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St. Hubertus Folio

(Crossposted from my personal journal)

Finally it's done; the folio page dedicated to St.Hubertus, hence the stag with the crucifix between the antlers. Done on commission for the Great Game Fairs of Ireland; [link], especially the Shane's Castle edition, so make sure to come along for the great craic and a chance to see this piece in person! :)

Top carries the stag, with the cross between it's antlers and a gild-detailed halo. Visually it'll pull the readers eyes downwards from there, directing focus on the calligraphy. For the side-fillers, and in harmony with the vision of the stag to Hubert, a 'tree of life' pattern featuring foliage is depicted.

The four corners feature icons of the hunt, along with gild detailing. One design has the hunting horn and sword, the other features the rifle and the fishing rod.

Top banner, just below the main-crown, features two dogs/hounds pointing and flushing out pheasants. It is a repeated pattern for the side borders, but in the sides design we also see two hounds retrieving a bird.

The half-circles feature falcons with rabbits in their talons, and the bottom border has two fishing figures (one male, one female). The ferret and rabbit corners stand as a reflection of life itself, a dance of life and death.

The original poem, though you could almost call it a oath, is by Oskar von Riesenthal, and was first published in 1880. The translation was done by me into English, and kept the rhyme and meter intact as best as possible;

This is the hunter’s badge of glory,
That he protect and tend his quarry,
Hunt with honour, as is due,
And through the beast to God is true!

Weapons of war are by hate run,
yet love for game fires our gun.
Therefor ponder, your daily bread;
Did your game not suffer dread?

Guard game from man and beast alike,
Make brief its death and sure your strike!
Be outside rough, yet mild inside,
And badge of glory pure abide!


And the original in German;

Waidmannsheil - Oskar von Riesenthal

Das ist des Jägers Ehrenschild,
Daß er beschützt und hegt sein Wild.
Waidmännisch jagt, wie sich’s gehört,
Den Schöpfer im Geschöpfe ehrt!

Das Kriegsgeschoß der Haß regiert,
Die Lieb’ zum Wild den Stutzen führt.
Drum denk’ bei Deinem täglich Brot;
Ob auch Dein Wild nicht leidet Noth?

Behüt’s vor Mensch und Thier zumal.
Verkürze ihm die Todesqual!
Sei außen rauh, doch innen mild,
Dann bleibet blank Dein Ehrenschild!

(and yes, the first part also features on the Jägermeister bottle)
knotwork, wolf, Irish
  • arikla

Dama McGillavry

Haha! It is done!

I actually forced myself to slow down and work on this one. I tend to get over-eager when I see the color start and take shapes and botch it... so far, so good!



The original song is "Donald McGillavry" and when I first heard it I thought the line was "Come like a White buck, Donald McGillavry". Well, I have since looked the lyrics up and found that is "weighbauk", a set of scales...

But! I was saved! the Fallow Deer is Dama dama.

So, we have Dama McGillavry... the white buck.

the knotwork is in variegated red foil and looks better when not scanned :P
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    accomplished accomplished
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Taispeántas Le Ingrid Houwers

Taispeántas Le Ingrid Houwers

Dáta: Déardaoin, Feabhra 04, 2010 At 07:00



Rugadh an t-ealaíontóir Ceilteach, Ingrid Houwers, san Ísiltír sa bhliain 1985 agus tá cónaí uirthí anois i gContae álainn an Dúin. Bhí spéis aici i dtólamh i seanchas agus i miotaseolaíocht na hÉireann, tréith atá go mór chun tosaigh ina cuid ealaíne. Tá luí ar leith ag Ingrid leis an saothar traidisiúnta Ceilteach agus leis an saothar Cruithneach agus is ábhar spéis é a saorstíl féin a d’fhorbair sí trína staidéar ar an ealaín sin.



Is imeacht saor in áisce é seo, fíon agus sólaistí ar fáil.

Ar taispeáint go dtí 3 Márta




Thursday, February 04, 2010 At 07:00 PM

Celtic artist Ingrid Houwers, born 1985 in The Netherlands and now resides in beautiful County Down, has always been interested in Irish lore and mythology and her work is illustrative of this. Ingrid’s specialties are traditional Celtic and Pictish works, but also her own ‘free-style’ which she developed throughout her personal studies of those arts.

