The Old Sledge Hammer Part 2

Well I went kinda wild with the Viking and Celtic

knotwork on the hammer handle, but this

piece was just kind of a experimental piece to

see how the new wooden burner would work.

I hope to get a beard ax head for the top to

complete the hammers new life. What do you

think?

Well as you can see my wood burning abilities need

some improvement, but its all about the adventure along

the way that is the fun part.

Father Oak

It has been said that when the Celts settled into a area they would

select it near a grove of oak trees. 

The druids would select a "Father Tree" so to speak as the tree would be the protector of the clan.

All meetings and gatherings concerning the clan would be held

under the tree. The following are some are some incredible

old trees in the U.K.

Ancient oak tree in Wales

Very old oak tree in Ireland

Ireland

Very old oak in Scotland

From a movie but impressive none the less

Just tossed this in. I thought it was a cool photo.

My states former oldest tree the Wye Oak.

She was 500 years old. She feel in a storm in 2002.

Wye Oak down

Wye Oak as she stood in 2002

The Lure of Knotwork

 They say that interlaced pattern design had its origins late in the Roman

empire and the use of such line work can also be found in

Byzantine structures, Coptic art, Islamic art, Medieval

book drawings, Ethiopian art, Celtic and Viking stone work and

illuminations

The most noted use of knotwork in the Celtic world of course

can be found in illuminated manuscripts such as

"The Book of Kells, "The Book of Durrow", and "The Lindisfarne Gospels."

It has been said of  "The Book of Kells" that it might be the work of

a angel and not of a man. I have to agree, although I have never seen

it in person.

Those of you who are of Celtic heritage might identify with the beauty

and mystery that knotwork presents. It has always been something

that I admire and seem to be drawn to.  The following are some fine 

examples of ancient as well as modern artists who have kept 

the tradition going and creating amazing works of art.

"The Book of Kells"

Modern day Celtic artist

 Bradley W. Schenck and his web site.

http://shop.webomator.com/

Modern day artist  Ben Crenshaw and his site.

http://www.enchantedglyph.com/bcs/

Master Celtic artist Courtney Davis

and his web site

http://www.courtneydavisart.com/portal.html

Artist and sculptor Patrick Gallagher

and his website

http://www.celtart.com/mainindex.html

Artist Michael Carroll and his web site

http://www.mccelticdesign.com/

Fantastic Celtic artist Jen Delyth and her web site

http://celticartstudio.com/index.php?page=imgallery&category=CELTIC_ART_GALLERY&from=24&display=236#offset45

Modern Celtic artist Steve O'Loughlin and his web site

http://www.stevenoloughlin.com/

My favorite tattoo artist KNOTTY-INKS from deivantart.

see the link

http://knotty-inks.deviantart.com/

Some other fine photos of Celtic knotwork I have taken

myself or got from the web.