the wonders of his home, carefully guarding you as you slip through branches of seaweeds and rest on the lip of gorgonian fans(look it up on the internet), or come face to face with a large fish.

         The language between you will be of the heart, a language of love for all things living, including you.

Teasel and Twila
With a Magic Book          Teasel and Twila have found a magic book, oh my!

         This was so exciting when it came up I would have liked to dash off with the images, hole up in a wonderful cave full of mosses, sip nectar from a sausage tree pod and dream their adventures. They are looking at one of the drawings in the book that moves and swirls and becomes words when you ask the right questions.. What is that mermaid doing?

        
This is a quote and I apologize to the author, I can not remember his/her name.

The only people who are truly free are readers.

This is one to think deeply on. How can it be? And yet, I know when I pick up a book I am transported to another reality, over and over with each book. There are adventures, wonders, characters and creatures that you become through your mind and imagination working together. And you discover that the space you live in, which may have seemed tiny and sort of gray begins to expand with shafts of light shining on a vast world of incredible possibilities. Be brave, take a chance and find the magic in a book.

The Morning Glory          We have a large Morning Glory plant growing at our front entrance. It likes to send out its tendrils and snare the postman's satchel and I can hear the fairies giggling at him as he grumbles and bats at possible spiders. I go out now and then and with a profound apology to the guardians of this prodigious plant I snip tendrils. I am seriously thinking of one day letting the fairies have full reign and weave the front entrance shut. It delights me to think of it. Now, see there! The beginning of another story. Of course, the postman will hate it!

         For a look at all my coloring pages click here!

         I want to thank those of you who have sent us such wonderful e-mails. We love hearing from you and knowing the drawings and stories are giving you pleasure. Thank you.

         One not so fun note. Some people are using my art for purposes other than coloring and personal enjoyment and possible inspiration. Some even ask to use it for other reasons. I will no longer give permission for any use other than coloring and personal enjoyment. The only way these pages can be free is if you as a public honor my work and protect my copyrights.

         Nea Wiseman

January 2008

        

New Year's Greetings

         We have a special New Years request. It has been suggested by a few people that we put ads on the website. I won't even consider it. However, if you have been enjoying our pages we would be truly appreciative of a small donation. You will find Donation Buttons on the website. There is absolutely no pressure concerning this request. We love doing the pages and love your interest and participation, so make your own choice, please.

         My drawings to color for Jan/Feb are three very different characters.
Baile The
Romantic Poet Baile is an 11th century Celtic prince who was much loved for his sweetness and his poetry. He was called Baile of the Clear Voice. I think more because his work came from his heart. I felt he represents the best of Valentine lovers.

Puppy Love
Puppy "Dragon" Love

Puppy Love is about the closest I can come to doing a tough guy drawing (sorry). Maybe it's because I like gentle sweet guys.

A Secret Valentine
Coloring Page
When I was young, valentine cards in our house were a big secret, never signed and always found in some surprising location. Then you could wonder and dream of your secret valentine for several days, cherishing the card or small gift and when you got older you could carry on the tradition. And remember, never tell……….not ever! There is something very thrilling about leaving a mysterious card or gift for someone and knowing the secret. I think it also teaches us to be giving without asking for anything in return.

OOO XXX (that means, Hugs and Kisses)

        

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

December 2007

        

Halcyon Days

         In ancient times there was an observance known as the Halcyon (Hal ' se – an) Days in the month of December. It was a time to recall and create a sense of well being and peace. In our time the Halcyon Days have been absorbed and renamed by religion or lost under the increasingly hectic demands of the commercial holiday season.

         Halcyon Days begin the week before the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21st), and end the week after. The days are meant to be a time of calm, peace and tranquility and these meaningful descriptions certainly go beyond all cultural differences and religious beliefs.

         There is a very old myth of a goddess named Halcyon, the daughter of the God of the Winds. Halcyon married a mortal named King Ceyx, who was drowned at sea. Halcyon was so sad she threw herself into the sea to be with him. Taking pity on the couple, the gods transformed Halcyon and Ceyx into Kingfisher birds. These birds were said to mate in the winter, charming the sea into a calmness so they could protect their eggs in the floating nests of the bones of the past. This is not an uncommon idea, for it symbolically speaks of an old way that still has the ability to participate in the protection and nurturing of new life.