This is a free event.Wine and refreshments provided.
On display until 3 March



wolf head
  • arikla

Mery Christmas and other Holidays!

The power went out for awhile yesterday, so I drew by lamp-light. Yes, I know... horrible lighting... but my brain said "I'm Bored! Draw that thing you were thinking about!" So, here it is:


Walk the Path - ACEO


Inspired by The Book of Kells as well as Shapeshifter by Ingrid Howers. (Which just makes me giddy every time I see it for some reason...)

Mine, not as clean as hers. I have some touch-ups to do I notice now that it is slightly larger than the original :P
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    accomplished accomplished
knotwork, wolf, Irish
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(no subject)

It is... ok... considering I have never painted on a bodhran before nor do I regularly use acrylics. I like the fox, but the wavy knotwork lines sort of bug me.

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It was fun to do, though, since the bodhran was no longer playable (dried out skin that pulled through the tacks on the side. It was an inexpensive bodhran to start with).

Sorry about the reflection, this was the best photo of the lot.
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howl

Celtic Animal Series

This project has been one I've been working on for quite some time now, a Celtic animals range. Much like animal guardians, I wanted to represent a few under-appreciated animals of Celtic Myth and Legend, and what they meant to the Celts. By teaming up with the wonderful PeterStone company we've finally been able to launch my Celtic Animals range. Cliche items can be found all over the world, and often lack a tiny bit of myth and meaning behind the creatures. And nothing resembled the older iron age styles, forgetting, if you will, how the ancients carved these depictions into stone with much time and effort.

We've started the run with 8 designs; seal, dog, falcon, wolf, dragonfly, wild boar, salmon and snake, and are now taking orders in advance for this Mythical line. They have a matted/roughed up silver background, making them look more stone-like, symbolizing their connection with nature, the land and the past. The animals figures are raised from the rough base, with a smooth surface and accented with 18kt gold. These designs are based on a modern-day blend of Pictish and late Celtic styling.

I'll try to cover a animal or two per week in my personal journal with a small bit of info about this animal, and what it can mean to you and yours.


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Previously covered animals;

Seal
Dog
Falcon
Wolf

Keep enchanted!
knotwork, wolf, Irish
  • arikla

(no subject)

Finished the third piece in "Elements of Music": North, the horns.

My FTP isn't working at the moment, though, in order to update my webpage. So I'll link to it over on DA instead:

Sound the Earthly Horn

Still not happy with how overpowering the foil looks when it scans, as it isn't that glaring in person. Not much I can do about that, though. Do like the new technique of using acrylic ink to seperate the overlaps of the knotwork.

Watercolor, Colored pencil and Metal Foil.
  • Current Mood
    accomplished accomplished
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Celtic Avocado Bear

Well, a recent collaboration with the über talented german avocado artist Marcus has turned up a gorgeous pendant.

Marcus worked my Celtic bear design in the avocado heart and did the most stunning work in carving all the details into such a wonderful and natural piece.

The pendant is a one of a kind item, and Marcus had some trouble posting it online.. for he loves it too much. After a bit of thinking he decided to put it online anyway, and see what will come with it.

So, if you are interested in Celtic art, one of a kind natural pendants that are created by hand with a lot of love and care, bears, or perhaps you just like avocado's, then please take a look at the item, and all the other wonderful things Marcus has on offer right now.


celtic bear
by ~AvocadoArt
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Beidh Mé Leat

Description;
"A picture that has been floating about in my mind for a very long time... and I finally sat down to do it. The human body will never stop to amaze me.

Dedicated to three wonderful friends, that are now entering a whole new stage in their life, and the one(s?) they're carrying. To Mearu, Jaspenelle and Lisa.. you three are amazing.
"



Beidh me leat
by *Illahie
wolf head
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New Art for the New Year

And I am generally pleased with it :)

Between the Body and the Soul

A combination of two ideas I have had floating through my mind. Both loosely based on the song "Mary's Eyes" by Gaelic Storm. (See lyrics Here)

Frankly, I love her face/head. Her legs didn't come out quite how I had hoped, but the face and knotwork make up for it. I am very happy with both :) I don't think I have ever used watercolor quite as thick as I did for this piece, though. There are about six layers in the furthest corners, especially that upper right which decided it liked the paint better than the rest. Don't know why, though :P Oh well.

Happy New Year!

Crossposted to wereart and my own LJ.
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