Monday, October 11, 2010

MERMAID & SEA HORSE FAUX POSTAGE/ Cyberstamps from the micronation of Undinia/ CINDERELLA STAMPS by Eric Whollem/ 'Hippocampus'/ An artistamp issued for the Undinian Mermaid Philatelic Agency: 'Approved for Stamp Duty by the Admiralty of the Royal Undinian Navy'/ THE ROYAL WHARFSIDE POST OFFICE & TELEGRAPH of the Undinian Postal Service




The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST



Mermaid Faux Postage Stamps
UNDINIAN POSTAL SERVICE

2010



The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST



A SPECIAL ISSUE OF
THE UNDINIAN MERMAID PHILATELIC AGENCY



The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST




The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST




The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST


A Souvenir Edition of the
ROYAL WHARFSIDE POST OFFICE
&
TELEGRAPH


The Mermaid and the Sea Horse
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST



More stamps from UNDINIA can be seen on the posts on this link:

BELOW ARE A FEW SAMPLE
STAMPS FROM UNDINIA
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST











 

Those interested in my posts on MERMAIDS should see:

THIS VIDEO IS FOR SEA HORSE
LOVERS

Seahorse stamps from Amphora.                  

My complete archive of FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS can be accessed here:

BELOW ARE MORE MERMAID
STAMP VIDEOS

Angelica Sea Salt Stamps
from Undinia


Stamps from Merreminde

Mermaid stamp video.                     

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ARTIST STAMPS
Cinderella stamps, faux postage, mail art,
artistamps, cyberstamps,
micronation stamps,
virtual stamps;
digital art; collage art.

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APHRODITE/ Artistamps from a mermaid micronation/ A cinderella CYBERSTAMP souvenir sheet/ FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS by Eric Whollem/ The Undinian Postal Mission celebrates the Festival of the Priestesses & Hierophants





Aphrodite
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST





Aphrodite
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST


A Special Souvenir Edition
THE ROYAL POST OFFICES
&
WHARFSIDE TELEGRAPH


Aphrodite
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE


THE UNDINIAN POSTAL MISSION
Post Office of the Undinian Navy

2010


Aphrodite
UNDINIA
2010
by Eric Whollem
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

The Festival of the Priestesses and Hierophants

The Aphrodesian Mystery Temple of Undinia has a yearly religious
festival in Nereidia, the capital city of Undinia. The Goddess Aphrodite
is worshipped in sacred processions that last for days. Markets are
set up in the city square where the vendors sell foodstuffs geared to the
aquatic tastes of the mermaid population of Undinia. Artisans sell
their wares. Music by the most popular performers of Mermaid Radio,
Television and Movie Screen are seen on stages set about the city.

This set of  stamps will be issued on the day of the beginning of the
rites and celebrations. Already the Naval Post Office fears that it will
sell out before every mermaid stamp collector has had a chance to
purchase a sheet. The price of the sheet is 109 f. This figure is given
in Undinian currency. See the United Aethernet Nations Table of
Monetary Exchange Rates for approximate valuation in a currency
with which you are familiar. These exchange rates are available
through the auspices of the Amphoran Postal Union.


THE CONTINENT OF AMPHORA

Undinia is a nation in the northeast of the continent of Amphora.
Other nations on this continent include Amphitritonia, Merreminde
and Delphys. All these states are member nations of the Amphoran
Postal Union.

_______________

See more stamps from UNDINIA on this link:

Those interested in the UNITED AETHERNET NATIONS should see these posts:

The stamps of AMPHORA may be viewed here:

See posts on MERREMINDE here:

The issues of AMPHITRITONIA can be found on this link:

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ARTIST STAMPS
Artistamps, cinderella stamps, cyberstamps,
faux postage, mail art, micronation stamps,
virtual stamps, digital art.

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Sunday, October 10, 2010

ABSTRACT PAINTING/ 'The Mirror of Persephone' by Eric Whollem/ Figurative abstraction/ MYTHOGRAPHIC ART/ The Eleusinian Mysteries/ Persephone and Eros/ THE INITIATE

     

                The Mirror of Persephone
                2001
                by Eric Whollem
                mixed media on paper
                Collection of the artist
                11" x 8.5"
                                                                                                 COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Persephone and Eros

The Eleusinian Mysteries were one of the principal religious systems
of ancient Greece. Other mystery schools existed, but the rites of
Delphi at Olympus were the most widely revered.

