Pulling A Proof…

I finished carving my latest Mari Lwyd linocut this morning and pulled a couple of proof prints, which are the first to be printed and give you the chance to check out the image and see if the block needs any more work. I’m pretty pleased with it, I will cut into a few ofContinue reading “Pulling A Proof…”

Nearly Finished Carving…

I’m so close to finishing cutting my new lino block, I hope another hour or so tomorrow and then I can do a proof print to see if it needs any more work. I’m getting excited now! This is based on some sketches I did at night at the Gower Wassail and Mari Lwyd celebration at Hen Galan.

Carving The Background.

I’ve more or less finished carving the head of the Mari Lwyd in the foreground so today I gave some attention to the background. I wanted some detail in it, but not enough to compete with the Mari Lwyd. I wanted to have some light showing in the background but I didn’t want a solidContinue reading “Carving The Background.”

Playing With The Mari Lwyd.

I took some photos at yesterday’s Wassail and Mari Lwyd parade at the Gower Heritage Centre and had a bit of a play in Adobe Photoshop. There were 5 fine Mari Lwyds at the Wassail and it gave me a chance to compose some groups, I normally see them singly or in twos.

A Month Of Maris #11

We’re at that time of year when the old Welsh tradition of The Mari Lwyd / Y Fari Lwyd, is awakening from her slumbers ready for her night, Hen Galan, on January 13th – the New Year in the old Gregorian Calendar. This was drawn at the Gower Heritage Centre’s annual Wassail and Mari Lwyd Parade atContinue reading “A Month Of Maris #11”

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 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.”