Thursday, January 19, 2006
I'm not a photographer
I do the best I can, but I'm usually not thrilled with my efforts in the area of the camera. This particular painting is not very photogenic. It's another acrylic, 16x20 unframed and very dark and yet vibrant in person. My inspiration was a moon that seemed to cast a reflection as I looked at it through the pine trees in my yard. The musician was an afterthought, added perhaps because my daughter plays wind instruments, not that she looks much like her. That is the way I compose a painting sometimes. Perhaps I will get a good photo of it some day and put up another - for now here it is...
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Celtic Knots
I began drawing knotwork a couple of years ago and I am hooked! The grace and beauty of these ancient designs always fascinates me. I began to notice them when I started reading more Celtic myths. After practicing by drawing out the ones I had seen in books, most of these being very old reproductions of traditional designs; I began creating my own. This one, with the tower Drumree in County Meath Ireland, is made up of five interlocking frames and is my own design. Like the circle, which represents the continuous journey of life, the intertwining braids are said by some to depict aspects of one person's life journeys, or the roads of several people crossing each other.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Inspired by a photo of a single flower
This 15x20 oval unframed acrylic on canvas is one of my favorites. The woman's face began as a sketch in pencil with three flowers for accent. When I decided to use her for a painting I knew I wanted lots of flowers and played with the idea of a mixed bunch, when a friend gave me a photo of one of her lilies. That single bloom was graceful and delicate, just the compliment for the face.
If I were inclined to write I think she would make a good subject for a myth of her own.
If I were inclined to write I think she would make a good subject for a myth of her own.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Celtic knot framed "Twa Sisters"
This little 12 inch acrylic has another of my husband's unique frames. Cut from one piece of wood, each empty space represents the time consuming task of disengaging the scroll saw's blade and reinserting it in a pre drilled hole for the next cut. When staining the frame I darkened the areas so as to give the illusion the wood goes beneath the next part of the wood, making it appear woven like a true Celtic knot.
The story of the twa (two) sisters appears below the painting, as well as on the painting itself. (in the larger view, if you click on the painting, you will notice something in the left field, this is the story) This is one of those bits of folk lore so old no one is sure who wrote it. Appearing as a story, song, and poem (as seen below) it contains some of the basic themes of Irish folk lore. First if you fall into the water you often turn into a swan, and also that you will get yours in the end, even if the person you hurt is dead.
The story of the twa (two) sisters appears below the painting, as well as on the painting itself. (in the larger view, if you click on the painting, you will notice something in the left field, this is the story) This is one of those bits of folk lore so old no one is sure who wrote it. Appearing as a story, song, and poem (as seen below) it contains some of the basic themes of Irish folk lore. First if you fall into the water you often turn into a swan, and also that you will get yours in the end, even if the person you hurt is dead.
Twa Sisters
Twa sisters walked along the sea by the bonnie mill dams of O'Binnorie O'Binnorie.
The youngest stude upon a stane, the eldest sister pushed her in!
"Oh sister oh sister reach but your hand, and you'll be heir to half my land.
"Oh sister oh sister reach your glove and my sweet William will be your love."
"Sink on no hope of glove nor hand, and I shall have William and all your land!"
On the bonnie mill dams of O'Binnorie O'Binnorie.
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam until she came to a miller's dam.
O' out it came the miller's son, who saw the fair maiden swimming on.
"Oh father oh father yon swims a swan, what looks like a gentle woman."
On the bonnie, bonnie mills of O'Binnorie O'Binnorie.
He made a harp from the swan's breast bane, and for her father it played alone.
"Oh yonder sits my father the king, and yonder sits my mother the queen.
There does sit my brother Hugh, and by him William sweet and true.
Yonder sits my false sister Anne, who drown me for the sake of a man.
The swans swim so bonnie, O'Binnorie O'Binnorie."
The youngest stude upon a stane, the eldest sister pushed her in!
"Oh sister oh sister reach but your hand, and you'll be heir to half my land.
"Oh sister oh sister reach your glove and my sweet William will be your love."
"Sink on no hope of glove nor hand, and I shall have William and all your land!"
On the bonnie mill dams of O'Binnorie O'Binnorie.
Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam until she came to a miller's dam.
O' out it came the miller's son, who saw the fair maiden swimming on.
"Oh father oh father yon swims a swan, what looks like a gentle woman."
On the bonnie, bonnie mills of O'Binnorie O'Binnorie.
He made a harp from the swan's breast bane, and for her father it played alone.
"Oh yonder sits my father the king, and yonder sits my mother the queen.
There does sit my brother Hugh, and by him William sweet and true.
Yonder sits my false sister Anne, who drown me for the sake of a man.
The swans swim so bonnie, O'Binnorie O'Binnorie."
Sunday, January 01, 2006
What is Summer Dreams all about
Here it is the photo of the complete painting without me blocking it. This 24x36 unframed acrylic is the largest canvas I have done to date. There is a slightly larger blank waiting for me but I am working on several smaller things right now. While bigger is not always better I enjoyed the freedom this work allowed me. The subtle details I was able to explore.
Not so evident in the photo are some of the details that make this piece fun to look at. Lower left there is a serpent in the water, above it a dragon peeks around the side of the ruin. On the horizon some ghost ships and the clouds are knights fighting; with a maiden on horseback looking on. Several myths rolled into one girl's dreams.
Not so evident in the photo are some of the details that make this piece fun to look at. Lower left there is a serpent in the water, above it a dragon peeks around the side of the ruin. On the horizon some ghost ships and the clouds are knights fighting; with a maiden on horseback looking on. Several myths rolled into one girl's dreams.
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