#aiden & aiva

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Like look at Aiden go. That 2019-2022 glow up hit HARD.

#my art #i love my kids #gonna go have my daily cry about them now #aiden & aiva

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Spread 2: ✨What are Faerie?✨

TEXT: “Those of us who grew up in Ireland are no stranger to the tales of Faerie folk. The Otherworld of magic bustling right under the noses of oblivious humans, where nothing is certain and all things are possible. They are creatures made up of the raw and unbridled forces of nature, with temperaments, values, and customs incomprehensible to the likes of us humans. Faerie are just as elusive as they are unpredictable, more often than not being very well camouflaged and having the ability choose when and by whom they will be seen.

Many people who go their entire lives digging around in gardens and turning over rocks in search of them usually come back with nothing more than dirty boots and disappointment, which honestly might be best in some cases depending on the intentions of the individual. For although the rewards of the Faerie world are plentiful, the consequences of a Faerie offended are far greater.

But who am I to say anything about the people who don't take every necessary precaution when entering the domain of the Fae? I still find myself running into the forest with reckless abandon, and it was that very habit that led me directly into their path. Stupid, I know. But hey, one doesnt necessarily ever expect to be quite literally hoasted off the ground directly into the giant palm of a Faerie on her daily escape to her treehouse! Now you might argue I should’ve expected as much, considering Fae tend to be drawn in by large displays of emotion, and I was crying that time around.. To which I would counter argue that this wasnt the first time I’d ran crying into the woods, and although the idea of a possible Faerie encounter was always on the back of my mind, I still wasn’t mentally prepared. Luckily for me, that particular Fae would go on to became my closest friend, Aiden, who just so happens to be a part of the race of Fae I would come to most intimately Know.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #faeries #folklore #fantasy art #fae #illustration #my art #artists on tumblr

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The Faerie Journalist ✨

a piece inspired by my favorite Norman Rockwell painting “girl running with wet canvas” ft. my good time girl Aiva, and a Yew tree Faerie.

#pyrography #woodburning #illustration #my art #magic #fairy #fairies #craft #the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva

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I don’t know why I’ve avoided posting my thesis work on here for over a year now. These characters mean the world to me, and sharing my love for them with people who are willing to indulge in their magical little universe is a lovely bonus, so share it I must~ This is the book jacket, inspired by the gorgeous and intricately detailed art from irish illuminated manuscripts. I’ll be posting it in parts, but you can see the whole thing on my portfolio site. Here’s a little description to kick things off:

“Do you ever wonder what goes on in the Faerie realm that seems to exist all around us, and yet right beyond the veil of our perception? So does Aiva Abara, a 19 year old aspiring nature conservationist from kilkenny Ireland. This journal documents her experiences that came from becoming acquainted with the Faerie who dwell in the forest around her home. More specifically the Crann Fae: a race of tree Fae who serve as guardians of the natural world, and who are just as mysterious and majestic as the trees they are born from.”

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#fae #fantasy art #irish folklore #fairies #illustration #my art #Aiden & Aiva #faeries #froggy goons #THE CRANN OF THE FAE

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Spread 8: ✨The Oak • Crann Dair Ghaelach✨

MAIN TEXT: “The Oak of the Crann are a courageous and noble lot, tasked with physically defending the forest and the Fae world by any means necessary. Although it's accepted amongst the Crann that humans will often fell trees for practical use, the Oak Crann don’t take Kindly to those who enter their home with more nefarious intent. I’ve heard tales of foresters who bit off more than they could chew either disappearing without a trace, being found struck by lightring, or whose remains were found brutally crushed in the woods. I can only assume that it was at the hands (or the branches) of the Oak Crann. They have the ability to summon and subdue storms, sending particularly nasty ones over the nearby towns whenever construction sites get uncomfortably close to the forest's border. They can grow anywhere between 66 to 132 feet tall, and are among some of the oldest of the Elder Crann.”

