The Mari Lwyd (the Grey Mare), is an ancient Welsh New Year’s tradition undergoing a revival. Husb and I have been out with our local Mari Lwyd, The Coppertown Mari, Mari Trecopr, for the past two nights as it, along with a band of merry singers, poets and mischief-makers, did a tour of some of the pubs of North Gower, part of the Gower Old Horse Wassail.
The Mari Lwyd is a large puppet, made up of a decorated horse’s skull, ribbons, bells and shroud, operated by someone inside who traditionally behaves very mischievously. It looks really naughty in the photo. It is being operated here by David Pitt.
I did four drawings on the first night. The first three are quite tentative; I was getting used to the subject matter and it’s not easy to draw in rambunctious crowded pubs. By the fourth I was getting into my stride and getting into the spirit of the thing and it started taking on a life of its own.
So Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi – Happy New Year to you 😀
I am putting my series of drawings of ancient Welsh monuments on Artfinder. If you want to buy one, you can see them by clicking on the image below or the Artfinder link at the top right of this page.
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I think I will stick with my very flesh and blood chestnut mare, thank you! That grey mare is scaring the bejesus out of me! Happy New Year to you too!
hahaha 😀 There’s more to come …….. 😉
Happy New Year!
Love your drawings – he really does look very mischievous!
Thank you, and a joyous New Year to you too. The Mari was very naughty 😁
Happy New Year to you and your husband!
Thank you Leonie. All the very best for the year ahead 😊
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi Rosie
Diolch, a chi hefyd 😀
So cool
Thanks Neil. Was fun to do. Bit past my bedtime though lol 😁