tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74810249253986442192024-03-05T01:37:40.289-08:00Danse MacabreAlice Durosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06646507037014349279noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-7510135992754273462024-02-26T13:32:00.000-08:002024-02-27T10:59:28.835-08:00'Twilight Tales' - The creation of a concept<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GMhmZ1FBQ1hjlZhpBdI6qpb7NuCFUEmGYnB0rY8veSfHGrF0Sk8o8rqgh673qnm3n9BtdKNskIUPYmHsfcY4I8_k6cN26xAqNkc8XA32UGmfGfJWErpPc9swwWCWvjSBVQ_mEuhgOqSYU9XAV3M3ggOObkl5pSEaafXiB5HKoYoNRcDcra6gkaFd8-qM/s4952/Twilight%20Tales%20white%20bg%20600dpi%20Sig%20darker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4951" data-original-width="4952" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GMhmZ1FBQ1hjlZhpBdI6qpb7NuCFUEmGYnB0rY8veSfHGrF0Sk8o8rqgh673qnm3n9BtdKNskIUPYmHsfcY4I8_k6cN26xAqNkc8XA32UGmfGfJWErpPc9swwWCWvjSBVQ_mEuhgOqSYU9XAV3M3ggOObkl5pSEaafXiB5HKoYoNRcDcra6gkaFd8-qM/w640-h640/Twilight%20Tales%20white%20bg%20600dpi%20Sig%20darker.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br />When Iacopo Meille asked me to collaborate with him on the cover of his first solo EP, the answer was, of course, an enthusiastic 'Yes!'<br />We began the process with me sending images of various past pieces of artwork to Iacopo for him to judge what kind of cover it might be possible for me to create, and potentially spark some ideas. <br />Quite quickly he identified a past piece which spoke to him and resonated with the songs and their atmosphere. <p></p>This artwork was 'Strawberries and Cream', which was an interesting piece in particular for Iacopo to feel a connection to. I created the painting in 2020 during the pandemic as a reaction to a personal research project I had begun into English graveyards and their history. During the work visiting hundreds of churchyards and cemeteries I unexpectedly discovered in many of them, growing between the graves were; wild strawberries.<p>This sweet, unexpected sight was such an interesting juxtaposition between life and death that I went back to the studio and designed 'Strawberries and Cream'.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR7G4vk4HRXykeXzpdHuwTK5YSlJJXPXAUFu28y6lPQpknASWHJIEiYSRYrJ1Ebcv2_SO5ySk1Gsqj01ATc5J5C6Ub3oxW6HMd3ezeIVQxsAdEyBvEQw34Uuq8Ztm96xZUTWnA1BBZC9NR7q1U7CEoKu666ITK4PGyEVmgpQXiEVQJSccMA6_2hei5G7m/s960/115812776_1416404638558624_3652725751407641046_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR7G4vk4HRXykeXzpdHuwTK5YSlJJXPXAUFu28y6lPQpknASWHJIEiYSRYrJ1Ebcv2_SO5ySk1Gsqj01ATc5J5C6Ub3oxW6HMd3ezeIVQxsAdEyBvEQw34Uuq8Ztm96xZUTWnA1BBZC9NR7q1U7CEoKu666ITK4PGyEVmgpQXiEVQJSccMA6_2hei5G7m/w400-h300/115812776_1416404638558624_3652725751407641046_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />In a world where at the time in the midst of covid death had become a global fixation (thanks to oversaturation in the media), it was important to remember that life surrounds death. <br /><p>For me, 'Strawberries and Cream' represented that even in the face of death there was beauty and hope, if you dared to look for it. And of course one of my favourite ideals; that from all death comes life. <br /></p><p>At around the same time, over 1000 miles away, Iacopo was having his own creative reaction to the global situation and covids impact on his life. During this isolated time he began writing the songs that would form 'Twilight Tales'.<br />The idea of these two reactions to such an unprecedented, life changing event coming together was immediately appealing. Both created entirely independently, yet somehow echoed the same sentiments, like some sort of inexplicable fated union. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKt3LHc09xWnpKMLS2BHi-h2aTR76Bl-3maUdpG99mVIPNnrRyTh9RUp-OvXZzYg0ygh4vtPoc_AF4qUXxlVRCjrXNtpw9lfO1PzAZGe2I3hD-Eo6zihsH_pdnDqRpdqvY4MWTG9oTj4dj7ELcBbeUe8asDQmGP0KRgDgKXKIid_7Cb3y7Sr3uF00wCTjo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKt3LHc09xWnpKMLS2BHi-h2aTR76Bl-3maUdpG99mVIPNnrRyTh9RUp-OvXZzYg0ygh4vtPoc_AF4qUXxlVRCjrXNtpw9lfO1PzAZGe2I3hD-Eo6zihsH_pdnDqRpdqvY4MWTG9oTj4dj7ELcBbeUe8asDQmGP0KRgDgKXKIid_7Cb3y7Sr3uF00wCTjo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br />After working through the composition together and discussing important themes within the songs that should be featured on the cover it was decided that the basis for the artwork would largely be the original composition of 'Strawberries and Cream', but with some additions essential to the subjects of the songs. The theme of mortality in the original painting already captured the spirit of the songs, in particular <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCSfcSF4OKc" target="_blank">'Just Breathe'</a>, which with lyrics talking of 'piles of dust' you couldn't get a closer interpretation. But some small changes would truly tailor the painting to the songs in a way which they deserved.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhximJE9LKXVEx_txheI59P7xj_8bDcFNwVJNMbhyVKGEmUt1-1kl-1PPGeYCPXe0ZJxvMfkuaZYohpZ9pNbJh03YS6KVs8saQOQdM4pnAOloXRXKiCDXZ1HG016A9oJeiMq6sWqG_r4WmZgcGOePiUZb68loYNuglYtH1ceYUkYCOf553Iv7y4NSltgzeo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhximJE9LKXVEx_txheI59P7xj_8bDcFNwVJNMbhyVKGEmUt1-1kl-1PPGeYCPXe0ZJxvMfkuaZYohpZ9pNbJh03YS6KVs8saQOQdM4pnAOloXRXKiCDXZ1HG016A9oJeiMq6sWqG_r4WmZgcGOePiUZb68loYNuglYtH1ceYUkYCOf553Iv7y4NSltgzeo=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br />The feather is one of the most important additions, inspired by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xI9cyBKm94" target="_blank">'Feather in the Sky'</a>. <br />While other elements may be more subtle, they're just as integral to the identity of the piece. The Death Head Hawkmoth was chosen for obvious visual and symbolic reasons. The broken glass was requested by Iacopo, relating to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P59tUX4djao" target="_blank">'Have You Read The News?'</a> and was based on ancient Roman glass discovered at an archaeological site at Fiesole. <br />Mushrooms were also a specific request, and one I'm always more than happy to feature in any work. <br />Ensuring all these components worked well together was essential and took considerable planning which was worth every ounce of deliberation. <br /><p></p><p>Adding the title and ensuring it had the right amount of emphasis within the cover was a particularly tricky element. After much sketching and pondering, suddenly the perfect solution presented itself, as is often the case; quite unexpectedly. <br />Scrolls, parchment and crossed bones were all rejected in place of a single femur. The moment I saw the arrangement sketched out in full I knew it was a perfect fit and enhanced the composition way above 'Strawberries and Cream'.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxB6raL-_H9rRHK_CMssLtLDqrAqxDmoZ7LQK4PHWNOQYKux5CNoqrN5bAfnqa__3oI_ask3BtH0yTDazoDge4Jh_Tv1hLBBh43W0lkIb2T0xjY0B6S0cN3M5FoU-ArYq2Ub-LmtgwaMaGZCJW0fTAuNyt90dguUUBeJ8sE6dixzwtCjbHeuwFUpJYT1Ip" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2997" data-original-width="4030" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjxB6raL-_H9rRHK_CMssLtLDqrAqxDmoZ7LQK4PHWNOQYKux5CNoqrN5bAfnqa__3oI_ask3BtH0yTDazoDge4Jh_Tv1hLBBh43W0lkIb2T0xjY0B6S0cN3M5FoU-ArYq2Ub-LmtgwaMaGZCJW0fTAuNyt90dguUUBeJ8sE6dixzwtCjbHeuwFUpJYT1Ip=w400-h297" width="400" /></a></div><br />When painting 'Twilight Tales' I placed particular pressure on myself to ensure that it was a big improvement on 'Strawberries and Cream'. I was driven by the idea of creating an embodiment of the music Iacopo had created, but also to create a superior artwork. I wanted 'Twilight Tales' to better 'Strawberries and Cream' in every way. Better colour representation, more accurate textures, finer details. I have always prided myself as an artist who wants to constantly improve and learn and this was finally my chance to prove myself.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguSF-7ep823l16uL-Q4e_ColUbH1bEEKGTvF1ogFKkkNnLsKKSbBnteEHKS4HkyKVkThgrqHrHOsYYlY9NJYqeImwNIe_tAeiavMieHE_mBj3NrB2kQ4AsRCCNje8-4iori6rO99K5ECEUlSxzbSCLDXMNi9QngkIdnO_Q9eMtIlm0SfEpqEXilWeSoU6I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguSF-7ep823l16uL-Q4e_ColUbH1bEEKGTvF1ogFKkkNnLsKKSbBnteEHKS4HkyKVkThgrqHrHOsYYlY9NJYqeImwNIe_tAeiavMieHE_mBj3NrB2kQ4AsRCCNje8-4iori6rO99K5ECEUlSxzbSCLDXMNi9QngkIdnO_Q9eMtIlm0SfEpqEXilWeSoU6I=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br />I couldn't be more proud to have collaborated with Iacopo on this project and bringing to life a visual embodiment of his creation has been a total honour. This unlikely union of two different ways of coping with a global pandemic has fluidly formed a cohesive piece of expression which, in my opinion, is far better together than apart.<br /> 'Twilight Tales' is now available for streaming on all digital platforms<a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ScLiwKUSwkHAgGYYJ0POx" target="_blank"><br />Spotify.</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m4fdgMLZi7Un-1vN7_1-X4rqb9QR5sbKw" target="_blank">Youtube</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_m4fdgMLZi7Un-1vN7_1-X4rqb9QR5sbKw" target="_blank">,</a> <a href="https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/5112711" target="_blank">Deezer</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgSiFh6vcHtwq3pAjnDyt8f0nwMQigGH1YH2n6u6ULNIOQfXwN0KmmcSarB1BanIAvApKlkvxVtx3SyrEJ8ULRwiP0rdaNZFzgie6i004_V4caXBeoqPFEqvKy-gSjUxWYQkhooqx9SxoQaLgFXEICmrxc2l7eoTc25TjTDy448EQBZsxfqdivh3DU_ur/s3024/B1507B08-883A-4E5E-B52A-9F68252D8AD8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgSiFh6vcHtwq3pAjnDyt8f0nwMQigGH1YH2n6u6ULNIOQfXwN0KmmcSarB1BanIAvApKlkvxVtx3SyrEJ8ULRwiP0rdaNZFzgie6i004_V4caXBeoqPFEqvKy-gSjUxWYQkhooqx9SxoQaLgFXEICmrxc2l7eoTc25TjTDy448EQBZsxfqdivh3DU_ur/w640-h640/B1507B08-883A-4E5E-B52A-9F68252D8AD8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb48ZaPm7QR7QD2rw4HjbKLYvFU0-KACUqK8ru6nGafbSgxw9WOxEiw5dzxojalqHDDtn20ss98CjAVKPb6HgVrO_9tl-Izf244ftaNSzkpfQrdkV9FggebaZwVhHDppe3V0YLAIQFtkQ5pwfZ8wmfuLvluo4rzi_jxZ1nzfxpO59fDihtgZ_9N_tajbE/s5390/IMG_3095%20copy2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5390" data-original-width="3805" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb48ZaPm7QR7QD2rw4HjbKLYvFU0-KACUqK8ru6nGafbSgxw9WOxEiw5dzxojalqHDDtn20ss98CjAVKPb6HgVrO_9tl-Izf244ftaNSzkpfQrdkV9FggebaZwVhHDppe3V0YLAIQFtkQ5pwfZ8wmfuLvluo4rzi_jxZ1nzfxpO59fDihtgZ_9N_tajbE/w453-h640/IMG_3095%20copy2.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-91403491996232547092024-02-17T12:57:00.000-08:002024-02-17T12:57:12.781-08:00Rollright Stones<p>For some time now I’ve wanted to visit the Rollright stones in Oxfordshire. Ive watched Documentaries on the stones, read about them and seen lots of photos, but I hadn’t yet had the chance to pay them a visit myself.<br />Because 2020 has been the strangest of years to say the least, there's lots I was planning to see and do that probably has little to no chance of happening this year.<br /><br />However, not one to be easily defeated, the Rollright stones are in a reasonably comfortable driving distance to visit in a day (a 200 mile round trip for me). So, I decided seeing the stones was one goal I wasn’t willing to let slip away this year and headed down to Oxfordshire on a sunny August day to wander the Cotswolds and see these magnificent stones.<br /><br />One of my main concerns (which led to hideous indecision right until the final moment when I jumped in the car) was how busy the stones might be, but my concerns weren’t met with too much horror when I arrived, and found only 4 people around the Kings men. During the few hours I spent at the stones, there was a steady flow of people coming and going. Seemingly most of them just passing by on the busy road running between the King Stone and the rest of the complex. Most appeared to just drop in for a brief look and head off again, it wasn’t until past midday when a huge group arrived with tables and chairs to have a picnic I decided it was time to move on as things were getting too busy for my liking.<br /><br />The story of the stones echoes that of many stone circles in Britain. Living souls turned to stone in a series of dramatic events. Often dancing and merriment is involved, but on this occasion, a witch and a would be king falling foul of spells and supernatural form a truly fascinating spectacle.<br />The folklore which has grown up around Bronze Age and Pre-Historic sites is incredibly interesting and truly demonstrates their relevance and importance in society through the ages, even after their original religious and ritualistic meaning had been lost, they maintain a strong position within the community, and although their narrative may have changed over the centuries their significance has not diminished. </p><p>As ever when I visit these sites I find myself filled with wonder. And leave with far more questions than answers. What took place here thousands of years ago? What did this site mean to the people who built it, and to the generations that followed? Bronze age Britain is my great historic passion and has been for many years. Partly because of the different and fascinating world that existed at that time, and partly because we will never know all of the secrets and mysteries of that ancient time. Only echos of this ancient past remain, some above ground, others below. Everything else is lost to time, eternally. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgieyVBE-pjVbPa3FEJlRrl0TD4qj6e770ijYEGREY3FixL2CyVgGVRywpNwn8dRNvYG_LX_3_Stw3keRz6s2NGi7h-snmV84bW7JUbmPVOBKm1x2LXZfhQK3XpG7_a6oBIpGfhMH0T1yd/s2048/IMG_0443+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgieyVBE-pjVbPa3FEJlRrl0TD4qj6e770ijYEGREY3FixL2CyVgGVRywpNwn8dRNvYG_LX_3_Stw3keRz6s2NGi7h-snmV84bW7JUbmPVOBKm1x2LXZfhQK3XpG7_a6oBIpGfhMH0T1yd/s640/IMG_0443+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFLo4kg3RZoDUiiV3TOZpKZQHJ52OTz42in838uugZ3swPzegUhgUuoP8SkSFgmiTocawgv_0qNTrTGcsqKf160dOAOdRShZustVeasXzEoWnILYvueyulR5R_PXsqTy42ferttyATTs1/s2048/IMG_0457+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFLo4kg3RZoDUiiV3TOZpKZQHJ52OTz42in838uugZ3swPzegUhgUuoP8SkSFgmiTocawgv_0qNTrTGcsqKf160dOAOdRShZustVeasXzEoWnILYvueyulR5R_PXsqTy42ferttyATTs1/s640/IMG_0457+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw69wKyHd_PDdvRN9bVSav-MsXP4iiDQg3FN2CJTHh1CxjbD6oDJ_KkQBTDxkD5BplDlmUQ46W8jC6V5qfI_hRjzf5B3KFm5xyyjai5-CKQzB36Qz50SGrDj_ZZ22UbxdaaxGJNm4gt-nD/s2048/IMG_0547+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw69wKyHd_PDdvRN9bVSav-MsXP4iiDQg3FN2CJTHh1CxjbD6oDJ_KkQBTDxkD5BplDlmUQ46W8jC6V5qfI_hRjzf5B3KFm5xyyjai5-CKQzB36Qz50SGrDj_ZZ22UbxdaaxGJNm4gt-nD/s640/IMG_0547+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyWEl33F1jVIiZlTgFIxq2TAMQApaI1dQT5YnwWoITclRLPyx5ZawZihW7db1BnoIF5xIddk_sNgleUh5eJfDg_xgOn-h7iUp3VrcMMD9cvdtm48V_H8SKM3g_9KIIqGGhWzMJKBXLRtE/s2048/IMG_0618+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHyWEl33F1jVIiZlTgFIxq2TAMQApaI1dQT5YnwWoITclRLPyx5ZawZihW7db1BnoIF5xIddk_sNgleUh5eJfDg_xgOn-h7iUp3VrcMMD9cvdtm48V_H8SKM3g_9KIIqGGhWzMJKBXLRtE/s640/IMG_0618+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9F2el9EKRsNxNyiWNOGNDGUYGfpXlaEe66XhpHYjrx-Upb_JwfiNtEyG2l4Ichi88Gp9ExoH7fmzhS7_ou75EeOwSMTOovmvQZVt8K_OQnrdqDC1dZsoMmzxH2zhFsiEsdOrMKIfINAJ/s2048/IMG_0686+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9F2el9EKRsNxNyiWNOGNDGUYGfpXlaEe66XhpHYjrx-Upb_JwfiNtEyG2l4Ichi88Gp9ExoH7fmzhS7_ou75EeOwSMTOovmvQZVt8K_OQnrdqDC1dZsoMmzxH2zhFsiEsdOrMKIfINAJ/s640/IMG_0686+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p>Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-61240430170348942232022-10-25T14:38:00.001-07:002022-10-25T14:38:22.596-07:00Morbitorium: A Museum of the weird, wonderful and downright bizarre<p>Nestled in the rolling hills of the Ebbw Valley, in deepest darkest South Wales lies a truly fascinating, and I'm sure to many thoroughly unexpected Museum, in the shape of 'Morbitorium'. <br />This slice of suburbia has hidden within it a highly unusual gem, which few neighborhoods can boast. A museum and shop packed to the rafters with an overwhelming collection morbid and macabre curiosities. </p><p>The unassuming stone cottage, situated in a typical enough Welsh village, has been thoroughly transformed into an immediately outrageous, spooky, kooky landmark. As ghosts trussed up in the front yard billow and bluster with the savage winds rolling in from the mountains and a sign adorned with a skull creaks and groans, I have no doubt I have indeed found the Museum.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hNfvHGlh5WjxKgYxL2We5o55ZdPxq6_06LDWmXb74LvLtXYvZ3x1UltFYFYB62Y9ORCgIciE0hDpIydi3GhzsL4rsblop_YzYswE4fProMCcfqvG7gXo-pa4IScd5b5Snyr4Uumc4bBdiWB4343ENQa2FxJYiQI1NVZGjiqWLBYz5QoO-QsHAo5UAw/s6000/IMG_3820%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hNfvHGlh5WjxKgYxL2We5o55ZdPxq6_06LDWmXb74LvLtXYvZ3x1UltFYFYB62Y9ORCgIciE0hDpIydi3GhzsL4rsblop_YzYswE4fProMCcfqvG7gXo-pa4IScd5b5Snyr4Uumc4bBdiWB4343ENQa2FxJYiQI1NVZGjiqWLBYz5QoO-QsHAo5UAw/w426-h640/IMG_3820%20copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fMymaEV316vozeAFR2sJNQbiTLpEY1IlTI7M1xy2MtBbXycv875wDdS0l2LGMUb9xsQIMvSpW9whRNzUv_H_gxfUw2NaG93-qtAvw7lzuDHHAjUFaPzeyzPDhRIVF0vgxkgEm6lRubeISWKB83ejLae29xdQLpc13JDy1LbVBGEl7n8pYbS15dl5Xw/s6000/IMG_3946%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fMymaEV316vozeAFR2sJNQbiTLpEY1IlTI7M1xy2MtBbXycv875wDdS0l2LGMUb9xsQIMvSpW9whRNzUv_H_gxfUw2NaG93-qtAvw7lzuDHHAjUFaPzeyzPDhRIVF0vgxkgEm6lRubeISWKB83ejLae29xdQLpc13JDy1LbVBGEl7n8pYbS15dl5Xw/w426-h640/IMG_3946%20copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p>I am given a warm welcome to the museum by owner Dave and one of his cats Pickles. It appears that Pickles failed to get the message from every other member of their species that I am reviled by their kind, and now holds an interesting record of the only cat in my time on this Earth to show me nothing but interest and affection (despite my poorly masked terror waiting for the inevitable strike, which shockingly never came). <br />Dave gave me a brief run down of the museum, explaining he and his partner Angharad had moved to this sleepy little town 8 years ago, initially buying the adjoining cottage as their home, then later when the end building went on sale, it was purchased and transformed into the museum and shop we see today.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACQuQNEVPfQvCVVgc7QPfM1cTZcG-_kg1qOwJvmdPY6uMaiTke7O93295Am_hpv8g837ArVdM0VitzqLv1qASjazr-RLgQJpN84L1MyqrwhrX5jJPsqzJO1R2H4lBXT0bH5qNJ-o2T5U3L5akeNeXwEZCxgfZPn9XhOV3O__wG5VV_euB3Rh4GNeMHg/s4944/IMG_3929%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3282" data-original-width="4944" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACQuQNEVPfQvCVVgc7QPfM1cTZcG-_kg1qOwJvmdPY6uMaiTke7O93295Am_hpv8g837ArVdM0VitzqLv1qASjazr-RLgQJpN84L1MyqrwhrX5jJPsqzJO1R2H4lBXT0bH5qNJ-o2T5U3L5akeNeXwEZCxgfZPn9XhOV3O__wG5VV_euB3Rh4GNeMHg/w640-h424/IMG_3929%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mB5pbE5UNQfsYIuJymJhGnr5efPlEBSBsDp2Dnjm1kjg-Xx7gN7YzHIYCYzL-wnMHGbJmyL7akXgdV7iIPTfofNtieFANAfzDY37OwWmUPlTHpiRuX-ausGleiGMapPG_t_p4KHnV_yWjMM0rfmpp4_qQkUyGcI6MkKRbr-j30bYoteJS3mSCJL0eA/s6000/IMG_3846%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mB5pbE5UNQfsYIuJymJhGnr5efPlEBSBsDp2Dnjm1kjg-Xx7gN7YzHIYCYzL-wnMHGbJmyL7akXgdV7iIPTfofNtieFANAfzDY37OwWmUPlTHpiRuX-ausGleiGMapPG_t_p4KHnV_yWjMM0rfmpp4_qQkUyGcI6MkKRbr-j30bYoteJS3mSCJL0eA/w640-h426/IMG_3846%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></div><p>The building of the museum has been, like all the best things in life are, a thoroughly organic process. Starting out simply as a shelf, this collection of curios has grown to an impressive size, and contains many fascinating and noteworthy pieces. <br /><br />From important artifacts from medical history to Masonic regalia and everything in between, the museum houses something for everyone (if you're as abnormal as myself!). <br />My personal highlights on display were the wonderful items concerning Aleister Crowley. Crowley has long fascinated me and I am always thrilled to see pieces and places relating to his life and works (some how I never got round to writing a blog on my visit to the Abbey of Thelema in Cefalu). So to see these wonderful items, including Crowley's Thoth Tarot, a piece of Crowley's home Boleskine House (famously later purchased by Jimmy Page) and my absolute favorite; Crowley's death mask. Incredible. A real privilege to see such fine and important items on show.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBmphzmLJsY9mm4JGMoWEl85RovyCqD3d0gDAy3QzK_9NH9sdno1-N-BVLUbReCcxoeDkgyqqse0Fwv_t38Zcp1j9Tg1jNuAD9K8IFSb0Vz1chjbWMY5a77MEorvkcxP6jxqG7t1SZ3td3jBtchS-uzbnNmryWeF9vH_kLMkaKW48_7PeAdF9QAPirg/s6000/IMG_3880%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBmphzmLJsY9mm4JGMoWEl85RovyCqD3d0gDAy3QzK_9NH9sdno1-N-BVLUbReCcxoeDkgyqqse0Fwv_t38Zcp1j9Tg1jNuAD9K8IFSb0Vz1chjbWMY5a77MEorvkcxP6jxqG7t1SZ3td3jBtchS-uzbnNmryWeF9vH_kLMkaKW48_7PeAdF9QAPirg/w640-h426/IMG_3880%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmUrrQWkdBujGxKNH0HPfBsZ9sj3BbYUdEr6ULG52piRU97-68QcAYDH7rq-qdln_J9wP2RoOWJiwL9bK-2u3X0PeipQd89Ff4Mr1gE78uzIxT3b946JANc0Hvykr2K8tJfNuHmPsA2ca6FjuXmF22pXbg9dPy8Ge6gb3xzUSjQV8-XanijRX3ce5Hw/s6000/IMG_3882%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixmUrrQWkdBujGxKNH0HPfBsZ9sj3BbYUdEr6ULG52piRU97-68QcAYDH7rq-qdln_J9wP2RoOWJiwL9bK-2u3X0PeipQd89Ff4Mr1gE78uzIxT3b946JANc0Hvykr2K8tJfNuHmPsA2ca6FjuXmF22pXbg9dPy8Ge6gb3xzUSjQV8-XanijRX3ce5Hw/w640-h426/IMG_3882%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w6a4H2Ikq6shgmLpb1e9adVaHS1MLIv2lHxhp3gvzgqr0SgPDHE_gaQAoLzBueSFWwH2OfDJdLfVp29jMiW97t_54JiZ6hksGCZ0EMtPqLjXaHpPDIx4bq9OH8eZh5v2JqrA97iDwrjyj3et79aCS4JR4ZnnrYExDv5QENMZ2RNgmDQuE_IqkvCGew/s6000/IMG_3889%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-w6a4H2Ikq6shgmLpb1e9adVaHS1MLIv2lHxhp3gvzgqr0SgPDHE_gaQAoLzBueSFWwH2OfDJdLfVp29jMiW97t_54JiZ6hksGCZ0EMtPqLjXaHpPDIx4bq9OH8eZh5v2JqrA97iDwrjyj3et79aCS4JR4ZnnrYExDv5QENMZ2RNgmDQuE_IqkvCGew/w640-h426/IMG_3889%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />One of the most wonderful displays at the museum is that of haunted Ouija boards, all of which have been gifted to the museum by folk who have clearly decided not to dabble any further. Everywhere the eye strays there is something new and interesting to see which ultimately is bound to spark a different emotive response in every single visitor. I peered in interest and curiosity at the display on house protection and mummified cats, while others may find it repugnant, and I confess a wry smile met my lips at the sight of a Rolf Harris annual, where others may have viewed it in the highest distaste. However taste is merely subjective and is clearly something Dave and Angharad are challenging, and enjoying playing with here.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RXZ851U8oabJmCwToEweKwcQp_-zV1JLBVoi8lGt_9v8NjAKVv7W1VRLpuxfQrNW4QfhP69CxrJEr8tYv2-sLZaU2InCNAbCVB4Ps2IaT_QhdVa8h1LftofNmVl1mkxLFg-uZZDW0pqqPU3eAotnPGqOSx0WUBK_TOOljQyPXHj_s7nh1pyElQ2mgA/s6000/IMG_3908%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RXZ851U8oabJmCwToEweKwcQp_-zV1JLBVoi8lGt_9v8NjAKVv7W1VRLpuxfQrNW4QfhP69CxrJEr8tYv2-sLZaU2InCNAbCVB4Ps2IaT_QhdVa8h1LftofNmVl1mkxLFg-uZZDW0pqqPU3eAotnPGqOSx0WUBK_TOOljQyPXHj_s7nh1pyElQ2mgA/w640-h426/IMG_3908%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0L_g87eXbEWqqQIXXUdtWfXVvJpEhrRbA7vxqwfFrCxIUcEatsFwgOgQ0-R-ZyxRe187KgfkEIKxvUuPTDOCsJEirZHwtQjllmoVUQHMnZHN61hkHJu9Dg-NfHof4nr2-eNfFMVLoKxgcqtDURiIvOYtRbihgzYnZuDvNXE0es4PXKSiJin0N-7FMA/s6000/IMG_3924%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0L_g87eXbEWqqQIXXUdtWfXVvJpEhrRbA7vxqwfFrCxIUcEatsFwgOgQ0-R-ZyxRe187KgfkEIKxvUuPTDOCsJEirZHwtQjllmoVUQHMnZHN61hkHJu9Dg-NfHof4nr2-eNfFMVLoKxgcqtDURiIvOYtRbihgzYnZuDvNXE0es4PXKSiJin0N-7FMA/w640-h426/IMG_3924%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /></div><p>Frankly the entire place is a real credit to its proprietors who have
obviously put so much time, dedication and love into creating this
carefully curated space. Every surface is packed full with so much, and covering so many topics, one could easily get lost in this place all day ... <br />One recurring theme within both the museum and shop is taxidermy. Dave himself actually teaches taxidermy classes, but also sells many specimens at the museum, from grandiose Ravens to simple skulls and mounted antlers. This very multifaceted place has so much to offer on so many levels.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ7mRB38XQ9WB8RBk5ubw_35sexA3GOHZq28kggBImXbmRRYLsZCP8tBcEg1RPUWQ_lctXHi77Nidf3Un90Yz5hplYTmNKmVD9c2YuN2Ps2cHX0wDc8CyYyWhYNeU3PfFJ4gt2PGUyVuzz2bIptZghEeRIpCEUz1bo0d8xs7aJuh6Z7Grfl6SbWJrKQ/s6000/IMG_3829%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQ7mRB38XQ9WB8RBk5ubw_35sexA3GOHZq28kggBImXbmRRYLsZCP8tBcEg1RPUWQ_lctXHi77Nidf3Un90Yz5hplYTmNKmVD9c2YuN2Ps2cHX0wDc8CyYyWhYNeU3PfFJ4gt2PGUyVuzz2bIptZghEeRIpCEUz1bo0d8xs7aJuh6Z7Grfl6SbWJrKQ/w640-h426/IMG_3829%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk9mojIzXcWVcN7uh4v5H2_YaUJd5Oy0PBhxS4y-RcBuBC47M6YFtYTvA99YVZRo5nxp3n1f8oyIdj7U0Etjzm7-q08q33bpKg1KeEEDzm3wC-dDDqY4FjpVfOdPYmhF48Qxd8FuLQtwGW708UZI290ZWWUpqLoJxUXx5wAwFkXjDAj9WOSYDv4SU8Q/s6000/IMG_3824%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk9mojIzXcWVcN7uh4v5H2_YaUJd5Oy0PBhxS4y-RcBuBC47M6YFtYTvA99YVZRo5nxp3n1f8oyIdj7U0Etjzm7-q08q33bpKg1KeEEDzm3wC-dDDqY4FjpVfOdPYmhF48Qxd8FuLQtwGW708UZI290ZWWUpqLoJxUXx5wAwFkXjDAj9WOSYDv4SU8Q/w640-h426/IMG_3824%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The Morbitorium is a true testament to Dave and Angharad's obvious passion for the unusual. Their use of this compact but well concieved space to share with others this amazing collection of oddities, but also, incite in others wonder, interest, curiosity and perhaps even a passion of their own in a specific subject is to be applauded and celebrated utterly. There are few times in this world people take the brave decision to be truly different and stand out in their community. But it is clearly something which has been whole-heartedly embraced with the 'Morbitorium', and I for one wish to see a whole lot more of it in this world!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvzPjFZd0bDpsi3oa3BclmiVRyk2fDutQlrz6i6Vb5cBnNxrl8F9kpFlQhLI16a9U7d0Peyh9UzD0fmW_kPovfVaU3dTIawf81-ryh6yxUFIaXtnUHLsADc_iDw7m2hKGw_zc8j6j2mMp1dxfwfxTofVrQPVF3gvRYWPNX-pkzjHj677nEf-OpGI3NQ/s6000/IMG_3939%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvzPjFZd0bDpsi3oa3BclmiVRyk2fDutQlrz6i6Vb5cBnNxrl8F9kpFlQhLI16a9U7d0Peyh9UzD0fmW_kPovfVaU3dTIawf81-ryh6yxUFIaXtnUHLsADc_iDw7m2hKGw_zc8j6j2mMp1dxfwfxTofVrQPVF3gvRYWPNX-pkzjHj677nEf-OpGI3NQ/w640-h426/IMG_3939%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p>To check out the Morbitorium yourself, support this venture or plan your visit check out their website <a href="https://www.morbitorium.co.uk/">here</a>!</p><p>Alice Durose<br /></p><p></p>Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-79830748775338505842022-09-26T03:13:00.002-07:002022-09-26T03:13:38.295-07:00Kilpeck Church: A Romanesque Masterpiece<p>This year so far has been one entirely unlike any other
in my life to date, as I finally became a home owner at the ripe age of
31. This systemic shift in circumstances means that life has changed in
immeasurable ways in the last 6 months, and time has to be taken for
things like renovating my Victorian cottage, and keeping my jungle of a
garden under reasonable control (and not always succeeding entirely).
But exploration and adventure are still my lifeblood, they’re just a
little less frequent than in recent years.</p><div dir="auto"><div>One little
adventure I was lucky enough to make time for this summer saw me travel
to a land unknown to me, Herefordshire, for the first time. And while I
was there I made sure to soak up as many sights as I could cram into a
short trip.</div><div><br /></div><div>One place I’ve always wanted to
visit in the region is the church of Saint Mary and Saint David in
Kilpeck. Anyone whose ever thumbed through a book on grotesques of
England, or holds any interest in church architecture at all will
doubtlessly have heard of Kilpeck and it’s many treasures. </div><div>Over
recent years I’ve had the name ‘Kilpeck’ haunt me repeatedly, in books
researching tombs and memorials, in literature on green men, and most
recently in online lockdown lectures given by the Churches Conservation Trust,
particularly on ‘naughty bits’ on churches - namely the Sheela Na Gig. I
decided this year it was finally time to visit this rich resource in
the world of ecclesiastical carving and see just what all the fanfare
