Tuesday 28 February 2012

Mehndi


Quick hennaed hand drawn over the last two evenings.  Thought this would be good on a iphone cover too.  

I love the art of hennaed hands or Mehndi. The application of henna paste to the skin creating beautiful decorations usually to the hands or feet.  Traditionally applied during special Hindu festivals or weddings but also used widely in Africa and the Middle East.

Friday 24 February 2012

Tree




Started on Tree yesterday with something else in mind. I imagined a more winter tree with loads of branches created from words.  By midday it just didn't look right and I nearly abandoned it.  I kept working at it and by the evening I was sort of happy with it.  I shall do another Tree nearer to the one in my head!




These are two iphone cover designs that I shall submit to a company.  Not sure if they are what the general public would want on their phone but its what I would like, especially the slang words one.  I am prepared to be disappointed but I live in hope!!

Tuesday 14 February 2012

St Valentines Day


We don't really do Valentines day in my house but it seemed a good excuse to illustrate a heart.

I love the history behind all of these traditions so here we are.....
Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who was martyred during the reign of Clauduis II.  Condemned to death because he helped to marry Christian couples which was a crime at this time.

Sort of romantic!

Monday 13 February 2012

Rabbit completed and Jugoya




The next illustration in my typographic rambling series is finished.  Rabbit is a bit more busy than fox, so much more information to fit in.  

A lovely Japanese tradition is the Full Moon Festival which is called Jugoya.  There are strong connections between the moon and rabbits in Japan as there are in many other cultures.




The day of the festival is usually on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month of the Chinese Calender.   In folklore it is said the shadowy shapes seen on the moon are rabbits making Mochi, rice cakes. During the night of the Jugoya, wishes are made to the moon.  Dango are eaten, which are simple small balls of boiled or steamed rice. The Rabbit Song (Usagi), a children's song is connected with the celebrations of Jugoya.

The Rabbit Song (Usagi)

Pretty rabbit, what do you watch while hopping around?
I watch Jugoya moon while hopping around!


Tuesday 7 February 2012

Rabbit on its way




Rabbit illustration now in progress.  I was so pleased with the Fox illustration.  I had such a fantastic and positive reaction from everyone.  Brought tears to my eyes when I read some of the lovely comments that people had made on facebook.  Prints of them are the next step, research is needed!

Researching the animals and all the folklore is great.So much folklore surrounding the rabbit.  I couldn't fit in all of the amazing stories.  This one is lovely from Mexico.  It is said that the markings on the moon are of a rabbit.  The Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, was living on the earth as a man.  After a long journey he becomes hungry and tired.  With no food or water around he is in despair.  A rabbit nearby offers herself as food to save his life.  Quetazalcoatl is so moved by the rabbits offering of life that he elevates her to the moon and back.  "You may be a rabbit but everyone will remember you - there is your image in light for all people and for all time".

I'm going to have a look at the next full moon for that rabbit.






Thursday 2 February 2012

Fox

I have had a break from the embroidery and started an illustration.  Not sure where I'm going with it but its just evolving.  I love hand written type, so this is very therapeutic to do.



Foxy visitor to our garden
We are having a frequent visitor to our garden by a foxy gentleman.  We see him pretty much every day and hear him at night.  I know a lot of people don't like them but I love them.  Researching them for stuff to put in the narrative was interesting.  So many different countries have wonderful folklore around them. Very adaptable, clever and magical creatures in my opinion.

Keep warm every one x