More artwork than you can shake a stick at!

I guess I've been busier with my pencil & paints than I have with my blogging of late.
If you follow my Facebook page then you will have seen them all, hopefully, but for those that don't, here they are... :)

Freyja, the Norse Goddess returned to visit my muse. She appeared from beneath my pencil by her own will, & I just went along for the ride. Fierce & strong & beautiful... she will be back again I think.

'Freyja's Halls'

She will perhaps become a painting too.

My love of all things Norse grows ever stronger, I am now wanting so much to paint Odin or some weather worn Viking. Particularly when I listen to such amazing music as this by Wardruna....

http://www.wardruna.com/

It sends a shiver down my spine & feels somewhat tribal & earthy.

I even have it playing on my headphones while I walk to work in the mornings :) (On the mornings that I don't have Cyndi Lauper singing that is...)

Then there are the inspirational writings of  the wonderfully lovely & ever so kind Juliet Marillier. 

http://www.julietmarillier.com/

Her breathtaking Celtic tale of  Sibeal & a shipwrecked man, in 'Seer Of Sevenwaters', inspired me to scribble away with my pencil until I captured Sibeal's likeness on my paper.

On her way to the cove to gather seaweed...

'Sibeal'

Many thanks to Juliet for re-posting the image to her Facebook page to share with her fans :) 

And of course, even bigger thanks for writing such beautiful books... I have read them all, & wish that the Sevenwaters saga could continue forever :)

Please do go visit her there & say hello. x

http://www.facebook.com/juliet.marillier

More sketches to free the muse...( the bottle of red helped a little of course :) )

Began working on ideas for a commissioned series of illustrations to accompany magical words about a Selkie & a man she loves. 

'On land at last - a Selkie sheds her skin'

Watch this space for the rest... & then you must buy the book of course! :)

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'Encanto' CD cover artwork

"Encanto is defined as enchantment, delight, fascination, and in some uses, magic.  It's also sort of a play on words because "canto" is in it, which is the Spanish word for singing." ~M.Lopez~

A perfect choice then, for the title of the debut CD of Martha Lopez Soprano, accompanied by  Lurray Myers piano. A beautiful mix of Spanish & South American opera.
I was lucky enough to have been commissioned by Martha to create her website banner a while back, so when she asked me to paint the cover of the forthcoming CD aswell, I was overjoyed!

I took inspiration from the english translation of some of the song lyrics for the cover image. Tales of longing, and love, & joy with a Spanish theme.
Martha's love of music is always evident when she sings, and in her musical choices for this album.
Even those who are not lovers of opera cannot fail to enjoy the songs here.

To celebrate the release, Martha & Lurray will perform selections from the recording LIVE for your enjoyment!

Please visit this Facebook event page to note your interest http://www.facebook.com/events/324704440968520/

To be a part of this live, interactive event, all you need to do is point your web browers to this address on Thursday, February 7 at 8 pm:
http://www.vokle.com/events/82489-martha-lopez-soprano-lurray-myers-piano-encanto-cd-release-party

I wish Martha every success with this release, & look forward to many more in the future also!

http://www.marthalopezsoprano.com

~Encanto - J. Guthrie 2013~

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My new Hobbity home

November was the month that we moved into our new Hobbit house. A 17th century Cornish town house with open fires, whitewashed walls, hobbit sized doors, & wonky floorboards!

 My art studio is a lovely big room, with plenty of space to spread out. And I have the perfect rustic old fashioned kitchen for when I have time to bake delicious things :)

It's been a busy few months with the move & my day job, so not a lot has happened artistically speaking.

I have however just completed a painting that is winging it's way to Florida right now to become the cover of a CD of Spanish opera songs very shortly! I will keep you posted as to when it will be available. The music is just stunning...

