Music – My Interview with Viktor Norðir

September 25, 2018September 26, 2018 Carolina Russo

Digital Art Portrait Viktor Norðir by ©Carolina Russo

My interview with Musician Composer and Independent Artist: Viktor Norðir

Today I am very excited and happy to introduce you with my special guest for this interesting interview. My dear friend musician Viktor Norðir from Germany. Viktor is also the founder, song writer, vocals and guitar of band RIGNA FOLK and has a Solo Project as Norðir.

RIGNA FOLK Band members:

Viktor Nordir (vocals, guitar)
Jens sounds (guitar, synth)
Vladimir Müller (drums)
Chriss Fakler (bass, vocals, synth)

I like this band very much, they produce some great alternative music. If you’re following my Blog for a while you had the opportunity to read about them other times. Recently I had a collaboration with Viktor creating a short video, featuring a combination of his Music with my Art. I love to collaborate with other artists it is a great way for me to create and experiment new creative ways of visualization with my art in combination with others, you can see the video here “Stillness” Art And Music together can create magic!
We had a great collaboration that led us to a beautiful friendship and I am sure more artistic projects to come in the future!

NEW Release! My Digital Art Portrait
Today I am celebrating also a “New Release” of my latest Digital Art Portrait, it is part of my Project “ART FOR MUSIC “ and for my Concept Collection “When Nature Meets Humans” the artistic portrait that you see featured as the opening image of this post is my new digital creation. This artwork is dedicated and inspired by Viktor Norðir, there couldn’t be a better day to release it than today!
I am very thankful that Viktor kindly accepted to do this interview, I am happy to introduce you with his world of wonderful music and creativity. It is very interesting to get to know who behind the music. If you don’t know Viktor Norðir and his band yet, this is a great opportunity to discover a multi talented very inspiring Artist that plays multiple instruments, has a beautiful unique voice that he can tune in different ways, has an experimental open mind a kind heart and an intriguing soul.

Viktor in his solo project goes by the name “Norðir” on September 21st, 2018 he released a new Song and Video “No Hell No” which is the first single of his new project.

Thank you so much Viktor for accepting this interview, I wish you great success for the new song, video and for all your music projects coming in the future.

I am very excited for your answers to my questions, let’s get started!

Here there are my questions:

1. For who doesn’t know yet can you please introduce who is Viktor Norðir?

“Viktor Norðir” is my artist name, I grew up in Siberia and am currently living in Germany in the City of Ulm. I love to reflect on the contradictions of life and learn from every experience I make. I want to share those in my music. So when I write lyrics in English, German and Russian, I reflect on paradoxical topics from different perspectives and want to question one’s believes and encourages to embrace new pathways in life.

2. When did you discovered your music talent and your great voice? And when did you founded the indie band RIGNA FOLK?

My parents confirmed my early memory, of having an enthusiasm for the voices of the singers like Phil Collins and Freddy Mercury and my approaches to sing those Genesis and Queen Songs by myself loudly. As you can imagine, our neighbors did not share my enthusiasm, but I was having a blast!
My parents observed my extreme enthusiasm and bought me my first guitar. From there on, it became an essential part of my life to play and sing daily, to be in the clubs, hang out with guys that were more or less rock stars in my eyes, and just soak up the real world of the music scene. I looked up to these folks and I felt indescribably cool just to be hanging out with them. I made connections to fellow musicians and made my first experiences in writing my own songs and lyrics. I started to look for suited musicians and made further connections for my own band project. This all led to my first band’s own gig at the “Musikmarathon” in 2009. It was a mindblowing experience! Rigna Folk was born!

3. Your talent has a beautiful way of expression, you speak multiple languages and often mix them in your lyrics how this idea came to you? And you are able to divide yourself in two, having a solo project “Norðir” and a band project with RIGNA FOLK, can you tell us how you are able to menage both?

Thank you for your kind words! The idea, just to be myself in my arts and to express all of my thoughts, just inspired me to start my solo project in may of 2018. For some topics, I felt, a different Language felt more natural. So I developed this trilingual concept, which totally enables me to experiment and grow musically and lyrically. In the band Rigna Folk, we have a storytelling concept and it’s a different way of working on songs, it’s a whole unique experience and it’s precious to me. I want this to be a part of my life.
For the managing part: its classical project management I learned in college and by trying organizing the band myself from the beginning. I set the aims and prioritize the sub tasks, so it’s more fun for me and keeps me motivated and inspired.

4. Your music has a very unique sound and style how you define it as genre? And can you describe your creative process and what inspires you while creating your lyrics and melodies?

