tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76493379037839612212024-03-21T05:08:19.240-07:00Katrusha SkomorokhThis is home to the adventures I have as Katrusha Skomorokhov Negadieva doch'. Feel to browse and explore class notes, projects, thoughts, and performance pieces that I have created. I hope you find this website useful.Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-6202268083547406162021-10-03T09:10:00.007-07:002021-10-03T09:10:53.660-07:00Kit de Coldwood's Maunche<p>This Maunche was a lot of fun to do. The illumination was done in the style of a Roman wall mosaic, all hand cut and hand pasted (not using fish glue due to severe allergies). It is based on the Metiochus and Parthenope mosaic from Turkey, assumed to have been made around 1 AD or BC (exact date uncertain). The calligraphy was based off of a Roman Military diploma from 80 AD. I'm particularly proud of this piece, even if my whole house is covered in tiny squares. A close estimate of around 2000 squares were used in this particular project, ranging in size from around 0.5 to 1cm squared. Words are as follows:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i>translation [with commentary] to be read before the ipay atinlay scroll.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Diploma of Golden Handcuffs in the Arts</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i>[Roman togas had no sleeves – hence no word for maunches – but they did have handcuffs]</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Ionnes II, most daring, and Honig II, most joyous to behold,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Emperor and Empress of the Kingdom of the East, to </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">she called Aciterix Caldius Julius Cittinius </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">she called Kit of Coldwood </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">she called Well-seasoned Centurion </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">she called Well-risen Frontiersman</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">for service in the artistic wars </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">against the vagaries of picayune criticism</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">has distinguished herself most nobly </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">and now joins our Order of the Maunche</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">done by our hands this second day of October in the 56<sup>th</sup> year of the society </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">in the Shire of Coldwood </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">at the Closing of the Inne.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">DIPLOMA MANICIS AUREUM IN ARTIBUS</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">IMPERATOR IONNES SECUNDUS HOTSHOTUS IMPERATRIX HONIG SECUNDA HUBBAHUBBASIMA REX ET REGINA ORIENTALIS AD NOMINA ACITERIX CALDIUS JULIUS CITTINIUS NOMINA KIT OF COLDWOOD NOMINA CENTURION CRUSTICUS NOMINA HICKUS UPJUMPUS AD SERVITIUM IN BELLAM ARTIBUS NITPICKUS AD NAUSEUM ET KICKASSUS NOKIDUM FATERI REGIUM ORDINEM MANICIS SECUNDO DIE OCTOBRIS ANNO SOCIETATIS QUINQUAGINTA SEX (LVI) IN AGRO FRIGUS IN FINE INNE. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">***</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><i>[Gratis! Gratis, populus! Igpae atinlay non dificiles est.]</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Scroll by Boyarina Katrusha Skomorokh.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Macaronic misdirections by <span class="il">Tristan</span> le Chanticler.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP907vLw0tmSrY3EInk2Kd5lGHAWCN4RpnTGXElmRmdwQJx1jtluCFanjFKZhue7KdNqE-tULQy_OXJ8CxfLd05gfGhTwepQVGZuPokz4znuqzDo1StS-FrpfRTwzw12Nw9MQ-jAe4l4/s2048/242958181_166799088877847_6946825589837123725_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p>Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-28595353709359298072020-03-03T15:10:00.001-08:002020-03-03T15:10:15.596-08:00Ose Silverhair's DiamondI never got around to posting this paper cut scroll for Ose Silverhair's Order of the Diamond, a baronial award for courtesy in the Barony of Concordia.<br />
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The inspiration came from the Gotland picture stone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rn6iF2xwHxqTG8GFMjyMS2YemoHk7CBNxra3XGCQ5Cij02MuUXYzN_-Uh9uV9hKGe9xLJhrTP1bbaQTbx73GTn_LqLh4U1bEX3Q8LLJK8s6yr_tsb0OpZ_RKvIeByf-1RNPI7Y62lFs/s1600/fd95b24f1f97f7c1c637750fd881309f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Rn6iF2xwHxqTG8GFMjyMS2YemoHk7CBNxra3XGCQ5Cij02MuUXYzN_-Uh9uV9hKGe9xLJhrTP1bbaQTbx73GTn_LqLh4U1bEX3Q8LLJK8s6yr_tsb0OpZ_RKvIeByf-1RNPI7Y62lFs/s640/fd95b24f1f97f7c1c637750fd881309f.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The scroll was paper cut from a flecked gray art paper overlayed on red to make a similar feel as the picture stones. The words were written in english lettering with a stylized Viking rune feel. Words done by Brid nic'Shealess.<br />
<br />"It is the duty of the head of a Barony to recognize those who make that barony a place where people have a chance not to simply have fun but even to excel in their chosen endeavors. Osa Silverhair does all this and more through her gentle, kind, and courteous demeanor. For all this and more do we, Faohlin and Maria, Baron and Baroness of Concordia of the Snows, induct her into our most noble Order of the Diamond. Done this 26 day of May, A.S. LIV at the War of the Roses."<div>
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<br />Done with a #11 exacto on art paper. Words in black India ink.</div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-39570861759348181952020-03-01T20:20:00.000-08:002020-03-02T12:16:49.654-08:00Chiaretta di Fiore's LaurelChiaretta has been a good friend of mine since my first ever kingdom scroll assignment (her AoA) where I first met her as we sat beside each other displaying our arts in competition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvuIxwldoJEOq4fjvnoo7h_flaBKK2GMgFzGuCv4275LHCVNZ7KXlZfst5K1AHNp7SdfNlo3zuwqHGz7Xzuu7CmjBW2hiAaKyZfrqPJopOkI3KFoyv3SFEYFtoC2UvELFCW-vqfJv00s/s1600/1016438_492234744215684_1562092898_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvuIxwldoJEOq4fjvnoo7h_flaBKK2GMgFzGuCv4275LHCVNZ7KXlZfst5K1AHNp7SdfNlo3zuwqHGz7Xzuu7CmjBW2hiAaKyZfrqPJopOkI3KFoyv3SFEYFtoC2UvELFCW-vqfJv00s/s1600/1016438_492234744215684_1562092898_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kataryn Mercer, AoA</td></tr>
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We became quick friends. When her Maunche came around, I was thrilled and humbled to be assigned that as well. Many will remember the Kataryn Mercer Maunche of extreme painting and colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPODyJvyOPCbP8E2Xe2YRZTnA0UkkUukuS0NMpU2ygegdT8-1j57J4iwyyJYsHtrLkt4M26tfF0vtq1j0GdXhDs1QRll-VVorYLSQot9BtkYZx-2YBr0qgppJnk1p0fV8efCuPts1hy4/s1600/12710989_10153485792188253_952989324563028180_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="746" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPODyJvyOPCbP8E2Xe2YRZTnA0UkkUukuS0NMpU2ygegdT8-1j57J4iwyyJYsHtrLkt4M26tfF0vtq1j0GdXhDs1QRll-VVorYLSQot9BtkYZx-2YBr0qgppJnk1p0fV8efCuPts1hy4/s640/12710989_10153485792188253_952989324563028180_o.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kataryn Mercer, Maunche</td></tr>
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I watched her progress in her arts to a level that was beyond what I could fathom. Her Italian was impeccable and gorgeous. And from the instant she told me that she had me in her ICP for making her scroll, I began planning. Through two computer crashes and purchases, I have saved a file that always returns to my computer holding a smorgasbord of ideas for what I would do when she was given her writ and I was assigned her scroll.<br />
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Two months ago, I was given her assignment. And then two weeks later, while I had already been plotting, she announced she was given a writ and hoped I was ready to make her scroll. I was, of course, super relieved because it meant I could ask her a few questions that I had always wanted to ask people before I made their scroll such as... what size is most comfortable for you and does it need to be a standard scroll and format for standard framing, or do you mind possibly needing to do have a custom frame created.<br />
