Nephew In A Hoodie

Nephew in a hoodie. Like it says on the tin. Drawn with a ballpoint pen into my A6 sketchbook. He’s so cute!

Finally ….. Again ……

I know I said a few days ago that I woudn’t post any more Mari Lwyds until next year, but then I found the little lino I cut before Xmas and forgotten about. So I printed up a few today at Swansea Print Workshop, using Caligo Cranfield Safe Wash ink in black onto Hosho paper.Continue reading “Finally ….. Again ……”

Cutting Revenge

Today I started cutting the little lino block of the word “Revenge” which will be stamped onto the screenprint I’m developing for the artist Jamie Reid and GS Artists. First, I had to decide whether to cut the block in wood or lino. The MDF is easier to cut and it’s easy to transfer the designContinue reading “Cutting Revenge”

Tracing Revenge

  I’ve started making a new piece of work. It will be an original print in an edition of 75 designed by artist, activist and troublemaker Jamie Reid. I’m producing it at Swansea Print Workshop for GS Artists and the first stage is to cut a stamp from lino or wood. This is where IContinue reading “Tracing Revenge”

And Finally….

Here’s the last of the Mari Lwyds I sketched at the recent Gower Wassail. This one’s from Port Talbot, the Cwmafan Mari who was bedecked loads of bows. That should be the last of the Mari Lwyds until next New Year …..

The Dim Mare

It’s been Mari Lwyd season here in Wales, an ancient tradition harking back to the worship of the Celtic horse goddess. There have been quite a few Maris stalking the area and they’re all different, they all have their own personalities. Here’s a quick sketch of Mari Gwyr, the Gower Mari. She’s plainer than mostContinue reading “The Dim Mare”

Here Comes Mayhem

At the Plygain celebration over the weekend, after there had been plenty of Welsh carols sung and a break for tea and snacks, we had some surprise visitors. Some local Wassailers accompanied by the Coppertown Mari Lwyd (Mari Trecopr). We moved quickly from traditional Xmas hymns to Mari-led mayhem. The Mari Lwyd arrives with herContinue reading “Here Comes Mayhem”

Scribbling Singing

Here are a couple more sketches I did at the Plygain celebration last weekend in Swansea. Plygain is a Welsh language carolling tradition going back at least to the 13th century. It had almost died out but is now going through a healthy revival. In the past, families would have precious books of Plygain carolsContinue reading “Scribbling Singing”

Toffee Evening, Noson Gyflaith

I carried on sketching at the Welsh Plygain celebration, while all the rest sang. Traditionally, Plygain took place in church at around 3am on Xmas morning and ended at first light. People generally stayed up all night, doing all sorts of things to keep awake. One that was popular with younger people was the makingContinue reading “Toffee Evening, Noson Gyflaith”

Drawing The Singing

Husb and I went to a Plygain celebration this evening, a very traditional Welsh singing event. Plygain was at it’s height between the 17th and 19th centuries, although there is a mention of something similar in the Red Book of Hergest in the 13th century. But by the early 19th century opposition from the churchContinue reading “Drawing The Singing”