         The Winter Solstice is the time when the sun is so far away, its warmth and light seem to be gone. This is called the longest night and many cultures burn great bonfires all night, some throwing tokens into the fire, of things they are sorry for, or wish to end, and wishes for new things to come into being. A miraculous and yet well known occurrence happens on this night. The Sun at its farthest point away suddenly begins its journey of return, to bring light and warmth back into the part of the world it seemed to abandon. (To those of you living in New Zealand and Australia this would happen at the Summer Solstice –although you can most certainly participate in the Halcyon Days in December).

         Since the Winter Solstice is central to the Halcyon Days, this whole time is truly mystical and should be observed as a unifying ideal by all people everywhere regardless of their personal beliefs or observances, as a time to reflect on the meaning of peace and to make every effort to help bring it back into the world.

         You can still get presents!

         The Twelve Days of Christmas actually begins on Christmas day and ends on January 5th, …..so maybe you don't have to try so hard to get it all done before that day, but consider it many days, all with a deeper meaning. For peace and calmness to prevail we sometimes have to think, see, and try things in a new way.

         There is a story in Italy of an ancient wise woman who delivers sweets and fruit to the children on the 6th of January. Her name is La Befana and she is called a Witch or an old Crone but no one to my knowledge has ever really seen her face. Since she is very ancient she may be one of the Goddesses still surviving in disguise. There is a coloring page of La Befana in her witch's costume delivering goodies to the children.

         Yes, there is a dragon puppet this month. You ask, why a dragon? Well a very nice school teacher asked for one for the boys in her class. They have a castle theme and were very much in need of a dragon, I guess to guard the fair maiden in the tallest tower.

         Ice Princess Puppet

         We tried something new making a puppet top on a cone base. She is an ice fairy on her way to the Ice Kingdom Ball. Years ago I wrote a story about an Ice Kingdom for my children. One day I will tell it to you. In the meantime, think of what an Ice Kingdom would be like…don't let your imagination freeze up.

         There are some labels that could use more decorating. Before you cut them out try outlining parts of them with a silver or gold gel pen, or some glitter glue, even a crystal here and there and some fine thin ribbon. Try embellishing the little gift box and the snowman and snowmiss too.

         Whatever you decide to do we hope you have a great time doing it. Write and tell us about it, we love to know what you are doing. Have a wonderful holiday and whatever your beliefs or observances, we love you all.

Nea and Marshall

P.S. As you might have noted from the drawing at the heading of this, Phee and Wart have taken a cosmic journey for the season and will return for the Spring Equinox.

November 2007

         We met lots of new human and faery friends at the Philadelphia Faery Convention but as I've said it felt a bit strange to be wandering about in a great warehouse of a grey building all alight with fragile wings, bright flowing costumes and wonderful booths full of faery goodies and art. I am sure it is an experience the building will never forget! One day a sensitive intuitive person will be there for some dreadful boring conference and the very walls will be begin giggling with faery memory! Now isn't that a lovely thought?

         Many of the great faery artists and writers were at the convention to greet us and autograph books and pictures. Probably the most world famous and prolific artist of current faery lore is Brian Froud, who along with his equally talented wife Wendy were the guests of honor. Also there was Kinuko Craft, Jessica Galbreth, Linda Ravenscroft and Linda Biggs. You can view all these faerie artists work on the internet along with many other wonderful talented people. Most of all though, were those wonderful magical creatures fluttering and dancing around, some telling stories, others the stories themselves, all certainly giving the heart a joyful lift.

         I am inspired by all this stirring contact with so many faerys and a wee bit of a story is trying to pop through, so back to work I go! See you in a few weeks with some new pages.

Your Friend, Phee

 

September 2007
Phee is going to the Faery Convention in Philidelphia!

         Never thought I would see the day when a bright of fairies gathered in a city convention center to meet! It sort of gives me a chill, but then everything is a bit strange these days. But I will happy–up fast enough when I land in the midst of all that fluttering beauty and grace. Humans are most definitely invited to these gatherings so if you live in Philidelphia or have the means to get there we hope to see you. For more information: www.faeriecon.com

         We won't have a booth this year, we are going to feel it out, as the saying goes. If we like the idea in person we may decide to do a circuit in 2008. I will be giving you a report on the Faery Convention when we return in October.

