Spirit Magazine Issue I: THE EARTH - The Buckeye File

My submission to Spirit Magazine Issue 1: THE EARTH

The Buckeye File
A Field Guide to the Untold Creatures of Appalachia

My submission centers on the found writings and sculptures of an amateur naturalist (or perhaps a cryptozoologist), Buckeye, uncovered after she goes missing.

This field guide features scluptures made with paper clay and found materials both naturally and unnaturally sourced. The sweetgum sprites and mosslings are of my own imagination. The Yellapin Stretcher is from an oral Appalachian folk tale told to me by my father when I was a child. It was passed to him by an older family member. Little is known about this rare Appalachian folk character and I believe I am the first to write about and depict it.

I plan to continue to explore Buckeye's story in future issues of Spirit Magazine.

More on Spirit from Tifani Truelove, Editor in Chief:

"Spirit Magazine is an annual publication celebrating the interwoven relationship between magic and art. It is a collaborative body of work created by a global art coven of spirit-led creators.

Each issue is crafted over the course of a year, guided by the unifying force of a magical theme. Together, Spirit's coven channels the work that becomes the heart of each edition

Issue 1: THE EARTH

In this issue, we explore our relationship to matter - the physical experience of being on Earth. Through embodied practice, tarot, song, ritual, remembrance, poetry, story, photography, illustration, and art, we invoke deep exploration of EARTH and invite you to join us on this journey."