Ornament of a deer lying in a circle of oak branches

The inspiration for this watercolor I painted came from German artist

Albrecht Durer. One of his famous prints was

 "Ornament with a deer lying in a circle of oak branches"

(shown below)

Durer was a painter, printmaker, engraver and mathematician

and theorist. He lived from 1471-1528.

Close up

Original artwork from Durer

Those that Wander

I found this saying from Tolkien. I think its a good one.

Those of you who are Lord of the Rings fans may

recognize it.

It's in The Fellowship of the Ring

where Gandolf speaks of Strider. 

3,000 year old gold torc found

A three thousand year old gold torc was found in Ireland by a treasure

hunter in bogland. He initially thought it was a car spring because of its

shape.  Torcs were jewelry worn by what was thought to be royalty only.

Read more about this fascinating story.

http://celticmythpodshow.com/blog/amateur-treasure-hunter-finds-rare-3000-year-old-golden-torc/

This is what a normal Torc looks like when not twisted

like the one above.

The Holly Kings Sword

In Celtic traditions, there is the enduring legend of the battle between the Oak King (See Oak King sketches earlier in this blog) and the Holly King. These two rulers fight for supremacy as the Wheel of the year turns each season. At the Winter Solstice the Oak King kills the Holly King, and then reigns until Midsummer. Once the Summer Solstice arrives, the Holly King returns to do battle with the Oak King, and defeats him. The Holly King them rules until Yule.

They are duel identities some refer to as the twins. One for light and the other for darkness.

I am doing sketches now of the Holly King on his throne.

Stay tuned for him to appear!

Around the Fire

From  Josh Garrels "Fire By Night"

At Last, The Oak King has arrived!

Well at long last I have finished my version of The Oak King.

I know he is represented many ways in legend but I chose a 

more human looking king sitting on his royal throne.

He is drawn on gray charcoal paper. I used charcoal pencils and 

regular drawing pencils number 3b and 6b.

As everyone knows Celtic legend, The Oak King rules in the

summer months and The Holly King in the winter.

Here is a link to the story.

http://voices.yahoo.com/the-holly-king-oak-king-612944.html

YOUR COMMENTS ARE MOST WELCOME

ON ANYTHING I ADD TO THIS BLOG SO

FEEL FREE TO LEAVE ONE.

Odin's Pride

Brother Steve's finished ax called "Odin's Pride

Nice work!!