Erin Metcalf (aka Eirewolf) creates gorgeous creatures... dragons, unicorns, and some of her own imagination. I fell in love with her art the first time I saw it. Each piece is unique and endearing. Please visit her website and take a look. You'll be glad you did.

I'm leaving this in q&a format... it looked perfect this way when Eirewolf sent it to me.

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Hi Amy,

Thanks again for featuring me!


***How do you describe your artistic ..style..?

I like to call my ..style.. "whimsical realism." I endeavor to make all my creatures anatomically believable, but at the same time fanciful and quirky.

*** What mediums do you like best?

I love working 3-dimensionally. My current medium of choice is polymer clay, and I like to incorporate natural elements such as feathers and seashells.

*** What is your favorite subject?

Fantasy creatures are so much fun, because there is no "correct" way to do it. I can create entirely new beings that have never existed before, such as my Dragon Snails-- or Hlarim--. It's always entertaining to create good old-fashioned dragons and unicorns, too, but with a new twist of my interpretation. Next will come a centaur, a fairy or two, and perhaps some gryphons... the possibilities are endless!

*** What inspires you?

All of creation inspires me. I get ideas for elements to include in my next fantasy creature when I look at nature, whether it's animals, plants, or even people. I'm also inspired by so many wonderful artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians who push the envelope with their creativity.

*** How long have you been creating your art? What got you started?

I've been creating art since I could hold a crayon, but I've only been sculpting seriously for the last several years. It began in earnest after an epiphany of sorts, when I realized that I didn't have to join the rat race -- I actually had the option and the opportunity to make art my vocation, and it's what I wanted to do more than anything else. It also helped that I got a boost from some wonderfully supportive people (mainly my husband, a sculpting teacher, and my family).

*** Have you been published or received any awards?

American Miniaturist magazine published an article featuring me and my creations (in the February '08 issue), and I've shown pieces in two local juried exhibits.

*** Are there any other places we may view/purchase your art?

My main gallery website can be found at www.EirewolfCreations.com (see commission information in the FAQ). I occasionally sell on eBay (eirewolf_creations), Etsy (www.EirewolfCreations.etsy.com), and CDHM ((www.cdhm.org/user/eirewolf).

Title: Fantasy Art Now
General Editor: Martin McKenna
Forward by Borris Vallejo
Published 2007 by Collins Design
Rated R: containes nudity (both male and female), violence, disturbing images


This is one of my favorite books. Fantasy Art Now has superb examples of contemporary fantasy art. The images are large and fill the page with vibrant color and eye-popping detail.

The focus of this book is to showcase contemporary talent both well known and little known. Each piece of art chosen for this book is an example of the best of what's out there today. It includes such artists as J.P. Targete, Jason Engle, Anne Stokes, Yvonne Gilbert, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, and Benita Winckler, all of which you can find on this website on the menu to the left. Each picture has the artist's name, website, and a breif description by the artist of the art shown. The book has a lovely jacket with art on the front, back, and sleeves. The book is organized by subject matter with a wonderful forward by Boris Vallejo.

Every fantasy art fan should own this book. Leave this one out for friends and guest to see when they come over.

I give it a 5 out of 5.
Best: quality, large format, variety
Worst: If there had been only one entry per artist, there would have been room for more artists to be included.