The weather here has been terrible. So much rain. We've had our fair share of flooding in Helston & my heart goes out to anyone in the UK who has been affected. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, & lets all wish for a very joyful, & a considerably drier 2013 xxx

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Cornish myths & Legends: The mermaid of zennor

"Zennor folks tell the following story, which, according to them, accounts for a singular carving on a bench-end in their Church.
Hundreds of years ago a very beautiful and richly attired lady attended service in Zennor Church occasionally now and then she went to Morvah also her visits were by no means regular,—often long intervals would elapse between them.
Yet whenever she came the people were enchanted with her good looks and sweet singing. Although Zennor folks were remarkable for their fine psalmody, she excelled them all; and they wondered how, after the scores of years that they had seen her, she continued to look so young and fair. No one knew whence she came nor whither she went; yet many watched her as far as they could see from Tregarthen Hill.
 She took some notice of a fine young man, called Mathey Trewella, who was the best singer in the parish. He once followed her, but he never returned; after that she was never more seen in Zennor Church, and it might not have been known to this day who or what she was but for the merest accident.
 One Sunday morning a vessel cast anchor about a mile from Pendower Cove; soon after a mermaid came close alongside and hailed the ship. Rising out of the water as far as her waist, with her yellow hair floating around her, she told the captain that she was returning from church, and requested him to trip his anchor just for a minute, as the fluke of it rested on the door of her dwelling, and she was anxious to get in to her children.
Others say that while she was out on the ocean a-fishing of a Sunday morning, the anchor was dropped on the trap-door which gave access to her submarine abode. Finding, on her return, how she was hindered from opening her door, she begged the captain to have the anchor raised that she might enter her dwelling to dress her children and be ready in time for church.
However it may be, her polite request had a magical effect upon the sailors, for they immediately "worked with a will," hove anchor and set sail, not wishing to remain a moment longer than they could help near her habitation. Sea-faring men, who understood most about mermaids, regarded their appearance as a token that bad luck was near at hand. It was believed they could take such shapes as suited their purpose, and that they had often allured men to live with them.
When Zennor folks learnt that a mermaid dwelt near Pen-dower, and what she had told the captain, they concluded—it was, this sea-lady who had visited their church, and enticed Trewella to her abode. To commemorate these somewhat unusual events they had the figure she bore—when in her ocean-home—carved in holy-oak, which may still be seen."~

And so the local legend continues to inspire writers & artists alike... including myself :)

I am currently reading a beautiful series of books by Helen Dunmore about the world beneath the sea...Ingo.

A tale of a modern day Cornish family..ancestors of the original Mathew Trewella, for which the sea still holds a mystery.

I am not yet sure whether my new paintings will form a re-telling of The Mermaid Of Zennor, or if I shall create a whole new tale of magical Cornish mer-folk...but either way, I am letting my muse guide the way & we shall see where we end up :)

~The Mermaid Sea~

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~Out of the sea she came...~

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Sketches...

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Inspiration...

*Click the photos to view larger*

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Art, food & interviews...

Where has the time gone I wonder... the past month or so has been full of interesting changes for me, & I thought it was about time I stopped for a moment to catch up with everything :)
Firstly... I have recently been interviewed about my work & inspiration for the fabulous, 'Mind Body Spirit Marketplace' Blog.
http://www.mindbodyspiritodyssey.com/2012/06/mind-body-spirit-artist-series-julia.html
Go check it out, & I'd like to say a big thank you to Diane Ferguson for contacting me!
You can also find them on Facebook HERE!


Secondly, I have been working on some sketches & ideas for some Pre-raphaelite inspired paintings... I hope to have something interesting to show you soon, but until then, here's a few quick sketches I did to get into the mood :)

These are some ideas for a project around the Cornish folk tale 'The Mermaid Of Zennor'. Lots of images in my head for this one, but not sure what will end up being painted yet :)

 "Out of the water she came... in a dress made of the sea"

And last but not least, I have been quieter online due to starting a new 'day job'! *gasp* Yes, it had to be done. You all know by now that I consider baking a bit of a hobby, so it won't surprise you to hear that a job came up close to home, making Cornish Pasties and of course...I had to do it :)
It brings in a bit extra cash AND I get to make Pasties every day. How can I complain about that? lol
For those who may not have heard of a Cornish Pasty...this is what they are...
http://www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk/pasties.html

The Cornish people are very protective of their 'traditional food' & In 2011 it was announced that the Cornish pasty received PGI status which means it enjoys the same status that has been granted to Champagne, Parma Ham, Stilton Cheese, Arbroath Smokies, Cornish Clotted Cream, Smoked Salmon and many other regional produce. This means that only pasty makers based in Cornwall who make pasties to a traditional manner and follow a traditional recipe are able to label their products as Cornish pasties. 