Getting ready for Halloween

         Now, to the pages. We have combined September and October pages for Halloween as we will be gone long enough to make it difficult to do two months. The instructions took some time as all the new puppets are a bit different from each other and I thank Marshall for his hard work.

         Then we will combine November and December for the Winter Holiday pages. This may become the pattern as we are hard pressed to turn out the volume we do every month, plus there is a possbility we will be doing some new exploring of the possiblitites soon!

         Lots of masks to color and play with for Halloween and many new puppets. We can't help exploring the what ifs, what if we try and why not? That, of course, leads to surprises as new figures emerge and new ideas tumble in on top of them! Hm-mm, I wonder what the turning of the season is going to bring? Are you ready?

         I just wanted to tell you, when we fly somewhere Wart looks to be having a disconcertation (that is a Wart word), but he's honestly not going anywhere, is he? It's all in his imagination, isn't it? I do the flying thing with the lad hanging on for show when actually I get us where we're going by just snapping my fingers, blowing on the thistle down and we're relocated (so to speak), in a leapfrog. Now, if it were just so easy for my human folk!

Phee

Happy Halloween!

 

July 2007 Happy Summer!

         Truly, I am part mermaid! I spent my younger years in the pacific ocean almost every day, swimming and diving and dreaming. Or were those dreams? It seems to me every creaturely that humans say are imaginative are there just waiting to be seen. In fact, it was in the sea that I learned to swim and deal with the currents and waves and always felt safe, knowing that the creaturely guided me. The strangest thing is my taste for sea water, not a lot, just a taste, scooped up in my hand. It is a nectar of profound meaning deep within me, a bonding with the great surging luminous life of the sea.

         Now that I am older the sea within offers me unknown gifts, visions that I happily try to make pictures of. Happily because the imagination offers me light wondrous and sometimes humorous ideas. My drawings will never be grand enough, never. I share them with you, as a vehicle for the visions which are living and too great to be contained. They flow on, moving to touch others, inspire, to move you to your own endeavors. Do not be afraid to see what is in your own imagination and to try and draw it forth in your own pictures. Every attempt is worthy.

         The Mermaid Chair, Mermaids and a Treasure Chest

         The sketch and the original rough model for the Mermaid Chair and the tiny mermaid to sit on it, have been sitting on my drawing board for a year. It is important to get at least a sketch on paper no matter how messy. It is not important to make a perfect drawing. Just get part of the images down or they will slip right away, back into the sea.

         So for a year this little chair and mermaid have been companion to me (she sings sometimes and swishes her snaky tail), and then an image of a little treasure chest arrived and I felt it was time to apply myself to the task.

         Yes! It is a task! This is where the work truly begins and then at some point must be called done, even though it can never be called, finished! A friend for Tilo arrived peeking around, watching, smiling hopefully. I sketched her and soon found she moves her tail enough to make you giggle. The image of Neptune popped up, waving his trident and issuing orders I couldn't quite hear. I thought possibly at some hidden time he had brought forth the necessary energy to do these projects. Yes, there he is. Ah, I hear him now, he is racing to one of his mermaid daughter's birthday parties, and he is late as usual (he is a very busy fellow). I see he is helped along by seals, turtles, sea gulls, dolphins and mermaids to deliver a pretty little chest that looks somewhat like mine. Hmmm, I wonder what is inside of his?

         Our thanks to school teacher Eric for his sharing the Kissing Fairy enlarged and beautifully painted for his classroom. Also thanks to Rachael for sharing her brilliant color work. Many of you, from all over the world, have sent us wonderful e-mails, all of which we are so grateful for. Those who have written but did not have a return address or an incorrect address I thank you as well for all for taking the time to let us know you care about us and the art we share with you.

June 2007

      The Meadow Fairy

         A meadow fairy lazes comfortably in an old throne like tree stump. Underneath her seat is a neat hidey hole for a baby dragon to sleep on a soft bed of mosses. He snores softly, adding his voice to the music of the meadow.