NOTE 1: “ The view from up here is great, unless there’s a storm nearby. The Oaks may be used to the strikes but I’m certainly not!”

NOTE 2: “ The Druids believed the Oaks hosted the strength of the gods, and that catching their falling leaves would bring good fortune.”

NOTE 3: “Oaky here made an axe out of a tree some knob cut down for fun. She’s pretty determined to return the favor if they come back for more.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #Irish folklore #Fantasy art #Character design #My art #fae #faeries #ANOTHER ONE

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“THE CRANN OF THE FAE” Spread 1 : ✨introductions✨

MAIN TEXT: “HELLO ME! Or who I can only assume is me, considering that this is my journal. But if for some mysterious reason this highly valuable tome of knowledge has fallen into the hands of a stranger (and not the more likely scenario where it was snatched by the pixies that keep raiding my treehouse) then hello you! When I decided to write this new journal, I hadn't really considered that the knowledge it will contain might one day find its way into the hands of another. But if that be the case, I feel like some context, and maybe a proper introduction would be a helpful start.

My name is Aiva Abara, and this is my book of wonders. I grew up on a small farm in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and have always felt especially drawn to nature. Not surprisingly considering that most of my childhood was spent stumblin' about the forests surrounding my home and tending to the animals on the farm. For all I know I might’ve been under the Faeries spell for most of my life, my parents sometimes joking that I might be a changeling…although that was quite the astute observation on their part, I was most likely just what I like to call a “bug Kid": meaning the kind of kid that grew up covered in dirt, converting hollow stumps into makeshift cauldrons, and quite honestly wreaking havoc over my backyard. It's in these things that I find my comfort, endlessly fascinated by the ever changing and unpredictable nature of the forest and its inhabitants. I guess I'll never know if that unnamable force that's kept me wrapped around natures finger my whole life was due to me actually being a changeling, or maybe the work of Faeries whispering subliminal messages into my ears as a child. I am currently studying to become a nature conservationist, so ya know? Fair play Faeries…”

CURSIVE NOTE: “ it’s said that a mortal who carries a four leaf clover is able to see past the magic that renders the Fae invisible”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #my art #fae #fantasy art #irish folklore #faeries #illustration

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Spread 11: ✨The Ash and Rowan • Crann Fuinseoige agus Crann Caorthainn✨

MAIN TEXT: “Being in the same family, the Ash and Rowan Crann have many similar qualities. They can often be found quietly guarding old holy wells or sacred springs, sometimes speaking to something in the water that I can't quite see.”

NOTE 1 : “stoic and protective in nature, it’s thought that if you place the berries from these trees in the cradle of a newborn, they have the ability to ward off malicious Fae from swapping the child with a changeling.”

NOTE 2: “It was believed by the Druids that if harm were to come to either of these trees, the perpetrator would find Themself the victim of unpleasant supernatural consequences���”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #Irish folklore #Fantasy art #Character design #fae #faeries #my art

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Spread 6: ✨AIDEN✨

TEXT: “So how exactly did I come to meet Aiden, you might ask? And what makes him the most wonderful bloke you’ll ever have the honor of being hoisted twenty feet in the air by? First of all, he’s gorgeous. Just look at him! Absolute class. Second of all, he's the most gentle and caring being that walks the earth. Backtracking a bit to that whole crying and running into the woods fiasco I mentioned before, Aiden just so happened to be in a similar situation that day; our paths crossing in an attempt to escape our problems. Noticing my frantic state, and being well aware of the dangers of the forest, he impulsively swept me off the ground and into his palm. I won't lie, I was about ready to shite my soul in fear, but something about the look in his eye calmed me instantly. In a moment of understanding, all our differences became irrelevant, and suddenly we were just two kids in desperate need of a friend. Immediately noticing his cornucopia of a crown, I commented on his spectacular taste in fashion (I didn't know it was quite literally a part of his head. I was 12. leave me alone) and he proceeded to take me around the forest so I could make a crown of my own, all so we could cheer each other up. Since then we’ve been inseparable, and I honestly couldn’t imagine life any other way. Aiden has reminded me of the ways in which we are all intrinsically connected to the forces of nature and each other, exposing me to his world where even the biggest and smallest of Fae and fauna are no lesser or greater than one another. In turn I've gotten to introduce him to my world, showing him the wonderful and bizarre things that have come out of humanity. Things he longed to know, considering the circumstances of his creation. At the end of the day we’re just two souls who once felt like they would never find their place in the world, and then just so happened to find it in each other.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #Irish folklore #Fantasy art #Character design #My art #fae #faeries

