Nymbol's Secret Garden

Crazy times here at Nymbol’s. Chair sized Red Cap Mushrooms are sprouting up around the studio, a new tent is being outfitted, Shoes are being drawn and metal is being cut. Lots of it,… I think. If all goes well we will be bringing the center “Fire” piece down to the FaerieWorlds Harvest fest in Eugene Oregon next weekend. Nothing like a daunting deadline to motivate you. I just hope it fits in the trailer with all of our stuff. We won’t be dragging down a piano this time so I am crossing my fingers it is an even trade. We shall see. I will be working with Tim Leonard and my new best pal Ryan Wright to get this to look remotely like my drawing. I hope my patterning and design skills translate. I promise to post lots of Pictures. I imagine a bunch of faeries dancing in the firelight and it makes me smile. Nymbol is excited and Serraffina has threatened to put a spell on it so it walks around. That would be cool.

if you are on facebook I have posted a bunch of photos here

Update. The “Fire Demon” is finished. We blasted it out in one Solid day with the help of many hands, Ryan’s plasma cutter and more than a little midnight oil. Good thing Tim’s Neighbors and Family are so understanding. Even with the Doors closed I can’t imagine smashing plate steel with a sledge hammer wouldn’t wake some Zombie somewhere. This afternoon we Load the thing in the back of our trailer and cross our fingers that everything fits. I am really hoping there is no “I told ya so!?!?” from Sam.  I posted a new batch of photos on the above link and if you prefer Flickr click here

We have begun working with Matt Hawk of FaerieWorlds on the NeverWorlds stage. You will see little bits and bobs being added here as we work on them. This is the idea so far. Now we just have to make it.

Update. Hopefully this will be what we do for faerieworlds in June 2012. Our stage will still be there but the ship construction will have to wait.

As long as the Mayan calender is wrong that is.

Story House that’s Where!

After the tears dry and the red feathers have been picked up from the stage out in the beautiful woods there will be two types of folks on Whidbey Island. Those have that taken part in History or those that have been found wanting. Even if Shakespeare is not your thing,  you should know that another form of Whidbey History and Magic is upon you. In the coming years you owe it to yourself to say you were there when it all began.

For our small part we were honored to teach the cast how to make leather masks. In the Masquerade scene you will see all of their toil and trouble manifest itself in a truly individual statement. From Juliet’s  delicate and beautiful flower mask to Romeo renaissance nod to Bat Man. A super hero  who, “Should not have gotten out of bed on either of those fatefull days!” as Kent put it.

What would the world be like if he actually slept in. Insert any debate about the value of Shakespeare’s “tragedy” here. I always remember what my Freshman teacher said. Every descision and movement of the play leads us to the tragedy. If any one event was different, so would be the outcome. Unfortunately, or

fortunately, depending on your perspective, that does not happen.

The same applies to your decision to go an see this work performed by those truly talented artists who have spent a good part of their summer to bring  you “free shakespeare in the woods.”  I am sure you will make the right decision.

You might even notice a couple of the Helmets we crafted in some of the fight scenes. Did I mention there was sword fighting.

I am thinking that for the final performance we should all show up in the appropriate costume. Anyone up for the challenge???

Not long after Finishing our March show at WICA we started looking at future dates we might be able to do another one.  One of the dates left on the schedule was July 22nd and 23rd. I liked the sound of that because, as it would just so happen, the 23rd was my birthday.

In preparation for July Nymbol was adamant that we should ask SJ Tucker again to see if she was available. We were sure she would be busy but he went ahead and sent her a request anyway. Later that night, Nymbol let out a “drag queen” like squeal and then ran four laps around the table at full speed until he slammed into the wall. As he lay there out of breath he said,…”She said Yes!” More emails, squeals of laughter and jumping about followed. Then the scene repeated itself with another “thudd” into the wall. “She’s Bringing Betsy!”

As the Show approached it was a real rollercoaster. Who could make it, who couldn’t, our cast fluctuated. Babies were born, folks went on vacation but finally it all came together. The final touch was when  Matt Hawk from FaerieWorlds said he would come up and be one of our pirates. Tabatha had the honor of punching him in the head a few times at FaerieWorlds and he was signing up for more.