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All of this out of the way, I opened my folder to begin.<br />
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First, she and I had discussed years ago how amazing the Lace Book of Marie de' Medici was, but my biggest frustration was that it was, technically, out of period. It is described to be from the second quarter of the 17th century. But the idea behind the papercutting, or canivet, was not something so late of a period. Canivet, the idea of lace cutting paper, is a tradition seen since 13th century in France with the nuns, thought to be considered 'cloister work'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lEqkjjhWA4zddNwPjPP_E-gAJQM_E7TCRBYot5hO7J3kkFbGEpb-ZmJVpHeZ2o4WyRt3wh3hV2o8AsFVZV1rR8pU_onHzlXEDMT3CfTUW-6hbA4poDsOPysIQ1ojyD6y6-VI4g_B7k8/s1600/Lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lEqkjjhWA4zddNwPjPP_E-gAJQM_E7TCRBYot5hO7J3kkFbGEpb-ZmJVpHeZ2o4WyRt3wh3hV2o8AsFVZV1rR8pU_onHzlXEDMT3CfTUW-6hbA4poDsOPysIQ1ojyD6y6-VI4g_B7k8/s640/Lace.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lace Book of Marie de' Medici, 17th century</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_452889165"></span><span id="goog_452889166"></span>But I truly loved the idea of a lace cut scroll, and although there are earlier examples such as this French example from the 14th century, it didn't have the same feel as I was looking for.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDoZC3XeO_hq8uqioksoSg5_aC3vuip6jD4jXdcwr-Wm0xaXyd0-yADCaZ7bCFBBygDwlq8DvrZKvAG_LcS4fT8es5RPcg380P345LohsBgdGO9qlO6DhtV7KsLGDHAJOZeUZGHvMCB0/s1600/D7HD7P-W4AEvFPr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="753" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDoZC3XeO_hq8uqioksoSg5_aC3vuip6jD4jXdcwr-Wm0xaXyd0-yADCaZ7bCFBBygDwlq8DvrZKvAG_LcS4fT8es5RPcg380P345LohsBgdGO9qlO6DhtV7KsLGDHAJOZeUZGHvMCB0/s640/D7HD7P-W4AEvFPr.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Manuscript (W.93), 14th century</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I continued searching for the perfect lacework cut from parchment as a more period source.<br />
<br />
And that was when I realized that Chiaretta did amazing accessories, so why not accessorize her scroll? I scoured museum sites until I found the perfect extent find to make the papercut lace with. This fan is made of parchment and silk lace from the 16th century. A Venetian style flag fan. It was perfect for Chiaretta's Italian persona.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlhi6qC6-VoJ-XlCrCGZmWNaQPgqTuFEk8sYy1uUAJ9N22dG1vMBBaIKbj4TsHha6ALcYPRVVyW3yq4soDkwmviF_vmFho-Z-nF8uRpvSKmQgbSbJOEzltpIJRSKkYvaJrk1OXUBGMvM/s1600/1342454604656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1181" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlhi6qC6-VoJ-XlCrCGZmWNaQPgqTuFEk8sYy1uUAJ9N22dG1vMBBaIKbj4TsHha6ALcYPRVVyW3yq4soDkwmviF_vmFho-Z-nF8uRpvSKmQgbSbJOEzltpIJRSKkYvaJrk1OXUBGMvM/s640/1342454604656.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian flag fan, 16th century, parchment-cut lace design and silk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved the outer design work of the flag, and that is what I took as my inspiration for her scroll.<br />
<br />
Now, I needed to order the perfect material. Paper, in my mind, would not cut it (haha, no pun intended). So, I spoke with my fellow scribal artists for where the best place to buy parchment/vellum would be. I knew, vaguely, the size I wanted to make the piece. So, through my searching, I found someone (a SCAdian) out in Oregon that hand crafted vellum in the medieval way and sold a variety of sizes. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/asofa?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=162308010" target="_blank">Here is a link to their Etsy shop.</a> I highly recommend their product!<br />
<br />
Parchment in hand with a measure of 16" x 13", it was time to get started. The first thing I did was get the pencil in on what I felt would be the 'back' of the piece. There was definitely a texture difference between the front and the back, and I felt I made the right choice. There were also a few other strange things about the parchment (coming from someone who usually just works on machine made papers) such as the change in coloration, the visibility of 'this was skin' marks, and the difference in the thickness (and textures) of various areas of the parchment. Do not misunderstand me. This FASCINATED me and made me feel, for the first time ever, as if I was working in a period manner. It wasn't this perfect flat simple piece of paper. I have been doing paper cutting for awhile, so this was going to truly test my mettle.<br />
<br />
Either way, I was excited. I have worked on parchment before and knew what I was getting into with inks, pencils, and any form of 'mark' on the surface, but this was a whole new beast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxvn3gyaSbeen3XhwkpOSWVLi7kQY63CmYpoUEF61RlczNTIH303s6_B4xc2meeKqhaX3q4cFUy0SGRRyczwtrMkdVpetKAx424vJyFkslIAyGO5_Ten9orFWvS-_ievA4J5GlYzcN4I/s1600/IMG_6181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxvn3gyaSbeen3XhwkpOSWVLi7kQY63CmYpoUEF61RlczNTIH303s6_B4xc2meeKqhaX3q4cFUy0SGRRyczwtrMkdVpetKAx424vJyFkslIAyGO5_Ten9orFWvS-_ievA4J5GlYzcN4I/s640/IMG_6181.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencil on goat skin vellum (parchment)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In hind sight, I realized putting so much detail into the pencil was unnecessary. I will explain more about the reasoning for this later, but I was glad I got the shapes done before putting the blade to the parchment. Then, I started cutting. I used a #11 blade and my most comfortable pen grip for it. It was severely difficult at first because everything about cutting parchment was different than cutting paper. The pressure needed, the draw needed, how it felt (the tooth and bite of blade and leather), how it looked, and even how it tore if only a few fibers still held the piece in place.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOrg0JdUhjDGCouJnaRiU-W2c5Uq-UgV6euNqSxMGyfENGynP7uRkAW8B127s87c5QW5B7kz_1zsEKX1-le41UTlO1NRV99L5-vxFRn_1c7JKtVfhA5y4ZE0C1bsRNqR4zX9aLHan1bA/s1600/GBQP8591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOrg0JdUhjDGCouJnaRiU-W2c5Uq-UgV6euNqSxMGyfENGynP7uRkAW8B127s87c5QW5B7kz_1zsEKX1-le41UTlO1NRV99L5-vxFRn_1c7JKtVfhA5y4ZE0C1bsRNqR4zX9aLHan1bA/s640/GBQP8591.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#11 blade and beginning cuts as viewed from the right side of the parchment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But, it wasn't terrible! It was just a very different learning curve. Thankfully, I had done enough paper cut work to have a good idea of what I was doing. I kept tape handy, just in case, and I think that my cutting board STILL has little scraps of tape stuck to it for when I would cut the most miniscule piece and rub it into place as the heat would eventually take to the fibers of the parchment and keep what I feared was a little oops from becoming something bigger. I learned, later, that there -were- no oopses because parchment acts so much different than paper.<br />
<br />
The actual main portion of the lace work measured 2.5" in width with the thinner, minus the triangular flag portions, measured closer to 1.5". Each inch of work along the piece took over an hour to cut, leaving an estimation of about 80-85 hours of work for the cutting, not including the prep time. 6 blades were needed (as I have no strop at home) in order to finish the whole piece.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5bKsb90PqQYolXBJGm8oNjWGQm379OQcUzbvCtGVU6LEQafL6IKDQee4SiR8lm54Mn7-NTQN05ZIn_dnVVXgdeLH6tBv2nOoAHQIRvh_D4Yc5R3szYz1CRXinSt-PVNRFjqwPjIJ7yw/s1600/IMG_6462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5bKsb90PqQYolXBJGm8oNjWGQm379OQcUzbvCtGVU6LEQafL6IKDQee4SiR8lm54Mn7-NTQN05ZIn_dnVVXgdeLH6tBv2nOoAHQIRvh_D4Yc5R3szYz1CRXinSt-PVNRFjqwPjIJ7yw/s640/IMG_6462.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
There are a few very specific things I learned while working on cutting the parchment.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Always always cut using a very dark mat underneath the cutting. My mat has two sides, one a light green and the other a very dark nearly black green. When I cut with the lighter, it was very difficult to tell where my cuts began or ended. When I flipped to the darker side, it was much easier to visualize what I was doing.</li>
