This one's for the readers

meet the Storykeeper

I’ve waited almost a year to share this photo.

At first, I was waiting to hear back from a magazine in hopes of having it published, but I never did. Then I was waiting for fall.

Now, I’m so proud not only to introduce you to this character, but to share that this image has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize.

Friends, meet the Storykeeper.

She’s a queen of the liminal forest, a being who carries stories in her heart and trails them in her wake. The Storykeeper symbolizes how books have the power to transport us into magical worlds. About her neck rests a set of keys that she uses to unlock the many doors into the imaginary realm.

I can’t exaggerate how much this character means to me. She’s a symbol of my own love of stories, and how both reading and writing fantasy have offered me a refuge during difficult times.

I crafted the skirt and crown using pages from The Starless Sea and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, two of my favorite novels. The bodice of the dress was handmade by my incredibly talented sister, Chiarra.

I’ll be sharing the full photo story and behind-the-scenes shotes from this shoot in the coming weeks—but right now I just want to say a HUGE thank you to the friends who helped me bring this project to life. Not only my sister, but the beautiful

Sara Szatmary

for modeling and breathing life into the character, and Carly and Mara for helping me drag a giant chair and a cooler full of books into the woods.

I couldn’t have done it without you.

Credits
Photo, Concept, Styling:

Kerani Arpaia

Model:

Sara Szatmary

Book Corset: Chiarra Marie Corsets
Skirt & Crown:

Kerani Arpaia

Assistants: Carly & Mara

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