was about for myself. <br /><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"><br />After an initial false start from the satnav who actually took me to another church a stones throw away, I finally found the quaint, unassuming church just down the lane. </div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature">Records date a church being on this site as far back as 650AD at least. Though conjecture suggests that the lie of the land, waterways and the unusual alignment of the building hint at a pre-christian past for this obviously important place. </div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature">Much of the church we see today dates to around 1140, and ties in closely with the nearby Kilpeck Castle and its landed gentry. Thankfully unlike many ancient churches, Kilpeck has remained reasonably unspoiled by Victorian restoration, with many early features surviving, and in better condition than most.</div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"></div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"></div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"></div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"><br />The church itself is on no grandiose scale, or exceptionally exuberant, but the details and decoration here are absolutely everything. On approach to the building, unusual corbels line the walls, with animals and men peering down with menacing glee. </div><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature">The huge beasts which flank the south-west face were really rather breathtaking. In all the hundreds of churches I've visited across the country I've never encountered anything like them. Colossal gaping mouths with great curling tongues erupting from a cornerstone of celtic interlacing. It can be easily imagined that these giant leviathans incited fear, and awe in all those who saw them. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP8KZY63VpjS9u13RSkolzUSP6hYRVoU0GXFqUbRxm8ysWt3f0sAVSqUheK_Jusxr03iRTI9WY54Yrm0CviNYyVGP9EvHiNOF7-1DEfe_dqfXl0iJSRwFYNwElBHn7bqhZtWaR2_srCAxL0SU9p1KOP4VrruKECsFfmdVxJOBtruo560jK2-6AmmwaQ/s6000/IMG_0901%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRP8KZY63VpjS9u13RSkolzUSP6hYRVoU0GXFqUbRxm8ysWt3f0sAVSqUheK_Jusxr03iRTI9WY54Yrm0CviNYyVGP9EvHiNOF7-1DEfe_dqfXl0iJSRwFYNwElBHn7bqhZtWaR2_srCAxL0SU9p1KOP4VrruKECsFfmdVxJOBtruo560jK2-6AmmwaQ/w640-h426/IMG_0901%20copy.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The real jewel in the crown at Kilpeck is the South door, which is the main entrance into the church itself. This incredible archway is without a doubt the most detailed, and imaginative Romanesque doorway I've ever seen. Previous fine examples Ive been lucky enough to visit (Tutbury and Melbourne being some of the most impressive) generally feature a more repetitive pattern of beasts and celtic knotwork, however the lack of symmetry at Kilpeck, and its many, rather overwhelming different elements have a very different effect. <br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM124QsVdcEDhNUni25EWXNVDRbC9rpfyxDqaSyYKlwr_tBrZzhYFIBtTsMStBZE9jYHIDkwCdY-1KVDwHoge29DR9AK-mDx_YMQbZuaZtHSAevfRiL_rVa5_6_2i__-Qvp8ISdYyTifODCmtip19F0Ksbz1WVv9EwIH3WeUYk46zTKZv3yb9J3BpEZQ/s6000/IMG_0935%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM124QsVdcEDhNUni25EWXNVDRbC9rpfyxDqaSyYKlwr_tBrZzhYFIBtTsMStBZE9jYHIDkwCdY-1KVDwHoge29DR9AK-mDx_YMQbZuaZtHSAevfRiL_rVa5_6_2i__-Qvp8ISdYyTifODCmtip19F0Ksbz1WVv9EwIH3WeUYk46zTKZv3yb9J3BpEZQ/w640-h426/IMG_0935%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3836" data-original-width="5888" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCR61k9A2hrq6MTwZFd07IvtdxEQwOY18TXAVkJM7VzDIwqNWyLiAVHft39PDWAnt6Q-BZWpg-6lBO74OnsWM9PdbVFir8AZ9oJLkCV2AZXFXmmcAQZdkMDFE-apyr5Xo9qDP-ke66pBwtW84DhhiOB568trX722w8ezNodmakTbT8nTvIwA3Z9FOLA/w640-h416/IMG_0772%20copy.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The senses are somewhat overwhelmed by the huge number of different beasts and creatures on every single inch of stone. Sinuous, writhing monsters edge the archway, with their gaping mouths devouring decorated knots connecting a whole host of beasts and birds, finished either side with a fierce Hellmouth like head. <br />Below these are a huge range of curious creatures, some devouring themselves, some devouring eachother, others with great serpents erupting from their mouths. It truly is a frenzied scene of fascination and sinister strangeness! The lone angel in among all this chaos seems almost out of place in the scheme, but is likely there to remind the viewer to choose salvation over sin and temptation (generally the most accepted idea of what these carvings represent, though we will never truly know).<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA2pUfsOz7_J6ruJTBLHhnIx3JBfP935UnzlwRSBtH7PQtkMcVwZXS7n5Dhg39Ej1FIUvg1ryZ7z90IEG4Co4ngr964SLJ9ejGxc8LC8IX0dtPWjWdinRpLSJPA81eU5uxz5lM9OB6GkJm9_SW48l3Mh9BOM9S6KsqSLUJUQjMGEUd-RvW3_ypslULQ/s5215/IMG_0781%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5215" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGA2pUfsOz7_J6ruJTBLHhnIx3JBfP935UnzlwRSBtH7PQtkMcVwZXS7n5Dhg39Ej1FIUvg1ryZ7z90IEG4Co4ngr964SLJ9ejGxc8LC8IX0dtPWjWdinRpLSJPA81eU5uxz5lM9OB6GkJm9_SW48l3Mh9BOM9S6KsqSLUJUQjMGEUd-RvW3_ypslULQ/w490-h640/IMG_0781%20copy.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><br />The motifs continue down the columns either side of the door, with serpents intertwined snaking down towards the ground, surrounded by organic looking knotwork, more birds and beasts, and the unusual addition of figures. These figures are often considered to be warriors, but like so many other elements
of this incredible carving its true meaning will be forever a mystery (which I rather like). <br /><div dir="ltr" id="m_-2066441392052897059AppleMailSignature"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6YvG3XnyaoIx8BDie3-4D-YR5JGjcjpZdASIb-mGO0dpYOs4rRay-KasVWXw216ENgoE3Dyv45Lzk9VAmck5xGqyu4kEI0wW5XaP2H7WNGh1jYvzi4MIK0NZoC2oxw7IiBIP0X7tR-f9oFxHxhK6bvl6Rwq2I8vVK-xmyucjEAcH513jZLo-F8dYdQ/s6000/IMG_0819%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" div="" height="640" nbsp="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6YvG3XnyaoIx8BDie3-4D-YR5JGjcjpZdASIb-mGO0dpYOs4rRay-KasVWXw216ENgoE3Dyv45Lzk9VAmck5xGqyu4kEI0wW5XaP2H7WNGh1jYvzi4MIK0NZoC2oxw7IiBIP0X7tR-f9oFxHxhK6bvl6Rwq2I8vVK-xmyucjEAcH513jZLo-F8dYdQ/w426-h640/IMG_0819%20copy.jpg" widt="" /></a><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my absolute favourite parts of the entire church is this fantastic Green Man. His bulging eyes stare out to the path while vines flow vigorously from his mouth. He has such a wonderful feeling of folk horror I could have studied him all day. Stylistically he seems closest to the central pediment, which has a slightly more folk art feel than many other parts of the doorway. This distinction between different styles suggest multiple masons worked on the entrance way, each bringing their own unique style and interpretation to their carvings. <br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqwmm2IG6Mo7IIBz_HYuxNrQy7Y8kkAB0mBouiXV56NzD94jov3KjEtXGim5khHd1BmvJA-HHTNoVE4wmIXSvWiHBsl4dG_TtvLiGF7xvlXNZJAhVDiDr040lZZcIh47huFFNUsUGFe7HXFbpWG4i90z3vYespChrTVOt0G_VYQCEkkcQpm95n3sBng/s6000/IMG_0829%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqwmm2IG6Mo7IIBz_HYuxNrQy7Y8kkAB0mBouiXV56NzD94jov3KjEtXGim5khHd1BmvJA-HHTNoVE4wmIXSvWiHBsl4dG_TtvLiGF7xvlXNZJAhVDiDr040lZZcIh47huFFNUsUGFe7HXFbpWG4i90z3vYespChrTVOt0G_VYQCEkkcQpm95n3sBng/w640-h426/IMG_0829%20copy.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br /></a></div></div></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are a great many wonderful corbels to be seen around the entire exterior of the church. Sadly the whole of the rear side of the church was covered with scaffold, meaning almost half of these men and beasts were impossible to view on this occasion, however, Kilpecks arguably most famous resident was thankfully on full view in all her glory. The Sheela-na-gig of Kilpeck is one of the most famous still in existence. I always feel a wry smile creep on my face when I see the image of a woman gleefully opening her vulva on the exterior of a church. The whole concept just feels so surreal and bizarre it never ceases to make me smile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are many theories about the meaning of the Sheela-na-gig. The last remnants of a pagan fertility deity, Mother earth, a protection against evil (that one makes me smile most of all), a warning against sins of the flesh. The latter seems logically most likely given the mindset at the time of its creation. Female sexuality was hugely repressed during this period, and the idea of this image representing female lust as hideous and corrupting certainly falls in line with the chruches ideology of the time. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQS9uhmmhT_UI7pw7vvGKT5Slr4YRBEUN_MRsTFnDOKYTZsI6-LqQEqQvRz5QJ9Nn2q4FVdv1c7FQ7Ox88KkqHnqqSgP6smrGEIN4HXHq2BsL6sqLC2GEKoIa_2X_lirKEWrrjdQYGffPb0vi6hOQec0fEIdGx9XazVxtq--88oDmKyTadlobOjsZsA/s6000/IMG_0870%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQS9uhmmhT_UI7pw7vvGKT5Slr4YRBEUN_MRsTFnDOKYTZsI6-LqQEqQvRz5QJ9Nn2q4FVdv1c7FQ7Ox88KkqHnqqSgP6smrGEIN4HXHq2BsL6sqLC2GEKoIa_2X_lirKEWrrjdQYGffPb0vi6hOQec0fEIdGx9XazVxtq--88oDmKyTadlobOjsZsA/w640-h426/IMG_0870%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Kilpeck church is an absolutely fascinating insight into early Welsh church building, but also into the folklore, mythology and mindset of the time. This tantalising glimpse into a strange past gives us some small idea of the world these border people were living in at the time full of fantastical creatures, superstition and magic. The sense of mystery and wonder created by places like Kilpeck and their craftsmen, always make me ponder on the minds of these master masons. Their rude little in jokes, their cheeky little additions, their creative expression, and smile. <br /><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsrQy0Z7ADGVqs3fPFpeFrtwymVjhn8Nj_6rX9pCpxyxBZirnA8hPRnKsIMtyG3F57xrwE5nEGoc_BL0faonYJ5ZfkSHxUthqyqLqD_30yPhU-onUNFkkaiM9NFlls_GaPQLrUJakfsFpHVcgH5jxnz4kxW4ANtjZqIcISXZ-V175Zso5i7Wcby_UzA/w640-h426/IMG_0777%20copy.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br /></div>Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-69037494942835199662022-07-10T11:50:00.006-07:002022-09-25T12:37:17.801-07:00The Wicker Man: A Horror Homage<p>As a long time horror fanatic and film collector, the genre has long moulded and shaped me as a person, and artist. The aesthetics, stories and cult status of the movies I love so much have an awful lot to answer for!<br />My favourite film of all time; The Wicker Man (1973), says a lot about my connection to and enthusiasm for the folk horror genre in particular. But also my wider love of pre-80s British horror in particular (Hammer, Tigon, Amicus, British Lion).<br /><br />As a homage to my favourite movie I have done a few small artworks recently themed around The Wicker Man. These pieces were simply designed to celebrate my love for my favourite film and it’s glorious uniqueness.<br /><br />One pays tribute to one of my favourite scenes, in which Christopher Lee draws from the Walt Whitman poem 'Song of myself', with his dulcet tones declaring ‘I think I could turn and live with animals ...’. I always felt that seeing the footage of snails entwined while Heather deflowers young Ash Buchanan to be a stroke of cinematic genius, so wanted to express my adoration in the only way I know, through an artwork. I also feel the sentiment rings so true with me personally, as I seem to find myself often feeling I have much more in common with animals than humans, and increasingly so.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgvL10v88L5DkxomnMvJhmzy7xiNS7KzHeKIUddWm0_OSXvWCkKggLaLQaj7dJyq4uBqFECe8n_lt7HaqPtZw-oj6sgIit9TAsvI74AV6a7o-upON7y9eXUMrHxFFIS2r-HAt2iQjmfB6M-AqNm4vS3q6ZidTdSyARjrANbhYr2EGy54htt8yQ-4ASg/s960/93773630_1330267987172290_8561336384755859456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgvL10v88L5DkxomnMvJhmzy7xiNS7KzHeKIUddWm0_OSXvWCkKggLaLQaj7dJyq4uBqFECe8n_lt7HaqPtZw-oj6sgIit9TAsvI74AV6a7o-upON7y9eXUMrHxFFIS2r-HAt2iQjmfB6M-AqNm4vS3q6ZidTdSyARjrANbhYr2EGy54htt8yQ-4ASg/w640-h480/93773630_1330267987172290_8561336384755859456_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The second I created to celebrate May Day with the iconic Wicker Man sun face featured numerous times in the film. Initially I intended to create the piece as a dip pen work to practice my technique, however after discovering my remaining waterproof black ink had become a gloopy mass too thick to use I had to revert to using pigment liners (which in hindsight is probably the only way I could get the level of control and detail needed for the piece.)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY1M9VYKQDdb-PgEwAQ6GM_Rg-bBCmkP-k1-fzkDBVM8pJICYWUBbaBsCzpfj6m4y4VePh7WLcZznB-MNSurbYniUa5XoBVkwR5CgSGDbV0L4vPktwGGDxC3KrflDyfwl1Jjmxls-eafv19FbI0_A5uMSVWNfv7RZeIJPijCH6oHTf_Lu-Qtk4miMbQ/s4032/IMG_3356%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY1M9VYKQDdb-PgEwAQ6GM_Rg-bBCmkP-k1-fzkDBVM8pJICYWUBbaBsCzpfj6m4y4VePh7WLcZznB-MNSurbYniUa5XoBVkwR5CgSGDbV0L4vPktwGGDxC3KrflDyfwl1Jjmxls-eafv19FbI0_A5uMSVWNfv7RZeIJPijCH6oHTf_Lu-Qtk4miMbQ/w640-h480/IMG_3356%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I find creating these artworks, just for me and to express my passion and adoration for what I consider to be the pinnacle of British cinema, a near meditative practice. It is my own unique way to honour something that has become an integral part of me and shaped me for who I am from my first viewing almost 20 years ago. A heathen conceivably, but not I hope an unenlightened one ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmsaoxqBPucDPbmGwv22LhbkmLd_xVbTVHsnyxl86b-ee6Uk7nO348d3qYQbitkLzeYpWaGrY2NMk_HA6joti36fENs_Lwi-YLVPrUfU3WbC_R8_CIE2UTy7CQXYHEA-BTSD0J5i28hcu5f2MfuCXTgdy0hfXK35mjSGL9bThkQLG_WGYGY18ZF0oTg/s960/93302043_1328135264052229_4480799003205697536_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMmsaoxqBPucDPbmGwv22LhbkmLd_xVbTVHsnyxl86b-ee6Uk7nO348d3qYQbitkLzeYpWaGrY2NMk_HA6joti36fENs_Lwi-YLVPrUfU3WbC_R8_CIE2UTy7CQXYHEA-BTSD0J5i28hcu5f2MfuCXTgdy0hfXK35mjSGL9bThkQLG_WGYGY18ZF0oTg/w320-h320/93302043_1328135264052229_4480799003205697536_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-57462185821988649392020-07-21T12:57:00.000-07:002020-07-21T12:57:38.702-07:00Time Enough for the Earth in the Grave ...<b>'Back unto the land from whence we came. Bones burrowed deep by decay. And in creep the beetles and creatures of this land. Forever companions in your grave. As you slip from this world, and fade from memory. The cycle is complete, and nature triumphs.' - Danse Macabre.</b><br />
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'Time Enough for the Earth in the Grave' is probably one of the most detailed artworks I have ever attempted. The concept was inspired by the quote from one of my favourite films; Conan the Barbarian. This idea arose through wondering what we can expect from our own time in the grave. From our own decay what life will thrive and spring? What will we give back to the earth in our final stage in the cycle of life?<br />
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The imagery draws on the idea of the forest floor and humanity finally reintegrating with nature. There are lots of details in the piece and tiny symbolic elements which are only truly appreciated seen in the flesh!<br />
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Taking a slightly different approach from my favoured technique I combined pencil and watercolour to create the piece. This allowed a more delicate approach than my usual pen base, but was also much more fragile and delicate, meaning I had to take special care to protect the bottom layer while I worked on the piece. <br />
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I must admit that no matter how time consuming and what a labour of love this artwork has been I have enjoyed it immensely. And I'm very happy with the final outcome of the piece.<br />