Finally the big day arrived and SJ showed up for dress rehearsal. It was a little rough around the edges but with SJ there singing Kash Kash with the ladies there were smiles all around. The actual shows were over too quick and I can only hope that those in attendance enjoyed it even a fraction as much as I did. The Troupe absolutely rocked and everyone brought their “A”  game. On the family side being to play and perform with my girls like this is a rush I never thought I would experience. They were all amazing. Tabatha singing her heart out, Izzy coming up with lightning quick banter, and running about like a lunatic Faerie, and lastly, Sam nailing the opening song and her brand new spell. A behind the stage camera would have seen much dancing and merriment going on.

This brings us to the point of the whole story. After the show we had a cast party at the Studio. It was great fun and everyone wished me a wonderful birthday when I finally got there.  I made a comment to the troupe about how this birthday rivalled the one I had in France a few years ago while following “le tour” with friends. Not long after that SJ and Betsy arrived even though I was pretty sure they were headed to the ferry. Without waiting too long Sam and I plucked up our courage and asked if Tabatha could sing the First of the Wendy Trilogy songs with them. Again they said “Yes.” A couple of minutes later Tabatha stood between them and much to her and our surprise pretty much belted it out by herself with the two ladies jamming along. SJ bailed her out a couple of times but it was pretty seamless.

A prouder papa there has never been.

A huge thanks to SJ and Betsy for making that dream of Tabatha’s come true.

It all finished with Sj and Betsy singing the second part of the Trilogy and what I think is called the “Lost girls theme song.”  It was an amazing end to our two shows at WICA and now sits upon the top shelf as My Best Birthday EVER. Thanks to all of those who came to watch and play along. A big thanks to Nymbol for Showing us that Magic does exist in the World. It certainly filled the studio Saturday night.

to see a little part of Tabatha singing along click HERE

After getting home from Faerieworlds it took us a little time to get back into this realm. We posted photos, wrote stories and  regaled anyone who would listen to our adventure. Imagine our surprise when this scene unfolded. Nymbol was quietly (for a change) sitting at the computer and writing to all of his new Facebook friends. All of the sudden he got up squealing like a dragqueen, ran four laps around the table at full speed and slammed into the wall. When we went over to see what had happened he lay there panting. “She’s said YES.”

“She” is SJ Tucker and “Yes” meant she was going to be our special guest for our July Nymbol’s Secret Island show at WICA.

After a while Nymbol composed himself and started to write back.

Another “Squeal” followed by a thump. “She asked if Betsy could come along?” he whispered as we put him down on a pillow. “I think you should take it from here.”

So in a way of introduction, SJ TUCKER and BETSY TINNEY are the special guests at our next show. If you miss this one you will regret it. We are beyond excited and hope you can make it.

click HERE for details and links

We are back from an Amazing time at FaerieWorlds in Eugene, Oregon. For all the fun and frolicking please check us out on facebook, flickr, or our blogpost.

I think you will really like the story I have put on the blog.

A detail of the fruits of Sam’s labor and  love for her youngest. This could be the first time Izzy isn’t wearing a “second child syndrome and hand me down costume.”

o.k. it isn’t the first time but she feels that way.

FaerieWorlds. 

FaerieWorlds.

That is what is happening. We are very excited and will post lots of photos after we get back. Nymbol’s little troupe is part of the Neverworld stage and will be doing 2 shows a day with quite a bit of hanging around and meeting folks. We are soooooo looking forward to it. Nymbol is in a state of constant movement he is so excited. Blarney actually tied him to a chair yesterday because he was so annoying.

The Weather.

June 17th, 18th, 19th. Wait,…did you say June. Oregon in June???  My recollection is that the weather in the first couple weeks of June is that is is pretty dodgy. You never quite know what you are going to get. Once summer actually arrives it is beautiful and stays that way. The last few years Faerieworlds has been the last week of July. The hottest days of our last few summers too. This will be a different experience and our collective fingers, toes and tails are all crossed.

The Project.

Staying up late and working on costumes pretty much describes us right now. I have some tech drawing and shoes  to do during the day so late it is.  It is so much fun and rewarding when you see it all together. For some reason it doesn’t come together until the last minute. No matter how much time there is. “the job expands to the time allotted.” is a favorite quote of mine. I am excited to see what other folks are putting together this year. It is always inspiring.

above. digital sketch, naked leather, now time to paint.

painting done and being used at the Faire.