My music internalize paradoxes as well as my lyrics, playing with catchy and experimental elements, pending between indie pop tunes and dreamy electronic-psychedelic landscapes. I am totally inspired by moods and nature. in contrast, I am also inspired by lost places, abandoned cities, industrial architecture and the steampunk and goth genre! In my solo project, I love to focus on unique songs and develops them till they are finished. I am working with feedback by my bandmates, my fans and friends during the process, and like mo make refinements on my songs. In general, my aim is to keep the process open, so the end product has a history on its own.

5. You just released a new video few days ago for your solo project Norðir, can you tell us about it? And do you have any tour dates for live gigs as solo and with the band?

The lyrics of “No Hell No“ reflect on the topics xenophobia and national identity. This as a current topic in Germany right now. I was facing some kind of hatred in my first years in German school. Interestingly, it was not the case in the very beginning when I started to make friends, but later, when their parents got involved when I visited my friends in their homes. As I am thinking, this speaks for a conceptualized kind of artificial hatred based on shaped believes. I think, when you are self-aware, you will never choose the path of hatred.
The song argues the decision not to hate anyone you do not know or understand yet. It raises the question of what would have happened if one had been born in another place in the world and where the feeling of hate towards the unknown comes from.

Just Released!

I have organized my first Solo Tour with “Norðir” and there is also one Concert with my band Rigna Folk here there are some dates in Germany:

TOUR 2018 /2019 :
28.09. DE-Aalen / Frapé
30.09. CH-Baden / Club Joy Grand Casino
02.10. DE-München / Lost Weekend
05.10. DE-Kirchheim / ClubBastion (with Rigna Folk)
09.10. DE-Schwäbisch Gmünd / Leuchtturm
16.11. DE-Ulm / Studentencafe
14.11. DE-Esslingen / 4-Peh
27.11. DE-Göppingen / Radiobühne Weltweit
11.12. DE-Stuttgart / Rosenau
12.12. DE-Tübingen / Sudhaus
18.12. DE-Waiblingen / Kulturhaus Schwanen
26.01. CH-Zürich / Big Ben Westside
06.03. DE-Asperg / Glasperlenspiel

6. What is your creative Dream Project?

At the moment, I want to find additional independent musicians for my solo project. I want to work with different artists and to exchange our skills and to learn. Also, I am fascinated by combining music with visual arts, as we did in our “Stillness” project!

7. I always love to ask this question, because is personal and introspective, If you describe or picture your inner soul how will you describe it? And what color would it be?

During the last 2 years, I am working on my awareness and am discovering the fact, that my conceptualized ego was the main driving force behind my decisions and shaped a major part of my life. The more I get into reflecting, the more I feel happier, fulfilled and peaceful.
So at this point, I would describe my inner soul on being on a journey into the inner core of awareness. it would consist of all colors, because there are so many facets. When I ask my ego, it would prefer black, but I know there are more ( fun fact: yeah when you add all colors in RGB it would be black 🙂

8. I loved to collaborate and create the mini video “Stillness” my art combined with your music, I thank you for allow me to use your music and I like to ask you what do you like about my Art?

I loved our project Carolina!
I think that your arts and my music totally harmonize together and create something new together.
When I perceive your art, I am feeling an overall energy of positivity and playfulness, and every piece of art I have seen from you so far, brings me in a fairy tale world, in a fable where I can take a walk and discover new elements.
It’s like a whole unique universe, and for me, this is the kind of art which is resonating with me the most.

I really loved your questions, thank you so much! 🙂

Thank you so much Viktor I loved all your answers 🙂 and I am very happy that this is a more unique interview because it reveals more the insight and inner soul behind your creativity and music success. I am honored to have you here on my Blog!

***Also a last minute Great News directly from Viktor

Indie Music Nation added my new Song “NO HELL NO” to their Monthly Playlist on Spotify!!
Now Im on the same Playlist like The Twilight Sad (Official) and White Lies !! Amazing week so far 😎 Thank you ❤ ❤

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6kLDq11zzYdx8CjwDA0dTv…

I am also including here the link to Norðir Livestream on Facebook it was live at the release day for the launch of the new song and video but now you can still see it as post!
https://www.facebook.com/events/240110230009278/permalink/240956673257967/

Where you can find Viktor Norðir:

Norðir: https://www.facebook.com/nordirmusic/
Rigna Folk: http://rignafolk.de/

Amazon: https://lynxinbio.com/gdqq8/05fd9acf-cae9-4f70-8d66-5cfc35086e3a
iTunes: https://lynxinbio.com/gdqq8/fb63b830-e434-478b-936c-7d305bbc71dd
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFyD2CmFdrU
Spotify: https://lynxinbio.com/gdqq8/3bfdeb1e-fc28-42b6-a27d-0db02ea42078

I hope that you enjoyed my interview it wont be last more will come in the future!