<li>There were very thick and tough areas that felt more like thin layers of horn than the paper feel of the parchment. Those areas would have been beautiful to ink on, but were -terrible- for cutting. It was easier to very carefully and slowly puncture small holes in close succession to the other and 'snap' the piece that needed to be extracted out of the way.</li>
<li>There was quite a buckle in the parchment along one edge. This is NOT the fault of the person who made the piece and more just from the difference in temperatures and humidities of the two climates. I am certain, in medieval times, that the same was a problem as bundles of parchment were purchased or delivered from one local to another. Well, I found that cutting that area was an extremely difficult task due to the buckling and frustrated me like nothing I had ever known before. And yet, the next day when I returned to do more work, that area laid flat. This now causes me to agree at the sense it made that some manuscripts were known to have score lines from sharp blades for where the writing would be. Not only did it keep the writing line straight, but it helped to flatten the buckle if there was one so that writing could happen.</li>
<li>There were areas which didn't feel as tight as the rest of the parchment. Almost as if the fibers were a little loose and it made the area feel spongy. There was a bite to that area that, even with a brand new blade out of the box, I could feel it drawing through the fiber as if there were burrs on the blade. Although I tried to sharpen my blade, the bite still got the better of me. I powered through, though. It just made my wrist and elbow and shoulder ache. I never knew so much of my arm muscles would go into cutting! Addendum: This is NOT the parchment makers fault either. Skin is a fussy thing and there are areas that can be more callused than other areas just as they can be more fatty areas.</li>
<li>Do not wear anything on your arms! No, seriously. Everything wanted to catch. Even a watch or a ring. It is best to have clean arms, free of any hindrance and make certain your working space is LARGE LARGE LARGE! You don't want to feel the need to turn the piece and it catches on ANYTHING.</li>
<li>Thankfully, parchment is nothing like paper. Paper tears very easily and parchment, I found, has a lot more give to it. Even when accidentally slicing through a small section of lacework and perhaps cutting a tiny ring, I would try the tape maneuver, but these little slices did nothing. The parchment, for any better description, worked much like leather. Any cut did not mean a malformation of what I was working on. It remained stiff and in place. That doesn't mean I didn't want to be as careful as possible, simply that the way parchment worked and the way paper worked are two completely different beasts and it is important to fully grasp and understand the material and respect its properties.</li>
<li>Remember how I talked about marking all the detail work in pencil? Well, less is more when it comes to this craft. Specifically, less confusion into where there is a cut vs is that possibly a pencil line can save a LOT of grief on future endeavors.</li>
</ul>
<div>
As I mentioned earlier, I never felt like I was working in more period of a manner before. And although there were a few frustrations and difficulties, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process! And yes, I still recommend the parchment from this maker. These spots are bound to happen, yet he did a tremendous job of keeping them towards the edge and making sure that the scribal middle area would give that amazing feel we all know and love when being worked with. I couldn't have asked for better unless I went for machine made, and that is not at all what I wanted with this project.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To keep with the theme and the time period, the words that were written for the scroll were based on lines from Aminta, a play written by Torquato Tasso in 1573, performed during a garden party in Northern Italy. Lines from the play were taken as inspiration by Olivia Baker, who wrote these words:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">"Who often
makes Mars' bloody sword drop from his hand, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">while
Neptune's mighty trident rattles to earth, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">and even
from highest Jove the eternal lightning slips! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">It is she,
our beloved and revered Chiaretta di Fiore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">She, who in
the eternal serenity <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Among
celestial sapphires and beautiful crystals <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Where summer
never is, nor winter, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Leads
perpetual dances <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Of thread,
fabric, and finesse swirling in harmony to conceive the divine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">For mortals
dream to dance in the shadow of such beauty, such elegance, such perfection,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"> As does adorn our Chiaretta's celestial frame.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Earthly
words, there are naught worthy of her accomplishment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">And now here
below immortal grace <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">And high
fortune are seen in this beautiful image <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Do I,
Margarita, Great and Fearless Queen of these Eastern Lands, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">yield
further utterances and do induct this virtuoso of Florentine vestment into the
Order of the Laurel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Done this 29th day of February, Anno Societatus
LIV, at Our Queen's and Crown's Arts & Sciences Championship in Our Barony
of Dragonship Haven."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">From there, my dear friend Vince Conway graciously translated the words into Italian for me:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">"</span>Chi spesso
fa cadere da mano la spada sanguinosa di Marte,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mentre il potente tridente di Nettuno scuote
sulla terra <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">e persino
dall'alto Giove l'eterno fulmine scivola! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">È lei, la
nostra amata e venerata Chiaretta di Fiore. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Lei, che nell'eterna
serenità <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Tra zaffiri
celesti e bellissimi cristalli <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Dove
l'estate non c’è mai, né l'inverno, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Dirige balli
perpetui <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">I mortali
sognano di ballare all'ombra di tanta bellezza, tanta eleganza, tanta
perfezione, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Così come
adorna la cornice celeste della nostra Chiaretta <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Ed ora qui
sotto grazia immortale <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">E grande
fortuna si vede in questa bellissima immagine <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Io,
Margarita, grande e impavida regina di queste terre orientali, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">cedere
ulteriori espressioni e indurre questo virtuoso del paramento fiorentino
nell'Ordine dell'Alloro. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">Fatto questo
ventinovesimo giorno di febbraio, Anno Societatus LIV, presso la Campionato di
Arti e Scienze de la nostra regina e corona nella nostra baronia di Dragonship