Originally the religious center at Delphi was maintained by the
matriarchal hierarchy. There was a huge serpent that lived on the
site, called the Python. This serpent was slain by the Achaen invaders
who entered Greece, establishing a patriarchal overseership of the
temple complex.


THE DESCENT OF PERSEPHONE

Persephone was the archetypical Initiate to spiritual wisdom. In the
fragments that come down to us from antiquity, there is the legend of
how she in her descent into the Abyssos, met Eros in the form of a flower.
The face in the golden flower in my painting above gives my own artistic
version of the vision of Eros.

In viewing this vision as a physical actuality, Persephone is said to have
failed her initiatory trials.

I depict Persephone as a mermaid, in keeping with the tradtions of the
Greek colonists of Calabria.

_____________

Readers interested in reading more about Persephone's INITIATION should see my posts:

My posts on the topic of MERMAIDS can be accessed here:
http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/mermaids

BELOW IS A
FAUX POSTAGE STAMP
FEATURING MY ART
DEPICTING PERSEPHONE 

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE


THE DESCENT OF PERSEPHONE


Those interested in my posts of ABSTRACT PAINTINGS should check out:
My posts on MYTHOGRAPHIC ART are on this link:

See Wikipedia for more about Persephone:
MYTHOLOGY


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ABSTRACT PAINTING/ 'Synthesia' by Eric Whollem/ A figurative abstraction/ METAPHYSICAL ART/ A mixed media work on paper/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION

                                



                                    Synthesia
                                    1998
                                    by Eric Whollem
                                    mixed media on paper
                                    Collection of the artist
                                    6" x 9"
                                                        COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Synthesia: the Interfusion of the Senses

This work, entitled 'Synthesia,' is an allegorical representation
of the concept of the interfusion of the senses. In metaphysical
systems such as Zen Buddhism, there is an emphasis on the
merging of the senses into a unified harmony. Smell, taste,
touch, etc. all merge in one-pointed meditation.

_______________

See my complete online gallery of ABSTRACT PAINTINGS on this link:

Those who wish to view my approaches to figurative abstraction in digital art as well as painting, might want to see:

View my posts on METAPHYSICAL ART here:

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ABSTRACT FIGURE PAINTING
Contemporary Painting

ABSTRACT PAINTING/ Mixed media on paper/ FIGURATIVE ABSTRACTION/ 'The Gamblers' by Eric Whollem/ Figurative Abstraction

  


     The Gamblers
     1985
     by Eric Whollem
     mixed media on paper
     Collection of the artist
     9" x 6"
                    COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST


A Whimsical Figurative Abstraction

In the process of thinking of illustrations for my novel 'Rainbeetle,'
I designed this image of two drunken gamblers. Those interested in
viewing my online posts of abstract paintings should see the links
below.

_____________

Readers interested in my ongoing references to RAINBEETLE should see:

This link will take you to my posts of ABSTRACT PAINTINGS:

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Contemporary painting

Friday, October 8, 2010

GODDESS AMULETS/ Ceramic Sculptures by Eric Whollem/ Notes on Marija Gimbutas/ MYTHOGRAPHIC ART/ Miniature pendants in clay/ WEARABLE ART




Goddess With a Leaf
2006
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE




Earth Goddess Amulet
TWO VIEWS
2006
by Eric Whollem
copper carbonate and oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST





Ocean Mother
2006
by Eric Whollem
oxides and found earth on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Goddess Amulets in Clay

The Goddess has been represented in art for thousands of years.
Marija Gimbutas, author of the book, Language of the Goddess,
which came out in the 1980's, is one of the world's leading authorities
on Goddess art. Her work was highly praised by Joseph Campbell
and Ashley Montague. I had the good fortune to have met her
at a convention of the Society for California Archaeology in the
early 1990's. She viewed an exhibit of my clay amulets there,
remarking that some of my work had an archaic Romanian flavor.

It will be obvious to many that my work also treats of the
iconography of the Venus of Wollendorf, as well.

Clay amulets, or pendants, are among the art forms known in
abundance from antiquity. The Goddess is featured prominently
among them.




Agape
2005
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.25"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Agape

Agape means 'understanding' in Greek.

This miniature sculpture has been enlarged considerably for
viewing on the computer screen. Having been a 'rock hound'
since I was a child, I have always attempted to give my
sculptures a rough appearance similar to that found in
natural minerals.

