Much of Zand's cherished childhood was spent at his Grandmother's; where he could get lost in the overgrown garden and a magical world-of-his-own. We join Zand on one of his blissfully innocent, insect-gathering forays - a most auspicious event, for his life was soon to be changed forever
Although a solitary young boy, Zand wouldn’t stay that way for long, for he was about to experience the beginnings of a lifelong friendship. Zand was to witness the amazing appearance of the Starway Sapphires and get to meet the Elphen Swarm Leader, Weftwing – herself an insect-whisperer.
Paintbox Tale No.2 – Starway Sapphires - recounts where Zand's passion for painting began, with the discovery of his Grandfather’s legacy – a paintbox heaped full of possibilities. A treasure trove of a lifelong passion, passed down through time and, once again, to be reborn.
Video-Storybook ‘Starway Sapphires’
Select & Treasure
Webstrand, the Tooth Gatherer
Watch and listen along to the Video-Storybook, in which Paul narrates his illustrated Paintbox Tale, featuring decorative illuminated letters and miniature Masterworks oil paintings, as well as animation and additional visual features, all that portray this magical Elphen folktale – accompanied by original music composed uniquely by Liza Mulholland, for ‘Paul Taggart’s Elphen Chronicles’ soundscape and the upcoming Concept Music Album.
Welcome to Paul Taggart’s illustrated Paintbox Tale No.2, 'Starway Sapphires'; the first to be released in this collection of six stand-alone short stories from 'Paul Taggart's Elphen Chronicles'. This Video-Storybook is based on Sunita Gahir’s beautiful book design, featuring pages that are, in themselves, a work of art.
Paul uses traditional techniques for the miniature oil paintings that illustrate his Paintbox Tales and, as with my designs for ‘Webstrand, the Tooth Gatherer’, this provided the starting point. Their size and square shape put me in mind of treasured icons, which inspired the format of this book.
‘Starway Sapphires’ required the most careful consideration. When designing the first book in any series, I not only need to make the pages engaging for the reader; I also have to take into account what, of this first, will be reflected in the rest.
“We all remember from our childhood, owning some cherished book or object, which we would return to again and again. I wanted this series of Paintbox Tales, to do the same – to evoke those memories - to hold the charm of a story that you could immerse yourself into and grow up with.
THE DESIGN JOURNEY of ‘Starway Sapphires’
Fragments of gold-leaf ‘appear’ to have been scattered across the pages - I wanted to give the impression that if you stroke the pages, gold-sparkled paint will come away on your fingers. Study the pages carefully and you will discover Elphen wings, flowing throughout the book, embedded as a watermark motif – a magical background for Paul’s chronicle of this precious Elphen tale, ‘Starway Sapphires’.”
Sunita Gahir
“We all remember from our childhood, owning some cherished book or object, which we would return to again and again. I wanted this series of Paintbox Tales, to do the same – to evoke those memories - to hold the charm of a story that you could immerse yourself into and grow up with.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2024 – Paul Taggart has asserted his Rights as the Sole Artist & Author of Paul Taggart’s Elphen Chronicles. ALL RIGHTS (including Music) owned by Paul W. Taggart, Eileen M. Tunnell, Sunita J. Gahir [The Three Quills]
The Three Quills studio, symbolising the trio of creative strands that are art & design, writings and music.
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Paul Taggart – Artist : Author : Presenter : Producer [Sole Author & Illustrator of ‘Paul Taggart’s Elphen Chronicles©’]
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Eileen Tunnell – Project Director, Producer, Video Auteur ‘Paul Taggart’s Elphen Chronicles’
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Sunita Gahir – Design Director/Producer ‘Paul Taggart’s Elphen Chronicles’
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Liza Mulholland – Music Director/Producer ‘Paul Taggart’s Elphen Chronicles’