Haven."<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;">With the words prepared, I was then able to get to the writing. I had fallen in love with a master calligrapher's album in Germany and wanted to use that for my inspiration in the cadel/calligraphy department. In the later periods, many calligraphers would create 'sample books' of styles that they were able to replicate in hopes of drumming up business for various works. This was a similar type of book and I just fell in love.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA93e79A8SQrkjTRmp6kRXC46M8487CpVMhb7an4mLT24uB6geOC7XHY5Jw_x01R9Y-6owf4m9BDqK4IESEOQEbrCmJUQne8YHf4fTOqMEPMvM0SH67DDrUq8qHC28U8DLll8WfadP53E/s1600/15282220208_36743be934_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="640" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA93e79A8SQrkjTRmp6kRXC46M8487CpVMhb7an4mLT24uB6geOC7XHY5Jw_x01R9Y-6owf4m9BDqK4IESEOQEbrCmJUQne8YHf4fTOqMEPMvM0SH67DDrUq8qHC28U8DLll8WfadP53E/s640/15282220208_36743be934_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Werke der Schon Schreibmeister by FH Brechtel, 1573<span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I loved the gilded letters and I loved the stark black and gold of the cadel. Of course, there was also needing to delicately balance all the flourishes so that it didn't detract from the papercut lace. So I decided to focus on the gilding and less on the flourishes as I began working on the words. But first I had to design the cadel.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvVOt4jVOEN0OCa5ypheART4qhtho3RKuUliKGp2vdU6fZtAzgSWUvziKnVH3o1XiicTmqDNDZFzGM12XeEp6kpaNd_0vYjDIBOD6zEdrEotEp4y2X_EFxhUBGoAV2QF5BI74o67ZYSE/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvVOt4jVOEN0OCa5ypheART4qhtho3RKuUliKGp2vdU6fZtAzgSWUvziKnVH3o1XiicTmqDNDZFzGM12XeEp6kpaNd_0vYjDIBOD6zEdrEotEp4y2X_EFxhUBGoAV2QF5BI74o67ZYSE/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencil sketch to prepare for cadel drawn on scrap paper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Something simple with simple flourishes and making the curved spine so it would still be viewable as a letter C was important. It took a lot of work to create something that I felt fit the style of the period.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSaUApgM3vbjJNuPGqsiGrlzaCN8nMSCIlHCYk5992aSes6-qCpLuzbkNwim-LER4BmYxatojq5Wtqt3ZPrZPak-OMN8Ve2yo2BrNog5hboBNQnFhmaarAgYaOv15TE31ejejEnJyH-M/s1600/IMG_6568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSaUApgM3vbjJNuPGqsiGrlzaCN8nMSCIlHCYk5992aSes6-qCpLuzbkNwim-LER4BmYxatojq5Wtqt3ZPrZPak-OMN8Ve2yo2BrNog5hboBNQnFhmaarAgYaOv15TE31ejejEnJyH-M/s640/IMG_6568.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cadel of the letter "C" complete with india black ink and Winsor & Newton gold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC63Faay_z48JtHwxPvx-E7ROF91a5iAG3yAfO-eeO23cMdVhPvoCbkfxkbzsfgVq3dj1k_c-MnPUvhkE0nJ18RZemmazEAh7FtakoN2zuTvN4F2xZ8ayuMKvJoi2swgQn0s9QkUNTbA/s1600/IMG_6578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC63Faay_z48JtHwxPvx-E7ROF91a5iAG3yAfO-eeO23cMdVhPvoCbkfxkbzsfgVq3dj1k_c-MnPUvhkE0nJ18RZemmazEAh7FtakoN2zuTvN4F2xZ8ayuMKvJoi2swgQn0s9QkUNTbA/s640/IMG_6578.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Words done in india black ink and Winsor & Newton gold</td></tr>
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I was quite pleased with how both the lettering and the cadel came out. The ink used was a black India ink and the gold was Winsor & Newton brand. Both worked beautifully on the parchment. Space was left for the signature at the bottom. The cadel was made to fit in a 2" by 3" space and the letters were 1/8" high.</div>
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I wanted to keep with the feel of the Lace Book of Marie de' Medici, and one of the most fascinating things about it was how they painted over the patterned lace to make even more patterns, so I did the same with the lace work around the scroll, using the gold ink to help it take on a new quality.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAQiHKxUuw-UoL_pyxpIwk9RlieRbjMwAeRfAKPKb38OA51pDRVU8YYxb4DC-nHZQx2nFGa-E26ucrZiSbCsFPOvLrn6kVbcmE3d1H0BTWeRZ3PwiYbnVXfN7LISK5uEevezV4WMszEU/s1600/IMG_6573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAQiHKxUuw-UoL_pyxpIwk9RlieRbjMwAeRfAKPKb38OA51pDRVU8YYxb4DC-nHZQx2nFGa-E26ucrZiSbCsFPOvLrn6kVbcmE3d1H0BTWeRZ3PwiYbnVXfN7LISK5uEevezV4WMszEU/s640/IMG_6573.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winsor & Newton gold ink embellishments</td></tr>
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The last important part needed for a peerage scroll is the laurel wreath. And, since Chiaretta had recently changed her arms since the last time I painted them on her AoA, I wanted to add them as well. Thankfully, her arms lended very well to being done as a paper cut.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolzS65VYuDI_A6tDe1tEFi2McDc7-8J90GazA5pRhUn2P49scMPnu-BSWtk-QQnEt1N6ebSrKQCuWI-RK3Obshrf7mwGryIbm_CI5CnDKoMIoxTLGU7_3fVIYFt6uTo66HN_j0WBw_jA/s1600/85055900_179976653271922_6928150163936509952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolzS65VYuDI_A6tDe1tEFi2McDc7-8J90GazA5pRhUn2P49scMPnu-BSWtk-QQnEt1N6ebSrKQCuWI-RK3Obshrf7mwGryIbm_CI5CnDKoMIoxTLGU7_3fVIYFt6uTo66HN_j0WBw_jA/s320/85055900_179976653271922_6928150163936509952_n.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaretta's arms</td></tr>
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And, of course, adding the laurel leaves around the shield could -also- be done as a paper cut.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV4i9jLmhsBe3RYgzmkRVu4z8BzyhNO-6puMvkrQ3coxyQo_8AmfpEIdVlw9BrjrExjclWJdpuSUj38zwADJTCqbOfWidHF6wr2jBGECFy0Ur7okkQ24Q4Lm2oy5r3m0QFc2iGKzKlQ0/s1600/IMG_6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV4i9jLmhsBe3RYgzmkRVu4z8BzyhNO-6puMvkrQ3coxyQo_8AmfpEIdVlw9BrjrExjclWJdpuSUj38zwADJTCqbOfWidHF6wr2jBGECFy0Ur7okkQ24Q4Lm2oy5r3m0QFc2iGKzKlQ0/s320/IMG_6553.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pencil sketch on scrap paper 2.5" x 3" of arms and laurel wreath in preparation for cutting</td></tr>
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After I cut it all out, gilding the shield with the gold ink fit perfectly into the feel of the rest of the scroll.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifCvLYfabKB9Tx0DlwbcDWbNy1FTvIPgEnrmMuS8dco0WHO3w3LSXRrOB5mszH0W7XXsW3_yGp61XQg6oZLFiJenY2JOkk4Po8-YxJRUUNVuqFYj4VEgpWXPagu3YnFnjDY_VboBTDRE/s1600/IMG_E6575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifCvLYfabKB9Tx0DlwbcDWbNy1FTvIPgEnrmMuS8dco0WHO3w3LSXRrOB5mszH0W7XXsW3_yGp61XQg6oZLFiJenY2JOkk4Po8-YxJRUUNVuqFYj4VEgpWXPagu3YnFnjDY_VboBTDRE/s320/IMG_E6575.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut arms and wreath with Winsor & Newton gold ink for the shield, outline in India black ink</td></tr>
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In the end, the full scroll took over 100 hours of work of cutting, calligraphy, and gilding/painting. Of course, having delicate edges, I didn't want to cause a heart attack for the heralds, so I took a board, covered it with a deep blue cotton velveteen, and carefully pinned the scroll to the fabric so it would not have to be handled but could still easily be signed by the Queen. The final result was something I was incredibly proud of and drew me closer to feeling like I worked a medieval craft than anything I have ever done before.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjogtyc0NVbekH72Hsocxe9w8QThiwOAsz1SOXAdRj1HcRaImyhE23cIx9W1CyLbcGBWuJDQR68HOLv3AZK91cMieb8yThcolbPsrHcdZ4yPkw6uBq76ZXdrp-YGvIkN6LDfWXS-QcdM/s1600/IMG_E6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjogtyc0NVbekH72Hsocxe9w8QThiwOAsz1SOXAdRj1HcRaImyhE23cIx9W1CyLbcGBWuJDQR68HOLv3AZK91cMieb8yThcolbPsrHcdZ4yPkw6uBq76ZXdrp-YGvIkN6LDfWXS-QcdM/s640/IMG_E6572.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiaretta di Fiore's Laurel Scroll, given on the 29th day of February and K&Q A&S competition</td></tr>
