GOTHIC CEMETARY STATUES

 

I love Old, Gothic Cemeteries with all the weather-stained statues standing around the moss-covered tombstones like Heavenly Guardians watching over the dead. 

I marvel at their carved features, so realistic that no matter where you stand, their eyes are looking at you. if you spoke, it is as if they could actually speak back to you. The sculpture of each tiny detail of their face, hands, and feet is fascinating, as well as every fold of their robe or gown, carved like real fabric. 

Fascinating, and yet, why are they so very creepy? Sometimes just standing near a statue is enough to send chills down your spine! I always feel both wonder and fear when I am standing in a cemetery and looking at a statue! Silly, but I fear them calling out to me or reaching out to touch me!! 

In the midst of all of the creepy feelings, I cannot forget to think about the artist and the immense talent it took to sculpt these statues with just a chisel and a rock! What great precision it must take to bring life to stone!

The Cimiteri Monumentale di Milano is located on the hillside of Stagliene of Genoa, in the district of Milano, Italy. It is one of the largest cemeteries in all of Europe. It is well known for its abundance of tombs and artistic monuments. The Oneto Family tomb houses one of my favorite statues, The Angel Monteverde, sculpted by Giulie Monteverde.

Look at those eyes!!!! 

I wonder how in the world the sculptor can make something this magnificent out of stone? The details of her face, her lips, but most especially, her eyes! Even the pupils...the definition!! How? To me, this is a great example of the human imagination and immense, creative talent...art! 

I am obsessed with her statuesque beauty and mesmerized by the details of her. She fills me with awe and yet chills me at the same time! I fear her. I cannot look at her for any length of time. So human and yet un-human!

Do you feel the same way? Show us in your artwork this week what you think about Gothic Cemetery Statues! Make them gloomy or set in a background of brilliance...it is all up to you! I can't wait to see what your Dark Imagination will guide you to create!

I also posted a page full of statues and backgrounds for you to use in your artwork! How will you bring your stone to life?

Here are my Gothic Statue Creations!

PECULIAR CHILDREN

 Remember when Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children was popular? 

There was a whole set of Peculiar Children books. Miss Peregrine's Children had a large array of psychic, magical powers. They could transform themselves into other things, float in the air, read your mind, tell the future, move objects, and vanish. They were very special and very different from other children. And very spooky!!!

I thought this would be a very good theme for us to try!! Create your own version of your Peculiar Children for this challenge! What special psychic powers do your children have? Show us in your artwork! Have fun this week with your children!!

I created a Page with Images for you to use in your artwork and I finally updated the Artist's Showcase for you!!  

Here are my Peculiar Children!

And of course, this one was just for fun!!

Can't wait to see what your Peculiar Children can do!!

Digital art created from Art House Whimsey Gothic Backgrounds, KateDreamPrint Digital Kit Dreamy Backgrounds, Pixabay, Miriam's Digital Kit Scraps, and Pinterest.

GOTHIC STEAMPUNK CHARACTERS

So sorry, Ladies, that I have been absent from our challenge.  I was experiencing internet problems and had no WIFI. Thank goodness it has been solved, and I am now ready to continue, without interruptions, our theme for this week: 

Gothic Steampunk!

We all love Steampunk so I added a Gothic Twist to our theme! Have fun creating your own gothic interpretation of the theme!!

Here are my Gothic Steampunk Creations: 

Digital art created from Designs By M&N Digital Kit Wandering Dreams and FusionDreamPrint Digital Kit Steampunk Halloween

IGNIS FACTUUS

Ignis Factuus, in traditional folklore, known as "foolish fire" or for better terms, Will-O -The Wisp, Corpse Candle, Jack-O-Lantern, or Friar's Lantern. It is described as a ghostly, white ball of light that floats above ground with unknown origins. These balls of light are seen at night or twilight, usually over bogs, swamps, and marshes. Sometimes they have been seen in the foliage and bushes on a mountainside as well. It resembles a flickering light or a lamp that is sometimes seen to recede once approached. 

Here is a example:

Your challenge this week is to create your own Ingus Factuus of eerie, lights floating mysteriously in your background of choice. 

I was a Tour Guide for the U.S. Ghost Tour Adventures in Gatlinburg, TN. Here are a few of my photos taken at the Ogle's Cemetary in Galinburg showing these eerie lights.

This is me!! Waiting for the tour to begin!!

These pictures were taken at the old Church in Gatlinburg.

When these pictures were enlarged, this is what I saw at the window with the four panes. I also saw the mist or "spot" on the roof. I have no idea what that is on the window!

Notice the yellow glow in the left window. The bright light was an outside light in the corner.

On this particular night, I only had 2 women on the tour. There were no men present and yet, I caught a male figure in this picture strolling through the graveyard. There is, however, a young man buried in the graveyard that was accidentally killed on the elevator at the famous Space Needle. Could that male presence be him??? Did I catch a "real ghost' on camera? You be the judge!

And finally, my creation for the The,me: Ignis Factuus!

Thank you for joining in on the Challenge this week! Cannot wait to see what spooky creations you will make!!