I love to follow the new projects and I will check back in, from time to time, to update you with Viktor Norðir and the band RIGNA FOLK coming projects! I hope you enjoyed to watch the videos included and if you want to listen more… which I highly suggest, go to discover their music, please visit the YouTube Channels, stay connected, share if you can, please leave them comments they are motivating to artists. Best wishes to Viktor for all his projects as solo and with the band, I can’t wait to see what he is creating next, it is always an unpredictable surprise! ❤

I love your comments, please let me know… what do you think about this interview?
I am sure Viktor Norðir would love to read your comments!

If you like to read more of my Interviews check Here!

Credits Source photos: Viktor Norðir

In conclusion, I leave you with one of my quotes:

“Art and Music will take you where words often cant, let your feelings and imagination flow with it into the magic!” -©CR

Until my next post wish you a great week!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Carolina Russo Shop

#INKTOBER, #INKTOBER2018, #WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Challenge, Community, Creativity, Drawings, Events, Illustration, Ink, Ink Drawings, Sketchbook, Uncategorized, Watercolors, Ylia Adventures

INKTOBER 2018 is Coming Soon – Official Prompt List!

September 2, 2018September 4, 2018 Carolina Russo

78315df6f0f901f4-weblogo — October Challenge

INKTOBER 2018 31 Days 31 Drawings

Every October, artists all over the world take on the InkTober drawing challenge by doing one ink drawing a day the entire month.

Anyone can do InkTober just pick up an ink pen and start drawing!

Hello Friends,

InkTober 2018 is coming soon! Are you getting ready for this great challenge of daily drawing?
Time goes fast and I had many beautiful things happening in one year. I am very grateful for everything! This is my 3rd InkTober, I hope to be able to complete the 31 days. This year I have been very busy with my art and collaborations. For who is new to this InkTober is a fantastic challenge that help to refine your sketching skills and stimulate your creativity at drawing with the daily prompts, it is a great challenge for experienced artists and for beginners, you can choose to follow the Official Prompt list or have your own!

2016 InkTober following the “Official Prompt List” I have created a “Fantasy Character Design” which I love, her name is ©Ylia. I have illustrated her adventures inspired by the daily prompts and developed her character and story throughout the month. If you follow me from the last 3 years, then you should remember Ylia, the pic below shows one of my entry and you can see her. If you like to see more check all the other entries on my InkTober 2016 Gallery:

I had fun to create Ylia, she is a futuristic kind of “Superhero Warrior” with a nod to the past, she is a Messenger of “Love and Peace” and a creature of the universe a feeler of the universal love. Most of my drawings were accompanied by quotes or Haiku poems that I wrote. Maybe one day I will publish an illustrated book of @Ylia Adventures! I would love that! We will see what the future brings!

Day #24 ONE DOZEN – InkTober 2016 ©Carolina Russo

InkTober 2017 Last year I have Joined two amazing challenges InkTober and Drawlloween that is a little more spoocky Halloween themed prompts created by Pop Surrealist artist Mab Graves! My daily drawings were inspired by the combination of the two Challenges daily prompt words and I have combined the names creating my own challenge “DrawllooweenTober” yes this was my plan to be able to join and drawing daily for both amazing challenges at the same time, let me tell you it was pretty challenging and not easy but that was what I wanted to make it harder and extremely challenging and I made it! Creating a lovely Collection of dark themed little spooky drawings which I am very pleased see my whole Gallery Inktober Drawlloween 2018

Day #1 Inktober Drawlloween 2017: Werewolf with a Swift

InkTober 2018 For now I just got the “Official InkTober Prompt List” I don’t know at this moment what I would be creating. I need to think! This challenge is open to anyone that love sketching with ink pens but for the #worldwatercolorgroup we are free to add a dash of watercolor, I hope that someone of you will join me and millions of other artists around the world. You don’t have to be drawing every day if you can’t, you can do a drawing every other day, or every few days, or one entry a week! Doesn’t has to be a complicate drawing, it will help you to develop a habit and skills.

