New Illustration: The Firebird

In Slavic folklore, the Firebird is a magical bird from a faraway land, usually depicted as a small, fire-colored peacock. It can bring blessing or doom to its captor. It glows, and a single feather from the firebird's tail can illuminate an entire room.

This illustration started out as a test for a new art app I was trying. I am quite happy with the results, and so I decided to share it with everyone ^_^

It is now available on a wide variety of products in my stores at  Zazzle, Cafe Press, Red Bubble, and my deviantArt Print shop.

The Firebird

I finally finished my Firebird costume! It took a really long time, almost 3 months. But I am really happy with the results, so it was worth it ^-^ Some of you may have seen my WIP post from May, if you did, you will notice that I changed models - the pics I posted before were of Gizella, but I think it looks better on Bu Yong, so it's hers now. I had her in mind for it originally anyways.

So, for those of you who don't know, the Firebird is a creature from Russian and Slavic mythology, sort of like the Phoenix. She is from a far-away land, looks something like a fire-colored peacock, and a single feather can illuminate an entire room. The entire bird glows and shines, she puts off her own brilliant light. If you capture her, she can bring you blessings and fortune, but if she doesn't like you, she can bring your doom. A very interesting character, I think. Which made me wonder, what if, instead of being an actual bird, she was a not-qute-human, but very beautiful, woman?

On to the costume! The entire ensemble is made of glass seed beads, with swarovski crystal accents. It is my own design, inspired by my illustration of the same name.

And now, I will quit babbling, and show you the pictures! I hope you enjoy them :)

WIP: Feathers of the Firebird

I am working on a new beaded costume for Gizella. She will be the Firebird. The costume will be inspired by my Firebird illustration, although it will be a little bit different. I am very excited about it ^-^ Here are a few photos of her with the feathers I have made so far - these feathers will be used for the dress itself, and there will be different ones for the "tail" and "wing" feathers.

The dress she is wearing in these photos is one I knit several years ago - it was meant to be for a Firebird costume (I have had this idea in my head a long time!) for a larger doll (a Luts Delf) which I no longer have. I never finished that costume. This dress is actually too big for Gizella, but I like the colors on her, so I just pin it back.


In other news, I have a new illustration in the works. Actually, it should've been done and posted already! But my dad had a heart attack in the end of April (long story, but he's doing okay now), so it is only half colored right now. I'm hoping to finish coloring it one of these days soon, though, I hate leaving it unfinished!

New Illustration: The Firebird (Fairy Tale Fashion Series #1)

"The Firebird"
Fairy Tale Fashion Series #1
5x7" ink on watercolor paper
©2012 Debi Cady

In Slavic folklore the Firebird is a magical glowing bird from a far-off land, who can bring either blessings or doom to its captor. But what if the Firebird were not a bird at all, but a beautiful woman? In this illustration she is just that. The Firebird stands triumphantly holding a golden apple from the king's tree. The vines encircling the illustration represent the king's garden. This is the first illustration in my Fairy Tale Fashion series.

This illustration is now available in my stores at Cafe Press, Zazzle, Red Bubble, my deviantArt print shop and my gallery on Artist Rising. Be on the lookout for the next illustration in this series, hopefully I will have it posted later this month ^_^