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Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-47706516008547546612018-03-19T14:14:00.000-07:002018-03-19T14:17:26.687-07:00"Germs" by "Weird Al" Yankovic<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">I was granted an incredibly rare opportunity to meet someone I have always considered to be a huge inspiration to me, and have since I was very young. "Weird Al" Yankovic was nearly a household name in my family. We would purchase the new albums before family car rides and listen to them on many occasions. I recall a time I even broke a cheap set of headphones in half so me and my cousin could listen to the "In 3-D" album together while one our way to a dude ranch vacation. My cousin and I actually listened to his music almost non-stop. We would dress up our barbies and have dance contests to the songs (the strip tease to "Fat" always seemed to win). Needless to say, he started my love of comedy, musical comedy, and contrafact.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For Christmas, I was given VIP tickets to see "Weird Al" which meant, of course, meeting him and getting something signed. After a month of hemming and hawing on what to have him sign, having come up with everything from a guitar to an </span>accordion<span style="font-family: inherit;">, various movies and CDs and figurines that could happen, I realized that the most important thing, for me, was that this memory was going to last forever. I wanted something I could hang on the wall and look at. Something I wouldn't worry about getting ruined through wear.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">A unique opportunity arose. Why not make a scroll based on one of his songs? But then I began to hem and haw all over again because, -which- song!?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">This was his original tour. It had to be an original song. It should be something meaningful. Again people gave me advice, but nothing felt right until I came across "Germs".</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">For those who do not know me, I am right now working on finishing my degree in molecular biology/biochemistry. It is a return to college after ten years off in order to better my education in hopes of bettering my career. As such, the song "Germs" holds a lot of meaning for me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">The last thing to worry about was what I would use for an inspiration (besides "Weird Al"). I ended up choosing The Chronicles of the Crusades, a French document from 1455.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiWksjtbsdmqTqTdzq3hGK8iG6BKc7C0PNzmdPPwqmrZK1MWImSJ1qyyg4-gZEjKrtBb7JALPmAAxeb7ykLMEADuKqG1iwUecz7WeSropqZESs_2o09ZXHnPDLwanYsga_BjFunEgglY/s1600/Chroniques-Jherusalem-Abregees-illuminated-manuscript-facsimile-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1400" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiWksjtbsdmqTqTdzq3hGK8iG6BKc7C0PNzmdPPwqmrZK1MWImSJ1qyyg4-gZEjKrtBb7JALPmAAxeb7ykLMEADuKqG1iwUecz7WeSropqZESs_2o09ZXHnPDLwanYsga_BjFunEgglY/s640/Chroniques-Jherusalem-Abregees-illuminated-manuscript-facsimile-03.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The circular </span>styling<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of the piece would make for perfect microscope images. And so I began.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Here is a look at the scroll as a whole (complete with signature from "Weird Al" himself).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I will not be posting the words from the scroll, as they are easy enough to find. If you have never heard the song, I highly recommend it. The entire scroll was done on art paper using gauche, </span>Indian<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ink, and walnut ink. The signature was done, I believe, in sharpie. The black border around the edge is washi tape to give the scroll a clean feel before matting and framing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Now, a little about the scroll.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg3_gA8UfO3K_MlvfMQ4Q7u3s9tsjnVWfvV6DtFqIfie8403vhLYl_6MxYSDyuOoLHOwjlGZ585LIFn0L_0HFJKa8Sunp8Muptvcs1pvHnsrGgMY4VDYJjPcqHsg4Zf92QPZ5yDVnhdo/s1600/DSC_0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCg3_gA8UfO3K_MlvfMQ4Q7u3s9tsjnVWfvV6DtFqIfie8403vhLYl_6MxYSDyuOoLHOwjlGZ585LIFn0L_0HFJKa8Sunp8Muptvcs1pvHnsrGgMY4VDYJjPcqHsg4Zf92QPZ5yDVnhdo/s640/DSC_0605.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">The top of the scroll lists, in order, Ascaris, Toxascaris, Tritrichomonas, Babesia, and Demodex species. These are various different eggs found in fecal flotations (Ascaris and Toxascaris), muscle living parasites (Tritrichamonas), parasites that infect red blood cells (Babesia), and parasites that live in the skin (Demodex). All of them were things that I have either seen or searched for in health inspections of animals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60U61N6h1uolmcl6Oy0red5GmUpBNh3brKYGTp_E1VpRa6f2G1FDPt05ovunqxLh_xpLniveNIxlfTqdxAVm_CT81Cqd0y1Asrtp1AMaG_zNbq4_AGo0WoMjXgMzs022KmSl7HGbjZ5k/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60U61N6h1uolmcl6Oy0red5GmUpBNh3brKYGTp_E1VpRa6f2G1FDPt05ovunqxLh_xpLniveNIxlfTqdxAVm_CT81Cqd0y1Asrtp1AMaG_zNbq4_AGo0WoMjXgMzs022KmSl7HGbjZ5k/s640/DSC_0606.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">The middle is, obviously, where the lyrics reside. There is also a bacteriophage along the edge in the blue and spiraling lengths of budding yeast on either side. Yeast is something I would routinely find and search for during microscopic examinations of ear residue in dogs, mostly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmYn7H6nZrZfAFlHPBIp7oPTnGFhqV_VSdvVdQQjP7YhUqhaU7aeYaWX4RZZKG8gmrLvqh4ZqhkEHcbS0S7NsI4Nmp4FgpeOwekBPOHQwFQHDtCbdDq1FiK80MXyXGLx38zwDL7Elt4k/s1600/DSC_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEmYn7H6nZrZfAFlHPBIp7oPTnGFhqV_VSdvVdQQjP7YhUqhaU7aeYaWX4RZZKG8gmrLvqh4ZqhkEHcbS0S7NsI4Nmp4FgpeOwekBPOHQwFQHDtCbdDq1FiK80MXyXGLx38zwDL7Elt4k/s640/DSC_0607.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of my favorites are located along the bottom. Dirofilaria is better known to most as </span>heart-worm<span style="font-family: inherit;">, a parasite that can live and breed in the blood and clog the heart. They can be seen in blood slides and are quite large compared to red and white blood cells. Diplydium is the egg found in fecal flotations for tapeworm. Of course, you can just gauge tapeworm by the wriggling grains of rice in the feces, but the microscopic tell tale sign is the egg seen here. Next is Sarcoptes, another type of mite that can be seen on microscope slides from skin scrapings. I have certainly seen my share over my time in labs. The next, Dentostomella, is better known as </span>pin-worm<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Although this particular species is not the one that occupied three years of my life at Rockefeller University, they look the same and still give me nightmares. Last, but not least, is the happy little smiley face of Giardia, a terrifying parasite that lives in the water and can many an organism terrible diarrhea. But it looks like a happy little face swimming around, so I love it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Next, we talk about the actual bacteria in the border work. This pyramid shaped dot-work is Staphylococci.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsDAqXpb6sn-oq-YFjvItWWYAubOKCStBG5HCEqGNMEpLkK-WIPSfAcC9w2Y0eevBEZBanu4o5WdzO4JlSFh1GGGeZ48D9re-fesiWWFRPMsrw3qMphfJkNb7ZPkw5BmSVpoeA26xdgI/s1600/DSC_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWsDAqXpb6sn-oq-YFjvItWWYAubOKCStBG5HCEqGNMEpLkK-WIPSfAcC9w2Y0eevBEZBanu4o5WdzO4JlSFh1GGGeZ48D9re-fesiWWFRPMsrw3qMphfJkNb7ZPkw5BmSVpoeA26xdgI/s640/DSC_0609.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Here you will see a line of dashes that can be better thought of as Streptobacilli and the square shaped dots are tetrad formed cocci.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">This is the linear wiggle of dots known as Streptococci and fingers of lines to symbolize pallisade formed bacilli.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Lastly is the double formed rods of Diplobacilli and the much more squat dashes in the middle that represent Coccobacillis.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">So much research and work went into creating this, and I will admit to being incredibly nervous to place this in front of him and have him sign it. It wasn't a piece of his merchandise and, of course, I am super critical of my own work, so I was terrified what he would think. So I will conclude this post with the interaction between myself and "Weird Al" during the meet and greet portion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">The line had to move quick, so you didn't have much time with him. About a minute for a picture, a handshake, and small talk as he signed your memorabilia. When it was my turn, the first thing I asked is if I could but my hand on his back for the picture, since consent is everything. After the photo, this is the conversation that transpired.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Me: If yo<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">u could just sign right here, that would be amazing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Him: Sure! *starts to sign... pauses half way and looks up at me* What IS this?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Me: I.. er.. well, it is kind of a 15th century manuscript of your song "Germs"... *nervous stuttering laughter*</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Him: *leans down, still paused, blinks, and starts to laugh* So it is! That is so cool!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Me: Thanks. I'm kind of going back to school to get a better degree in molecular biology and doing work like this is a huge hobby of mine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Him: Really?! That is cool! This is just... it is so cool!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Me: Thank you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Him: *finishes signing his name finally and hands the scroll back to me* That is just -so- cool! Thank you! Thank you so much!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;">Me: No. Thank -you-!</span></div>