Here this is the Story :

Illustrator Jake Parker is the creator of this great challenge and initiative started in October 2009. Jake created InkTober as a challenge to improve his inking skills and develop positive drawing habits. It has since grown into a worldwide endeavor with thousands of artists taking on the challenge every year. Here are the 2018 Official Rules:

I am very excited to join Jake Parker once again and participate to the challenge! I would be Sharing on the Blog and daily on Instagram @carolinarussoart I probably would be participating again to Drawlloween challenge like last year I love both challenges and the only way to make it through is to combine them in a double challenge. I mix the official prompts to make it more challenging to produce a great collection of drawings, or another idea is to alternate the days between the two challenges if anyone will do it let me know.

Visit Jake Parker website for more details, videos, inspiration and lots to learn. I exported here the Official prompt list for the month.

The Official 2018 InkTober Prompt List:

If you like to join the challenge don’t forget when you post to always add the hashtags #INKTOBER2017 #INKTOBER and if you add watercolor hashtag #worldwatercolorgroup post your ink drawing online on your Blog and/or on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter…add all the tags to any place you share your drawings online!

I hope that artists here on WordPress will join this challenge with me,
I made this post early to get organized and prepared for October!

Now let’s get sketchbooks, inks, watercolor, pens and brushes and let’s have fun in October! ❤
Leave a comment and let me know if you will participate and what you plan drawing if you know already!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Community, Creativity, Digital Art, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, Messages to readers, Milestones, My Paintings, Nature, Uncategorized, Watercolors, World Watercolor Group, Writings

New Redesign BLOG Launch Party with Giveaway! You’re Invited….

August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 Carolina Russo

Yesterday After – Digital Collage of Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

Hello everyone,

today I am very happy to announce and welcome you to the “Launch Party” of my new redesign Blog and Shop here on YesterdayAfter! ❤
I hope you will love the new look! And please keep reading because in the end you will find a little surprise!

I first launched this Blog three years ago my first post went live on March 24, 2015, I had three wonderful years here blogging and launching my Art. Amazing accomplishments were made throughout the years. My Blog had grown beautifully and so my dear Followers and supporters. I am so thankful for all the wonderful connections made worldwide with inspiring people. I thank all my Bloggers friends that still here in this community from our beginning. I am so thankful for all the new followers that recently visited here and decided to stay. I am so grateful for all the ones that aren’t here yet but they are coming to this path! Thank you everyone!

It was a while now that I had in mind to redesign my Blog!
After three years I felt the need to start fresh, change the look and make it more mine using my own Artworks. I have been working on this project from the past weeks and right now I think is ready! I also wanted to create a new way to navigate through the pages, I hope you find it easy. and I wanted to include my New Shop. I no longer will sell any of my Art and Jewelry Designs on ETSY. As an independent Artist I like to be on my own in pretty much everything. I have decided to include my Shop here, to make shopping easier for you and to be able to have direct contact with me. I also wanted to be able to give you a better price on my Art, cutting all the “hidden fees” of a third-party involved with an external shop, and I have reduced shipping price for International . What you will experience is not an ordinary and classic e-commerce shop with the traditional cart system, no, you don’t find that here. The Shop has more of a website layout and, it is linked to my Blog. Just make sure to follow the menu and to read my guide that you find in each page and you can order and purchase my art in few easy steps. During the redesign stage, I have created my own system and made it very easy for you to follow and to shop. If you ever have questions or find any problem don’t hesitate to contact me!

❤ FREE Shipping on any print purchased during this weekend!<3

Now to celebrate the launch of the new Shop I offer “Free Shipping” on any order of any of my Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, placed within today Friday 8/17/2018 and during the whole weekend until Monday 8/20/2018!

I will also have my first GIVEAWAY here on the Blog!
The prize is a surprise Limited Edition Fine Art Print from one of my Collections that I will pick for you the winner will only see it when he receive it. To participate please follow few rules:
1) Like this post and make sure to leave me a comment it would be your entry for the Giveaway!
2) Follow this Blog
3) Like my Facebook Page
4) And follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

On Monday I will randomly pick the Winner between all the people who left comments and did follow all the rules! So make sure to come back to check!
Winner will receive a surprise Limited Edition signed Print! Cheers ❤

Enjoy the visit and let me know what do you think about the new Blog! Leave comments they are your main entry for the Giveaway, Likes only doesn’t enter you! Good luck!

I am looking forward to see who would be the lucky winner! ❤

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Art For Music, Challenge, Collaborations, Community, Creativity, Events, Illustration, Life, Limited Edition, Love, Messages to readers, Music, My Paintings, Uncategorized, Watercolors

An Update On My Journey!

August 8, 2018August 8, 2018 Carolina Russo

California sunset – Photo ©CarolinaRusso

Hello everyone,

I am so sorry I haven’t written a Blog post in a pretty long time!
Life events kept me busy, how the Summer is going?
I hope it find you all well!