_______________

Read about Marija Gimbutas on this link:

See my posts about the GODDESS here:

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BIRD MAN AMULET/ Figurative Ceramic Shamanic Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ Oxides on white earthenware clay/ Mythographic Abstraction




 Bird Man
2004
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Textures in Groggy Clay

As I most frequently utilize 'sculpture mix' clay to create my
ceramic sculptures, I find that the rough texture of the clay
can often add an interesting surface to the final work.

The brands I use most are Laguna or Imco Clay. . .either
white or terracotta. Other red clays, such as Laguna Hawaiian
Red has proven interesting to work with.

This piece was colored with ceramic oxides, burnished to
bring out the texture of the clay body.


BIRD MAN

Mythically Bird Man is represented in the Japanese figure
called the Tengu. He is also found in the petroglyphic arts
of Easter Island.

Basically my Bird Man is a shamanic figure. The shaman
is traditionally attributed with the powers of magical
flight. . .penetration into the astral dimension.

Bird Woman is well known as a shamanic archetype in the
Goddess traditions of Europe.

________________

Readers intersested in my posts on SHAMANISM can find them on this link:

See my CERAMIC AMULETS here:

My posts on MYTHOLOGY can be accessed here:

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MERMAID AMULET/ Abstract Ceramic Goddess Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ WEARABLE ART/ Oxides on white earthenware clay





Undine
2005
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The Undine

An undine is an aquatic nature spirit or a mermaid.
This sculpture renders the theme in a decidedly abstract
manner. I find that frequently my miniature sculptures
are quite freeing. Done quickly and informally they often
provide me with surprises, whereas a larger sculpture
can frequently be more limited, insofar as the weight
and drying time involved in clay work gives the artist
many more limitations. Smaller work has it's limitations
as well. No size factor is ultimate. Everything has it's
purpose, intentional and unintentional.

_________

See more of my CERAMIC SCULPTURES on this link:

Thursday, October 7, 2010

SEAHORSE & MERMAID AMULETS/ Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ 'Hippocampus' and 'Kore of the Ancient Sea'/ WEARABLE ART/ Copper carbonate and oxides on white earthenware clay/ Goddess Art: a Nereid of the Sea




Hippocampus
2004
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE




Kore of the Ancient Sea
2007
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Amulets of the Sea

Hippocampus is the Latin name for the Sea Horse. I have
created many sea horse pendants over the years. They have
proven one of my most popular ceramic items.

'Kore of the Ancient Sea' is a haunting image of a mermaid
Goddess. 'Kore' is Greek for maiden. The Greek mermaids
are of two main categories: Nereids, of the salt sea; and
Naiads, of the freshwater springs.

This sculpture is a Nereid. The Nereids were the daughters
of Nereus and Doris. They were considered by the Greeks to
be very beneficent, the saviours of sailors lost at sea.


See more ceramic amulets and also figurines and sculptures
on the links below.

_______________

Sea Horse
2004
by Eric Whollem
oxides on terracotta
Collection of the artist
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST


See more CERAMIC AMULETS on this link:

BELOW ARE A FEW
OF MY CERAMIC GODDESS AMULETS
(Photos copyright by the artist)


CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE















THE VIDEO BELOW
DEPICTS A SELECTION OF
MY SEAHORSE CERAMICS


                                            'Ceramic Seahorse' video.                                

See my posts about the GODDESS here:

BELOW ARE A COUPLE OF
MY MERMAID SCULPTURES



My complete archive of posts on CERAMIC SCULPTURES can be found here:

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LITTLE RED DOG/ Ceramic Sculpture/ 'CERAMIC TEXTUROLOGY'/ An amulet by Eric Whollem/ A miniature amulet/ Oxides and earth pigments on white earthenware clay





The Little Red Dog
2005
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5" x 2"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Ceramic Texturology

This ceramic miniature, designed as a pendant, displays the sort
of textures found in stones in nature. Burnished oxides evoke the
striations found in natural mineral samples.

This piece, designed to stand on 'all fours' as well as serve as a
centerpiece in a necklace, depicts a dog, stylized along the lines
of ethnic arts.

They say there are two sorts of ceramic sculptors: those who began
by work in stone, and those who began as potters. I never was a
potter, but worked in soapstone back in the 1970's when I was
living in Feather Falls, California.
______________

Those interested in my posts on CERAMIC SCULPTURE should see:

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