My other great passion....

I have two enduring passions, obviously first is writing and the second is art.

I am a completely untrained drawer/artist, but I love and I do mean LOVE to draw comics and paint - when I have the time (which unfortunately is less and less).

 As a teen, I was one of those kids who was always drawing things. Dragons, centaurs, fairies, vampires, the walls around my study desk were covered in them. It's ironic that the wall around my writing desk now seems to be slowly acquiring similar sketches. :D

Sketches on my pinboard above my writing desk.

 My first foray into painted art occurred when I was pregnant with my son and from there I got into cubism in a pretty big way. Most of my cubist paintings are scattered in homes around Perth and one in England!

This one was inspired by Franz Marc's painting "Tiger", it's still my favourite and one I'll never sell or give away!

This one is one of my own called unsurprisingly, "snake in long grass" [oil on canvas] which is one of a three part Australian Reptile cubist something-or-rather series :) I have never denied the fact I am a nerd :)



My version, inspired by Franz Marc's 'foxes' [acrylic on canvas]



Then I got re-inspired by Franz Marc again, and if you don't know his work (he died in WW1) you should really check it out, it's so marvellous. He died far too young.

Then I got into PopArt - this was loads of fun, but it's remarkably time-consuming!

 

"Oh My" by me [acrylic].



"I never told him!" [acrylic] by me.

 



 

 

"Uh oh" [acrylic] by me.

After my PopArt Phase - I moved on to religious iconography!



"Our Lady of Perpetual Succor" [oil/acrylic on canvas] by me.

Then I had a brief stint in "realism" - not so much fun but worth the attempt!

"Red robin in the snow" [oil on canvas] by me.

And now I'm into comic drawing! :))

"Antigone & the Hunter" pen and pastel - you'll recognise this one from the "Magical Creations" book trailer.

"Bo & Mimosa" for an up-coming book trailer :D

"Mimosa" sketch for the upcoming trailer.

Anyway, I hoped you liked a glimpse of my other great passion.

Have a magical week.

Nicola



Teaser - WIP

As you will know, "Magical Redemption" is my WIP (work in progress) and the final in my "Magic Series". So I thought I'd give you a wee teaser and an update on progress.

Current Word Count: 60,000 words

Locations: Perth, Kuala Lumpur, London

Quote of the day: "How did a woman as good as you ever get stuck with a devil like me?"

Lucian let out a roar of fury and barrelled up to Farid, gripping his shirt collar in one massive hand - pulling the man onto his toes. “Don’t you dare speak about her like that.” He snarled, looking more feral and terrifying than Jinx had ever imagined he could. “She’s a better woman, Genie or not, than you’ll ever be a man.”

*swoon*

Hope you liked it!

The Eurymanthian boar







Image courtesy: http://camphalfblood.wikia.com/wiki/File:Hercules_catching_the_Erymanthian_Boar.jpg



 I was flicking through my trusty "Mythical Creatures Bible" by Brenda Rosen and remembered the story of the Eurymanthian Boar.

The Eurymanthian boar is a great wild boar that roamed the lands around Mount Eurymanthus an area that was sacred to the Goddess Artemis. Artemis would send the Boar to ravage the fields of the highlands when displeased.

The Boar was an enormous animal with razor sharp tusks, and quite obviously feared by everyone.

 In the 'Twelve Labours of Hercules', Hercules is ordered by King Eurystheus to bring the Boar back alive. Under advice ,Hercules drives the Boar up the mountain into deep snow where he subdues it and brings it back to the King. The King is so terrified by the giant beast that he hides and orders Hercules to get rid of it. According to the legend Hercules then threw it into the sea where it swam to Italy!

I think I find this beast particularly intriguing because some enormous wild boars have been found in Australia (if you're squeamish don't scroll down). They are not native here, and are considered a feral animal. Wild pigs are often killed on sight due to the damage they cause to the bush and farmland.

I first came across this picture in an email after a trip up to the Pilbara, someone sent it to me saying this one was killed at Roy Hill Station (not to far from where we were camping!). I'm not sure if that is true, but I'm mightily glad I didn't come across anything as massive as this. However, you can really see how some natural animals take on mythological proportions when specimens like this are found. Who knew an Eurymanthian boar could be found lurking in the Aussie Bush?! Wonders will never cease... Enjoy your week.

2012...

Welcome back followers and friends! I hope your Christmas and New Year break was a pleasant one. Mine was exceptionally lovely.

2012 is shaping up to be an interesting year already.

I'm back at University, full time, so it is going to be a very hectic schedule! None the less I'm planning on continuing writing and am hoping to get "Magical Redemption" released this year, hopefully in the later half - publisher permitting!