I want to thank to all the new followers that came to this Blog lately and decided to follow my journey, thank you so much!
I hope that you enjoy my art in all the different ways I like to express my creativity. At this moment I am also redesigning the look of this Blog, soon you will see it with a new look and layout. In addition will have included a new section with my own new “Shop” where you can purchase my Art and Limited Edition Prints directly and exclusively here only. These are last days that My Etsy shop is running! I will not sell anymore over there, when my new Shop is up everything is done here! 🙂

Scott Hutchison Tribute – Watercolor Painting ©CarolinaRusso

I have been very busy during the months of June and July with several interesting projects. I have created the Tribute painting of Scottish music artist Scott Hutchison that sadly and unexpectedly left this world last May. I had a wonderful response from all the loving fans to the band Frightened Rabbit when I have released the painting available in Limited Edition Prints. I thank them all! For who missed my previous posts about this, here there is a little recap and excerpt from one of my posts.

Scott-Hutchison – Photo by Ross Gilmore/Redferns

“My painting it is a Tribute Portrait dedicated to Scottish music artist “Scott Hutchison” this is a very emotional painting created In Loving Memory of Scott (20/11/81 – 10/5/18) R.I.P
Scott Hutchison was a wonderful music artist from Scotland founding and primary songwriter of indie rock band Frightened Rabbit

This painting is my humble contribution to honor Scott soul and to raise awareness on Mental Health and suicide prevention. Scott Hutchison left our world last May 10, 2018 at age of 36. Struggling with the demons of depression. He never hid his suffering, but translated his feelings using his alienation in words creating songs that touched the heart of many around the world. He always reassured fans who reached to him about their problems that “there’s always hope”.

❤I will Donate a portion of the proceeds of my Limited Edition Prints in “Scott Memory” to UK SAMH “Scottish Association for Mental Health”.
Thank you so much in advance to anyone that already did, and who will decide to purchase one of these unique prints, your support means a lot and can help to give “Tiny changes while here on Earth (Scott words)”.

I loved the beautiful response of the amazing fans and they kept me really busy preparing all the Prints for their orders. I had wonderful feedbacks and I am happy that through my painting I am able to relief a little of the sadness and pain in so many hearts and keep up the strong legacy that Scott left here.

All this kept me very busy. This year I had no time to participate to “The World Watercolor Month” sorry Charlie doodlewash I was only able to post few paintings during July but it’s all good, The past two years I have participated and completed the challenge to paint daily for 31 days and I loved it, because gave me the opportunity to create new collections of paintings, this is a great way to create new material for your portfolio using a challenge for inspiration, especially for new artists or beginners this is an advice I can give to whom is in need of inspiration to create, follow a challenge and make it yours.

But I also have a nice news, because during July I have submitted few paintings on Instagram to the Pentalic365 challenge and I am so honored to be the Winner for the month of July see their post Pentalic365

❤ ❤ During the past months I lost two wonderful pets they went over the rainbow bridge, I was very sad to loose Rocky a rescued Chihuahua and my loved Yumi a wonderful and amazing rescued Possum!

This was just an update to share everything is going on and why I haven’t been active as my usual on this Blog! I actually have been very active posting on my instagram @carolinarussoart if you follow me there than you see my daily posts. At the moment beside the Scott Hutchison’s Prints I am working on some commissions and also my painting created a while ago for the album cover of coming soon music album Nu-Nostalgia by artist Nu-San would be released in a couple of months, is exciting time, I will keep you all informed hopefully I will post more often ❤

Wish you all a good week!

And If you are a fan of Scott Hutchison and The Frightened Rabbit band and love this Tribute painting check the Page linked down below!

To PRE-Order a Fine Art Print of my watercolor painting visit my Scott Hutchison Tribute Print Page here directly on my Blog and fill in the Order Form, you will find all the details explained, price, shipping etc!

For more of what I am up to daily, follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

Have a wonderful week and rest of the Summer share if you can!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Challenge, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Ethereal, Events, Illustration, Indie, Ink Drawing, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors, World Watercolor Month, World Watercolor Month

Universal Love – Day 13 #worldwatercolormonth

July 13, 2018July 13, 2018 Carolina Russo

– Universal Love –
Day #13 World Watercolor Month 2018

Day 13 – Watercolor Painting ©CarolinaRusso

Hello friends,
I am so sorry that I have been quite and I haven’t posted lately. Not even for this beautiful event this year I am going to create one painting at week I have been very busy lately fulfilling orders for my Scott Hutchison Tribute Portrait. I also had some very sad days I have lost two pets in the last 10 days so my heart is grieving!

