New VLOG on YT - A Sneak Peek Into How My Home Inspired This Fairytale

If you didn’t know by now, I finally made a big decision, I’m building a handmade stop motion film based on my fairytale novel Alchemy, one tiny tree at a time!

When we built our home over 20 years ago, I had no idea I would be so inspired by the house and its surroundings, to write a fairytale novel (and now film).

In this episode of Creating Alchemy, I share the real trees, animals, landscape and memories that inspired my story, while I begin building the enchanted woods for the film using paper mache, needle felting and traditional handmade techniques.This is the story behind the story, and a behind-the-scenes look at how I'm bringing Alchemy to life.

If you're enchanted by miniature worlds, magical storytelling, whimsical homes, slow living, fairy tales, and handmade worlds that blur the line between imagination and reality, you're in the right place! I'd love to have you join me on YouTube as we build this fairytale together, one tiny piece at a time. :)

I'm VERY EXCITED to be introducing New Music "Cassandra's Theme" played throughout the video created by: Juliana Chahayed

Juliana Chahayed YouTube

Juliana Chahayed Instagram

Alchemy, A Fairytale is available in my shop!

The Magic We Forget We Have - New Studio VLOG on YouTube.

Hello friend,

Welcome to the another episode of my journey creating a handmade stop motion fairytale.

This series follows the making of my film, inspired by my fairytale novel, Alchemy, where every tiny theater, weathered bench, painted prop, and miniature world becomes part of a much larger story. More than a behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking, this is an invitation into a life inspired by fairytales; one where art, home, travel, and everyday moments all become part of the same magical world.

I keep thinking that making Alchemy is really an exercise in finding magic in the every day moments. And lately, I've been thinking a lot about what happens when we give ourselves permission to play again, which is exactly what I did in this episode. I travel to Los Angeles for some very fun theatrical inspiration, experiencing a real life marionette theater as well as meeting up with my friend Juliana Chahayed who is creating amazing music for my character animations. 

Back in my studio I'm also sharing some of the real frustrations behind making a stop motion film and how Bill helped me come up with a brilliant solution to help my puppets stand!

If you're enchanted by miniature worlds, magical storytelling, whimsical homes, slow living, fairy tales, and handmade worlds that blur the line between imagination and reality, you're in the right place!

I'd love to have you join me as we build this fairytale together, one tiny piece at a time. :)

New YouTube Series - BTS Creating Alchemy

A short, stop motion animation to kick off my new series of creating a feature film based on my fairytale novel, Alchemy.

Here’s your ticket to join me as we build this fairytale together, one tiny piece at a time. 💚🗝️💫The very first long form episode of my journey creating a handmade stop motion fairytale is now live on my YouTube channel!

This new series follows the making of my stop-motion film, inspired by my fairytale novel, Alchemy, where every tiny theater, weathered bench, painted prop, and miniature world becomes part of a much larger story. More than a behind-the-scenes look at filmmaking, this is an invitation into a life inspired by fairytale: one where art, home, nature, and everyday moments all become part of the same magical world.

ALSO - I’m VERY EXCITED to be introducing New Music "Shadow's Theme" played throughout the video created by: Juliana Chahayed 

So much more about this magical collaboration coming soon! Until then, you can follow her here: YouTube Instagram TikTok

So if you're enchanted by miniature worlds, magical storytelling, whimsical homes, slow living, cottage gardens, fairy tales, and handmade worlds that blur the line between imagination and reality, my new Vlog series is for you - and me - us - together - creating magick!

All Images & Content: Copyright ©2026 Mari Robeson 

New VLOG - Why I took A Break - Learning Stop Motion - Creating the Fairytale World of Alchemy

Happy Summer!

Like you, I Imagine - I too am wondering where this year went. Time is so strange these days.

I am sharing a New VLOG on my youtube channel today. It took me a while to think about what I wanted to say and how much was okay with Bill to share, but he graciously agreed that it’s important to speak about the difficult times as well as the lovely ones. In my vlog I talk about why I stepped away from things for a while to be with friends and family. Bill suffered a significant health challenge - he is now almost fully recovered and better than ever, but to say it was an eye-opening event is an understatement. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

This said, we’ve had a lot of time to chat about things while he’s been recovering at home and one of those things is how important it is to stop putting off joy! So I finally made the decision that, once Bill heads back to work, I’m diving straight-on into making my passion project, the fairytale stop-motion film I’ve been dreaming about for years. I’m not waiting anymore for someone else to green light it or give me permission. I will figure it out, one step at a time and I already have a wonderful collaboration in the works.

I’m going to be documenting it on my YT channel and here because I think it’s important to share. If others had not shared before me, I would never have known that it was possible. So stay tuned because the quiet times are over and it’s time to create magick!

If you want to watch the video - you can view it HERE.

