Lilli-Kate and the Introductory Demon Card Deck

Hello, Friends of Bluebird Fairies

I hope you’re all doing well and finding ways to live your lives fully.

The Fairy of this Blog is:

the Lilli-Kate Way Fairy.

You’ll learn more about why as you read, but for now, think about the energy of Lilli-Kate’s way: being present, loving what is right in front of you, and finding joy in the small things.

That has been a big part of my summer.

I spent some of the summer back in my hometown of Rochester, reconnecting with women I have known for 44 years. We rented a house in Canada and had a wonderful time together. There is something very grounding about being with people who come from the same place you do—whose parents and grandparents also lived there.

One of the sweetest parts was having coffee with the teacher who, many years ago, suggested I check out Bread and Puppet Theater. That suggestion became a very big step in my life.

It made me think about how much our lives are shaped by little moments of connection.

Many of you know that introducing the Bluebird Fairies at Art Hop 12 years ago brought Brian into my life. We returned to Canada in August for our annual anniversary time, where we choose fairies to support us through the coming year.

This summer also brought my puppeteer friend, Damiano, with his family to the Bread and Puppet Theater and we hung out in person for the first time in 22 years!

Damiano, Emily, and Cristina in the Paper Mache Cathedral

And then there are the two things that have shaped this summer more than anything else:

Lilli-Kate and the Demon Deck.

We’ve spent the summer hoping our dear dog friend would feel better. Along the way, there have been many tender moments—sitting with her in the garden, taking care of her, and discovering new ways for her to show us that she is still taking care of us, too.

One of the things Lilli-Kate loves best is sitting beside me while I work.

This summer, she has spent quite a bit of time beside me while I worked on my demons.

I didn't start drawing demons for the Demon Deck. I’ve been drawing my demons for myself for about 13 years. This year, I went back through all those drawings and chose the ones that seem to belong in the deck. Now I’m taking those often very rough drawings and making them accessible by giving them color and making them easier to read.

At Burlington’s South End Art Hop on September 11, 12, and 13, you’ll be able to see the Introductory Demon Deck and share your thoughts about the 31 more demons and antidotes that will eventually become part of the complete deck.

I’ll be back with more about Art Hop soon. There will be quite a few things happening in the Bluebird Fairies studio and adjoining hallways.

Keep living the Lilli-Kate way,

Emily

and the Bluebird Fairies

Hello Summer- Here we come!!!

Hello Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

I hope you are all doing well as we shift seasons—some of us moving into warmer months and some into colder ones. I'm here in the warmer group, and I love it. I'm enjoying the ease of fewer layers, the return of green, and the growing abundance of color around us.

The last time I wrote, I spoke about the Year of the Fire Horse’s energy assisting my journey through thirteen years of fairy and demon drawings. Just two months later, it feels like a lifetime ago. The energy of the Fire Horse certainly isn't standing still. It seems to be asking many of us to keep moving, creating, and sharing our work with the world.

Here's a recent fairy to support us on that journey:

I'm happy to share a few of the ways the fairies—and their friends, the demons—are making their way out into the world.

For the second year in a row I have four fairies hanging in the Rochester Contemporary Art Center's annual 6x6 exhibition and fundraiser. Being included in a show in my beloved hometown always touches me deeply. I love seeing the incredible breadth of talent represented and discovering pieces that remind me of Rochester and all the things that make it special.

I created fairies for this year's show to celebrate some of the places and plants in Rochester that played an important role in my growth. One curator selected one of them to include in her "Pick of the Picks" and wrote:

"This artwork is one of several in a series that whimsically celebrates Rochester's natural assets. It's a fun series that makes the viewer think and smile."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The exhibition of thousands of 6x6 artworks remains on view through July 25 and can also be viewed and purchased online.

The Lilac Fairy has already sold. She was pretty cute.

I'm also delighted that the Demons poster Stephanie Salmon of Gotham City Graphics helped me create is currently hanging in SEABA's Creative Competition exhibition in Burlington through June 27 and can also be viewed and purchased online.

And in another small but meaningful example of Fire Horse energy at work, I stopped into Railyard Apothecary recently to check on the Fairy of the Day decks they carry. While I was there, Sachi asked whether they could have a Fire Horse poster. I was happy to bring one over, and now it hangs there above shelves filled with all sorts of plant allies and natural remedies.