Today painting it is off of the official prompt list. The title I gave is “Universal Love” is a watercolor enhanced with gold and fine line work with ink. I love the contrast of the raw sketch style in addition to the watercolor.

Details about my watercolor paintings:

My watercolors is outlined with black and white ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #02 and 03 . A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .

About The event:

The World Watercolor Month is a worldwide event that consist in daily watercolor painting 1 painting at day for 31 days, this is the third year of the World Watercolor Month to know more please read all the details explained by the founder my dear friend Charlie O’Shields at Doodlewash

I have proudly participated and completed the two previous editions of The World Watercolor Month you can see my two galleries when it all started in July 2016 and last year July 2017 in these galleries you can see all my paintings from the two previous editions.

❤

To see my World Watercolors Month 2018 Collection of daily paintings please visit my Gallery (coming soon)

All my watercolor paintings for the World Watercolor Month 2018 would be available for pre-order in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints only #31 numbered and hand signed Prints. For details visit the Gallery page linked above’

Use hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth

I hope you like this new painting let me know what you think and have a wonderful weekend!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

Art, Creativity, Doodlewash, Drawings, Ethereal, Events, Illustration, Indie, Limited Edition, My Paintings, Nature, Ocean, Sketch Book, Uncategorized, Watercolors, World Watercolor Month

The World Watercolor Month 2018 Begin! Day 1 Sadie

July 2, 2018 Carolina Russo

– Sadie –
Day #1 World Watercolor Month 2018

The World Watercolor Month 2018 Begin today!

Hello friends here we are again, today is the first day of this inspiring and creative challenging month of July 2018. Day #1 of 31 days of this worldwide event that consist in daily watercolor painting 1 painting at day for 31 days, today begin the third year of the World Watercolor Month to know more please read all the details explained by the founder of this event my dear friend Charlie O’Shields at Doodlewash

This year I am not always following the official prompt list and I hope to be able to post my work daily. I am quite busy this month also with commissions and other illustrations I am working on, but I will do my best to post whenever possible.

Today painting is my latest commission that I have been working on, the title is “Sadie” I was requested to create a “Tribute Portrait” in loving memory. I loved to paint her so I wanted Sadie to be my first entry off prompts for this year World Watercolor Month.

Details about my watercolor paintings:
My watercolors is outlined with black and white ink pens. I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, Ink pens used COPIC Multiliner Black ink #03 and 05 . A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed, size 6×9 inches .

❤

To see my World Watercolors Month 2018 Collection of daily paintings please visit my Gallery (coming soon)

Use hashtag #WorldWatercolorMonth

This is going to be a wonderful month stay connected and keep painting!
Much love to the artists participating around the world
and a special thanks goes to Charlie!

Thank You!

©Copyright Carolina Russo – yesterdayafter.com

#WorldWatercolorGroup, Art, Art For Music, Creativity, Custom Portraits, Drawings, Emotions, Health, Indie, Ink Drawing, Life, Limited Edition, Love, Messages to readers, Music, My Paintings, Quotes, Sketch, Uncategorized, Watercolors

New Release! Scott Hutchison “Tribute Portrait”

June 20, 2018June 24, 2018 Carolina Russo

Hello everyone,

Today post is to Officially Release my new watercolor painting!

My painting it is a Tribute Portrait dedicated to Scottish music artist “Scott Hutchison” this is a very emotional painting created In Loving Memory of Scott (20/11/81 – 10/5/18) R.I.P
Scott Hutchison was a wonderful music artist founding and primary songwriter of indie rock band Frightened Rabbit

Scott-Hutchison – Photo by Paul Stevenson/Flickrhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

❤❤❤
I will Donate a portion of the proceeds of my Limited Edition Prints in “Scott Memory” to UK SAMH “Scottish Association for Mental Health”.
Thank you so much in advance to anyone that decide to purchase one of these unique prints, your support means a lot and can help to give “Tiny changes while here on Earth (Scott words)”.

My Painting Meaning: My Painting portrays Scott surrounded by a dark cloud but half way out, doing what he loved, singing to the heart of all that connected to his songs and music . The darkness has been part of his life, sadly until the end of his days. The darkness is something that he silently tried to fight in his own way. The double cross, is a symbol that Scott created, it is one of his drawings, that recognize the band. I wanted to paint the double cross in gold because in my painting I wanted it to symbolize Scott wonderful soul that is alive and will shine to us forever.