As you know, "Magical Redemption" is the last in the 'Magic series', but don't fear, I have several books in the pipeline. They will all be set in the same world as the Magic Series though, I'm unlikely to be using Genies... but you never know, one might pop in...
I've got story lines with Satyrs, Magicians, Chameleons and Warlords, as well as Sworn Virgins... I'm not sure which I'm going to run with yet, so watch this space - and let me know what you'd like to see!

Anyway, wishing everyone the best for 2012!

Cheers

Nicola

River Monsters - a muse

I will merrily confess that I am avid watcher of Jeremy Wade's "River Monsters". Yes it's melodramatic, sensationalist and filled with some gory re-inactments. However, it is also steeped in mythology.... and I love that. Basically, Jeremy Wade  - biologist and fisherman - travels the world searching for the truth behind some of the world's 'river monsters' and ends up catching some pretty big fish in the process (and don't worry, he always lets them go).

So today, I'm flicking through my mythology book and looking at two mythological river monsters. I've alluded to river/swamp monsters in two of my books, but never actually used one. Maybe I will one day.

 

The Miengu

The Miengu - (singular Jengu) is an African water spirit or deity from Camaroon. The Miengu is a beauitufl mermaid-like creature, distinguishable from other 'mer-creatures' by long woolly hair and a gap-toothed smile. They are  found in both rivers and the sea, and are said to be kind. If honored by a person, they will transfer messages between the human and spirit world. TThe Miengu also have the ability to cure illnesses and bless their devotees with good luck, protection from epidemics, good weather and sucess in competitions.

[image sourced from Goddesses&Gods]

The Kappa

The Kappa is a particularly interesting river monster from Japanese Mythology and  they are sometimes still held responsible for the drowings of children in rivers. The Kappa is described in various ways, most commonly as a child-sized creature with reptilian skin, human like hands.The progeny of a human and Kappa (as you would imagine) is apparently quite repulsive to see.  The Kappa at times can be considered benevolent, and aid people. They are apparently able to speak and understand Japanese but there are legends of Kappa's raping women. It is said that the Japanese Giant Salamander may actually have been the genesis of the Kappa myth.[Image sourced from Wikipedia]   

Giant Japanese Salamander! Soooo cool. [Image sourced Jacksword]

Anyway, I was going to describe a few more, but time has, as usual, escaped me, so I'll leave it here.

I'll be up doing a giveaway on 22nd December on the "DARKSIDE DOWN UNDER" - one e-copy of my latest release,  'Mimosa Black' so be sure to enter!!

I hope all my readers have a super Festive season and stay happy and safe!

Mimosa Black - officially released

Mimosa Black is officially released and ready to buy!

Even though it's a novella, you can actually by as a print book to add to your enviable

Nicola E. Sheridan Collection!  

Amazon Kindle & Paperback

Eternal Press e-book

I seriously hope you enjoy Mimosa Black - I did, and will confess the scene in the park makes even me blush. 

FUN FACT about 'Mimosa Black': The hero,  Bo Elliot is actually the doctor mentioned as the Magical Being Specialist in Fremantle Hospital near the end of "Magical Gains".

Mimosa Black - sneak peek II

"Mimosa Black" coming this week! 7th December 2011

Eternal Press

Mimosa felt her blood begin to heat up. Some  logical part of her brain told her she had no right to feel jealous about Bo. He had never once led her on, or so much as suggested they might have a relationship other than the very platonic one that already existed. Still, despite this knowledge, her jealousy rose like a leviathan from deep within her. She needed to act.

“Mim, hey, Mim,” Harry yelled, resting his hand on her thigh.
She swivelled her stool to face him and felt him run his hand down her wing. He had been flirting with her all night. “Why do you look so sullen all of a sudden?” he asked with a wink in Bo’s direction.
The Weimaraner girl raised a fake-nailed hand and tucked a lock of Bo’s hair behind his ear in a flirtatious, overly familiar gesture. Mimosa saw red. She hesitated a moment, throwing an angry, jealous glare at Bo, which he didn’t seem to catch. Without further thought, she leaned over toward Harry and kissed him thoroughly. She poured the anger she felt at the blond girl into Harry. He tasted good, like gourmet beer and spicy potato wedges, but it was his reaction to her that was most pleasing. He kissed her back with wild enthusiasm. For a moment, the bar ceased to exist, and all that Mimosa could feel, taste and hear was Harry’s passion for her.
Abruptly, the kiss was cut short.
“What the fuck?” Bo grated. “Harry? Get off her!”