Dottore Peste

It's funny how sometimes a little light bulb will go on for a problem that was long mustering in your head without solution, and suddenly illuminate the obvious and perfect answer. I can't tell you how long I've chewed over how to do this next mask in the best way, but suddenly I knew exactly how to do it.

The Plague Doctor has been one of my longest standing requests, and for such a long time I was sure that it would have to wait until mesh import. However, the lightbulb that went on was that I don't need to have holes through it, or just black on a solid sculpt like Aragane Nishi's version. The original Plague Doctors in the 14th century would completely seal themselves, with oil cloth robes and glass lenses over the eyes of their masks. It was so obvious!

Why a bird mask, you might wonder? In the era of the black death, they thought that disease was caused by "bad air". So, the bird shaped beak acted as a primitive gas mask. They would stuff the tip with herbs, amber and other sweet smelling things to filter the air, and wrap themselves in oil cloth and waxed robes to keep the disease out. They were valued highly, to the point that they were sometimes kidnapped and ransomed. Over time, the mask lost its "practical" use and became more symbolic, and is now a traditional Venetian carnival mask.

Sinister or goofy? How you see it is up to you, and of course how you wear it.

King & Queen of Carnevale

So you might have taken a peek at the preview from my last post, and I hope I had you intrigued about this year's event masks. Every year I release two new masks (male and female) for my masquerades, and I like to make them something special.

The King of Carnevale is a luxuriously detailed and regal mask. Taking a closer look is rewarded with delicately unfurled wings and a crowning flourish. In the center is a single gem, able to be changed to any of the twelve colors offered in my jewelry.

The Queen of Carnevale offers some subtle differences... fit for a softer face and with a less imposing profile, it's no less grand. The wings at the corners of the brow are spread, and the shape is more tapered and elegant. Together, they make a a pair that is undeniably regal.


I hope you'll come by and try them on, as always scripted demos are available at the store :)

Mardi Gras Masquerade 2011 (Aftermath)

The music has died down and I've put the dance balls away. I'm exhausted from another wonderful night with marvelous company, and I'm so glad I got to see so many familiar faces as well as some new ones. Well, sort of see them, after all they were wearing masks!

Amyla Wakowski

Jackal Ennui & Achariya Maktoum

Group shot with Katrina Qissentell in forefront

As always everyone was impeccably dressed. It's such a delight to see people coming together, dressed to the nines in their very best, turned out in a way only Second Life could express. Is it cocky of me to think that the people who come to my masquerades have the best taste in fashion? I don't care if it is, I can't help it when everyone shows up looking so amazing!

I didn't envy the people who had to vote to choose a King and Queen of Mardi Gras. But, when the music stopped and people got to really examine each others outfits, they chose their well deserving winners...the King even came prepared with a crown (cocky bugger ;)

Aceius Hax & Ami Tamura

King Aceius Hax and Queen Ami Tamura made a lovely couple, and shared a few dances together, each in their matching masks. Which I'm very proud to present: this year's event masks are the King and Queen of Carnevale. I will be finishing up, scripting, and releasing them in the next day or two. If you can, click the picture to zoom in and see the detail... it's lusciously decorated. I threw everything I had at it!

I greatly enjoyed this year's masquerade... my fifth year in a row that I've hosted a party for Mardi Gras. I love being able to invite you all to dress your best and spend an evening in excellent company, because you guys surely are the classiest and most original people I've found on SL. I hope you'll come to my next masquerade, and maybe see you at next year's too :)

The Carnivale Marketplace

As I mentioned before, I've been working on a new area of the sim. I'm very happy to say that I am being joined by some wonderfully talented artists and creators.


Joining me on Carnivale are the following stores:

TRAP & Penumbra by Selos Dae and Kriket Pimpernel as always, with their completely hand drawn skins, imaginative and fanciful tattoos, and anime inspired hair.
[Gauze] by Yukio Ida, and her stunning faun legs and shimmeringly beautiful mermaid tails
Evie's Closet by Evangeline Miles, with her elegant and luxurious fantasy outfits
Lassitude & Ennui, by Jackal Ennui, and her selection of meticulously crafted fantasy and steampunk footwear and jewelry
Studio Sidhe, by Faery Sola, offering fantasy pose props for decoration and photography

and most especially Deviance Designs, by Surreal LeShelle, who is officially moving her main store to Carnivale. I'm very proud to have her join me, and I feel that together Illusions and Deviance will make quite a partnership.

I'm incredibly pleased to have such talented people join me on the sim, and I hope that together Carnivale can quickly become the place to go to purchase the very best the fantasy genre has to offer in Second Life. A lot of thought went into my selection, and I offer invitations only to original creative artists, who have a dedication to their work and a pursuit of excellence and uniqueness.

A few others are still trickling in, and there will be other names that you see floating around in the marketplace plaza. I set aside a small square which will serve as a place for vendors who only want or need a small space. For example, !Elate, who normally does modern fashion, has put up the beautiful goddess gown she made for Swansong.
Even if fantasy isn't what fuels your passion for Second Life, I invite you to come by and explore. I've given this build the best I have to offer, and if you're familiar with my work I'd hope that would at least warrant a look ;)



Won't you come visit?