Catch-Up Contest with Prize!

Contest time everybody!

Instead of our usual two week deadline this next letter will have a THREE week long work period. In this time those of you who are behind on your letters will have time to catch-up and as an incentive I am offering a prize to the person who does the best overall entry by Valentine's Day! If you are one of the few people who has completed all the other letters you may turn in your letter G to enter the contest.

Everyone turn in a past or current letter in the next three weeks and automatically be entered to win a copy of the book Beasts!

BEASTS!

The book is a wonderful collection of mythological monsters drawn by some of the best indie artists around.

Rules-

1. All you have to do is turn in any letters you have yet to do OR your letter G if you have completed your previous letters OR both. Up to you.

2. To make it fair if you turn in more then one letter you will only be able to enter ONE in the contest. Your choice which. (specify in your e-mail)

3. At the end of the three weeks on Valentines day I will make a post linking to all entries and have all Alphabeastiary members vote in the comments.

4. The winner will get the Beasts book.

ITS THAT SIMPLE!

If you have any questions you can send an e-mail or ask in the comments

G- Gargoyle

The Gargoyle is a creature actually based on a legend found in France. The monster from the original tale was called the Gargouille or Goji. Gargouille, when translated, means literally "throat" or "gullet" and its root pronunciation represents the sound gargling water makes.

One version of the gargoyles story begins when the Bishop of Rouen, St. Romanus (or Romain to his friends) went out to destroy the monster as it was terrorizing the french countryside. The Gargouille was a very tradition dragon in this interpretation. It was described as having a long spiked neck, reptilian head and bat-like wings. All traits which are typically found in western dragons. After killing the dragon St. Romanus took it back to the city of Roen to burn it and found that the head and neck would not burn. He took them and mounted them on his own church as a warning for other monsters to stay far away or risk the same fate.

In another version of the story the Gargouille was a water monster that rose from the river Seine and had an appearance more like a sea serpents. He was again defeated by St. Romanus and mounted on his newly built church. Either way there is no clear idea of what the Gargouille truly looked like and different ideas of it appear in different translations.

The modern gargoyle as we know it has many shapes and sizes but owes its existence to this story. The gargoyle can have the appearance of a dragon, lion, dog, wolf, eagle, snake, monkey, goat or even a man. Most often the gargoyle is a combination of all these things. Since the middle ages they have been guardians and protectors of the places they inhabit. They are creatures of patience and guard churches and buildings from bad luck and evil spirits to this very day

Gargoyle Wiki

artist: Evanleigh Davis - E

Evanleigh's DeviantArt!

Artist: Brett Bean - F

Brett's website!

Due date issue

The Firebird challenge went up on the 16th and I put the due date as the 23rd, which is incorrect.  The Firebird challenge will end on Sunday the 30th!  Thanks to the viewer that pointed that out to me.

Artist: Kasey Gifford- F

Kasey's Deviantart!

Artist: Evanleigh Davis - F

Evanleigh's DeviantArt!

Artist: Sammy Torres - F

Sammy's Blog!

Artist: Tiffany Turrill - E

Tiffany's DeviantArt!

Artist: Allison Theus - A

Allison's Website!

Artist: Lisa Grabenstetter - F

Lisa's blog!

Artist: Sammy Torres - E

Sammy's Blog!

Artist: Caitlin Johnston - C

F- Firebird

Russian Firebird

Egyptian Firebird Bennu Traditional Greek Phoenix

Persian Sculpture of a Huma (Homa)

It seems that some creatures share a strange universal popularity that is borderline spooky. The Firebird (more commonly known as the Phoenix) our creature for the letter F is one such mythological creature. Versions of the Firebird appear in stories and legends from all around the world. All firebirds usually have the following traits...

1.Bright colorful plumage and fairly large size.
2. Long life
3. Death by spontaneous combustion
4. Rebirth out of the ashes

In ancient Egypt the firebird was called Bennu and was born from the fire of a holy tree in the temple of Ra. Some other names given to Bennu include “He Who Came Into Being by Himself,” “The Ascending One,” and my personal favorite “Lord of Jubilees.” In appearance Bennu resembled a large Heron

In Persian mythology the firebird is called Huma (or Homa) and flies endlessly over the desert causing burning winds and sandstorms wherever he travels (in some versions of his story Huma lacks legs). His touch is considered auspicious and it is said that even seeing its shadow can guarantee you a long happy life. Like all Firebird myths the Huma consumes itself every 100 years or so. It is reborn from its ashes to start its journey over the desert all over again.

In Russian folklore the Firebird is often the subject of a quest a great hero must embark upon to win a princess. The descriptions of it often compare it to a peacock that glows with a light like fire. Its feathers are priceless and its song can either lull you to sleep or predict your death (depending on the fairy tale)

Perhaps most famously Greek folklore (which was originally adapted from a Phoenician myth) describles the Firebird (or Phoenix) as a spirit of fire that can live for almost 1000 years before it burns and is born again from its own charred remains. Descriptions of it range from it being gold or scarlet to purple blue and green.

There are many many different styles and variations of the Firebird. which has appeared in literature and art as far away as China. Its power of rebirth and rejuvenation is something that people today still use as a symbol for rising strong out of adversity.

This is due midnight Jan 23rd!

Artist: grumbleputty - E

Grumbleputty's DeviantArt!

Artist: Mafe Diaz - E

Mafe's Deviantart!

Extension!

Since a couple people asked, and since Kasey and I have been crazy busy this holiday, too (more than I expected from me!) I figured it's best to extend this particular challenge.  You have till Wednesday January 12 to finish them/get them in!  Then we'll finally be able to get the next challenge in.

Also to those that have applied, we have your emails, but Kasey's been with her family.  When she's back home we'll be able to go through apps.  Sorry for the long delay!

I hope we see more submissions for E!
Thanks!

Artist: Brett Bean - E

Brett's website!