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Spread 10: ✨The Birch • Crann Beithe✨

TEXT: “Seemingly in a constant state of celebration, the melodic tunes these Crann can often be heard playing and the jovial dancing that accompanies it can raise the most wilted of plants, and even protect against misfortune. Ordinary Birch trees are still used to start fires and make Maypoles for the old Celtic holiday of Beltane. Dancing around the pole during this festival of new beginnings was said to ensure plentiful crops, fertility and the coming of summer. This only makes more sense now that I know the Crann who may have encouraged such a celebration in the first place. My proximity to the Fae has made it easier to spot them joining in on the fun each year. I hope I'm not the only one who gets to witness their boundless talents.”

NOTE: “ The leaves of the average birch can be brewed into a tea with natural antibiotic qualities… would it be weird if I asked to try it?”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #Irish folklore #Character design #Fantasy art #My heart #Folklore #fae #faeries

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spread 4: ✨Aiden and the Birth of a Crann✨

TEXT: “It's only right that the first Crann I introduce you to is Aiden. He was the one who formally introduced me to the world of Faerie after all, and he's nothing short of magnificent. Throughout this journal I will be talking about the different species of Crann I’ve met mostly in general terms (if I were to describe them all individually this journal might never end), but in the case of Aiden that isn’t really possible. To understant what I mean I must first tell you about the birth of a Crann, as explained to me by the Fae themselves. Although they are not immortal beings, their lives can span centuries, making it unnecessary for them to reproduce often. But when it does come time for a new Crann to be brought into this world, it's quite the ceremonious event. Every hundred years or so the elder Crann of the forest are gathered together and a tree sapling is selected by a group of elemental Fae to be nutured with magic. This jovial ceremony full of dancing and singing can span for days, Faeries of all kinds gathering together to witness the birth of a new guardian. Although the Crann live in harmony amongst each other, they each have abilities unique to their species and certain ecosystems in which they thrive. This means the newborn Crann are then given to whichever group they belong to, whether it be Yew, Hazel, Ash, etc., in order to learn the ways of their kind. This was not the case for Aiden.”

"Many years ago a botanist facinated by the idea of bending nature to his will was experimenting with tree grafting. He was attempting to create a chimera that embodied as many of Irelands native trees as he could, testing the limits in which nature could be manipulated by his hand. His attempts proved fruitless and he abandoned his failed experiment in the forest, neglected and dying. There it was found by some garden Faeries who were very intrigued by this curious little sapling. Unable to resist caring for the peculiar sprout, the Faeries began nursing it back to health, unintentionally imbuing the sapling with the same magic that would normally be reserved for the birth of a Crann. By the time they noticed their mistake it was too late. They shuttered at the thought of having to summon the Elder Crann to see what they had done, but not more than they reveled in the idea of causing a bit of trouble for them as well. The newborn was then plucked from the earth and presented to the Crann who had been summoned from every reach of the forest, much to their confusion. To say they were bewildered by this sickly sapling's appearance would be an understatement. Deformed, pale, and incredibly skinny, he was far smaller than any newborn Crann before him. He displayed a confusing mishmash of almost all the forest's trees combined, the likes of which the Crann had never seen, nor fathomed. His one large eye glistened with wonder, mushrooms and tree bark twisting over where the other eye was never able to fully grow. Even his mouth was nowhere to be found, rendering him mute."