It feels like the Fire Horse is encouraging all of us to share what we create, trust where our passions lead us, and allow our work to find its way into the world.

So let's keep moving. Let's keep creating. Let's keep finding new ways to bring our gifts forward.

With love,

Emily

What Happens Next?

Dear Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

When I last wrote, the Year of the Fire Horse had just begun. Now—we’re on the ride.

As I prepared to step into this year of movement, I found myself opening a box I hadn’t looked through in a long time. It was overflowing—old notebooks, 4x6 index cards, years of drawings.

I spread them out and began sorting them into two simple piles:
demons… and fairies.

There was so much life in them. Feelings that had once felt so strong, so immediate. And yet, with time—and maybe also with the act of drawing them—the sting of the harder ones had softened.

In the earliest notebooks, there were mostly demons.

But then, in a quiet and almost surprising way, the fairies began to appear. Barely formed at first… but there.

Like this one:

There’s something a little ominous about that question, especially right now, when so many difficult things are unfolding in our country and across the world.

And yet, when I look at this fairy, I don’t feel fear.

I feel curiosity. Even excitement.

Because we know what happened last time the fairies showed up.

They connected. They multiplied. They brought people together. They became the Fairy Deck—and so much more than I could have imagined.

And now, something new is emerging alongside them.

I’m beginning to create a Deck of Demons—images that give shape to the thoughts and patterns that get in our way. Some of you may have seen a glimpse of them at Art Hop. They’re not here to scare us—they’re here to be seen.

Named.
Understood.
Maybe even softened.

I’ll be sharing more soon. What you’re seeing here is just a beginning.

Before I go, I want to leave you with a small pause—

If a fairy were standing beside you right now,
what question would it ask?

And if a “demon” has been showing up lately… what might it be trying to tell you?

If you feel like sharing, I’d truly love to hear what’s showing up for you.

Wishing you great momentum as you continue clearing space and moving toward your dreams.

All the best,
Emily

We Welcome the Fire Horse!

Happy Lunar New Year!

The Year of the Fire Horse is here.

When I first learned about the Fire Horse many years ago, I was told it carries creative fire, bold movement, and a kind of radiant independence. I’ve been discovering what that means ever since.

So I’d like to introduce you to the Fairy of the Year of the Fire Horse:

She is magical. She is creative.
And she reminds us to Share your joy — your full light — with others.

This year feels like momentum. Like dreams are ready to move.

It feels especially right that I just completed my Dream Horse. During the South End Art Hop, I invited people to write their dreams on dissolvable paper. I dissolved those dreams and used the water to make glue for this horse:

This horse is held together by community dreams.

As I clear the way for more of my own — especially through drawing — I’ll be sharing them with you.

May your dreams find their legs this year.
What is ready to move in your life?

Onward we go! Hold onto your paddle and enjoy the ride.

All the best,

Emily and the Bluebird Fairies

New Year Reflections

Hello Friends of Bluebird Fairies,

Happy New (Calendar) Year!

In our world, the real new year arrives on February 17th, when we say goodbye to the Year of the Snake and welcome in the Year of the Horse.

This January, Lena of the Power Path guided me through her audio support to help me let my final snake skin of the year settle into place. And wow… that image feels so alive for me right now. Does it resonate with you too? Do you feel like you’re still evolving out of something and into something new?

I know I do.

So let’s imagine together: a new, vibrant, beautiful, multicolored, iridescent, geometrically patterned skin arriving and beginning to shine. A skin that helps with the cleaning and sorting we’re still in the middle of. Because it does feel like we’re still clearing space, doesn’t it?

This month’s Fairy arrived via the Fairy of the Day app.

Oh, my goodness — she could not be more perfect for this theme of cleaning and preparing. She feels like a gentle companion for this in-between time.

And I have some fun things to share about our preparations for the Year of the Horse…

At Art Hop, I invited people to write our dreams down so they could be manifested. So many of you added your hopes, wishes, and longings to this collective dream. In the end, over 300 dreams were written on dissolvable paper.

On December 31st, I dissolved them — releasing all of our dreams into the sphere where all things are possible.

I’m going to take that water and use it to make paper mâché, which will become a horse for the Year of the Horse. Given how many dreams there were, I think a few horses may emerge… and, of course, probably some cats too, which I love to make.

So here we go.
Shedding.
Preparing.
Dreaming.
And beginning to move.

With love,
Emily and the Fairies