amazed by the swathe of complimentary influences displayed by her
diverse and beautiful portfolio of artwork, then you are in good company.
Her secret is to always be in awe of the world around her and the
peoples and cultures that make it so inspiring. For most of the last 3
years, Octavia has experienced that world first hand; like a futuristic
gypsy -a technomad if you like- or, in her own words, "a Perpetual Tourist".
She lives in a town for just a month or two and then, before her tourist
visa expires, packs up and moves along to her next new temporary
home and a whole raft of fresh influences.
"Life wasn't always this exciting, but I am living proof that this
marvelous lifestyle is well within the means of anyone who wants
to try it. Already this year, I've lived in the Philippines, Thailand,
New Zealand and Hawaii. I've enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere
and culture and scenery in four very different, and totally inspirational
countries... something I would hardly dared to dream of when I was
younger. And yet, it has cost far less to do this than to maintain a
house and a car in England would have done if I hadn't taken this leap
of faith to follow my heart and actually... every day... to touch and
taste and smell and see the kinds of things that were previously part
of another universe I'd only glimpse in glossy travel magazines."
Octavia grew into her unusual traveling lifestyle from humble
beginnings as the daughter of a farmer in Herefordshire. Even as a
child she would paint while sitting at the dining table while the rest of
the family watched television. Or scratch away in her sketch-pad under
the bed by torchlight while everyone else slept. Growing up in the lush
English countryside, there was a veritable bottomless well of subjects
for her artwork.
"But still, I have always loved horses, and for a long time I used to draw
them every day. I would often dream of a white horse. I would ride her
through forests and fields, discovering magical places as we went."
After graduating in Illustration and Graphic Design from Art College in
her home town of Hereford, Octavia began to pursue a career in
custom painting: One-off original airbrush fantasy artworks on motorbikes,
crash-helmets or guitars. Unfortunately, luggage allowances for air travel
don't stretch to air compressors and a spray bay, so custom painting isn't
the easiest career to follow when living out of a suitcase. This is where
her versatility came into its own, and she was able to draw upon the
experiences from her college days to begin building a business from the
ground up as a freelance illustrator.
"I've always looked for a way to express my spiritual side. Now,
whenever I'm not busy designing tattoos and website graphics for
my clients, my business "Lunarian Art" gives me the chance to indulge
my calling to incorporate crystals, and chakras and the fae into my own
art... much of which I give away as computer desktop wallpapers."
Growing up and living so close to nature, Octavia has nurtured a life-long
fascination with nature spirits and the faery realm. Octavia's painting, "Moon
Goddess", was commissioned by a close friend who had no idea that
she was to be the subject of the painting at the time, but both artist and
subject were overwhelmed by the huge flow of positive emotion and
healing that came from it when it was done. Almost immediately, Octavia
knew that she wanted to provide healing and love through her artwork. The
complex symbology and deep meanings behind the many elements that
she has incorporated into much of her art since Moon Goddess is
testament to the tremendous care she takes when selecting the particular
crystals and other textures that contribute textures and additional meaning
to each piece.
"When I paint I'll already have a few ideas to start with, but as I create I
let the work speak to me. I want to capture the heart and soul of the
person I'm painting, and let the magic flow out of that. For me, all of life
is about the people I meet, and the messages I receive along the way.
The fae are very real to me, and that's why I’m inspired to paint them.
No matter what country or culture you look into, each of us has many
nature spirits -- they are true guardians in this world and they are the
ones to teach us the lessons of nature, and how to live alongside her."
Other sites by Octavia
www.lunariantattoos.com
octavia.vaughan.pe
You can also find me at:
www.fairiesworld.com
The Fairy Society
Elfwood
Myspace
Online shops.
Etsy
Zazzle
ebay
Groovycart