As always, I appreciate your support and kind words more than I can ever express.

xo M~

An Unknown Writer's Next Chapter - My Film Era

In today’s artist studio vlog, I share finishing my fairytale novel and planning a feature film trilogy based on the book. I also talk about making art in difficult times, my home library updates, a thrifted desk makeover, and mural plans.

“The Unkown Author” may be something you see again. I talk about it in the VLOG and, ironically, the more I think about the context of how it was said to me, the more I like it. It is a title I think I’ll keep as an act of defiance against all the gatekeepers. The Unknown Author is for all us dreamers who are made to feel small.

I see you!

To can watch the VLOG here: The Unknown Writer’s Next Chapter

My Interview about The Mystery of Eve with Trade Movies Podcast is LIV

Recently I was honored to be interviewed on the Trade Movies Podcast to speak about the behind the scenes creation of my new (and first ever) short, stop-motion film The Mystery of Eve! We discuss why and how I made the film, how ai is effecting filmmaking and art, as well as all the fantastic filmmakers in the stop motion world. I hope you’ll check it out!

August 22, 1878 - Eve's Diary #6

Dear Diary,

Mother was awake today, barely. Her hair unbrushed.

She said, “Your grandmother collected them once too.” I didn’t ask who.

She wept into her hands and whispered,

“Be careful what you shine. They like to collect light!”

Eve

Music by the very talented Douglas Edward

August 3, 1878 - Eve's Diary #5

August 3, 1878

Dear Diary,

Mother’s powder is working!

I wore it to Tea & caught all the boys staring!

But tonight when I looked into the mirror, I didn’t see myself! 

It looked like water and something moving underneath it!

It Blinked!

I’m frightened!

-Eve 

Music By Douglas Edward

July 16, 1878 - Eve's Diary #4

July 16th, 1878

Dear Diary,

I found mother in the window again, staring at the roses. The mirror on her dresser was turned towards the wall. She says grief ages women faster than time, and that the roses only bloom for me now.

Eve

Music by the very talented Douglas Edward.

July 4th, 1878 - Eve's Diary 3

July 4th, 1878

Dear Diary,

Jane had three callers today. One brought a blue velvet ribbon. The other brought strawberries. Plain face, muddy boots. No powder, no rouge. They say she is kind but kindness is not what they write ballads for. They circle her like bees! 

Eve

Music By: Douglas Edward from the film: The Mystery of Eve

June 27, 1878 Eve's 2nd Diary Entry

Dear Diary,

Mother once whispered that her powder box held more than crushed pearls and rose clay. It held illusions of youth. I dusted my cheeks with it today. The mirror did not blink, but I swear my reflection turned to watch me walk away.

Eve

Music by the talented Juliana Chahayed

June 21, 1878 - Eve is 17 - The 1st Day of Summer

Dear Diary,

This shall be the summer I am remembered.
I have arranged my hair just so.
If I stand still, I could be a painting.

They watched me this morning.
Jane said nothing, of course. She never does.

Her beauty is the kind that fades with sunlight.
Mine was made to last.

Eve

Music By Douglas Edward From the film: The Mystery of Eve

Making Progress

Journal Entry — May 19th
I had hoped to share a video update, but until then, here’s a note from my creative journal.

I’ve finally finished the rough cut of my short film, The Mystery of Eve. This film tells the backstory of one of the characters in my upcoming novel, Alchemy, which also debuts this fall. Eve lived in the House 60 years before my protagonist arrives at its front gate, and this film explores her tragic wound that binds her to the House. I felt she was the perfect character to create a short film around because her family is who originally built the House. The short stop motion film is also full of Easter Eggs that I hope will make for a fun interactive experience between the reading book and watching the film.

Venturing into the world of filmmaking has been a thrilling new chapter for me. I wanted to explore what it would feel like to bring my art into a different medium. What an incredible, humbling adventure it’s been! I’ve never felt more creatively challenged, and I absolutely love it. This process has taught me so much about myself, which, to me, is the true purpose of art: self-discovery.

It’s long been my dream to turn Alchemy into a feature film. Creating this short (literally from scratch in my attic) has been a deep dive into the reality of that dream. I’ve discovered both my strengths and the areas I want to grow in. The film blends paper mâché and articulated paper characters, which feel nostalgic and wonderfully fantastical to me. I hope that magic will translate on screen.

More to come… :)

November Studio VLOG is Live on YouTube

Creating art - good art, for me, anyway - takes time, and that is the challenge. In a world of lightning-fast scrolling for dopamine, taking the time to write and illustrate a novel, sculpt dioramas, and shoot a short (stop motion - no less) film, seems insane.

But here I am.

The latest update is on my YouTube. Thanks for listening to my inner dialog.

