Watercolour Design for Oracle Cards

Here's the next design for my 'Oracle' card set, which is one of the projects I'm currently working on. I'm aiming to include all kinds of symbolic imagery among the designs. This one is intended to represent 'Earth'..

Watercolour Design for Oracle Cards

Always on the lookout for new ways to use my illustrations, I recently decided to see how some of my existing designs would look when printed as small cards, perhaps for use as a kind of oracle..
   I was really pleased with the print quality, and the glossy finish, and the cards seemed a nice size for handling and laying out in a spread..so I've now set about designing a specific oracle card range. I'm intending to include all kinds of symbolic imagery from different traditions and cultures, and make up different sets for sale in my Etsy shop.

New watercolour design for Oracle Card set.

  These pictures show the initial trial set, and my first specific design , featuring a tree with runes and the viking 'helm of awe' symbol.

This trial card set includes animals and runes taken from some of my existing designs

My cards are supplied with an organza bag, and feature my 'green Lady' design on the reverse..

'Wheel of the Year' Waterclour Design

My completed design..

I added the eqinoxes and sun and moon...

The wheel shows the symbols which represent the astrological houses arranged as the year progresses through the seasons and eqinoxes

I began my design using a compass..

Here are some pictures showing my latest watercolour design from the early stages through to completion.
   I used a compass to set out the design in pencil, gradually adding the other design elements. The whole design was created using watercolours.

Pyro-Art Piece 'Listening Heavens'

This is my latest little 'Pyro-Art' piece. The birchwood tablet measures 7.5 x 3cm and I've decorated all sides. The main image shows a deer in forest setting with a starry night sky. I used the reverse side to inscribe one of my favourite verses, by Rabindrnath Tagore..it reads :

                               'Trees are the Earths endless effort to speak to the listening Heavens.'

The young deer stands beneath 'the listening heavens'..

Verse by Rabindranath Tagore.

Miniatures

'Runeravens' within Nkuku frame 5cm

'Runeravens' design within a Nkuku frame 5cm

Runes of the Elder Futhark on one side of 'Runeravens' 5cm design

Ravens on one side of my double sided design- 'Runeravens' 5cm

Owl in Nkuku frame. Geese on reverse

This design measures just 5cm

Well as regular readers will know, I really love to work on a small scale. Some years ago when I was immersed in a programme of Buddhist meditation, I did produce some larger pieces of artwork..some as large as A3, still with a high level of detail..but more recently I've enjoyed creating tiny pictures. I love the challenge which comes with working on such a small scale and the pleasure of producing something a little out of the ordinary. Initially I was framing my little circular miniatures in small brass 'watch frames' which I've had by me for a number of years. However, last year I was thrilled to discover these tiny 'Nkuku' frames which are perfect for my tiniest drawings and offer the opportunity to create double sided designs! These lovely little frames are made from glass and brass, hinged so that they open like a locket.
   These little paintings are created using a mix of watercolours, pen and ink and gouache..

'Geese' in a tiny Nkuku frame. Owl on reverse.

  I hope you enjoy looking at this selection of my tiny artworks..

'Magical Hares' 5cm design

Tiny mandala on reverse side of ' Magical Hares'

A new page - Glimpses of 'Elen of the Ways'

I've just added a new page,which you'll find listed at the top of my homepage among the others, such as 'Illustration' and 'Pen and Ink designs..
   The idea was to put together in one place my various 'Elen' related projects, together with a description of their development,

and of couse I'll be expanding it as new paintings and drawings emerge..

Double sided Miniature : 'Runeravens'

This tiny little square of watercolour paper measures just 5cm. Painted on one side with the runes of the Elder Futhark, and on the other side with a pair of Corvids - Huginn and Muninn perhaps?

Nkuku frame

 

  The paintings are housed within a lovely little Nkuku brass frame which opens at the side..creating a unique treasure!

Huginn and Muninn

Runes of the Elder Futhark

Synchronicity strikes again!

Like many people I find synchronicity fascinating and wonderful when it happens! It really does leave you wondering...
 In my case synchronicity occurs usually in connection with my artwork..often leaving me awestruck, with a strange feeling that many other creatives must experience - could my creativity in some way effect 'reality' occasionally? A striking example last year ( see post from 20th June 2015)

Little wrens appeared in my latest drawing..