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Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-24532921199239625682018-02-10T17:10:00.000-08:002018-02-10T17:16:43.189-08:00Lady Alienor Salton's Silver Crescent<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was approached to make a Silver Crescent scroll for </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lady Alienor Salton, a woman who works in wrangling one of my favorite SCA demos: the Cloister's demo in NYC. She has done a huge range of incredible things, though I admit that the demo was what caused the inspiration for the scroll. Based on one of the unicorn tapestries in the Cloister's museum, I approached Lord Tristan to create a sonnet of words that would work well with the piece in particular.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Words by Tristan le Chanticler</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The unicorn seems placid, within her cloistered field,</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By loyal chain yoked tamely unto the fruiting tree ~</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A supine languid vision of fair captivity.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">'Tis true the fenced fief blossoms, where fiery urges yield ~</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A world of peace and plenty, where lawful bonds are sealed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thus the watchful warden, while penned by posts unfree,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reaps harvests rich and timely, most demostratèdly.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The war beast tamed to service is wisdom well revealed.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But those who see her idle know nothing of her flame:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The bloodied horn and hound bays, beneath the crescent moon;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The months of muddied march, ever on through cruel campaigns.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She endured all tenacious where boastful men did swoon.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When battle presses stark and the stoutest hearts despair,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look deep within your soul and pray you find her there.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For her outstanding service and achievements, We, Ivan Ivanov syn Dimitriov vynuk Tzardikov, Tsar, and Matilde de Cadenet, Tsaritsa, of the Laurel Kingdom of the East, call Lady Alienor Salton to Our Order of the Silver Crescent. Done by Our hands at Our Arts and Sciences and Bardic Championships, in the Crown Province of Ostgardr, on the feast of the Venerable Palladius, this 10th day of February, Anno Societatus LII."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scroll in gauche on navy art paper.</span></div>
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Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-65621983075350085472017-07-12T06:24:00.003-07:002017-07-12T06:25:40.566-07:00AoA for Helen AttebrokeI had been fascinated by The Feather Book of Dionisio Minaggio for over a year now. The book was labeled as being created in 1618 and, in all honesty, my original fascination came with the commedia characters that were portrayed in it.<br />
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Each picture was created from feathers. Not just feathers, but also skins, beaks, and feet of birds. And, of course, ink for the writing.<br />
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As soon as I got an assignment, I began collecting feathers. As can be seen, the colors are amazing in these pictures! The man who made the book was the chief gardner and it is speculated it was a way to use up the feathers from the kitchen. But the pictures were amazing, so I spent time collecting mallard wings and nearly whole bodies of pheasants until I had a pretty amazing collection.<br />
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The collection kept growing because as I began I realized I needed many sizes, many shapes, and of course, many colors. But I learned many things while working on this project.<br />
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In the end, the entire thing was done on watercolor paper using feathers from turkey, quail, pheasant, mallard, goose, and chicken. The chosen glue was an appropriate fish glue.<br />
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I learned many things along the way.<br />
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- Never ever EVER trust that your fingers will be appropriate for the job. No matter how much you use brushes and tweezers and toothpicks and blades, your fingers are sticky and they will wreck havoc on your piece.<br />
- A #11 blade is going to be your best friend for cutting, shaping, placing, and reshaping while on the paper. Trust it as long as it isn't sticky.<br />
- Remember that feathers are waterproof. This creates difficulties when trying to mix the thick glue and water. The ratio is a very careful balance that I have yet to perfect.<br />
- Feathers also have curve and shape depending on where they are situated on the bird. Don't fight with the feathers. Use them for their angles. Wait to find the right spot.<br />
- Do not sneeze. Do not breathe. Do not cough. And dear lords, do not have the ceiling fan turned on. Use the same rules as you do for doing gold leaf.<br />
- Do not throw out anything. There will be times you will smack your forehead as you realize that a small piece you brushed aside would be perfect to fill in a specific gap.<br />
- Don't be afraid to add more glue. And water. And watered down glue. And watery glue. And water on top of glue. And glue on top of water.<br />
- Let things dry. Use severe amounts of patience. If you try and brush on more glue, everything -will- move. If you try and cut or scrape away excess before it is dry, everything -will- move. Work in smal areas all over the picture at the same time if you are limited with time. Otherwise this should be a project that easily takes a month.<br />
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Things I learned in hindsight that I want to incorporate next time::<br />
<br />
- It is obvious in some of the pictures from The Feather Book that there was art underneath the feathers, more than just an outline sketch, but painted colors. Perhaps as a guide for the staff to know what colors to lay down where. I would like to try that next time so there isn't as much concern with filling small gaps because the same color will be underneath.<br />
- Upon closer inspection, it appears that after the picture was created, it was then cut out to give it super clean edges from the feathers and then that feather cut out picture was placed into the book and words were written. Next time I would like to try that as well in hopes of giving a cleaner appearance.<br />
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Either way, I'm incredibly proud of the efforts I went to in putting together the scroll.<br />
<br />
This particular scroll was an AoA for Helen Attebroke. Words by Tristan le Chanticler:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">"Eight
July came swiftly, A.S. two and fifty,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Amid
blood and gore of the Great Northeastern War,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">When
Majesties Imperial brought gift to thee,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Ionnes
Stark and Honig Sweet, you knelt before.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Awarding
Arms, Helen Attebroke, emblazon,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Per
chevron green and white, four barnacles in pairs,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">With
harp arranging, thereby hearts counterchanging.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In
love and war will tensioned strings loose wondrous aires!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Know
that whenever bow, or back, or song are bent,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Within
Our homes or halls, or on Our fields or wall,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This
fletchèd point drives deep and true, when talent’s lent,</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">That
patient crafts in steady hands meet duty’s call!</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Thus
flock and knock fine feathers on Our Eastern wing</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As
the thrumming archer's harps our victories sing."</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">He played nicely into the feathers and the fact she was an archer and a harper. The words really pulled it all together.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Here is the final scroll:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">For more pictures from the actual book, <a href="http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/featherbook/" target="_blank">visit this site.</a></span></span></div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-43863848945903149972017-05-30T16:01:00.001-07:002017-06-05T18:13:59.616-07:00Emerald for Olivia BakerThe Emerald is a baronial award in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows that is given for incredible work in the area of persona.<br />
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Olivia is a very close and very dear friend of mine. When I saw her name come across the polling, I was hoping to be tagged if she made it out the other side to make her scroll. Of course, I did end up getting the pleasure and honor of making her scroll which was, of course, a delight.<br />
<br />
But! It was finals time and I knew the only way I would have time to make her scroll before the event was to see if someone would help by doing the words for me, so I tagged in on Drake Oranwood, a well known bard and creator of sonnets, to work on the words for an award for his teacher, Olivia.<br />
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The words he came up with read as thus (<a href="https://drakethebard.com/2017/06/05/my-first-scroll-text/" target="_blank">You can read more about how he came up with his scroll here</a>):<br />
<br />
"Those hours, by her patient work, did frame<br />
The lovely frock where every eye doth dwell;<br />
She’ll play the tyger, to advance our game<br />
And, most unfair, she fairly doth excel;<br />
<br />
For never-resting hands sew garments on—<br />
Olivia Baker will adorn with care;<br />
Her friends will frost, and layer’d well upon,<br />
Beauty o'er-cometh bareness everywhere:<br />
<br />
Then good Queen Bess’s distillation kept,<br />
Immers’d below the salt in halls of feast,<br />
Beauteous court recalled from where it slept<br />
To life, no mere remembrance in the least:<br />
<br />
She hath distill’d all this, and so ‘tis meet,<br />
An Em’rald show; her substance well shines sweet.<br />
<br />
Adorned at the thirty-seventh Wars of the Roses<br />
On this 28th day of May, AS LII<br />
By Baron Jean-Paul DuCasse and Baroness Lylie Penhill"<br />
<br />
Along with the words, he researched proper spelling and letter formation based on the period and sent that along with the words. In the end, I chose a bastarda style script for the hand and for an illumination, I studied a variety of cadels before deciding on a cadel work that would showcase elegance and allow me to use some gold work as well as red lines in it. Most of my inspiration came from the Matriculation Register of the Rectorate of the University of Basel, Volume 1 (1460-1567).<br />
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The final result was this:<br />
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<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-47938074294819400112017-05-30T15:38:00.001-07:002017-05-30T15:49:53.135-07:00Sapphire for Muirgheall O'Riein<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The Sapphire is a baronial award from the Barony of Concordia focusing on prowess in the arts and sciences.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">The words were written by </span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Aislinn Chiabach and read as follows:<br /><br />"</span><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">There is a tale told of a gift given in ages past. The gifter wished the gentle to understand especially the form, the number, the material, and the color of the gift.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The roundness of the ring signifies eternity, which has neither beginning nor end, moving from the terrestrial to the celestial, from the temporal to the eternal.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The one single band signifies a constancy of mind neither to be cast down in adversity or elevated in prosperity</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The color and the type of stone is the crux of the gift:</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Sapphire, profound azure, for the Arts and Sciences, expression in its varied forms, branches of knowledge, and truths.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">The giver entreated the gentle to value the mystery implied by the gift more highly than the gift itself.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">We, Baron Jean-Paul Ducasse and Baroness Lylie Penhill, sentinels of Our Beloved Baronial Lands of Concordia, have looked for folk both near and far who embody these gem like qualities.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Muirgheall O'Riein is well known for her creativity in the fine and ancient art of Pysanky, the dyeing of eggs. This art has existed for so many generations that time has forgotten when it first came to be. It has been deeply tied to festivities in many a land.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">Muirgheall has expressed the art of Pysanky with a delicate grace. Not only does she create these marvelous eggs for others to enjoy, she teaches her skills at every opportunity. Through Muirgheall's tutelage, may this art continue perpetually.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white;">For exemplifying all the qualities in that ancient tale, today We have decided to include Muirgheall O'Riein into Our Order of the Sapphire. For she is a gift to Us, and all of Concordia</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">Done this Day the 28th of May in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows. Anno Societatis 52."</span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The hand for the calligraphy was a style of miniscule.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The illumination inspiration was from a book called Scivias illustrated by Hildegard von Bingen in 1151. The actual illustration in the book is lovingly nicknamed the Cosmic Egg, which just felt right. There were a few changes, only so that the depictions of designwork that Muirgheall O'Riein has used in making her Pysanky would be visible as well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Done using sumi ink, walnut ink, gold flake paint, and gauache. No picture I seemed to take gave the colors justice, though.</span><br />
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Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-18070084218000752042017-01-19T10:20:00.002-08:002018-04-20T10:23:24.226-07:00Commedia Leather Mask MakingIt is about time I pulled together this post.<br />
<br />