Writing Vlog Update - Draft 4 & How To Create A Fairy Be

Hello! Welcome back. I just updated my YouTube channel with the latest progress on my Alchemy project. I promised to document everything to hold myself accountable and to make sure I get her done. This video explains where I stand today, December 2023. Although I thought it would be complete by now, this project and the world keeps expanding, but I have surrendered to letting myself flow with that. This said, I do believe 2024 will be the year my debut fairytale novel will finally come into the world. I’m beyond excited about it and can’t wait to share it with you! I also think my husband will be happy to see the kitchen table again.

So as we come to the end of 2023, I wish you peace and magic, and thank you for supporting me on my creative journey. May you be sprinkled with love and fairy dust throughout the rest of the year and beyond!

Episode 55 - Interview with Artist - Marina Sole'

I met Marina this past March when I was exhibiting my art at Superfine Art Fair in San Francisco. Her booth was close to mine and had a steady flow of art buyers. It was no surprise because her quirky art is undeniably fun and she also has a positively infectious personality!

On today's Episode we learn more about Marina's journey from Catalan, Spain to the City by the Bay, San Francisco and why she left the fashion design industry to launch her business as a full time artist. 

We had such a great time at Superfine that I asked her to come on the podcast and share her advice on this topic as well. Preparing for a large Art Exhibit can be a daunting task but we break it down with a ton of helpful tips. We also discuss our review of Superfine as well as some things we would have done a little differently.

LISTEN & WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE

To Follow & Support Marina Sole':

Website: Marina Sole

Instagram:  @marinasole_art

Photos provided by Marina Sole' Copyright ©2022

Superfine Art Fair - Fort Mason - San Francisco! March 3-6, 2022 It's Happening!

Happy New Year! Exciting NEWS! I was accepted to exhibit at the San Francisco Superfine Art Fair back in 2019 and I’m super thrilled to announce that, 2 years later, it looks like it’s actually going to happen! Tickets are on sale now on the Superfine website HERE

This is a very unique and special exhibit for me. Not only do I love San Fransisco but the collection I’ll be offering is based on a screenplay I just finished writing. It’s a fantastical story about claiming your personal power by embracing your fears and painful experiences that takes place in a magical house. So they are more than just paintings they are energetic pieces of an enchanted story!

Prints will be available too as well as other originals.

Please come by and visit me at Booth 29, Fort Mason Center, as well as all the other AMAZING exhibiting artists! xoxo Mari

Interview with Christine Mason Miller - Episode 52

Today’s Podcast Interview is with the multi-talented Christine Mason Miller, author of Notes from The Rocket. You may know her work as Swirly Girl as she is also a very accomplished artist. Notes from The Rocket is her 6th published book and it’s a true gem!

During the interview we talk about the importance of supporting independent creators and why she decided to sell her book only through her website. One of the incredible benefits of purchasing from her is how each book is hand embellishment and completely unique! This is Vol. I of three intended books from this beautiful series.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Christine for more than two decades and I am constantly delighted and inspired by her creative work and beauty as a human being. I know you will be too!

LISTEN & WATCH THE EPISODE HERE

Follow & Support Christine Mason Miller Here:

Christine's Website: http://christinemasonmiller.com/

Christine's Instagram: @swirlygirl18

Order Christine Mason Miller's New Book: http://christinemasonmiller.com/notes-from-the-rocket

Interview with Sam Goff - Recruiter for Netflix Animation - Episode 5

Today’s Podcast Episode is with the very talented Sam Goff. Sam is part of the Netflix Animation family as an Outreach & Engagement Coordinator. Her focus in the department is working internally with productions and cross functional departments to make sure early career individuals at NAS have a comfortable and enriching professional growth experience.

Additionally she is working on creating programming to further break down the barriers to entry for the animation industry. She is also a freelance surfacing artist which makes today’s Episode a ‘Must Listen’ for anyone interested in what it’s like to work in the animation business. Check out Sam’s Episode on my YouTube channel and make sure to follow her @samg_anim and also over on TikTok where she offers weekly advice as an Animation Recruiter!

You can listen to the Full Episode HERE

To Follow & Support Sam Goff:

TikTok, Twitter, Instagram: @SamG_Anim

Website: http://slewis-portfolio.com/

Netflix Animation Outreach & Engagement Coordinator 

My Living Lavishly Interview :-)

It’s truly an honor to be featured in this months Living Lavishly magazine and to have the opportunity to talk about my passion for supporting the arts as well as my creative journey. I remember having coffee with Lani brainstorming the idea for the magazine years ago and I have been humbled and grateful to be a contributing writer for the magazine ever since. I have to admit, this took quite a bit of arm twisting because I prefer to be behind the camera - ALWAYS - but I am very grateful to have the opportunity to discuss why it’s so important to support artists. You can check out the entire issue and read the full interview HERE.