         The nearby river is a vibrant bass undertone to the winds rhythmically strumming tunes on the wildflowers and tall grasses. Meadow divas warble and trill, insects zip and buzz, flutter and whir, each with its own distinct instrument of music, each responding to the whole to create the meadow symphony.

         What story is that small butterfly person telling the fairy? It is certainly gossip passed through the network of creatures and plants in the meadow. Let us lean in very very close and try to hear what she is saying.

         Ah! I hear it now, oh my! Butterflies are sometimes very hard to interpret. It seems that in the dark and dim (meaning the night, I suppose), there was an uncanny bobble( a what?), then a very loud smash, an even worse crash and Beaver's dam went entire down the river in a dash.

         He is now weeping by the gleaming (I believe she means the river), and needs the gentle touch of a fairy to pacify.

         Poor Beaver. May a rainbow kiss his cheek. It sounds like the giants were bowling boulders upriver again.

         The Dragon Rider

         The clouds tell us secret stories in their passing. Sometimes we get a glimpse, wondrous creatures, dragons, giants and an occasional fair maiden. Do you think the clouds lie?

         Water tells us secret stories too and they can be very familiar, like a memory we can not quite recall. Our bodies seem to know these stories very well, as if, as if we are truly a part of this wonder, part of the secret.

         I think we would be much friendlier toward each other if we could remember that we are each as magical as a fairy, as magnificent as a dragon, as fearless and honorable as a dragon rider.

         If you should suddenly remember, which would be a great and momentous occasion, don't allow anyone, ever, to try and make you believe anything different, not ever.

         We have added a new fairy to our craft pages. Flicker is a forest fairy. The fairy puppets seem very popular so let us know what you like and we can try to add more of what you enjoy!

May 2007 letter from Nea Wiseman

        Our heartfelt sympathies to the families, friends, and fellow students of those who lost their lives in the terrible event at Virginia Tech. It is a true mystery why these events happen and we can only bow to the greater powers that be and open our hearts to love and healing.

         We would also like to extend our support to those loved ones who are fighting this strange "street gang war" in the Mideast. Our grandson is in Baghdad as I write and we have a constant vigil of prayers to keep him and others alive and safe.

         On a lighter note I would like to say a fond hello to the red dragon who sent us the nicest e-mail but didn't give us a return address. We try to answer all e-mails and will, if you send along an address. And to the red dragon....yes! We certainly do believe in you!

         Phee has requested an Angel for darktimes, for those of you feeling afraid or worried about the events going on in the world, especially when you wake up in the middle of the night. So I have created a little angel you can color and cut-out if you have card weight stock. If not, you can glue the angel to cardboard and cut off the excess cardboard when dry. If you are going to hang it, glue another angel on the blank side and make a neat hole in the head. String with a pretty ribbon by your bed. You could also take some glitter glue and make bright dots of it in the beads so they catch the light. I have called the little angel, Spirit of the Midnight Moon. When you peek from under your blanket into the darkness and imagine monsters, you will know that the little angel is there to protect you.

         We have had many requests for some guy stuff, sorry guys! The Griffin is for you, but remember, when you are around a Griffin you cannot tell a lie! Send an e-mail and let us know what else you would like to color.

         If you look in the section of drawings colored by you there is a new one of the castle fairy. This was done by a first grade teacher, Eric Drake. He photocopied the drawing onto a transparent sheet and then projected the image onto a mural sized piece of paper and traced it, then painted it with tempura paints. It is about 4 feet tall and is hanging in his classroom. He says the kids love it. Thanks for sharing Eric. We love to receive e-mails from people telling us how inventive you can be.

         We have a new puppet we call the Mayfly Fairy because she is really tiny and flits around and over the water so much you have probably seen her and thought she was a real mayfly.

         In Mermaid Lessons, the older mermaid is teaching a younger mermaids how to hold her hands to get the maximum speed in the water. She is probably telling the younger one secrets too, about where she can take a bubble bath and find pearls and tortoise shell to make combs for her pretty hair do's. Best of all she is telling the younger one how to get along on the reef and in the tide pools. To try and love and understand others and be helpful when it is needed.