My Message to whom will get this print: Thank you for loving it! I hope that my painting will “Keep Yourself Warm (Scott words)“, will bring you hope, strength and love during your journey, never feel alone, there is always a light in the dark, share your feelings and always “Hug Your Loved Ones (Scott words)” – Carolina

If you love this painting, please consider to Pre-Order your Print soon!
There are only 60 Prints available for this first and maybe only Edition.
I accept Pre-Orders until last print is available, after prints are sold out, this 1st release is closed. I will probably consider a 2nd prints edition and release only if there is demand, or they will not be printed again and there would be only sixty Fine Art signed and numbered Prints of my Scott painting Tribute Portrait in the World! Grab yours before is too late!

❤ Artist details about my painting:
My watercolor painting is outlined with ink pens. Fountain pen Pilot Prera fine nib. Ink pens used MICRON Black ink #03 and 05, Sakura Gold Pen Touch Calligrapher. A Alvin Draft/Matic #03 Limited Edition Pink Mab Graves Pencil. Watercolor, I used French Artists Watercolors Sennelier l’Aguarelle, only one color used: Gray Payne, Pentel Aqua Brush – I painted on Bee Paper for watercolor 140lb, 100% cotton, cold pressed.

❤ This painting is also included in my “ART FOR MUSIC” Collection

For more of what I am up to daily, follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart

Have a wonderful week share if you can!

Thank You!

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OF THOSE WHO DROWN TO LIVE – Album Release

June 8, 2018June 9, 2018 Carolina Russo

My dear friend EWIAN is releasing his 4th Album ‘Of Those Who Drown to Live’ is out from today! I love his music and I have supported Ewian evolution here on this Blog from last 3 years! If you like Alternative, Postrock, Ambient music then please go check him out!

EWIAN

Cover_Drowntolive

I’m happy, relieved, proud and somehow wistful to announce that my 4th album ‘Of Those Who Drown to Live’ is out from today!
I’ve produced 12 songs and 12 music videos in the last 2 years (nearly an hour of music) – and went to my limit with this piece of art.
I must admit that I have tears in my eyes now – on the one hand because I am happy about this release, on the other hand because I know that this will be the last EWIAN album for a longer while. After four albums and one EP in five years (not to forget a bunch of music videos) I HAVE to slow down.
I hope you understand that. At least you can look forward to 11 music videos in the next 11 months.
I’m pleased about EVERYONE who buys this record – this is my most personal…

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Art, Collaborations, Community, Creativity, Etsy, Fantasy Art, Featured, Illustration, Indie, Interview, My Paintings, Photography, Published work, Watercolors, Writings

My Interview With Author MJ Mallon

May 27, 2018 Carolina Russo

The Curse Of Time One Bloodstone ©MJ Mallon – Illustrations ©CarolinaRusso

My Interview With Author MJ MALLON

Today post is my interview to British Author MJ Mallon, a nice way to get to know her and discover her latest work, the new released book “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone” I am very happy to introduce you with MJ Mallon, she is a debut author and blogger, her interests include writing, photography, poetry, and alternative therapies. MJ write Fantasy YA, and middle grade fiction as well as micropoetry – haiku and tanka.
Some of you that follows my Blog remember one of my latest posts: “Characters Illustration – A Collaboration with Author MJ Mallon” where I was announcing my artistic collaboration with Marje Mallon. We had a wonderful collaboration together .

Today post is my interview to MJ, a nice way to get to know her better and discover more about her new released book “The Curse of Time #1 Bloodstone” that includes my art in form of character illustrations.

Thank you so much Marje for allowing me to do this lovely interview with you and give the opportunity to our readers to get to know you better.

Let’s get started!

Here there are my questions:

1. For who doesn’t know can you please introduce who is Author MJ Mallon?

I’m a debut author based in Cambridge, UK.
I published my first book The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone in kindle and recently in paperback.
The Curse of Time is a YA magical fantasy series with many intriguing themes: time, crystals (representing light,) and self-harm/darkness/shadows. The magnificent clock featured on the book cover is the world renowned Corpus Christi chronopage invented by Dr John C Taylor, OBE. The chronopage is a popular tourist attraction in Cambridge which draws much attention, comments and gasps from passing tourists.

The Curse of Time Book One Bloodstone is available to purchase via Amazon. You can buy the book here: “The Curse of Time”

I set up my publishing company Kyrosmagica Publishing with the intention of publishing my own books under this name. In the future, I hope perhaps to extend this to publishing for like-minded clients who wish to create magical writing which aspires to be different.
Allie Potts created a beautiful logo of a dragon and a unicorn twirling in an endless dance to represent my vision for Kyrosmagica Publishing.

