W is for... Sulamith Wulfing

Summer Moon, by Sulamith Wulfing

Dream, by Sulamith Wulfing

This German illustrator transports me to magical places. She drew beautiful women, often wearing crowns, often surrounded by children. Her diaphanous gowns and bejeweled embroidered robes are quite enchanting.

The Little Mermaid, by Sulamith Wulfing

Occasionally she painted fairy tales, including "The Little Mermaid" and "Schneewitchen" (Snow White).

The Womb, by Sulamith Wulfing

Circle Rounds, by Sulamith Wulfing

Raised by Theosophist parents, Sulamith wasn't a pagan, but her artwork often evokes a magical feel.

Sulamith Wulfing's "To Impose Silence"

Sulamith Wulfing's Golden Angel

She also frequently drew fairies and angels.

Floating, by Sulamith Wulfing

Medieval lovers were another favorite subject of Sulamith Wulfing.

Flame, by Sulamith Wulfing

She incorporated nature into her backdrops, or in the foreground as a flower held solemnly, or as a ball of light cupped in a woman's hand.

Christmas Balls, by Sulamith Wulfing

Holidays were also a theme of hers, including Easter and Christmas.

Angel Spirits 2010 Sulamith Wulfing Calendar, at Amazon

Sulamith Wulfing's Fairy Oracle, on Amazon

Related Links:

The Art of Sulamith Wulfing, at Squidoo

Fans of Sulamith Wulfing Group, on Facebook

Sulamith Wulfing Gallery, at ArtPassions

Sulamith Wulfing, at Wikipedia

Sulamith Wulfing Greeting Cards, on eBay

V is for... Venice

Venetian Dawn, by Liudmila Kondakova

MaskItalia.com's Red Mask

"Palazzo Labia and San Geremia, Venice" by John Singer Sargent

Someday I hope to visit Venice. I want to stay in a palazzo, traipse about the bridges, ride on a canaletto, eat at an outdoor cafe, explore little shops. I think Carnival would be too crowded for my liking, so I would try to visit at some other time.

Palazzo Foscarini

Related links:

Venice by Night

Venice Explorer

Venice World.com

Where to Shop in Venice

U is for... Undrentide

Undrentide, at Amazon

My favorite album by Mediaeval Baebes is "Undrentide." I love listening to it in the background when I'm working around the house, or on long car trips. Sometimes I put it on in the background for dinner parties, though there's a song or two that are just too loud and weird for the quiet conversation going on at the table.

The song "Undrentide" itself is what I chose to walk down the aisle to at my wedding. If you read the actual lyrics and think about what they're saying, you might imagine that this song wasn't the best choice for a wedding.. I knew that going into it and chose the song anyway.

The "Summerisle" Maypole song is a cover of a song from the "Wicker Man" movie soundtrack.

I just find this entire album so enchanting and magical to listen to. And the cover photo of the Baebes dressed in flowing gowns is beautiful!

Related Links:

Mediaeval Baebes (Official)

Mediaeval Baebes, at Wikipedia

The Music of the Wicker Man

T is for... Tiffany

Besides his beautiful stained glass windows, Louis Comfort Tiffany designed stunning lamps, jewelry, and ceramics. His father developed the Tiffany shop with its revered blue gift boxes, but it's the son's creations I prefer.

I love the flowers, peacocks, trees and birds he used in his work.

Many stores now sell knock-off or reproduction "Tiffany Lamps," or lamps made in the same lovely style. I can't afford a real Tiffany lamp, but I enjoy my two cheapo "Tiffany style" lamps.

Related Links:

Louis Comfort Tiffany at Artcyclopedia

Louis Comfort Tiffany at Collectics

Tiffany Windows

The Unofficial Tiffany Lamp Store

Tiffany at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Louis Comfort Tiffany, at Wikipedia

Met Showcasing Laurelton Hall, Tiffany's Greatest Work (Post-Gazette)

Tiffany Stained Glass Window Blank Journal, on eBay

S is for... Stardust

A beautiful, enchanting movie based on Neil Gaiman's book. I was captivated by Michelle Pfeiffer's lovely gowns, Clair Danes' fall from the sky, the imagery of the castle and the night sky,

Related Links:

Stardust, at IMDB

The Heart of a Star: The Stardust Fanlisting

Stardust Fan Fiction

Stardust, at Livejournal

Stardust Trailer, at Apple

Stardust Movie (Official)

Stardust Movie, at Wikipedia

R is for... Ranunculus

Rananculus, at Garden Guides

My favorite flower has name which is a difficult to remember, spell, and pronounce! It's also known as the Persian buttercup.

Ranunculus at Bulbs Online

It blooms mainly from June to August, sometimes appearing in grocery store floral departments as early as May. Not all florists carry it, so it can be hard to order for yourself or as a gift.

Related Links:

The Golden Cup Flower, at Pre-Raphaelites.Org

The Lush Beauty of Ranunculus, at Martha Stewart Weddings

Q is for... Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts,
She made some tarts,
All on a summer's day;
The Knave of Hearts,
He stole the tarts,
And took them clean away.

The King of Hearts
Called for the tarts,
And beat the Knave full sore;
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts,
And vowed he'd steal no more.

Related Links:

The Queen of Hearts, at Wikipedia