Isn't he sweet!

was when I had just completed my 'Tashi Owl' picture..and within half an hour discovered an owl feather in the woods, when I had never before (or since) found such a feather, nor seen any sign of an owl in the area..
  Todays occurrance came as I sat gazing out of my studio window, watching the birds..I've been doing that everyday since moving here four months ago..enjoying the blue-tits, robins and blackbirds as they feed at my birdtable. My eyes are well trained now to spot the slightest movement among the plants and today my attention was drawn to the trellis where the blue tits usually gather. I was astonished to find myself gazing at a tiny wren! I've never seen a wren in the garden before..and the strange thing is that this comes within a few days of my inclusion of two wrens in my latest drawing 'Lady of the Forest'! It was the first time I've ever drawn a wren so I had to study some pictures online to get an idea of the shape- now one has very obligingly sat as a model!

'Lady of the forest' completed drawing

Here she is-my completed drawing which was begun a few days ago - 'Lady of the Forest' Please take a look at the previous post to see the drawing in progress from the initial sketch..

'Lady of the Forest' - Work in Progress

Thought I'd show some pictures of something I began work on a few days ago, so that you can follow progress. As you can see, I began with a light sketch..and now spending time fleshing out the design using coloured pencils and pen and ink. Splitting my time between working on this and  pyro-pieces..so progress will be gradual..

Pyro -Art Miniature Tablet: 'My Lady Walks the Forest'

Here is a little birchwood tablet measuring just 5.5 x 3.5 cm, which I've used for my double sided design. 'My Lady' has been with me for a few weeks now..cropping up in various pieces of artwork! So here she is in measured pace walking through the still and silent forest..and, in contrast..facing the wind in strenuous and invigorating seamanship!

                                          'My Lady walks the Forest..
                                          My Lady sails the Seas..
                                          At home out on the ocean..
                                          At home amongst the Trees.' 
       

Small Watercolour Painting - 'The Contemplative'

This small painting measures only 6 x 10 cm. Pen and ink work with watercolour paint.
   My Lady walks the woods under starry skies..in peaceful contemplation, silence her companion, but not lonliness, for She feels at one with all..

The picture measures just 6 x 10cm

First Jewellery design of 2016 'Walking into the future'

As things return to normal after the holidays, I have returned to my studio to create my first NEW design of 2016..a small birchwood brooch/pendant design inspired by feelings which tend to arise at the beginning of a new year. Of course, in actuality, we are walking into a new future everyday of our lives..yet we tend to be more aware of this when the new year arises..
    Along with this small piece I wrote a short verse :
                                      
                                        Walking into the future..
                                        Leaving the past behind..
                                        Each day a new adventure..
                                        A path to seek and to find..

'Brumaris' Small Pen and Ink/ pencil drawing

Here's a little sketch created over the holidays..just to keep my hand in.. ( I never can stay away from my pencils and paper for long!) I've named this character 'Brumaris' which in latin is linked to Winter Solstice. It seemed apprpriate, as I sketched him into being over the 21st and 22nd December..

'Brumaris' Pen and Ink drawing with coloured pencil G.M.R 2015

Two Images for Winter Solstice

'Solstice Angel' G.M.R 2015

Today, December 21st (2015) is a day of hope. Shortest day of the year brings with it the promise of lengthening days, the return of Spring, and warmer temperatures..for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere. A day to celebrate indeed! Even more so when, as I did this morning, you awaken to the solstice sunshine streaming through your window, casting beautiful shadows and beckoning you outside.
  So I grabbed my camera and went out to capture what I could of that elusive magic..
Earlier in the week I had been working on a small drawing which I've named 'Solstice Angel'..
  So here are two images representative of my personal Solstice experience in the shire counties of England. I was at home in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE when I made my little drawing, and staying with family in LINCOLNSHIRE when I took this mornings photograph.

 

Pen and Ink Practice

Yesterday and today I worked on this small pen and ink drawing as a way of practising a slightly looser ( and quicker!) style of drawing than my usual very fine, controlled way of working.
   It was interesting ( although it came as no surprise) to see the extent to which I had to really concentrate hard on NOT making it too neat and tidy! The desire to make it neat was quite overwhelming..so this small practice piece is one of the most difficult challenges I've had for a long time!

G.M.R 2015

The drawing was created using pen and ink on watercolour paper, with added coloured pencil.