Hallo!

My name is Ana Stefanova

“Tales from beyond the mists” is a fairy tale, written and illustrated by me. I would like to materialize it and to introduce it to more people.

The illustrations of this story came first – in a very difficult moment in my life. As an outcome of a creativity process they were a light in the darkness. The story grew up around them, when my son asked me to explain who these creatures are and what happens among them. Explaining all these, I made more illustrations and wrote the entire fairytale. Parts of it came to me as I was a passive observer and listener (for example – the part “Legend”, about Iana the Healer).

Here are some of the characters:

Kruton-framed-1412250038

Bogyman-1412250109

Beoynd-1412250181

Forefather-1412250296

WHY?

Having a background in the Analytical psychology and Folklore Studies, I realized that this story and the illustrations are an art equivalent and preceding ideas of my dissertation (which appeared a few years later and is an analytical psychological approach to firedancing rituals in the Bulgarian folklore). Going through the initiational processes with all the characters: Kruton, the Shaman, Iana, the Healer, dragon, wizards and bogeymen, all of them – wounded healers, I found myself healed and renewed, too.

Knowing about the healing power of the archetypes I believe my book may bring happiness to other people through my individual, original way.

(You may find more about me at:

http://tales.photo4art.com/about.htm ).