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 …..
Tag Archives: Gower
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”
The Cheeky Mari From Pembrokeshire
This is another sketch of a Mari Lwyd I did last weekend at the Hen Galan festivities in the Gower Heritage Centre. This Mari came all the way from Pembrokeshire and her keeper knew who she was when she was alive – she was a stallion! But he’s been reincarnated as a Mari Lwyd, linkingContinue reading “The Cheeky Mari From Pembrokeshire”
A Dead Horse In A Sketchbook
Husb and I went to the Gower Wassail and Mari Lwyd festival last weekend, where there was a gathering of Maris. Normally they’re jumping around the place, up to mischief, but this one had been propped up against a pole and was sat quietly, so I had a chance to draw her in more detailContinue reading “A Dead Horse In A Sketchbook”
Hen Galan Hapus – Happy Old New Year
Today (January 13th) is Hen Galan, the Welsh Old New Year, based on the archaic Gregorian rather than the modern Julian calendar. And there’s a long tradition in Wales of welcoming in the Old New Year with fun, festivities, feasting and a dead horse. As you do. She’s called the Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare) andContinue reading “Hen Galan Hapus – Happy Old New Year”
Anointing The Apple Trees.
In two days on January 13th it will be Hen Galan, the ‘old’ New Year in Wales, which is heralded by the tradition of the Mari Lwyd (Grey Mare). It’s a pre-Christian custom rooted in the worship of the ancient Celtic horse goddess Epona, known in Welsh culture as Rhiannon. Husb andContinue reading “Anointing The Apple Trees.”
Exhausted But Happy!
Just back from a very tiring weekend printmaking course at Trefeglwys Print Studio. It was fantastic. I learned so much and came away with a number of prints I’d be happy to exhibit and two new etching plates to edition and an etching plate to work on and finish. Result. I’m shattered now though. TheContinue reading “Exhausted But Happy!”
Colour And Mark
These images are from one of the exercises I ran at a women’s creative group last weekend. I called it ‘Drawing for the Terrified’ and it was a, hopefully, fun two hours that nevertheless did some serious drawing exercises. My idea was to help inexperienced artists to gain confidence and skills while experienced artists hadContinue reading “Colour And Mark”
Jewel Like Intensity
Yesterday I blogged about the Action Scribbling exercise I did on Sunday, today I took some pre-cut mount (matte) boards and placed them over different parts of the large roll of multi-coloured scribble, isolating small areas from the whole and focusing attention on the detail in each of these smaller pieces. They have an amazingContinue reading “Jewel Like Intensity”
Action Scribbling!
I spent last Sunday with a lovely group of creative women in North Gower, gorgeous surroundings, and I ran a 2 hour art session called, ‘Drawing for the Terrified‘, where I aimed to demystify drawing and help people to feel comfortable with it. I started of with a group activity I call ‘Action Scribbling’. IContinue reading “Action Scribbling!”
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