Don't Blink: Weeping Angel Illumination

Continuing in my series of illumination for geeks I picked what is, in my opinion, the creepiest villain the Doctor Who series has ever created.

Weeping Angels...

Prints are now available in my Etsy store Currant Thoughts just in time for holiday shopping... or scaring the crap out of your friends and family.

This was a bunch of fun to create. I especially enjoyed playing with the twining ribbon around the frame and the angel itself. As for the hand at the bottom, well, there is a few hours of my life I won't get back. Hands = no fun ever.

Last night I finished a Norse inspired piece so I hope to have that up in a few days.

Gõcauo Diego Ramiriç, Knight

Within this Dream, upon the fields of the Known World, each of us has the opportunity to become something more, something better. Inside ourselves we find a nobility and grace that we did not know that we possessed and with each year we shape our rough clay smooth, revealing a bright light inside. Some men, like our good Gõcauo Ramiriç, shine so bright that they help to guide us all toward something greater.

In his words and deeds are found the prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice that marks him as a peer of the realm. He embodies a courage, a faith and a quality of mercy that reveals him as a true Knight of our Known World. As such and in consort with the Order, We, the Crown Trimaris, find it right and proper to elevate Gõcauo Ramiriç to the most noble Order of the Chivalry so that all may known him as a peer of the realm and society. On this day we charge you to stand exemplar of the ideals in which we believe and never to hesitate to give your life in the just defense of God, your lord or your Kingdom Trimaris.
So done by our hand upon this 27th day of October in the year or our society XLVII.
Krotuas, Ceaser & Brenna, Empress

Design and Execution:

Design for this illumination inspired by the Nasrid plaster carvings and Kufic inscriptions at the Alhambra palace of Grenada. 

Design and Layout: Mistress Maol and Mistress Finneadan
Illumination: Mistress Maol, Mistress Finneadan, HL Finnguala ingen Alisdair and HL Bronnach of Kildare
Calligraphy: HL Finnguala ingen Alisdair

Hours: Approximately 90ish

Notes: You know how every now and then I draw a line and say “I’m never doing this again”. Well, this is one of those times. Bringing light and depth to a monochromatic piece takes a lot of time and a lot of fiddling about with colors. Coaxing life and subtlety into this piece was a large chunk of the hours count. I’m really glad it is done and that Gõcauo likes it. However, I really no interest in seeing another image of plaster carving or of the Alhambra for quite some time.

Lorcan’s County

If I lead old friends into the fray,
I sing under the Shield,
And they fare into battle mighty and whole
and they fare from battle whole,
they are whole wherever they go.
------Havamal  verse 156.
All men praise nobility and worth. It is most praiseworthy of a King and Queen to recognize the accomplishments and value of their people. Therefore, We, Duncan and Larissa, King and Queen of Trimaris, do demand that all people honor the valiant and true Lorcann an Dubhghaille for this day He is proclaimed Earl. Let all the honors, rights, and privileges of this lofty rank be his due. For this day He has done the most noble and honorable of deeds.He has returned the fair Kingdom of Trimaris to Us richer and mightier than when He first received its Crown. Done by our hand this second of April, A.S. XLV
Duncan, King
Larissa, Queen

Design and Execution:
Design based upon the Ornside Bowl, an 8th century silver bowl crafted in York and found in the grave of a Viking warrior buried in Cumbria who likely looted the piece during a raid on York.
Shield Construction by Baron Segda ui Mordha

Drawn by Lady Brynna of Kildare

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Text, Transliteration, Calligraphy and Illumination by Mistress Maol Mide ingen Medra

Painting assistance provided by HL Gwenhwfyr ber Cain, Lady Brynna of Kildare, HL Arianna Rosa Cristina de Veniziano, Mistress Theodora Perplexa, Lady Franca Donato and dozens more who assisted in small portions so they could lend their skills to this unique project.

This piece was completed almost two years ago but I just recently received these close up photos of the work. Thanks to Patricia Bauman for the photos.