2. You have a very nice writing style, can you describe your creative process and what prompt and inspire you while writing?

Thank you Carolina that is very kind of you to say.
I begin with an initial idea and often look to art to inspire my creative process. Visuals are important; I visualise the scenes in an action movie of my creative imagination! Then I type the words up on my laptop.
I love poetry so I included short Tanka poems at the beginning of each chapter (or puzzle piece,) to add a further creative dimension to the story-telling.

3. What are you working on right now? Any new project?

Several! Of course one of my priorities is to focus on the second book in the series which I have entitled The Curse of Time Book Two Golden Healer.

But, I intend to submit to at least two anthologies. One involves flash fiction for publication in Charli Mill’s carrotranch.com/ second Carrot Ranch anthology and I also hope to be included in Claire Plaisted’s Ghostly Writes Anthology

First Prize in the Bloggers Bash Blog 2018 (UK)

Oh, I must also mention some amazing news. I discovered that I won first prize in the Bloggers Bash Blog Post Writing Competition with my entry “The Queen’s Dress Down Day”.
What a wonderful validation of my writing. Here is the trophy.
It looks as if it was made with me in mind! It’s so beautiful and is cut glass, crystal!
Winning this has encouraged me to enter more competitions. The next one on my radar is Dan Alatorre’s 1000 Word Sprint.

4. What is your writing “Dream Project” if there is one?

To be honest, I have so many wonderful projects in mind. I’d love to write a poetry/flash fiction/short story compilation. I have the rough draft of a middle grade novel featuring a dragon and a half Scottish/half Chinese girl that I would love to develop. I have so many plans but not enough time! I truly have been cursed! So my focus has to be on my current dream project — The Curse of Time. It’s an ambitious debut project but with hard work and dedication I hope it will be successful. Only time will tell how this dream develops.

5. This question is very personal and introspective, If you describe or picture your inner soul how will you describe it? And what color it would it be?

Fantastic question Carolina! My soul colour would be green. I believe green is the colour associated with the Heart Chakra which links with love, earth, growth, and abundance. My very first crystal selection was green Malachite. Apparently, my green soul colour makes me a healer, mediator, balancer and harmonizer. Perhaps that is why I love meditative exercise such as Tai Chi and explains my attraction to alternative medicine and crystals.

6. Reconnecting with your latest book “The Curse of Time” which character do you love the most and why?

Oh, this is so hard! I love all my characters. If I had to pick just one it would have to be Amelina, the main protagonist. I love how her character develops as the story progresses. Perhaps there is a little of Amelina in me, (even though I don’t have a dysfunctional family!) I’m such a different person from the young girl I used to be. Writing has made me a much happier and more confident person. Amelina is changing too. Perhaps that is why she is my favourite.

7. I loved to create the paintings of the two characters Esme and The Creature as illustrations for your book, what did driven you about my Art that you thought I was the right artist to visually bring to life your characters?

I’d been following your beautiful art for a good while and been so impressed by your portraits. There is a definite sense of fragility in your portraiture (I particularly love how you portrayed Esme the Mirror Girl’s eyes and mouth,) and a beautiful use of colour and movement in The Creature’s portrait. Those key elements attracted me to your work and of course you are such a lovely lady!

Character’s Portrait – The Creature – Watercolor Paintings ©CarolinaRusso

8. At last, what you would like to say to our readers about The Curse of Time story and why they should read it?

The Curse of Time is a unique, imaginative story.
Time is life. Life is Time. Each hour, minute and second is precious, don’t waste a moment! Read a magical story that encapsulates so much of the light and darkness of life. It will mystify and puzzle you, make you laugh, wonder and cry.

Character Portrait “Esme And The Mirror” – Watercolor Painting ©CarolinaRusso

❤ Visit my ETSY Shop where you can find my illustration of the character “Esme and The Mirror” available in Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, only 20 high quality numbered and signed prints of my original watercolor painting.

In conclusion of this interview I want to thank Marje for the beautiful and interesting answers to my questions! I hope that you all enjoyed to read this post and the opportunity to get to know more about Author MJ Mallon, visit her Blog and if you get the chance to read the book, please leave her a review and comments. I am sure she would love very much to hear from you. Best wishes to Marje for this new release, may “The Curse of Time One Bloodstone” project be very successful and of course to have a sequel! Can’t wait to see what she is writing next and if we will collaborate again you will see more of my illustrations to come in the future! I always love to read all your comments, please let me know what do you think and thank you so much for taking your time to read it!

❤ You can find MJ Mallon on Social Media at: