🔥"Jack Straw" Inspired By The Ancient Effigies of Hungary🔥 | Hannabal Marie

Hello ladies and gents

To end the "New Years" in style, I decided to do a sort of  "educated" makeup look.
Something that was much more than slapping on some makeup and calling it a day.

I wanted to do something that would inform people just as well as educate them, too.
So, I give you--JACK STRAW!

"Hurts my ears to listen, Shannon
Burns my eyes to see.
Cut down a man in cold blood, Shannon
Might as well be me...

So, Jack Straw from Wichita
Cut his buddy down
 Dug for him a shallow grave
And layed his body down."

Left Photo Source: Pinterest 
Right Photo Source: The Jeremy Nicholl Archive

In Hungary, they celebrate the New Year by burning effigies or "scapegoats" known as Jack Straws.
They are supposed to represent the evils and misfortunes of the past year bundled up in a "human" body. Before they burn them, however, they parade our the town holding them up and showing them to the townspeople.

Photo Source: AnythingButVanilla 

Photo Source: NepalHolidayTips 

If you google search "Jack Straw" not a lot is up about them.
I had to dig a little deep into old texts and documents to find out just this much about them but it is there, you just need the right word usage. Otherwise, you'll end up looking up something else--like the vintage game of Jack Straws.

Photo Source: Alamy

Upon stumbling on this bit of information and the overall significance these effigies held with some people in Hungary, it really made me fall in love with the custom as a whole.

I am a HUGE lover of the classic Scarecrow!
So this really tug at my existing love of the similar humanoid thing.

And since I am a artist by own personal right--I felt compelled to try my hand at a look inspired by this old custom. I really hope I did the Hungarian people justice for such a beautiful tradition!

Photo Source: bryanpgdumas

I really felt like it was best I recreated this, not only to inform those who didn't know but also perhaps shine a little light on this custom for myself. Partake in the burning of my 'older self' and rid myself of my own evils and misfortunes of my own past years. Thus by recreating this look, I am--in some way or another--becoming my own effigy! 

Goodbye 2018--Hello FUTURE!

I know it isn't 2019 just yet, with my timezone and everything but I know that as soon as I blink, a new year will be already here. Time keeps flying and it hasn't stopped yet but that's life, right? I am bitter-sweet about 2018--it started out pretty horrible but it's ending fairly okay. I am not going to keep you reading a long detailed post about silly resolutions or things that could have been but didn't...no, it's no use to ponder on the "what ifs" and "should haves", in my honest opinion but I know what I know now and I can waltz into 2019 with a better sense of judgement and so much more knowledge. If ever a year was made up of battling and fighting--2018 was definitely mine. I fought to get to where I am and truth being told, I am still fighting. I fought against negative forces trying to bring me down and belittle me and mine. Negativity in the beginning of the year, negativity in the middle--it wasn't until I decided to continue to fight for my own best interest, that everything started to change. I was at a point where giving up felt a decent idea...but something in me, with the help of my family and friends, kicked me back into shape and kept me moving forward. Now, I have so much to look forward to. I haven't even acknowledged what I'm talking about due to fear of saying something too soon and having things fail. But all I will say is that me and my brother are working, have been working, on some amazing things for this near future. Our skills and talents have been recognized by a few companies and we are coming together to see where this future takes us. I may not be entirely free from harms way but I know that if I can go through the bullshit I had to endure in years previous, I can go through anything! I know 2019 will be better for me and mine because only until now has a fire been lit under me to want to make a change and take my craft/skills/hobbies/talents seriously. Aside from physical skills and things of this nature--I also know who is around at this very moment, those who make a difference in my life and those who shine hope down on me...I know who you are and I just want to say I appreciate your efforts, deeply. Thank you for being here, for as long as we've known each other! Thank you for putting up with me, supporting me and inspiring me to be a better artist each and every day. Some don't see "likes" as anything other than food for attention hungry people to obtain...but I can't stress how GREAT it feels to see them on my work, to look at it being appreciated. The comments telling me how great it is or how I blew them away. It really makes me feel good to know that someone, across the globe even, seen my work and loves it...instead of just making it in my bedroom and pinning it on my bedroom walls for no one to ever see. lol But enough with the sappy stuff, let's hold our heads up high and embrace 2019!! We got this everyone!! <3

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018 // Hannabal Marie

Hello ladies and gents

we are now in 2018--I can't believe how fast this new year came. 

2017 was such a rocky year for me and mine--full of hardships and so much drama.
I don't want to get into detail but let me just say that I am bittersweet about 2017.
Despite the negatives, I ended the year on such a high note that would make Mariah Carey jealous. lol

We watched the countdown with Steve Harvey--why they chose him after that Miss America stunt? I'll never know! lol

I don't know why but before Christmas, I was dealing with depression and so many negative things.
I didn't even feel inspired to do much for Halloween and it is my personal favorite holiday.
I kind of blame the various dentist trips and my getting sick late in October for the ruining of my Halloween spirit but even so--

I just didn't feel too good until after Thanksgiving. 

My brothers hands here, we Saged the house before the new year--to cleanse any impurities and bad vibes.

That was when all the fun stuff started to happen and I ended the year with a TON of makeup looks and photoshoots.
Aside from the awesome makeup inspiration that befell me that Christmas, I also made some great friendships and erased all the bad depression and stuff that happened during the beginning of that year. I guess it's safe to say that 2018 started on such a great note that I am actually very excited about this new year. I can just feel something positive about it--something great. 

Like this year will be MY year!

3...2...1....HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Oh Deer // Hannabal Marie

Hello ladies and gents

today's post was on a spur of the moment.
My mother made this glorious Christmas wreath a while ago and I instantly became obsessed and inspired to do something using it. 

 So, I created this little deer/fawn creature using it. 

So, I hope you enjoy my little artwork and please don't judge too harshly...
It's my first time using a Green Screen. 

I made the horns from paper mache and I am quite pleased with 'em. It was a last minute added feature, so being able to literally pull something outta my--yeeeeah....it'll do. It'll do. 

If you look closely at the wreath my mom designed--you can see a little vintage Bambi toy hiding inside.

Like I said, it was a little extra makeup look.
Nothing special or crazy, just wanted to do something using this gorgeous wreath.
xoxo