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #fae #irish folklore #fantasy art #character design #faeries #my art #trying to hold myself back from posting all the pages in one go but hhhnngggggggg

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✨Last Spread✨

MAIN TEXT: “I still have loads to discover about all the Crann that are out there, and I’m sure I’ll only meet more and more as I advance in my conservation studies. I can’t even fathom what behemoths Redwood Crann must be! But for now, here are some more fun facts about ma boy Aiden and I that make me smile. Until next time journal o’ mine!”

NOTE 1 : “ Although the beginning of our friendship blossomed through nonverbal communication, I could tell it frustrated Aiden that he couldn’t respond with words. To remedy this, I’ve been teaching us sign language over the years! He’s a pro.”

NOTE 2: “ One of Aiden’s favorite pastimes is pressing me into moss like a little stencil. I’d like to apologize to anyone who’s found an ominously human shaped indent in the earth on their walks into the woods.”

NOTE 3: “ Animals trust the Fae implicitly, which has led them to trusting me by association. This has given me a bit of princess complex… Oh well~”

NOTE 4: “ Aidan has always been fascinated by humans. Collecting the interesting items that they leave in the forest has always been a hobby of his. When he was a wee babe he would hang them from his arms to emulate the Willow crown’s swaying leaves.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #fae #faeries #fantasy art #character design #irish folklore #my art

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Spread 13: ✨The Dryad and Naiad 🐟🍂✨

TEXT: “ Nymphs are nature spirits, and fiercely protective ones at that. The Dryad in particular are the Nymphs that inhabit the trees. After the birth of a Crann, they are often chosen by a Dryad to be bonded with for life. They serve as friends, counselors, and protectors, devoting themselves eternally to the guardians that keep them safe. Their ability to shape shift into plants and animals is a pretty neat camo trick that also aids in anchoring them to their chosen Crann.

These bonds are so strong that when a Crann a Nymph has chosen dies, she almost always sadly follows suit, perishing alongside them. But on the off chance that a Crann is Killed by a human, the Nymph can become overtaken with a dark madness, not able to peacefully return to the earth until vengeance is brought upon the one who felled their beloved Crann.”

NOTE 1: “ I can never tell if this Naiad likes me or wants to drown me…”

NOTE 2: “ Naiads are bound to the freshwater sanctuaries they inhabit, and align themselves more with the water based Crann like the Willow or Birch.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #fae #Irish folklore #Fantasy art #faeries #my art #character design

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Spread 9:✨The Yew • Crann Lúr✨

MAIN TEXT: “The Yew Crann, with their ominous beauty and mysterious magic serve as the undertakers of the spirit world. Associated with the eternal: life, death, and rebirth, they aid in leading spirits in and out of this corporeal world and through whatever lies beyond. Although they are more elusive than most Crann, I've sometimes spotted them guarding old cemeteries alongside the old Yew that were planted there; Or even for brief moments on foggy nights, illuminated by the wisps that seem so drawn to their presence. One can only wonder where they might be going.”

NOTE : “The lights that keeps these Crann company are Will-o’-the-wisps. No one is sure if they’re spirits, or of their intentions, but it’s said you shouldn’t follow them no matter how tempting.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #Fantasy art #Folklore #Irish folk #death #Character design #fae #faeries

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Spread 12: ✨The Hazel • Crann Coll✨

MAIN TEXT: “Regarded as the wisest of the Crann, the Hazels are the first to be sought out for council if matters of the Fae are in need of discussion. They're on the much shorter side of Crann, making it much easier for me to nag them into sharing the many stories they've collected throughout their long lives. I have them to thank for a good chunk of my knowledge on the Fae! With all that info packed in their minds it's no wonder they have a tendency to sit in meditation for unfathomably long stretches of time, allowing the likes of bees, pixies, and other creatures to make homes of them. This Hazel didn't seem to mind their particularly extreme bee situation.”