Anyone can make a pasty...but if it isn't made in Cornwall, it isn't a Cornish Pasty. And dont' be putting carrot in it either!! :)

Pasties are usually eaten on the go... like a portable lunchtime snack. And indeed most pasties are considered the Cornish version of a sandwich. They are also just as nice for dinner, with baked beans. Yummy :)

Should you fancy trying your hand at a basic Pasty recipe, here is a link... http://britishfood.about.com/od/cakesandbaking/r/cornishpasty.htm

The crimping is the most difficult bit...it's something I have really enjoyed learning how to do properly at work. And as soon as I get the chance I shall be making some at home... yes..I will bore you with photos too probably! lol
Until then... don't forget you can keep up with me on a daily basis over on Facebook... http://www.facebook.com/juliaguthrieart

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A pocket full of sea glass & serpentine: Cadgwith Cove

"Up aloft, amid the rigging

Swiftly blows the fav'ring gale,

Strong as springtime in its blossom,

Filling out each bending sail,

And the waves we leave behind us

Seem to murmur as they rise;

We have tarried here to bear you

To the land you dearly prize.

Rolling home, rolling home,

Rolling home across the sea,

Rolling home to dear old England

Rolling home, dear land to thee.

Now, it takes all hands to man the capstan,

Mister see your cables clear!

Soon you'll be sailing homeward bound sir,

And for the channel you will steer.

See your sheets and crew lines free sir,

All your buntlines overhauled;

Are the sheerpoles and gear all ready?

Soon for New England we will steer.

Rolling home, rolling home,

Rolling home across the sea,

Rolling home to dear old England

Rolling home, dear land to thee.

Full ten thousand miles behind us,

And a thousand miles before,

Ancient ocean waves to waft us

To the well remembered shore.

Newborn breezes swell to send us

To our childhood welcome skies,

To the glow of friendly faces

And the glance of loving eyes.

Rolling home, rolling home,

Rolling home across the sea,

Rolling home to dear old England

Rolling home, dear land to thee."

~Sea Shanty~

Cadgwith has been a tiny fishing hamlet since around 1358, and 200 years ago was quite famous for it's Pilchard fishing. These days the fishing trade is not doing so well for anyone, but Cadgwith is still one of the few working villages & does a good trade in Crab. As my dog will agree with judging by all those lovely legs she found to crunch on while we were exploring. *ewww*.

It also has a notorious smuggling history, as do many places of course, but with it's thatched cottages & sleepy atmosphere you can just imagine the days of the tall ships & piratey nonsense :)

As soon as we reached the village and smelt the seaweed & salty air I felt like it was home. Down a pretty  woodland winding path, & past the most beautiful thatched cottages *above*, & the roar of the sea draws you straight to the little fishing cove. We must have spent an hour there just looking at the pebbles!! (Scroll up to the picture) I'd never seen pebbles like it before...each one had beautiful spirals painted on by the waves. I wanted to take them all home :)

We walked up & around the cliff paths, past rows of magical little cottages that I would give anything live in. Apparently these were once home to the Customs men sent down to put a stop to the Smuggling. I bet they didn't appreciate them! :)

Cadgwith was also the main filming location for 'Ladies In Lavender', starring Judi Dench & Maggie Smith. I always love films set by the sea, even more when it's a Cornish sea :)

 We found our way to 'The devils frying pan' *below*  & we sat on this pretty bench...carved with little stars!

The storm clouds rolled in, raining on & off, so I had no opportunity to sit somewhere peaceful & make good use of my sketchbook, but we drove a few minutes down the road to see the old Serpentine works, now only a ruin but once a thriving Cornish business. It operated between 1855 - 1893 on the site of the former pilchard cellars.

Serpentine is a type of rock unique to this part of Cornwall. Queen Victoria purchased quite a few Serpentine items, as it was at that time known as an English version of marble. You can still buy decorative items made from it, but it is no longer as popular as it once was.

http://www.serpentineworks.co.uk/

As we made our way down through the Poltesco valley, past wild flowers & waterfalls, it rained quite heavily, casting a grey gloom which only added to the atmosphere of the place. 

Before we even reached the sea we could hear the eerie 'booming' of the waves against the rocky shore. It felt lonely there. Lonely & haunting.

We shall go back again one day soon. And I shall get to sit & draw :)

I took hundreds of photos...far too many to share here, so if you'd like to view them please do visit my Flicker page http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliaguthrie/

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