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Limited edition prints are available on the Etsy Store now! <br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-62196479469707211232020-06-14T04:22:00.000-07:002020-06-14T04:22:44.991-07:00Green Men - The Spirits of the SeasonsI'm so pleased at long last to have finally given my Green Man series the time and attention it deserves. These ideas have laid waiting patiently for so long I had been feeling serious guilt about neglecting them for so many years. But after months of work I can finally say I have done the pieces justice.<br />
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Initially I intended to simply create a series featuring as many of my Green Man ideas as possible. However as sketching progressed and the complexity of the pieces grew I decided I would have to limit which ideas I was exploring unless I was willing to dedicate the entire year to the series. After some consideration I decided to transform my favourite ideas into the Spirits of the Seasons.<br />
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The series is designed to capture the essence of each season, visually but also the personality and feel I get for each time of year. Spring is the awakening, sleepy and bleary eyed but sending out new growth into the world. Summer is joyous and vibrant. The happiness seems never ending as he chuckles to see the insects go by and the flowers bloom. Autumn is humble and quiet. His appearance is most fleeting of all, yet he knows he is the most beautiful. In creeps winter, grumpy and frostbitten. Sad to have lost his leaves once more and silently waiting for Spring to awaken him and give him life anew.<br />
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Creating these characters was quite important for me in the process of developing the series, which I wasn't expecting. It helped me to give the pieces real depth and feeling which is something I really wanted to achieve to do the series justice. Through this process I hoped to evoke some of what our ancient ancestors felt about the seasons and how important these changes were for ancient Britons.<br />
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My Green Man series is now available as A4 prints <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DanseMacabreUK" target="_blank">here</a>, with postcards and greeting cards coming soon ...<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-47706476379882504672020-04-17T13:17:00.000-07:002024-02-16T13:50:43.181-08:00Mini Curios<br /><p>As 2019 drew to a close I began to reflect on my artwork of the past year and most importantly what I wanted 2020 to hold.<br />
For a while I have been thinking about doing a long running series which highlights some of the amazing sights I have seen in museums and on my travels, specifically curiosities and the weird and wonderful little exhibits which can be easily overlooked by a passer by. I made notes in my 2019 diary about an idea for a ‘Mini Curios’ series, but the idea was in its infancy. As time has marched on I’ve been able to think the idea over in more depth and ultimately decided I wanted to run this series alongside my main artworks throughout 2020. Honestly, largely as an exercise of appreciation and celebration of the amazing inspiration I’ve been lucky enough to be constantly exposed to.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiebSSh-1gYIiuyRR3ghMrxNI5atV3ffE3Ezf1rvtE3mN0MagO3Pi6TmBROYdGgyOspgJ2PQGCFZ5qEVYqSYwDWU83Rnk-q_EdpnYWy7VhCRb5Nk2sSYfXPgwi0xDr20w81LoW4PHVTCfgv_wjcVm_h34J5Fda2xJo7DUV9yRqTEO4c5tmMtCQIm9XGsKgj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiebSSh-1gYIiuyRR3ghMrxNI5atV3ffE3Ezf1rvtE3mN0MagO3Pi6TmBROYdGgyOspgJ2PQGCFZ5qEVYqSYwDWU83Rnk-q_EdpnYWy7VhCRb5Nk2sSYfXPgwi0xDr20w81LoW4PHVTCfgv_wjcVm_h34J5Fda2xJo7DUV9yRqTEO4c5tmMtCQIm9XGsKgj=w400-h266" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>When I reflect on some of the amazing items I’ve seen over the years I feel very fortunate indeed. Pitt Rivers itself is a treasure trove of these amazing curios ranging from Amulets, charms and Wands, to pierced animal hearts, ex Voto and magical bottles. These items rich in folklore, superstition and magic speak of a little known past which through drawing I hope to uncover and delve into further. The Victor Wynd Cabinet of Curiosities is also a great source of the weird and wonderful in many forms. Many museums I have visited such as; The Ashmolean, The Fitzwilliam, The peatrie Museum, Grants Museum of Zoology, Museu Frederic Mares, The Natural History Museum and many others will likely feature in the series in some way, as will others which I am planning to visit in 2020, including the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic which has been on my hit list for a number of years now.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL5_85WAfM9WdbtT8gyeok04La-NB42Bf6gYBoVPLSkIbgKQUI1mUe2HMHbARrNVd1oOJg1oEbBkd1JBWnmV8QEYJHvjak8ri1fTSLNjAvp6Cv3yO-n2re5G920WGH1oiRmxHcL-tZVH6LGfNhEWWKnsznV6FYn1c11IDZZUAYjbB2SRtJULrulw1k3oiG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL5_85WAfM9WdbtT8gyeok04La-NB42Bf6gYBoVPLSkIbgKQUI1mUe2HMHbARrNVd1oOJg1oEbBkd1JBWnmV8QEYJHvjak8ri1fTSLNjAvp6Cv3yO-n2re5G920WGH1oiRmxHcL-tZVH6LGfNhEWWKnsznV6FYn1c11IDZZUAYjbB2SRtJULrulw1k3oiG=w400-h400" width="400" /><br /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For many these small items may seem easy to miss, especially alongside larger, more visually impressive and imposing items. But through this project I hope to raise the profile of these smaller exhibits and shine a much deserved light on their fascinating history and unique place in culture. <br /></div><p></p>Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-4383622697192056022020-04-05T12:33:00.000-07:002020-04-05T12:33:38.160-07:00Parc Guell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the years during my time in Barcelona I have made it my mission to see as much of Gaudi’s legacy as possible. As a lover of architecture and all things a little strange, Gaudi and his style has long fascinated me. Weirdness is always bound to appeal to weirdos!</div>
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In previous years (and blogs) I’ve been lucky enough to see the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. But somewhere I’d hoped to go for the longest time was somewhere quite different; Parc Guell.<br />
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Sitting outside the hustle and bustle of the city, shuttle buses take you to the park, which it’s totally essential to pre-book to stand any chance of visiting. What I had envisaged being a tranquil place to catch a breather outside of the sprawling metropolis of this city was actually full of hoards of the most dreaded kinds, yes, tourists. Selfie sticks were out in force as girls posed as if they were being shot for vogue, not taking a second to truly look at the beauty around them, rather than that on their phone.<br />
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Luckily entry to certain parts of the park are timed, so this limited numbers to a certain degree at least and made things a little less cramped. As everyone trouped off ready to see the next ‘grammable’ spot I hung back to look at all the different tile fragments in the seats which were being restored, watch the workman with his angle grinder, and soak up a few rays.<br />
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Gaudi guarantees there’s always something to be seen. Nothing is ever mundane or plain, everything is so deliberate and detailed. The great stilt like columns leading up to support a beautiful mosaic ceiling, with every ‘crown’ section totally unique. Emerging from this shade one of the busiest places in the Park is heaving as people pose for photos with the famous mosaic iguana which is the star of every postcard stand in Catalunya. As ever getting a photo of him without the masses pouting was a challenge. But I was far more interested in a pigeon having a drink from the fountain anyway! <br />
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My favourite part of the park was incredible on many levels. It felt like I was walking through a location for Jurassic Park with curved cliffs enclosing the area and vegetation hanging down giving a prehistoric vibe to the area. The columns supporting this cliff, some of which were men and woman holding it aloft made it seem as though I was discovering an ancient Inca city. I felt so excited and curious, maybe that’s my lifelong love of Indiana Jones coming out! Other parts of Guell echoed this vibe with stunning wisteria hanging from curving rock faces while lizards darted around.<br />
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The buildings at the park, like the rest of the complex, were quite fun. It really feels like Gaudi let himself go with the designs here and had fun, which is an interesting contrast to buildings such as the Sagrada Familia which feel of such epic importance and seriousness to this mans legend.<br />
The roofs spiral in colours and I feel like I’m in a sweet shop with all this amazing Mediterranean vibrancy and excitement.<br />
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Parc Guell was more than worth baring with the crowds to enjoy this beautiful slice of Gaudi's vision. Every so often you would find yourself alone in this paradise, grabbing a tranquil moment to breathe and relax in this wonderland. In some shady spot stumbling upon a busker, whose exotic rhythms transport you a world away from the busy city of Barcelona and to Gaudi's spring sunshine drenched dreamland.<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-87823805120136408032020-03-25T13:52:00.000-07:002020-03-25T13:52:12.049-07:00Burne-Jones: Forms Divinely Beautiful<div dir="auto">
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Recently I visited an exhibition I’ve been looking forward to since I first saw its announcement. That one of my favourite local places; Newstead Abbey, was having a Pre-Raphaelite exhibition was a surprise to say the least! Having traveled across the country to see Pre-Raphaelite artworks and exhibitions for the past 10+ years this one is certainly the closest to home I’m ever likely to visit!<br />
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After a few weeks of waiting for the initial rush to have made their visit I could wait no longer and headed off to Byron’s pile to see some Edward Burne-Jones! <br />
The exhibition is a little different to most Pre-Raphaelite exhibitions in the sense that what’s on display isn’t a collection of paintings, but is actually a folio of Photogravure prints. As a printer this interests me greatly as the value of etchings and prints are often played down and under appreciated by so many. <br />
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The folio on display is one of 200 which were commissioned by Burne-Jones’ son, Philip, to celebrate and showcase his fathers work. It was created by the Berlin Photographic company using photogravure, a technique using a photographic negative to create an etched plate to print from. This skilled technique produces high quality prints which at the time was a very popular method of reproduction and sharing art. Interestingly the Pre-Raphaelites were one of the first art movements to make use of photography in creating their work and to draw on this new technology, so it’s interesting to see how new and changing technology and techniques have been embraced in other ways.<br />
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Having seen lots of Burne-Jones paintings over the years his often very muted palette lends itself well to black and white reproduction, something which might not be said for more vibrant artists within the movement (Millais perhaps). The pieces on display are, to me at least, beautiful works of art in their own right. The depth of tone in these monochrome prints is truly stunning, and you don’t lose anything from these dreamy visions due to their lack of hue.<br />
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Learning from Rossetti gave Burne-Jones a similarly unique view and creative flair to his idol. The flowing hair, plump lips and long necks of Rosetti’s recurring female aesthetics all shine through in Burne-Jones work. All be it his own ideal of female beauty and perfection, but Burne-Jones style and stylisation of themes is unique in the movement, with a distinct nod to Rossetti. <br />
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Burne-Jones, like Waterhouse, is a great portrayer of myths and legends in his work. With many of his pieces focusing on tales and stories rather than the more religious tendencies of earlier Pre-Raphaelites. These later members of the movement were masters at depicting incredible far off places where heroes and monsters reign and damsels and their tantalising beauty await rescue. Burne-Jones escaped the real world through his art, and shared this beautiful world with us all in turn. <br />
For me, Burne-Jones style only heightens the sense of ethereal, mystical realms and long forgotten times of our ancient past as he steers away from the photorealism of the movement and towards a more stylised portrayal of scenes. <br />
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My favourite piece on display, 'The Beguiling of Merlin' is captivating. Merlin's eyes pierce out at you from the paper, so wild and alive. They seem to follow you and hold your gaze in an eerie, haunting way, stirring emotions only art can make us feel.<br />
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This exhibition seems to have been quietly understated among the artistic community. Nobody I speak to knows about it, and online information is scarce. I understand that the current pandemic has caused the closure of Newstead temporarily, but the exhibition is still available to view virtually here: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://my.matterport.com/show/?m%3DcahQQShRaT1%26hl%3D1%26guides%3D0%26kb%3D0%26qs%3D1%26ts%3D3%26st%3D1800&source=gmail&ust=1585173099636000&usg=AFQjCNFc0lccCzRUVcFwIFQS8zNVY5LILQ" href="https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=cahQQShRaT1&hl=1&guides=0&kb=0&qs=1&ts=3&st=1800" target="_blank">https://my.matterport.<wbr></wbr>com/show/?m=cahQQShRaT1&hl=1&<wbr></wbr>guides=0&kb=0&qs=1&ts=3&st=<wbr></wbr>1800</a> </div>
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and when it reopens I urge everyone to go and immerse themselves in this dream world for just a time. Not that I think it will take any encouragement to get people out and visiting galleries and beautiful places again once this is all over!</div>
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My only criticism of the exhibition was I was hoping to buy a book, print, postcards, anything! But there was nothing sadly. <br />
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Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-56931753271362031662020-03-10T13:32:00.000-07:002020-07-21T05:42:16.764-07:00Five WellsRecently I spent some time compiling all my research into the best local Neolithic and Bronze Age sites to form a list of where I hope to visit in the near future. A number of local sites I have already visited. But that doesn’t mean I don’t intend to return, especially to see different seasons from these amazing sites.<br />
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One place high on my list was the Neolithic burial Cairn of Five Wells, located near Chelmorton, just south of Buxton. After seeing a few photos of this site and reading a little information I was impressed how intact the Cairn was compared to many and how visible the chamber was to visitors, so it went high on the list of where to go next.<br />
In early March a perfect opportunity arose to visit Five Wells, so off I
went on a 30 mile drive to discover another amazing piece of
Derbyshires ancient history.<br />
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After some map consultation I parked near Chelmorton church and set out following a trail uphill in the general direction of the tomb. The villages original wellspring is en route and signed as a point of interest on the way.<br />
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The landscape is largely farmers fields and grazing livestock, but a strange, what I presume to be, natural rocky feature runs along the ridge of the hill as a seam dividing the space in two. It’s quite rugged terrain and I imagine what the whole landscape would have looked like before agriculture moved in.<br />
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At a crossroads I managed to wander into a nearby farm, (still following a public footpath) when actually I should have turned left to find the Cairn in fields behind the farm. A little correction later (after thinking I was going to be savaged by dogs!) and I spotted the Cairn on the horizon at last.<br />
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It’s structure is quite imposing on the hillside. Like jagged teeth reaching out to the heavens it sits prominent and protruding. The moment I laid eyes on it, I loved it. The rugged and weather beaten hillside and these great stones erupting from the earth. It had an incredible feeling and atmosphere I wasn’t expecting, but wholly embraced.<br />
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One of the tombs is slowly being consumed by the earth, as much is covered by a thick layer of moss, while the more intact chamber exists like a miniature shelter missing its roof. Great upright pillars of the entrance give the feeling you are entering a mysterious and incredible time. As ever with these ancient places I stand and wonder what happened, were rituals performed when these people were buried in this great tomb? What did this place in the landscape mean to these people? The rolling landscape surrounding the Cairn is certainly one I’d be quite comfortable to spend my eternity in.<br />
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I'd be lying if I said I didn't find Five Wells to be an incredible, moving place. Though I will not attempt to provide any real reasoning why. For me personally these sites often seem to create an overwhelming sense of connection with our history and the traditions of our ancestors. Although this window into the past is only fleeting, for me it strengthens the feeling that these people, their values and respect for and use of the land is incredible, admirable and frankly far better than our own. These people had so many things right that we do not. They worshiped the land for the life it gave, we merely abuse it. For me, Cairn sites in particular always give a sense of ancestors rooted in the earth. For them, in life and death the landscape was clearly so important. I only wish I could know more about their lives and understand more about their world ...<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-32222627484068073292020-02-21T13:24:00.000-08:002020-03-19T08:09:27.903-07:00CimarutaThe cimaruta is an ancient charm, most commonly found in Italian folklore tradition, dating back at least to Roman times, if not further. It is steeped in fascinating symbolism and speaks strongly of a superstitious and incredibly rich culture.<br />
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If you have visited any museum containing magical or folklore related artifacts the chances are you’ve seen a Cimaruta and maybe not even realised. Pitt Rivers has a huge collection of them, which is where I first encountered these curious objects. They can also be seen at Frederic Mares Museum in Barcelona, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Cornwall and many other places.<br />
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Typically the Cimaruta resembles a Rue sprig, which is a plant with an absolutely fascinating history and symbolism. Rue has been used since ancient times in cooking, herbal remedies and as a popular ingredient in spells and witchcraft. During the Middle Ages rue was used as a way for witches to recognise each other. As ever the church attempted to hijack this herb by calling it the ‘herb of grace’ and using it to sprinkle holy water on subjects.<br />
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There are also some fascinating folklore tales which feature rue. In Classical mythology it was believed that the basilisk could kill all plants with its breath, except rue. Weasels bitten by the Basilisk would eat rue to recover from their injuries and fight back. This may relate to beliefs that rue could help to cure poisoning. In other examples rue represents virginity, or regret.<br />
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The imagery of the Cimaruta itself is complex. With the herb closely associated to Diana and the three branches displayed are connected her Triformis nature. In addition, the small charms at the end of the branches each have their own meaning. The result of this is that each different Cimaruta’s symbolism is unique.<br />
Commonly featured charms are the moon, a hand, a fish, a key, a serpent, a heart, a flower. The piece can often be dated by what charms it features, as later charms imagery is more influenced by Christianity.<br />
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Different interpretations of the use of these protective charms only serves to increase the mystery (and for me intrigue) surrounding them. It is generally thought that they were a charm against the evil eye and witchcraft. The overtly pagan imagery of the charms is argued as being valid as a weapon ‘against’ witchcraft as Christian elements on later examples balance out and defeat these heathen elements, thus protecting from witchcraft. I have to say this does sound rather illogical to me, and I’m far more inclined to believe the idea that these were worn by followers of the cult of Diana. The majority of the various symbols all represent and connect with Diana in some way, suggesting to me that this was more about the worship of this particular goddess, before being changed and bastardised later by the church. The fact that rue was used for practicing pagans to recognise each other is another major point for me in this. I can appreciate that for hundreds of years the Cimaruta has probably been a talisman against witchcraft, but I can’t help but think that it has a much deeper history than that statement suggests.<br />
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Cimaruta have been a great source of fascination since I first laid eyes on them quite a few years ago now. Since then I have delved into their fascinating symbolism and history, but because of the lack of knowledge surrounding them and conflicting information available I have only gotten so far. I fully intend to continue my quest to learn all there is to know about these beautiful relics of superstition and magic and shed light of their true and I believe very ancient history.<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-63290312325753178632020-02-08T01:26:00.002-08:002020-03-19T08:04:26.374-07:00Museum of the MoonOne day by complete chance I saw an image on Instagram from a good friend which was utterly captivating and intriguing. I recognised the setting immediately having visited a number of times previously; it was Derby Cathedral. But I couldn’t quite understand why there was a huge moon suspended from the ceiling! But one thing was not in doubt; it was glorious!!<br />
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I immediately went and researched exactly what I was looking at, which turned out to be an art installation by Luke Jerram called ‘The Museum of the Moon’. The seven metre sphere is inflated, covered with high resolution NASA images of the moon and internally lit to mimic moonlight. It certainly has a huge presence even in a space as grand as a cathedral!<br />
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The installation is designed to evoke the thoughts and feelings we get when looking up at the moon and what it means to us. The cultural and historical importance of the moon is evident across the world, through this the installation aims to connect us all and get us thinking more deeply about the moon and what it means to us.<br />
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I have never been shy about the fact I have an inexplicable adoration of the moon and love it wholly. For me it has always evoked so much mystery, beauty and is the light in the darkness. As a teenager I had a map of the dark side of the moon (no I’m not talking about anything Pink Floyd related) on my wall for years and would spend many a hour looking at it in wonder. And as a keen child astronomer I would often sit inspecting each crater in depth through my telescope, secretly hoping I’d see something move or another unexpected turn of events.<br />
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Of course I had to go and pay the moon a visit while it was so close by! And while the boards of folk flocking to take a selfie with the moon was abhorrent, the installation itself and all its glorious lighting was fantastic.<br />
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Visiting the museum of the moon got me wondering when my obsession with the moon first happened and exactly how it came about. After wracking my brains the only possible thing which I can think of is a strange one indeed (other than my lifelong obsession with space and stargazing - I still have my sky maps and some astronomy books and we’ve lost a planet since those were published!). Even as a child I had my strange morbid nature I still possess today, and I loved Halloween. I was told at around the age of 5 or 6 that on Halloween if I watched the moon long enough I’d see a witch fly by it on her broom. I can still remember sitting watching for hours waiting to see her. And suspect during this time formed my fascination with that wonderful lunar presence.<br />
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If you get chance to visit the Museum of the Moon in a city near you its an experience you shouldn't pass up! <br />
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Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-22902120871597679282020-01-31T12:53:00.000-08:002020-01-31T12:53:56.449-08:00Fabulous FungiAll of my life I have had a healthy interest in mushrooms. My late grandad was an avid mushroom forager and would often be known to fry up his foraged goods for breakfast. I always found this vaguely terrifying, but on reflection probably quite normal for someone from rural Lincolnshire who worked on a farm for most of his formative years. <br />
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I have many mushroom photos I’ve taken over the years. The most fascinating I found on the Ercall in Shropshire around 10 years ago and still remember it vividly to this day. As if it was covered in countless red jewels (subsequent searching for this photo and research has identified this as either a Devils tooth or a Mealy tooth thanks to my good friend Montalo).<br />
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But during the autumn of 2019 I decided to take my fungi fascination up a notch and instead of casually noticing fungi while out walking I became a self certified fungi hunter and started actively walking specifically to find the most amazing mushrooms I could.<br />
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Throughout 2019 I made a specific effort on different walks to focus on different things. This had a huge seasonal impact of course and spring was lots of trips to see the ducklings, then lots of looking at wild flowers, as summer progressed it was chasing butterflies and dragonflies, then as things changed I started suspiciously rooting about in the undergrowth for fantastic fungi!<br />
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Admittedly it did help that this autumn was an absolutely bumper one for mushrooms. Never in my life have I seen so many, and some staggeringly vast! Not to take anything away from the beautifully dainty fungi.<br />
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My goal for 2020 is to become far better at identifying them all! While I don't expect to become an expert over night it would be nice to be more aware and knowledgeable on the subject, so this is a good place to start. One of my first tasks of the new year was to buy a pocket identification book to keep in my camera bag at all times. To know nature is to be nature.<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-18801275728606291412020-01-17T12:38:00.003-08:002020-01-17T12:38:37.692-08:00Witch Marks After Dark: Apotropaic magic at Creswell CragsApotropaic magic is a very interesting and mysterious subject. In recent years the interest in apotropaic magic has soared, largely I believe due to our increasing understanding of the subject, and the ongoing discovery of apotropaic marks and objects in all sorts of places. One of these places is Creswell Crags. It would be tempting to say that recently apotropaic marks were discovered in their largest cave system, however the term ‘identified’ is actually much more appropriate.<br />
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In an unusual turn of events, two visitors to the Crags Hayley Clark and Ed Waters, avid hunters of so called ‘Witches Marks’ spotted some marks within the cave and informed their guide. After further research and observations in the cave what had previously been thought to be nothing more than (reasonably) modern graffiti was actually suddenly understood to be hundreds upon hundreds of apotropaic marks.<br />
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A brief explanation on apotropaic magic; the term literally means something which has the power to ‘turn away’ evil. There are countless different examples of this in most cultures throughout the world; the evil eye charm in Greece and Turkey, the Cimaruta and Mano Cornuto in Italy, Witches bottles and Horse shoes in Britain, the Eguzkilore in Basque France and Spain, to name just a few. The main purpose of these objects is believed to be to cast away evil spirits, Witches, Demons and Dark Magic. Apotropaic items have been found hidden within buildings; in cavity walls or under floorboards. But most apotropaic items or symbols are situated in or around entrance ways, to prevent the evil entering the building. A very common form of apotropaic magic as well as objects is marks, like the ones seen in Wookey Hole, Woolsthorpe Manor, Tithe Barn and of course Creswell Crags.<br />
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Creswell Crags has the largest concentration of spotropaic marks in Britain, and specialists are still trying to fully understand why. There are a few theories; perhaps to keep evil spirits from the cave so it could be used for winter storage, perhaps the site was a focus for local folklore and superstition or maybe the cave was perceived as a meeting place between worlds and the hole which plummets into the earth (incidentally where the concentration of the marks is most fervent) was perceived as a ‘well to hell’ and the Marks served the purpose to keep the demons from entering our world. Maybe we will never know what was going through the minds of the people who laboriously scratched these marks into the rock, but it’s certainly a major cause for curiosity. <br />
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The symbolism of the particular marks at Creswell are largely derived from Latin words or phrases commonly thought to be protective in the 17th century. The most heavily featured is the double V, which looks a lot like a W, which stand for ‘Virgo Virginum’ (Virgin of Virgins), but there are also many ‘C’s for Christ, I for Iesus (original Latin spelling of Jesus), R for Rex or Regina (referring to king or queen) and several other variations which generally all relate to Mary and Jesus in some form.<br />
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There are also some which may take the form of ‘demonic traps’ designed to ensnare evil in a maze like form, such as a Merels board, ladders and other usually straight edged shapes.<br />
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As you might imagine there has been some scepticism from visitors suggesting that the symbols are merely graffiti. However when you take into account the sheer volume of symbols, witness first hand their obsessive repetition and are aware of the presence of the same symbols hundreds of miles apart the significance of these marks becomes startlingly obvious.<br />
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I hope that in years to come more becomes known about the Witch Marks at Creswell Crags and that we learn who put them there and exactly why. But the team there are certainly up against it with all the changes that have happened on site over the last few hundred years, in particular Victorian excavations which didn’t record findings as rigorously as archaeologists do today, and considered anything from the 17th century too contemporary to bother with and sadly may have discarded many clues to deciphering the mysteries of the cave.<br />
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A huge thank you to the team at Creswell for their dedication and passion, and of course to our guide Sarah who made the experience a fantastic one!<br />
Witch Marks After Dark tours run on select dates until the end of the month. Check out the Creswell Crags website <a href="https://www.creswell-crags.org.uk/" target="_blank">here</a> to find out more!<br />
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Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-71400472217102133502020-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:002020-01-13T11:59:09.902-08:00Art in Focus: TreebeardThroughout most of November and December I have been working on a top secret piece of artwork to be gifted to some of my oldest and best friends for Christmas. Now that the cats out of the bag and they have the piece I can talk a little more about it’s creation and concept!<br />
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As some may be aware, Tolkien is a absolutely huge influence on me, having visited some of his old haunts in Oxford, his grave and an exhibition at the Bodelian in 2018. The Hobbit is my favourite book of all time and I collect editions of Lord of the Rings (and almost anything Tolkien related) whenever possible. So it’s probably natural that at some point I did some Tolkien related art.<br />
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Many years ago I designed my half sleeve on the theme of ‘good and evil in Middle Earth’ (kindly tattooed by the super talented Nick Brinsley) and the main focus of this is my imagining of Treebeard, one of my favourite characters. (I always felt a huge affinity with Treebeard and probably wanted to be him more than any other character.)<br />
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Fast forward several years and me and good friends went to the Rodney Matthews exhibition Electric Rock near Birmingham to see many prints and originals on offer. My favourite was Rodney’s depiction of Treebeard (which I’ve been looking at in books since childhood). My friend ordered herself this print as she liked it so much. Little did I know she also ordered one for me and kept it safe over 9 months until my birthday! What a wonderful surprise, absolutely blew me away!<br />
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So, I got to thinking how I could express my gratitude and give a gift that really meant as much as some of the gifts she has given me over the years! So, I decided creating something was the only way.<br />
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I started doodling Treebeard in early November based on what I always saw reading the books (I refused to see Lord of the Rings until I had read the books, hence only seeing The Return of the King at the cinema). He closely resembles the Treebeard of my tattoo as this was also his basis. Just with rather a lot more moss, and of course mushrooms.<br />
On my recent autumnal walks I took lots of photos of tree textures, lichen, moss and fungi to help as reference material.<br />
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Similarly to when putting together my tattoo design, Treebeard is imagined, but other elements are based on the depictions in the film. In my tattoo Sauron is based on Christopher Lees portrayal, the Orthanc and eye of Sauron also inspired by the film. Yet in the style of an illustration (in particular the way I tend to draw, which is not photorealism). Merry and Pippin who I chose to include in the painting are loosely based on the movie casting, with similar hair and clothes, but again, are an illustrative interpretation.<br />
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Creating the piece was a very enjoyable challenge. The knotwork in particular was infuriating! A very unforgiving art form! The piece consists of a complete pen layer (below) to build the depth of the piece, and then watercolour work to bring him truly to life. Interestingly this was the first piece I experimented in adding some metallic watercolour to bring out certain areas and give them a bit of pazazz. In total the piece took around 25 hours. As usual in the winter months the light is the biggest challenge to most creatives. Unfortunately I had to resort to doing the majority of the work under artificial light, which is never ideal, but I was happy with the results considering this.<br />
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I hope my friends are happy with their painting and enjoy it for many years to come! </div>
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-46498317483291264112020-01-01T12:14:00.000-08:002020-01-01T12:15:34.861-08:00Nine Stones CloseRecently I have become more determined than ever to visit the amazing ancient sites spread across our country.<br />
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Our island nations pre-Christian history and traditions are very important to me as I feel they reflect our identity and the true nature of our people and land. These ancient oral traditions are largely lost to us now, but glimpses still remain here and there, in tales, songs and most importantly the landscape.<br />
One huge impact still seen in the British landscape today is henges and barrows.<br />
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Throughout 2019 I’ve been trying to make a strange heathen pilgrimage to as many of these sites as I can, starting of course with my local county Derbyshire.<br />
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Having already visitors Doll Tor, Arbour Lowe and the Nine Ladies, the next on my list was Nine Stones Close, near to Robin Hoods Stride.<br />
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These adventures are always a bit of a magical mystery tour, as Neolithic sites such as this are not generally depicted on my hiking app, so it’s always a bit of a voyage of discovery, which is refreshing as you usually stumble on all sorts of other interesting things on the way.<br />
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Unfortunately only 4 of the nine stones which make up the circle remain erect, and yet the stone circle still has a powerful presence within the landscape. It’s easy to imagine just how impacting it would have been with all 9 stones standing, proud on the brow of the hill, with Robin Hoods Stride in the distance and the landscape rolling all around.<br />
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I always find it an amazing experience to walk around these places in the footsteps of our ancestors, to touch the stones they touched and wonder what they felt, what it meant to them. Also looking out to gaze upon their world and what they would have seen from this obviously important spot, usually it’s a breathtaking landscape and endless moorland. While today the landscape is somewhat changed, with farming having a large impact on what we see now, it’s easy to imagine what our ancestors might have seen looking out into the wider world.<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-30856758786881885762019-12-23T12:45:00.000-08:002019-12-23T12:45:24.770-08:00Work in progress: The Green Man seriesFor the longest time, in my first ideas book after finishing University I have had scribblings of series which are still patiently waiting to be realised. Every year I declare I’m going to finally start on my own Green Man series and do justice to these nature spirits I dreamed the faces of so many years ago. And every year things happen, other ideas crop up and I continue to keep them on the back burner.<br /><br />But as this year drew to a close I decided enough was enough. I started working on progressing my thumbnail sketches into full size line work, and then onto paper, returning to my most common mixed media technique using biro and watercolour (as opposed to my recent dip pen experiments).<br /><br />One daunting issue with this series has always been the sheer number of ideas I have. If I work on them all the series will be mammoth! So I’ve decided to be selective (for now) and initially work on what I’m calling ‘the four seasons’. It’s quite frustrating as I really want to realise a lot of the other characters, but that may have to be a battle for another day!<br /><br />Because of the detail involved in these pieces they are proving very time consuming. Never one to make life easy for myself I decided to also incorporate some knotwork in the form of borders as a nod to our Celtic history and pre-Christian traditions and beliefs in Britain. This has proved a real challenge and is somewhat unforgiving if you make any errors. Complete precision is essential but tough. I can see why manuscript scholars claimed they would put one error on each page because only god is perfect, it’s near impossible not to make one! (Good cover story lads!)<br /><br />So far with these pieces I’ve gotten a lot of pen work done, but as ever with this time of year there’s so few hours of daylight in which to work, making moving onto my watercolour layer difficult indeed.<br />I’m hoping that now with the passing of midwinter and the lengthening of days once more I can begin to get some colour into the pieces and truly bring them to life!<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-55422478456554892382019-11-13T13:16:00.001-08:002020-03-19T08:11:10.960-07:00Chester Cathedral FalconryEvery year I make a list of 10 places I’ve never visited but would love to go. Last year I managed to tick off 9 of these incredibly, only missing out on the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. This year I’m doing considerably worse with my list, not because I’ve not made it to some amazing place, but because they are getting more obscure and further afield making them harder to achieve logistically.<br />
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So, I made a concerted effort for my birthday weekend and even though going back to my beloved Oxford was hugely tempting I resisted and chose new ground from my list; Chester.<br />
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This historic city is certainly very pretty, even on a cold and rainy weekend. The huge array of Tudor fronted buildings give the impression many buildings are actually far older than they really are, as most are in fact Victorian. But one ancient building hiding behind a Victorian facade is Chester Cathedral, which was truly a wonder to behold (but that's another story for another blog). Nestled behind this medieval marvel, sandwiched between Georgian grandeur and Roman walls is Chester Cathedral Falconry.<br />
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As a crazy bird lady it was only natural that this would be on my hit list, especially given my obsession with birds of prey. Strangely its made me realise I've never actually been to a dedicated falconry centre before! And I cant figure out why not!<br />
As a child we had all sorts of birds from a Myna bird called Slade to various Parrots and one of my favourite birds (which has stayed with me as a life long love); Barn Owls (named; Barney, Betty and Pebbles by me). So every Barn Owl I see I have a particular affection for, and Boj was no exception! Falconer Kieran was kind enough to let us watch Boj feed, always a fascinating experience!<br />
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We timed arrival well for the next display, managing to fit in a quick observation of the birds, watch a few feeds and also for me to slightly fall in love with Tinks the vulture a little bit before it began!<br />
Kay and Kieran treated us to lots of interesting facts and information while we marveled at the birds and their own unique adaptations and hunting styles. As a bird of prey obsessive I was in my element!<br />
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First up Tinks the Vulture was absolutely charming. I was pleased as punch to see him outside his aviary and strutting his stuff. Of all the birds we saw Tinks definitely had the biggest personality. His comical ambling walking style and minimal effort for food certainly gave him a humorous humanesque personality. Thinking with his stomach and loyal for food, I know plenty of people that fit this description! Tinks provided smiles all around as he repeatedly attacked peoples shoes, having a pop at mine several times and almost succeeding in untying my laces a few times. <br />
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Up next was a Harris Hawk who showed us skills at catching prey on the
move, and saw off a few pigeons and a squirrel in the process. The home made fake rabbit on the move using a Dewalt drill and wire was an impressive use of creativity I have to say!<br />
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Indian Eagle Owl Munch was the biggest owl we saw during our visit, and I was lucky enough to don the gauntlet and support his impressive presence.We had a little chat and I told him how gorgeous he was (he already knew of course) while occasionally buffeting me with his massive wing span. Kay also showed how silent his flight is and how precise Munch is by getting him to fly over a few peoples heads (I have a hilarious photo of one couple recoiling in horror, the sheer terror on the woman's face is priceless, but I thought I better not share those!)<br />
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Id be lying if I said I didn't find the final bird of the afternoon Peanut the Red Footed Falcon utterly adorable. I just wanted to scoop him up in my jacket pocket and cuddle him. But, don't let his size fool you. I wouldn't mess with this guy for one second. His in air hunting skills were fantastic and while hes used to hunting things such as insects, I wouldn't fancy my chances against this tenacious little guy!</div>
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In all I had a wonderful time at Chester Cathedral Falconry. The passion of the handlers/trainers was simply infectious. All the birds were beautiful, fascinating and clearly so loved by the team. If you get chance to pay these guys a visit don't hesitate. A wonderful afternoon with some wonderful feathered folk, and their devoted humans! Thanks to all the team at Chester Cathedral Falconry for making my birthday weekend a great one!</div>
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-16065037376475430112019-11-01T02:06:00.000-07:002019-11-01T02:06:11.181-07:00Derbyshire Woodland FestivalOne day entirely by chance I stumbled upon an event on social media which I had never heard of before. It turns out I've been entirely in the dark because Derbyshire Woodland Festival has been running for some time. Quite how it passed me by I have no idea! I'd be lying if I said I had no reservations about what it would be like, but any concerns were totally unfounded. The event was much larger than I had expected and in all honesty, fantastic! There were so many highly skilled, very enthusiastic craftsmen and women making all sorts, from wood, inspired by wood or relating to the woods.<br />
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There were a whole host of different skills on display from chair making, carving, basket weaving, boat building, chainsaw sculpting, wood turning, survival skills plus many more. The Viking encampment alone had; a blacksmith, traditional weaving, ink making (as a fountain pen collector and ink obsessive you can imagine how exciting this was), candle making, food, herbs and cooking, arrow making and of course, battle reenactment. There was always something to see, smell and of course eat (were always happy if we spot Spondon Bakery at an event, you know your in for something tasty!).<br />
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It has to be said the friendliness and approachability of these craftspeople was second to none. Their enthusiasm for their craft was nothing short of infectious and I loved talking to the many makers who urged me to join them with my artwork next year. I wholeheartedly support the dedication and passion that these creatives are putting into keeping these skills alive, and in turn getting others interested and impassioned about them too.<br />
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My honest highlight was the Wild Man of the Woods wandering in the forest, telling tales and singing songs. He immediately felt to be the living embodiment of the ancient oral tradition of story telling and oral history which most cultures have lost since the advent of the written word. British Folklore was founded on people like this, they held all the knowledge of their world and passed it forth to the next generation using this ancient technique. My admiration and fascination with this Green Man was honestly huge. I hadn't quite expected to react in such a way and feel so moved, but he was truly incredible. It felt as though I was glimpsing just for a while, into our pre-christian past, and I felt very at home indeed.<br />
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Another heart warming part of the day was the 'hug a hen' stall. Where ex-commercial laying hens are offered a second chance in life after being saved by the charity 'Fresh Start For Hens' who help re-home them all over the country. I didn't personally partake in the Hen hugging (last time I held a hen in my arms was a small Bantam found lost in the road, whom I subsequently fell in love with, named Effie Millais and sadly couldn't keep - best not tempt fate to go through that again!). Hens are lovely, calming creatures and both them and the charity workers seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely!<br />
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The excitement of a Battle Reenactment is something I always enjoy, and the one by these vikings was no exception. An old friend of mine was surprisingly among the throng of battle hardened warriors, which bought a smile to my face and certainly made being a spectator even more interesting. I always enjoy seeing groups such as this bringing a slice of history back to life for us. Best of all they all seem to greatly enjoy beating the living shit out of each other! Perhaps I should take it up as a form of stress relief!<br />
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I whole heatedly hope that there will be another Derbyshire Woodland Festival as I enjoyed the event immensely. There was so much to see and do and so many wonderful folks to talk to it made for a wonderful day out I would recommend to any other like minded people. Maybe next year we might even get some fine weather to go with the fine entertainment!<br />
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Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-32519462402728040272019-10-24T12:28:00.000-07:002019-10-24T12:28:17.021-07:00'The Witching Hour' seriesAfter last year releasing my piece ‘Fly High on All Hallows Eve’ to celebrate Halloween 2018, I decided this year I wanted to go one better and do a series for Halloween 2019, all based on the theme ‘The Witching Hour’.<br />
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I set my mind racing and conjuring up different ideas of what has taken place on Halloween throughout time. Ancient rituals, animals which have become synonymous with Halloween, and medieval takes on witchcraft and it’s surrounding imagery. A large inspiration was exhibitions like Spellbound at the Ashmolean, but also my countless books, which have plenty of historical reference material to spark the senses.<br />
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There was quite a lot of complex (and to my mind well considered) thought behind each piece and it’s development. Largely one goal I wanted to achieve was to create my own Witch riding a flying goat piece, as it’s such an iconic image in the history of Witchcraft. This was one of the main aims of the series, but in the end it became so much more and took on a life of its own all reflecting what goes on under the moonlit sky.<br />
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In the end the series wound up being the 5 pieces you see here today. But that doesn’t mean to say there wasn’t more ideas! I had thumbnail sketches around the theme of ‘the witch and her familiars’ as well as more mystical animals to unleash. But unfortunately I simply ran out of time. I knew the series had to be complete well before Halloween, especially if I was to have cards printed of the designs. So, these unfinished pieces will, for now, remain in their embryonic state. Perhaps I’ve got a head start for next Halloween!<br />
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‘The Witching Hour’ is now available as A4 prints (individually or as a set of 5) and select designs are available as postcards and greeting cards! Check them out here!: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DanseMacabreUK" target="_blank">https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DanseMacabreUK</a><br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-78700084860531212712019-08-29T01:28:00.000-07:002024-02-17T14:00:27.095-08:00Doll TorFor many years I have had a passion for historically important sites reflecting our ancient history. Over the years I’ve visited hill forts at Oswestry and the Wrekin in Shropshire, various castles and fortifications across the country, churches, guildhalls and many different parts of our islands history. <br /><br />In recent years I’ve made a conscious effort to journey to sites associated with our pre-Christian past and the ancient religions of our land. Much of these traditions are shrouded in mystery and are half known truths and stories at best, and many sites have been lost forever, to later development, to Christianity or just to the ravages of time. But a few still remain, and I have been seeking out these echoes of the past nestled within the landscape.<br /><br />One of these I made my pilgrimage to last summer was Doll Tor in Derbyshire. I wasn’t expecting the site to have an especially profound effect on me, as lots of reading online played it down as small and not hugely remarkable.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRbL4rIfUGtRkR8HhnGv_QZoDOP-kHlEECcH2SGoXT8p3skUnYJ-FkUMUQvcO7l3mY9uFaT6ydu4xdF5OtheO5Xe-7l22jbRtgH4U2Vsdzc8zmCDmd_NQPWMRyJ_qt_xlv20cUsWTaMevO_YSYoeWpX9TfXpBiRflJ9Oa-2ptSoMBXKtq8-eGcJYMlSQ-/s6000/IMG_2184%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRbL4rIfUGtRkR8HhnGv_QZoDOP-kHlEECcH2SGoXT8p3skUnYJ-FkUMUQvcO7l3mY9uFaT6ydu4xdF5OtheO5Xe-7l22jbRtgH4U2Vsdzc8zmCDmd_NQPWMRyJ_qt_xlv20cUsWTaMevO_YSYoeWpX9TfXpBiRflJ9Oa-2ptSoMBXKtq8-eGcJYMlSQ-/w640-h426/IMG_2184%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First of all actually finding Doll Tor was a challenge in itself. I followed my infamous sat Nav to the nearest village; Birchover, parked up and set off on what looked like the right path. No, barbed wire and farmers fences, forget that route! Try another way, down a seemingly never ending lane. The maps saying it’s just on that ridge, but this is a farmers land! There’s no signs for a public right of way and the fields full of hundreds of cattle and their calves! Eventually I plucked up the courage and go to the farm to ask for directions. The farmer kindly let me cross through his field and pointed me in the general direction of Doll Tor. Off I went, but which thicket of woodland did he mean?! This one? No it’s entirely walled. This one?! No I can’t get in there either. In the mean time I found Eagle Tor and the strange landscape surrounding it, as well as a ruined stone cottage I decided I’d happily own. All nice finds but not what I was searching for! Finally in a corn field I saw a vague path towards another wooded area. On a hunch I decided to follow it. And surprise, there’s a gate in the wall around the woodland! I’d almost given up hope, but this could be it! And sure enough it was! A short way into the woodland there was a clearing and there it was; Doll Tor. A small but perfectly formed stone circle.</div></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZqIptozVvok-qjuyHEnYd9mewe_ZdEzNedyPNt9rcTg3SFqHoSEkW2a8Ben8dHYZvgTi1qerRyTwoZLJcZIvg_eY_980fNdIf705mw-weDTkqp2CDGgaMNPd3pmKHRnFvIjeEuDHKKy0rBynZmJ0AB3cDJIjVQ4d6IBd2l9H3oOOi81mwPVETI-3w2s7/s6000/IMG_2141%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZqIptozVvok-qjuyHEnYd9mewe_ZdEzNedyPNt9rcTg3SFqHoSEkW2a8Ben8dHYZvgTi1qerRyTwoZLJcZIvg_eY_980fNdIf705mw-weDTkqp2CDGgaMNPd3pmKHRnFvIjeEuDHKKy0rBynZmJ0AB3cDJIjVQ4d6IBd2l9H3oOOi81mwPVETI-3w2s7/w640-h426/IMG_2141%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The atmosphere and feeling to the place was undeniably wonderful. I felt as if I never wanted to leave. I was so happy to have taken a chance on what wasn’t suggested to be a miraculous place, yet to me felt utterly magical and moving. I sat and wondered what our ancestors did here, how they felt, what was their world like? The Tor is part of a later site including burial cairns and various other elements clearly important to it’s function during the Bronze Age, but we can only guess at its full meaning and use now.<br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiqntqpbYFtZh4F4u3LiDkAXLqWVM2UP3Oy2H1T4DdA2x7J-DnzA7kbZI1LuF5andF-URCTiHgeD3lGvnf7p0YZP-R67auZCYvAp8AaUzyETXHVGwTR0po7WmvHEAS1z3TabyiEewMsg4S5ViDLhHxe5-jtemU3aYxdJzb0SAfiesMePnRz3cJwv72mr0/s6000/IMG_2175%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiqntqpbYFtZh4F4u3LiDkAXLqWVM2UP3Oy2H1T4DdA2x7J-DnzA7kbZI1LuF5andF-URCTiHgeD3lGvnf7p0YZP-R67auZCYvAp8AaUzyETXHVGwTR0po7WmvHEAS1z3TabyiEewMsg4S5ViDLhHxe5-jtemU3aYxdJzb0SAfiesMePnRz3cJwv72mr0/w426-h640/IMG_2175%20copy.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Doll Tor is one of those moving, curious places which draws you back, and to have no idea why really. And when I return now I know a much better route to access Doll Tor without having to hassle farmers and their cows! But ... I can’t help but think the journey of discovery and searching for the circle on my first visit was honestly part of the excitement and enjoyment of my unforgettable pilgrimage to find the lovely little site of Doll Tor.</div><p></p>Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-63946796198673443232019-08-14T13:13:00.000-07:002019-08-14T13:13:23.082-07:00Fantasy Forest Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I first discovered fantasy forest festival entirely by chance on a
Facebook post which was utterly unrelated. A bizarre way to find out
about a new event, but, the instant I read Brian Froud was in
attendance, it had my interest. Although a pretty long round trip for a
day out it wasn’t possible for me to make both days, so, I bit the
bullet and ordered tickets for the Sunday.<br />
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<br />Upon arrival I was a
little worried we would be the only ones not in costume, however there
were a few of us (all be it utterly in the minority.) The happy, chilled
and certainly hippyesque atmosphere was evident immediately upon
arrival through arches covered in foliage and being checked in by some
bright eyed ‘creatures’. The site of the festival; Sudeley Castle is very pretty, and intriguing. I
had hoped since the festival was being held in the grounds we would be
able to visit and explore the grounds in their entirety, alas only a segment was used for
the festival and the rest fenced off. A bit of a shame as I would liked
to have an explore, but a reason for a return visit I suppose!<br />
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<br />Lots
of interesting stalls lined the entrance to the festival, and a
Glastonbury dragon resting, hinted of the fantastical beyond. The guest
speakers at the festival had their own little enclave, with Brian and Wendy Froud,
Anne Sudworth, Anne Stokes and Linda Ravenscroft all facing Terry English in his huge marquee with
all sorts of fascinating armour and interesting movie memorabilia. Each
of them was scheduled to give a talk throughout the day. Unfortunately I
only had time to attend Brian Frouds, even though I was desperate to
hear Terry English’s tales the long drive home meant we couldn’t stay
late enough which was a real shame.<br />
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<br />Never for a moment were you
short of things to do. With 2 stages packed with bands all day, knights
fighting, vikings battling it out, dragons wreaking havoc and stalls
full of the weird and wonderful there was always something to entertain
and amaze.<br />
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<br />As well as countless incredibly impressive costumes
paying homage to lots of heroes and characters, there was no shortage
of fantastical creatures at fantasy forest either. With a tame lady
raven totally stealing my heart, some lovely lupine dogs and even a
couple of mermaids floating around!<br />
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<br />In all fantasy forest
festival was a wonderful, refreshingly different event where imagination
was truly king. I hope that the event was a great success for everyone
involved and returns next year bigger and better than ever for another instalment.<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-62574373606299741982019-08-03T13:47:00.000-07:002019-08-03T13:47:51.768-07:00Brian FroudIn all my years I can't say I've changed a great deal honestly. As a child, books and films were some of the biggest influences on my life and who I was, and the same is still true today.<br />
As a young, impressionable girl I remember my love of picking up beautiful books filled with wonderous pictures (again, nothings changed). 'In Search of Forever' by Rodney Matthews, 'The Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were' by Michael Page and Robert Ingpen (with illustrations by various artists) and 'Faeries' by Brian Froud and Alan Lee were the ones which have stuck with me all my life and left a lasting impression on me, as well as moulding me as a person. <br />So when by chance I saw that Brian and Wendy Froud would be appearing at Fantasy Forest Festival, giving a talk but also present all weekend, I knew what needed to be done.<br />
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As a child never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would meet these incredible people with off the scale talent in real life. And I admit, part of me still feels that way; disbelief. Meeting Brian Froud was a big deal, to 6 year old me reading about Kelpies and Redcaps for the first time, but also to aging Alice as an Artist herself.<br />
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Brian was certainly the most humble, down to earth artist I've ever met. I felt rather embarrassed taking my tatty old copy of 'Faeries' to him, but he signed it all the same, which was important to me as its been with me all my life, and I intend to keep it that way. He was more than happy to indulge my ramblings and also discuss the upcoming new 'Dark Crystal' series which Netflix are due to release, and we happily agreed on a passion for 'real' things and what they bring that CGI just cant.<br />
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Brian's talk was an incredible insight into his mind, methods and world. Clearly nervous and it would appear not particularly fond of public speaking, Brian immediately won us over jokingly asking if he could go home and he'd made a mistake agreeing to do this (though I do suspect there may have been some truth in his words), but he talked on about his work and the thinking behind it. He was truly in his stride when he got out a portfolio and began to share new artworks with us all. All previously unseen by the public, mostly painted in the last few months. I didn't fail to appreciate what an amazing, once in a life time opportunity this was. My eyes were out on stalks.<br />
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Brian shared pieces in his trademark style of a composition bursting with countless faeries, he discussed these pieces being quite 'flat', which I'd never actually considered before, but is entirely true. They were nothing short of stunning and moved me so much. I felt like a child thumbing through 'Faeries' seeing Froud's art for the first time. Then came pieces which were quite different, much more close-up, in your face faeries. Their personality really shone through, their naughtiness, their cheeky sidewards glances, their mystery. And though very different they are equally engaging and have the same curiosity-inducing, mystical beauty. <br />
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Brian talking about his pieces in detail was fascinating. What different elements mean, and the fact one day he could simply no longer paint with watercolour washes anymore. It just wouldn't physically work, which is incredible! So started working in acrylic instead. His mention of 'The Green Woman' was also very intriguing as I am planning a Green Man series later this year myself, definitely food for thought!<br />
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For me, the most interesting insight was hearing Brian talk about being what being an artist is to him. Hearing him say he hates painting and its a total nightmare initially shocked me, but when he talked about wishing there was an easier way to get to the end result, without all the torture and torment, I began to understand what he meant. I remember for many years a hideous frustration at seeing what I wanted to create in my mind and not having the artistic skill to achieve it. While I'm not for a second suggesting Brian could ever not achieve what he put his mind to, art can be a difficult, heart wrenching thing. Something else I thought was fascinating was his comments that creating artwork is just constantly trying to fix what you're working on and resolve a piece, but knowing when to stop and not tip a painting over the edge meaning you have lots more fixing to do. A very true sentiment even though I never thought about painting like that.<br />
Brian saying he thinks hes very boring and has no imagination was really quite baffling! He gave the impression its not really him creating these creatures, but they create themselves and come into being through their own will. He lets them take on their own personality and creates them all from shapes or lines, and doesn't seem to consider his own imagination to have any part in the matter.<br />
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<br />Something which was honestly refreshing, was hearing Brian talk about his belief in Faeries. I think without this belief Brian couldn't really create the compositions which he does with such beauty and conviction. It is a wonderful thing to believe that there truly is still some real magic in the world, and Brian has helped capture that for countless people with minds wandering astray from the world which we live in. Brian may think he has no imagination, but I think him and Wendy have minds, and hearts nothing short of glorious. <br />
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Thank you to Brian and Wendy for their time, kindness and being absolutely wonderful souls!<br />
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481024925398644219.post-17994475263486560292019-07-25T12:26:00.000-07:002019-07-25T12:39:27.219-07:00Catacombe dei Cappuccini di PalermoFor me one of the most important things to experience during my visit to Sicily was the Catacombs in Palermo.<br />
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Your
average tourist in Palermo has no idea the Catacombs are even there,
and would probably have zero desire to visit the moment they saw a few
photographs. This ensures that the site isn’t too busy and generally
means it manages to maintain a sombre, calm atmosphere most
fitting for the Catacombs.<br />
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I was lucky enough to have the advice
of my good friend Soile before visiting who had been to the Catacombs 10
years ago, and also the information from a few blogs read many years
ago when my thirst for Sicily first began. Opening times in Sicily can
be very varied so it’s always worth checking before you visit any
attraction/restaurant.<br />
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The Catacombs stand on the site of an old
church, which existed before the Capuchin friars arrived in Palermo. The
birth of the Catacombs itself is an incredibly interesting one.
Initially, the bodies of the deceased friars were simply covered in a
shroud and placed in a mass pit beneath the altar, known as a Charnel
House. As you might imagine, eventually as the order grew so did the
number of monks dying, and the Charnel House became rather full. The
decision was made that an underground cemetery would be excavated for
future burials to solve the potential health risk being created by a
bulging mass grave. One day when the Charnel House was opened to remove
some of the bodies to the new space created for the dead, it was
immediately noted that the unfortunate folk who were last deposited
looked as if they had been dead for mere hours, not months. This miracle was
declared fascinating and word soon spread about the miracle cemetery.<br />
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The decision was made to remove 40 of the best preserved bodies from the pit and display them in the catacombs of the church. This
began what we see today as the Catacombs, lifeless figures propped up
as if standing waiting endlessly for some important event, or recumbent
as if they just slipped into slumber in their Sunday best.<br />
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Initially
no lay burials were allowed in the Catacombs, but over time they did
accept lay mummies, and increasingly so. People were willing to pay
handsomely to have the honour of being displayed in the Catacombs.
During the 16th and 17th Century when the Catacombs were at their
height, the emphasis was on where your body lay after death. The
thinking of the time was if you were laid to rest near a holy relic,
inside an important church or somewhere with great religious
significance you improved your standing in the afterlife. So the
Catacombs was a very sought after place to spend your eternity.<br />
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However
prepared you might think you are for seeing the Catacombs and its
inhabitants with your own eyes, you won’t be. Nothing can quite prepare
you for the huge range of different mummies lining the walls, all fully
dressed in their best clothes, allowing them to maintain some of their
humanity and personality throughout the ages. It makes them seem far
more ‘real’ than a pile of bones, relatable. A little girl in a lace
dress, curls still rolling from her head. A monk, hood hanging low, still
looking in pious contemplation. Men in suits lined up as if for a job interview. Bishops still in their mitres and robes, having some eternal debate with one another on theology. Children, posing as if for a school photograph. It causes questions to flood the mind. Who were they? What did they do? How did they die? How did they look alive compared to now? All unanswerable. <br />
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The most shocking are probably those whose flesh still clings to their old bones. Tight and twisted with age. Their mouth hangs open in a silent, never ending scream. Lips peeled back to reveal the vastness of their gape in all its glory. Their flesh waxy and yellow like the pages of an old book. It is disintegrating in places and looks like it may just slide off the bone at any time. Their eyes mostly closed, or looking at you through huge hollow sockets. Some still have all their limbs, others have substitutes for what has fallen away, a hessian sack stuffed with straw to form an arm and stop a suit looking empty. White gloves as if about to handle some priceless museum piece, hiding the nothingness. The different rates of decay/preservation are fascinating to observe. Some are skeletal, while others cling to their former selves more vigorously, one man even still sporting his beard and eyebrows.<br />
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There was a quality I suppose quite puppet-like about many of the dead. They stand motionless, but as if about to burst into action, held up by string and wire, their clothes slightly surreal on their bodies, their form reduced to a bare structure with joints and bones laid bare. Thankfully nobody moved a muscle and the calm and quiet continued.</div>
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The Catacombs is a unique glimpse into a past when attitudes, beliefs and the world in general were so incredibly different. It is a close took into the face of death. And, understandably, not everyone likes what they see. But I have to admit I found it both fascinating, and moving. All these people, all these faces and lives. That no one remembers. That will be us all one day. And perhaps that's the reality people who fear the Catacombs shy away from. </div>
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<br />Danse Macabrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00799637302025368714noreply@blogger.com0