         As always I would like to express my gratitude to my husband Marshall for lovingly cleaning up my fuzzes and bringing constant new order to the website. Blessings to all! Nea

         Reminder: Please remember that the images may have come magically from beyond but drawing them was the labor of love of a human being, me! The art is for you to color and enjoy personally, please do not exploit it in any way.

Sept. 2005 Spirit of New Orleans

         What a terrible/wondrous week! I've been glued to the tube watching Fox News, grinding my teeth, crying, praying, and feeling the grief and frustration of the people who have suffered Katrina. I came completely apart when a mother holding her child said, "it's getting harder and harder to wake her up, I don't know what to do!".

         It has been a real emotional seesaw. Elated when people are rescued, devastated and angry when they are not. Friday I finally dragged myself away from the TV and went to the grocery store, where everything, food, buildings, trees, flowers, animals and people were all vividly clean and bright, as if they were outlined in light, the same light I've been holding on those suffering in Louisiana. I could hardly imagine my own surroundings in such devastation, can't imagine these people, who are calmly going on about their lives around me, wading through toxic waste, parched, hungry and scared to death. Wake up call kid, remember this, every living minute of it right down in your gut, don't fall back into that somnambulate comfort.

         Some huge energy is suddenly around me, above me, I'm trying to locate it for the sake of communicating the size of this Presence. I think it must be an angel, should I be drawing an angel? Sending out some message that's not even clear to me? Nah! This is probably hubris, ego inflation, like what I do on paper means anything.

         The energy doesn't go away, I go through this same thinking round for several hours, over and over. Finally I grab my sketching journal and begin to draw.

         I rarely see distinct images before I set my pencil to paper, it's all intuition and feeling, then wham, it hits me and I can hardly keep up with it. This wasn't any angel that I had ever drawn before, in fact, I wasn't sure it was an angel, but I decided to trust the feelings slowly defining themselves.

         Then, well, it wasn't long before she told me who she was. Just a couple of short sentences in a soft voice, touching more like a gentle hand easing my heart than a sound touching my ear, saying, "I'm OK Honey. My mask just slipped a little".

About The ARTIST

         The art work and stories of Phee McFaddell are created by Nea Wiseman. The design and creation of the web site is the work of Nea's husband, Marshall Wiseman. The artists live in San Diego, California and can be reached through phee@pheemcfaddell.com.

         This page has been created so that the artists can occasionally make comments on issues concerning the Real World and answer questions that are directed more toward them than the fantasy world of Phee although, they will not guarantee that their answers will be any more rational.

         Nea Wiseman:    Phee McFaddell is my fairy godmother. She has acted as a representative of my creative unconscious for so many years I can not remember the onset. Even though Phee is only one of many many images that have come to me through the years to inspire and work with me she is certainly the most endearing and fun. Probably the most important function of this image is to lay the ghost. One does not spend much time groveling around in the pit of sorrow with Phee around. Oh, artists are allowed a certain amount of misery, this is apparently important to ensure that they thoroughly strip sorrow down to the bone, so that the unconscious has the raw material to work with.

         I do not believe I create anything alone. I am a participant in a creative process whose meaning I do not completely understand but have stood by with an inexplicable and often undefendable intuitive knowing all of my life.

        

         Marshall Wiseman:     The pages of Phee's web site provide a simple backdrop for this wonderful art and many creative stories. Phee, it turns out, has a delightful range of friends from so many strange places, with such wonderful tales to tell. It's really fun to watch for the next new friend or adventure to come along. Marshall helps these adventures come to life on the web.

         There are only a few tricks or animations in the site. We have added a cover-leaf over certain drawings such as in the story of 'Alisma the Water Nymph', or 'Snail Slime Tea' to allow the readers imagination to flower before revealing the drawings; much like turning the pages of a book. Some additional animation will also appear because the transformation of the individual within the story is so important. Otherwise, we keep it simple and let Phee tell her stories

         We are always glad to hear from viewers and artist's who like the site and enjoy sharing our knowledge of web design with anyone interested. (You will find the site's source code well documented and simple to read.)

         We hope you enjoy these pages, and that the stories and art stimulate your imaginations.

         P. S.      Please let Phee know you have enjoyed the site, pixilated beings are so much happier when they share being pixilated.

         Thank You!

         Marshall Wiseman
phee@pheemcfaddell.com

        

Return to Top