Interview with Aelin Laer

January 24, 2023

Summary: Aelin Laer, or Mia Seric, is one of the featured fantasy artists of our Collection #1. Heavily inspired by Celtic worlds, we interviewed her to better understand her artistic inspirations & thoughts on the current state of technology in art.

Article available on Medium

Introduction

On November 24th, we released the first art collection of the Faerian gallery on the theme of “Light”. 6 artists participated conjointly with 22 unique artworks, all opening a different window to the realms of fantasy worlds.

We recently caught up with an incredibly talented artist and silversmith from Croatia, Mia Seric, also known as Aelin Laer. Her art evokes the true Celtic spirit of mystery and wonder, with fairies and elves, and a certain Lady of The Lake. It brings to mind a time of Kings and Queens, and Knights of The Round Table. This is personified in her artwork “The Lady of The Lake”, and puts one in mind of Avalon, and a realm beyond our wildest imagination.

Mia is also a silversmith, and brings to life jewels and talismans fitting of a king and queen. Intricate designs of talismans, charms, and crystals that are otherworldly in their breathtaking beauty. Her design and crafting skills are truly of the caliber of the blacksmiths, swordsmiths, and metalworks of times gone by. Through her silversmith work – she reminds us that what though some may think of this a long lost art, the flame of creativity still burns as brightly as it did in the forges of metalworkers all those years ago.

To start, we checked in with Mia to get a sense of how she’s doing, and asked about what kind of fantasy race she would like to be.

Faerian: How are you doing?

Mia Šerić: I’m doing great, thank you.

Faerian: If you could be one fantasy race (elf, human, dwarf, etc.), which one would you pick? Why?

Mia Šerić: Elf!

Faerian: Wonderful, something we share. Specifically – I’d love to be a Dark Elf, I’ve always been fascinated by their backstory. The idea that once there were simply “elves” instead of splitting them up by light and dark.

If you could live in or visit the fantasy universe of your choice, which one would you pick? Why?

Mia Šerić: Since I spend half of my life in Otherworld while channeling and Journeying, I would pick a fantasy place –Lothlórien, also known as Lórien. It is the vast woodland realm of the Galadhrim elves from Tolkien’s legendarium. My living and working space is actually designed and decorated to fit descriptions of Lothlórien, that is how much I love it.

Faerian: That’s amazing – it must bring a lot of inspiration, being immersed in that world day and night 🙂 I would imagine that being in that world provides a lot of creative energy for exploring all types of themes, ideas, and universes.

Artistic Inspiration

Given that there are so many themes to explore and experiment with, what themes do you most enjoy exploring in your work and why?

Mia Šerić: I have always been passionate about the past and mystery of Celtic folklore and Sidhe lore. Through my paintings and silver crafts I’m trying to bring a glimpse of that tradition into the human world, and invoke changes in the eye and heart of the observer. As essential part for creating my artwork, I passionately study Celtic mythology and folklore, specifically Sidhe lore and Creideamh Sí, practice the old ways and closely work with the Daoine Sith and the Otherworld – this is what drives my inspirational fire, and is center of my devotion, my being and my art.

Faerian: That sounds intriguing – I’m not too familiar with that world myself, but it seems that it has produced a lot of wonderful fantasy stories and traditions. With this vast fantasy world, there are so many avenues to explore. I’d love to explore more about what brought you to this creative world.

What made you want to be an artist?

Mia Šerić: I think I was born an “artist”. I’ve been painting, crafting, creating magical and folkloric things since I can recall. I also come from a very artistic family. My grandpa was a hobbyist painter, my grandma was a talented seamstress, my great uncle was a professional painter, and my uncle is a talented wood and metal crafter. I think it is in my blood.

Faerian: Why do you focus on fantasy universes? What do you love most about the world of fantasy?

Mia Šerić: I actually focus mostly on folklore which is actually something that gave birth to fantasy as we know it today. Celtic Folklore, Tradition, Mythology and Magical practices form major cornerstones for my artwork. For more than 20 Years I have been passionately immersed in scholarly exploration of these topics, studying, practicing and learning, gathering both knowledge and inspiration from books, manuscripts and ancient texts, exploring ancient landscapes and channeling the Other Realm.
My approach (and viewpoint) to both my path and ritual practice, and inspiration behind creation of my artwork is folkloric, no matter if I am using a model for my painting or if it is a result of channeling Otherworld – the process invokes something that is hard to put into words, so I do my best to place it on canvas, paper or into silver.

Faerian: It’s such a skill to be able to explore your art through different mediums, instead of being constrained to just one. Many of the most versatile artists in history have been able to pursue their artistic vision through different mediums, and I think this is a great way to avoid bottlenecking your creative vision.

