Magic book art is a form of artistic expression that involves the creation of intricate and visually stunning designs within the pages of a book. This unique form of art combines elements of drawing, painting, and collage to tell a story or convey a message through the medium of a book. In magic book art, the artist transforms an ordinary book into a work of art by using various techniques and materials. The pages of the book are often altered using a variety of mediums, such as ink, watercolors, acrylics, and even collage materials like fabric, paper, or found objects. The artist may also incorporate elements of text, either by keeping parts of the original printed text visible or by adding their own handwritten words or phrases. The beauty of magic book art lies in its ability to transport the viewer into a different world.
In some stories, she helps the hero. Though she is still portrayed as a crone, she shows flashes of maternal instinct. Sometimes, she’s even likened to Mother Nature — a powerful force that can seem harsh and capricious.
However, others claim that this legendary witch is more complex, especially since she s been featured in numerous different stories in different ways. Over Labor Day weekend, Stephen and I took the younger two teenagers to their second World Science Fiction Convention Chicon 8 San Jose was their first Worldcon in 2019.
The beauty of magic book art lies in its ability to transport the viewer into a different world. Each page of the book becomes a miniature universe, filled with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and hidden symbols. The artist may use symbolism and metaphor to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions in the viewer.
Words and Witchery: Some References for Slavic Mythology
Over Labor Day weekend, Stephen and I took the younger two teenagers to their second World Science Fiction Convention: Chicon 8 (San Jose was their first Worldcon in 2019).
Both of us were on panels (usually at the same time), and I was delighted to be on the Slavic Mythology panel with moderator Dr. Jeana Jorgensen, Alex Gurevich, and Alma Alexander. (Unfortunately Alex Shvartsman did not make it to the panel.)
We had a really wonderful and engaged audience, and at the end of our discussion, someone asked for additional references about Slavic Mythology. I agreed to post a list of resources published in English on my blog.
Slavic Mythology panel at Chicon 8.
I’ve done my best to collect them here. I will try to remember to update the post as I acquire new books, or as new media come to my attention.
A small disclaimer: Many books have been published recently about Slavic magic and Baba Yaga. I have not included anything as a nonfiction reference here that I have not personally read and reviewed. Some of the fiction and films, on the other hand, come from other panelists and audience members. I cannot speak to the accuracy of their portrayal or sources.
Nonfiction :
- Slavic Folklore: A Handbook by Natalie Kononenko
- Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend
by Mike Dixon-Kennedy - The Bathhouse at Midnight: An Historical Survey of Magic and Divination in Russia by W. F. Ryan
- Mother Russia: The Feminine Myth in Russian Culture by Joanna Hubbs
- Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale by Andreas Johns
- Fairy Tales of the Russians and Other Slavs: Sixty-Eight Stories Edited by Ace G. and Olga A. Pilkington
- Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000–1900: A Sourcebook (NIU Series in Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies) by Valerie A. Kivelson and Christine D. Worobec
- Ukrainian Minstrels: Why the Blind Should Sing: And the Blind Shall Sing (Folklores and Folk Cultures of Eastern Europe)
by Natalie O. Kononenko - The Paths of Folklore: Essays in Honor of Natalie Kononenko
by Svitlana Kukharenko, Peter Holloway - The Gods and Goddesses of Old Europe: 7000 to 3500 BC myths, legends and cult images by Marija Alseikaitė Gimbutas
Folklorica: An open-access peer-reviewed journal produced by the Slavic, East European & Eurasian Folklore Association. The Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Folklore Association (SEEFA) is devoted to an exchange of knowledge among scholars interested in Slavic, East European and Eurasian folklore.
Fiction that draws from Slavic mythology:
- Night Witches by L.J. Adlington
- The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
- Shadow and Bone series and Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
- Rusalka, Chernevog, and Yvgenie by C.J. Cherryh
- The Age of Witches by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- “Viy” by Nikolai Gogol (Mykola Hohol)
- Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky (translated but difficult to find)
- The Silence of Trees by Valya Dudycz Lupescu
- Sticks & Bones: Home Is Where the Hearth Is (comic) by Valya Dudycz Lupescu & Madeline Carol Matz
- Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
- The Secret History of Moscow by Ekaterina Sedia
- Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
- The Forest Song by Lesya Ukrainka (play, translated by Percival Cundy)
- Mesopotamia by Serhiy Zhadan
Television & Film
- American Gods (Starz)
- Shadow and Bone (Netflix)
- Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965 – Ukrainian: Тіні забутих предків, directed by Sergei Parajanov)
- The Witcher (Netflix)
Articles :
- “The White Tree of Gondor: A Brief Overview of Modern Ukrainian SF&F” by Volodymyr Arenev and Mykhailo Nazarenko, translated by Alex Shvartsman (Clarksworld)
- “Ukrainian Gods: Slavic Myths and Legends for Fantasy Writers” by Michael Burianyk (Locus)
Published by Valya
Valya Dudycz Lupescu has been making magic with food and words for more than 20 years, incorporating folklore from her Ukrainian heritage with practices that honor the Earth. She’s a writer, content developer, instructor, and mother of three teenagers. Valya is the author of MOTHER CHRISTMAS, THE SILENCE OF TREES, and the founding editor of CONCLAVE: A Journal of Character. Along with Stephen H. Segal, she is the co-author of FORKING GOOD: An Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of The Good Place and GEEK PARENTING: What Joffrey, Jor-El, Maleficent, and the McFlys Teach Us about Raising a Family (Quirk Books), and co-founder of the Wyrd Words storytelling laboratory. Valya earned her MFA in Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and her poetry and prose have been published in anthologies and magazines that include, The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Kenyon Review, Culture, Gargoyle Magazine, Gone Lawn, Strange Horizons, Mythic Delirium. You can find her on Twitter @valya and on Mastodon.social @valya
Though Baba Yaga is not exactly depicted as a kindly grandmother in this particular story, her “gift” ultimately ends up helping Vasilisa in the long run. The fiery skull burns down Vasilisa’s house, killing the evil stepmother.
Magic book art is a highly personal and subjective form of expression. Each artist brings their own unique style and vision to their work, making every piece of magic book art a reflection of the artist's individual creativity and imagination. As a result, no two pieces of magic book art are the same, making each one a truly one-of-a-kind creation. In recent years, magic book art has gained popularity as a form of mixed media art. Artists and enthusiasts alike have been inspired by the endless possibilities offered by this unique art form. Various workshops, classes, and online tutorials have emerged, allowing aspiring artists to learn the techniques and master the skills needed to create their own magic book art. Magic book art is not limited to traditional books either. Artists often experiment with alternative materials, creating magic book art on objects such as old maps, vintage postcards, or even discarded playing cards. This versatility and adaptability have further contributed to the growing popularity of this art form. In conclusion, magic book art is an enchanting and captivating form of artistic expression that combines the beauty of traditional bookmaking with the creative liberties of mixed media art. It allows artists to create intricate and visually stunning designs within the pages of a book, taking the viewer on a journey through their imagination. Through its symbolism, personal touch, and unique visual language, magic book art continues to inspire and captivate viewers around the world..
Reviews for "From Dusty Pages to Artistic Delights: The Evolution of Book Art"
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