Celia Bowen, Illusionist Extraordinaire(In Colour)

Ink, watercolour, and white gel pen on paper, 11"x14".  2014.

This is one of the main characters from Erin Morgenstern's enchanting novel, The Night Circus.  Celia is a stage magician that can actually perform magic but disguises it as illusion.  This scene is inspired by her interview to become part of the Night Circus.  The proprietor of the circus fusses about women magicians having more places to hide things with the puffed sleeves of their jackets, so she takes it off and performs without any sleeves to use for trickery.  She even uses the jacket as part of an illusion, throwing it over the theatre seats and turning it into a flying raven.  She then takes a notebook from the proprietor's assistant and turns it into a dove.  Those familiar with the story will find other relevant details hidden here and there.  Those who have no idea what I'm talking about, GO READ THE BOOK.  You'll love it. 

The flowers along the left side of the drawing:
      Enchanter's Nightshade for Sorcery
      Verbena for Enchantment and Sensibility
      Roses (Lavender) for Enchantment
      The full-bloomed rose paired with two buds is for Secrecy
      Marjoram for Illusion
      Moonflowers for Night and Instability


Celia Bowen and the Night Circus are © Erin Morgenstern
Artwork is © Me



See the black-and-white version here: fav.me/d7hpxoc