NOTE 1 : “ Hazel rods are said to offer protection against evil spirits, and have been used for wand making and water Divining. I wonder if this wee lad would show me how to make a wand of my own…

NOTE 2: “ In Irish folklore, hazel trees are associated with the goddess Brighid, who is said to bring divine inspiration!”

NOTE 3: “The phrase ‘in a nutshell’ came from the beleif that hazelnuts contain much wisdom within them. Aiden's offered me one that grew from his head before but I think my brain might explode if I try it.. I’ll Keep you posted!”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #fae #irish folklore #Fantasy art #My heart #Character design #faerie

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Spread 5: ✨Aiden and the birth of a Crann (continued)✨

TEXT: “There had never been a time when a newborn Crann wasn't handed off to the group in which their physical attributes would suggest they belonged, so the matter of who was best suited to take in the new Crann had to be considered. After much deliberation, they decided that he was to be raised by all the Crann. If this little one was truly a member of their family and could passibly harbour many gifts, it was only right. Only an Oak could teach him how to be a fearsome protector after all, and only a willow could teach him how to properly weep. And so the Crann did just that; every Elder taking turns teaching the young one what it truly means to be a gaurdian of the forest, and how to use his possible gifts to aid in his purpose. The only problem was that Aiden wasn’t so sure he had a purpose, or if he could call himself a Crann at all.

Although he exhibited characteristics of many of his kin, he never seemed to be able to fully tap into the powers that came so easily to the elders who raised him, and he couldn’t help but notice the twinge of disappointment on their faces when he failed to do so. The fact that he was never granted a proper name didnt help with his issue of feeling like an outsider. Many of his family only referring to him as "Corr Ceann" meaning "odd one" which in my opinion is terribly rude and probably the reason he seemed so happy when I asked if I could name him. But thankfully there was one Elder that you could say was like a mother to him; the Willow Elder, Saileach, who loved him no different than any other willow she had raised before him. Although she acknowledged his differences, she was the only Crann who never made him feel wrong for having them. she calls him her little "Foraoise", meaning "little forest", because to her he is the embodiment of everything the Crann stand to protect, and she never understood how the others couldnt see that.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #fae #faeries #Irish folklore #Fantasy art #Character design #My art #yeah whatever im just gonna post some more HAHAHAH

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Spread 3: ✨The Crann✨

TEXT: “Before my friendship with Aiden, I'd not been aware of the existence of his kind, or more accurately, the Crann, which happens to be the Irish word for tree, making it very clear that I wasn't the first human to become acquainted with these majestic giants. Initially I’d guessed that the lack of oral stories passed down from the ancient Druidic Celts about the Crann was a way of protecting them. Although I'm not so sure how much protection they really need considering that I've witnessed their incredible strength first hand, and some of them can grow more than 100 feet tall. After asking one of the elder Crann their hot take on the situation, they said they're grateful for the Druids precautions, if that were the case, but that the Crann are highly capable of defending their own, and that maybe the lack of stories were due to them mostly making themselves known when someone harms the forest, and those gobshites consequently not living to tell the tale..I stopped pressing the matter after that.

The best way to begin understanding the Crann is to first have a basic understanding of the lives of trees. I have observed that they operate in a fascinatingly similar way. Trees are Social beings. They care for each other and work as a unit, sharing their resources no matter their differences. They even have the ability to come together and expend and share their own energy to heal their sick and dying. A tree on its own cannot be a forest, and it’s their ability to keep their community intact that makes it possible for them to live to such a ripe old age. The Crann, much like the trees they come from, also help to maintain this social harmony amongst the forest, wether it be keeping the trees rooted during a particularly nasty storm, defending against humans who intend to harm their beloved domain, or even just maintaining the peace amongst the Fae. They're often massive stature reflects the heaps of wisdom they carry, and their unique beauty is something I can only hope to do justice to in my sketches. And besides, I promised old Oaky I'd work extra hard on their sketch, or else they'll tie me to their horns again.”

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#the crann of the fae #aiden & aiva #fae #irish folklore #fantasy art #my art #faeries #character design