Let’s chat more about the “why”. Who are your artistic inspirations?

Mia Šerić: Brian Froud and Alan Lee were (and still are) my two favourite contemporary artists, but through art-school I fell in love with and developed my style thanks to John William Waterhouse and John Bauer. I would also have to mention Henrik Aarrestad Uldalen and digital artist Seb McKinnon, they are both brilliant contemporary artists with unique techniques.

“Gandalf” by Alan Lee

“Dreamweaver” by Brian Froud

Faerian: Two of the quintessential fantasy artists! I’m a big fan of Alan Lee for a lot of his work in the LOTR universe.

Artistic Technique

Every artist has a different process and way of making magic. Some don’t leave the house without a sketchbook and pens, some can’t leave without a silversmithing torch.
Usually, these don’t overlap – but Mia is the exception, due to how versatile her work is!

Faerian: What tools/techniques could you not live without, to do your art?

Mia Šerić: Since I`m both a painter and a silversmith, I would say paint and silver.
I always preferred to sketch in color and use brush instead of pencil and charcoal, even though through art school we were introduced to many different art techniques which we had to master. I always loved oil paint and acrylic and it would be hard for me to choose one between these two. As for silverwork, my silver and silversmithing torch are absolute necessities 🙂

Collaboration with Faerian

We next asked the big question, why Faerian? These artists are some of the best in the industry, and we are deeply honored that they chose to work with us.

We wanted to get an idea of what made them choose to share their talents with Faerian.

Faerian: What made you choose to work with the Faerian gallery?

Mia Šerić: I like the idea of gathering Fantasy-inspired artists that are serious in what they do. I think fantasy is still a bit underrated in enclosed artistic circles and it should be more available and easier to find for those who are willing to support real Fantasy Art and their creators. The Faerian gallery seems to be just what is needed.

Faerian: What made you trust to sign with us?

Mia Šerić: I was sceptical at first because this whole digital-fantasy gallery was quite new to me, but when I met people behind the idea, I realized they are doing this out of love for fantasy worlds, and not just for money. And that is what makes a great fantasy gallery – great. And good things take time, so I patiently wait, contribute and support the idea of Faerian.

Faerian: Totally agree! Passion has to be at the center of what you’re doing, not just financial gains. Through a shared passion, we can build a wonderful community of artists and art lovers.

Opinion on NFTs & AI art

We next moved on to a bit of a controversial topic in the art world, AI art. With strong opinions on both sides, it’s usually a hot button issue with Artists all over the world. On the one hand, some argue that introducing AI into Art makes it a bit more artificial. Such as the phrase “It’s an art, not a science” – they argue that AI takes away the soul and humanity, the human creative process required to produce great art.

On the other side – some argue that this is a whole new way to experience art. To see art through the eyes of a machine, who is perhaps a bit more objective on what it sees in the world.

Let’s see what Mia thinks!

Faerian: What are your thoughts about AI art? Good thing, bad thing? Why?

Mia Šerić: I’m old-fashioned, a traditional painter, so I prefer working with my hands and creating things with my own, direct and simple physical tools, like brushes, pencils and silversmithing tools. I think it is important what we “bring” into the creation, for technique can be mastered through hard work, practice and patience. But what makes a piece unique is the “essence” of the artwork, which is poured through the person who is creating it. Real. A feeling person, not a machine. Does that answer this question ? 🙂

Faerian: I agree, I personally think you must have a soul to create art. I think it requires a human, and that the beauty of art is not in its mechanically engineered perfection, but more so in its abstract imperfection.

We then chatted about the broader NFT world, and Mia’s thoughts on what’s going on with the NFT space currently.

Faerian: What are your thoughts on the current state of the NFT world?

Mia Šerić: I understand this is all one element of modernizing art, trying to protect it and making it available to everyday consumers, whose life is now entwined into social media, personal computers and smartphones. I personally prefer to look at physical and traditional artwork in a physical gallery, where I can analyze every brush strike and sort of “feel” the soul of the artwork. I’m also very aware that these days anything can be hacked.

Next steps

Faerian: To finish, what are your next exciting projects/adventures?

Mia Šerić: To continue doing what I do. Invoking inspiration of the Otherworld and transferring it into art and craft I create. This is my path and what I chose to be – be it my success or my ending. I plan to publish a folkloric art-book in the future, with selected acrylic sketches and oil paintings, accompanied with some inspiring Celtic folkloric material and channeling impressions.

Faerian: Anything else you’d like to tell us?

Mia Šerić: Well thank you for the interview!

Faerian: Thanks Mia, really enjoyed our chat – and hope to meet you in person soon! I’d love to see some silversmithing and experience the Celtic world.

You may see Aelin Laer’s portfolio here.