The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina
Art Beauty

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina

Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina. Russian artist Yulia Selina (Lia Selina) lives in Ramenskoe, Moscow region. Young and beautiful artist likes fairy tales and trees, purple color and witch hats, fairies and beetles, and she loves illustrating books. She began to draw as a child, like all children – painted houses in albums, then in copybooks, using gouache on Whatman paper, oil on plywood. Yulia Selina is a self-taught illustrator, and sometimes she regrets about it. Her first job while studying at the University of Management was as a designer in one of the printers of her small town. Safely received the diploma of the prestigious university, she realized that does not want to work where her ability to draw is not needed.

Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina

So, Yulia Selina started looking for a dream job. She worked as the artist in an animation studio, where she worked for about three years. It was interesting and she learned a lot during the work, participated in the creation of several projects for television, but still the format of the studio was not close to her. Most of the projects were aimed at an adult audience, and she then began to realize more and more clearly that she wanted to draw for children.

Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina

Her passion was book illustration. So, she has illustrated about fifteen types of children’s books, and the Russian folk tale ‘The Scarlet Flower’ is one of them. The artist hopes that her best illustrated book is still ahead.

Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina

Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina
Russian artist Yulia Selina
The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina
‘The Scarlet Flower’ illustration by Yulia Selina

THE SCARLET FLOWER
By S.T. Aksakov

Once upon a time in a faraway land a merchant was preparing to set out on a long journey. This merchant had three daughters, and he asked all of them what they would like as gifts for themselves when he returned from his voyage. The first daughter requested a golden crown, and the second one wanted a crystal mirror. The third daughter asked only for a little scarlet flower.

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina
‘The Scarlet Flower’ illustration by Yulia Selina

The merchant set out on his journey. It did not take him very long to find a beautiful golden crown and a fine crystal mirror. He had difficulty, however, finding the third gift, the scarlet flower. He searched everywhere, and eventually his search led him into a magical forest. Deep within these woods there was a palace, and in its courtyard grew a beautiful flower. As the merchant drew closer to the flower he realized what it was the scarlet flower. Cautiously, the merchant picked the flower that his youngest daughter wanted so badly. Upon picking the scarlet flower he was confronted by a hideous beast, who demanded that, in return for picking the flower, the merchant must send one of his daughters deep into the enchanted forest, to live with the beast forever.

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina
‘The Scarlet Flower’ illustration by Yulia Selina

Upon receiving the scarlet flower, the merchant’s youngest daughter agreed to go to the beast. She journeyed alone into the forest and found the castle where she would dwell forever. For a time, she lived there very happily. The beast had not revealed himself to her, and showered her daily with kindness and gifts. She started to grow quite fond of her invisible keeper, and one day asked that he show himself. The beast reluctantly gave into her plea, and, just as he had feared, she recoiled in terror at the sight of him.

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina
The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina

That night the girl had a haunting dream about her father falling deathly ill. She begged the beast to release her, so that she could visit her dying father. Touched by her concern, the beast released her on one condition – that she return to him in three days’ time. The girl spent some time with her father, and prepared to return to the beast at the alloted time. However, her sisters altered the time on the clocks, causing her to arrive late, because they were jealous of her wealth and well-being. Upon her arrival at the castle the girl was horrified at what she encountered. The beast was dead, lying there clutching her scarlet flower. Heartbroken, the girl embraced the dead beast, and declared her love for him. Having done this, she unknowingly broke the evil spell, and her beloved beast awoke, turning into a handsome prince.

They lived happily ever after.

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina

The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina
The Scarlet Flower by Yulia Selina

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