Micah, Micayla and the Grey Owl | A Mixed Media Art Project for Alien Art Hive's INKTOBER PROMPT [#9-Bounce]

In response to the Alien Art Hive Community's Inktober Prompts that were part of their Cosmic Creations Edition #6 Contest, Cosmic Creations Edition #6 is LIVE: INKTOBER PROMPTS, members were encouraged to choose a prompt theme from the Inktober Prompts list for their entry into the contest.

After my entry into the contest with Prompt #17 - DEMON which I published on 9/23, I decided to take the Inktober concept one step further. I will focus on the remaining 30 Prompts on the list, beginning with Prompt #1. How fun the themes will be preparing my projects utilizing the mixed media art themes. If a Drabble story (100 words) or other flash fiction emerges, then all the more fun!

Below is my project for Inktober Prompt #9:

Overseer of this forest, Grey Owl watched through the moon's shadows as the large, white van came to a screeching halt at the intersection of the road. He waited.

The stillness in the fading light brought no sound to his ears.

Lullabies floated through the broken glass. Soft lyrics pierced Micah and Micayla's consciousness. Seated next to each other, they woke, then looked into each other's brown, playful eyes. Micah grabbed his sister's hand. They smiled, then rose slowly from their seats and peeked out the window.

Seven years together in the midst of strangers created an unbreakable bond. They had yet to take a restroom break, eat, or drink before the bus came to a sudden stop. Of like minds, they thought, where there is music, surely food and water will be near.

Unafraid of the dark, they nodded in agreement their next move. Floating from the window, their touched the soft grass.

"Do you hear that, Micah. Music coming from the woods. It's beautiful." Micayla giggled and pulled her brother forward.

As they approached the large tree, a brilliant light appeared. At the top of the tree perched Grey Owl.

"A singing owl!" Micayla. What type of place is this? Excited, Micah jumped up and down, then spun around.

"An enchanted forest, I think, like the one in the book they read to us, remember? And I hope there is food and water."

"Come my children. Rest, for your journey has been long." Grey Owl flew from the branch, lighting the way as silvery bands of lyrics guided the children to his home deep within the forest.

The forest animals gathered to welcome them. Immediately, other children appeared from different areas of the woods to greet them. They all sang, danced, and ate. They took turns bouncing on the back of the turtles.

Months moved forward, fading into years. The children remained playful. Memories ceased of time before they came to the forest. Ripe fruit dripping with nourishment filled their bellies. Sleep in heavenly dreams replaced night tremors. Garments replaced nakedness. Precious body oils replaced the stench of homelessness. And companionship replaced abandonment.

Grey Owl looked down and opened his beak. As all the children slept, he sprayed mana over their bodies.

Micah and Micayla were now safe for the remainder of time.

In my approach to Prompt #9 - Bounce, I wanted to create a fairytale setting in a forest that children would not be afraid of. Following a tragic vehicle accident in which no passengers survived, a brother and sister who don't yet realize their status, wake to music drawing them into the woods. There, they find enchanting creatures and rest for their souls.

To assist in creating the magic of the forest, I wanted to portray a different type of person to greet the children. I utilized four beautiful pure fractals I recently created

The first one below I used as food for the children that I placed in the hand.

I included several other images in my theme to bring the scene together as a magical environment. The most important of these was the owl. A landscape, the hand that was used to hold the food, and the animals available to play with.