Over the summer during Pennsic, I made a plan with a friend of mine to learn his craft of leather mask making. I made a deal that during the course of Pennsic I would make a mask. Drake hauled all of his supplies and gave me the great gift of tools and, most importantly, knowledge. I don't think I can ever repay him for all that he did for me that year at Pennsic!<br />
<br />
I would like to take some time now to discuss the process, with pictures. He is an incredible teacher and I am hoping I have learned enough that I can pass along all I have learned and share this incredible wealth of knowledge.<br />
<br />
The mask making procedure began with needing to create a negative of my face.<br />
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Here I am all prepped and ready. To make a negative, it is best to fully protect your hair, so we used both a shower cap and a t-shirt. The shower cap was nice because it would allow for a very obvious line when the negative and following positive was complete as to where a comfortable end point for the mask is.</div>
<br />
Once ready, I laid down on a table to be at a comfortable height and put vaseline on my eyelashes and eyebrows so that nothing would stick to them. That would have been rather painful. Straws were then placed in my nose, which I had to hold, and a piece of cloth went into my mouth so we could have a definition between where my upper lip and the bottom of the mask would comfortably be. Once I was prepared, an alginate mixture that held good definition was placed on my face followed by plater bandages to a thick layer that would easily make a good positive. The following picture was not me but my partner in crime that wanted to do the same challenge at Pennsic, Brooke.<br />
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After letting everything dry, the negative was carefully removed and dried before a release agent was sprayed inside so that a positive plaster could be poured inside. The result was uncanny... and a little ghostly.</div>
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Once the positive was released, it was time to start crafting. An oil based clay was used and built up on the face to create a mask of sorts. You will notice that there is a blank area around the bridge of the nose. That is because it creates a point of reference for how and where the mask will sit on your face. With everything else built up, to make certain the mask still fits comfortably to your specific face, a point of reference is necessary and highly recommended.<br />
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Here is a picture of Zagna, my first mask, as well as a picture where, after casting, I cut her in half so it is easier to visualize how much the clay is built up in the mask.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHiWSAaPpB5nAKq7ldiX6_ffzZ359CzGyEHv1x10OhD9vgpjFsdEOuTHyEHf3U0ejm3AG6oL-xQVydGhcvQr8ezl4Oxv5KDjmhkmOOLpcvr4bxr1QM5CFD7K4YkDdSH0_zrpCi78rxz0/s1600/2017-01-15+20.43.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHiWSAaPpB5nAKq7ldiX6_ffzZ359CzGyEHv1x10OhD9vgpjFsdEOuTHyEHf3U0ejm3AG6oL-xQVydGhcvQr8ezl4Oxv5KDjmhkmOOLpcvr4bxr1QM5CFD7K4YkDdSH0_zrpCi78rxz0/s320/2017-01-15+20.43.50.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EhsG1mNQ2H-iAbo_xEed0bgcWnWl1n-fC39T0dSqmjQvz6r6rRAhTGzxtRk6qpFzFnnq2eEscpgBL-H2xvfBq2miREoxFaJ6zQwShP48636V-PnyXRbYjfD2VntWUinC5rURy9Z6gto/s1600/2016-08-15+20.02.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EhsG1mNQ2H-iAbo_xEed0bgcWnWl1n-fC39T0dSqmjQvz6r6rRAhTGzxtRk6qpFzFnnq2eEscpgBL-H2xvfBq2miREoxFaJ6zQwShP48636V-PnyXRbYjfD2VntWUinC5rURy9Z6gto/s320/2016-08-15+20.02.56.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After the clay is built up and the design is somthing satisfactory, it is important to smooth the clay as much as possible. There are two reasons for this. One reason is so you have less problems with removing the negative from the positive. The second is that you will need to do a lot less clean up work with the cement positive you will eventually be making in the end.<br />
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After finishing the clay mask, a dam is built with the remaining clay around only the form of the mask by about 3/4" all the way around. This is so when you pour in the plaster you will be using for a negative, it stays in a specific area. As with each pour that is done, it is important to remember a releasing agent. It is also important to pour into the detailed areas first and use your fingers to gently keep air bubbles from remaining and get the plaster everywhere it needs to be.<br />
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After the plaster negative of the clay form is made, more daming is done to build up an even wall all around the edge of the negative. A wooden plaque which will be used to nail the leather on to is guaged along what will be the back of the mask form and screws are placed into it at angles to help strength the mould all the more.<br />
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Not much of the negative will remain. No matter how much you try and cut down, the problem is you suddenly have something that easily can have undercuts that will keep the plaster from removing nicely from the cement. Here is a photo of the few chunks that remain after removing the positive cement from the plaster mould.<br />
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The plaster can be removed with a gentle rawhide hammer, always knocking gently away from the actual mask form. Once the cement is free, make sure to seal it with something that will keep the cement and wood from ruining in water.<br />
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The next step is wetting down the leather. It takes soaking and massaging and squeezing the leather to release all the tannins and make the leather soft and plyable to work with. When it is, you can start to work it down along and onto the form of the mask. Start at the highest point, which is usually the nose, and stretch and pull the leather until, when you turn over the mask, you know there wont be any shifting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOPqF_2Yy9ALK1zfysYwiNjtw-micXwGyaI4v-5wFP-90AWPBJKqtsia1Zfx3cg3EhiNcqfIbwSKm0T6Akg_5dahfL5bbGUnhQT9xhNjjdQYPvkWxqr1nO_3_M-2XsDLzTK8oXrlrtiI/s1600/16425515_10154457659448253_1470368011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOPqF_2Yy9ALK1zfysYwiNjtw-micXwGyaI4v-5wFP-90AWPBJKqtsia1Zfx3cg3EhiNcqfIbwSKm0T6Akg_5dahfL5bbGUnhQT9xhNjjdQYPvkWxqr1nO_3_M-2XsDLzTK8oXrlrtiI/s640/16425515_10154457659448253_1470368011_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Carefully begin tacking the wet leather down along the wood backing, cutting and overlapping small areas where needed. If there is a large portion that will not tack flat, that will most likely need seaming when you are finished.<br />
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Here is Zagna after tacking down the wet leather. And although the nose doesn't need seaming, it is obvious the upper lip will.<br />
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Once all of the leather is tacked in place, it is time to begin working with your tools. You don't want to work on the weather when it is too wet, so give in a little bit if you can. The pecking and burnishing will work a lot better when the leather is only a little damp. If it dries out too much, you can always re-moisten it with a spray bottle of water.<br />
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These are the tools that are needed: a horn hammer for pecking and a smooth wooden instrument for burnishing (or any other smooth and hard piece of material. Horns/antlers that were smoothed down were also used).<br />
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Pecking is the act of making very small dimples on the leather using the thin end of the hammed. You always want to work from the highest points downwards, stretching the leather in those directions. After pecking, the burnisher helps to smooth and seal the leather, working with the fibers to help it keep the form you are pressing it into. Here is an example of a piece of leather that has been wet (on the left), pecked (on the right), and burnished (in the middle).<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">The differences are subtle between the unfinished and the burnished on such a small piece, but when you look at the finished working mask, it is very obvious the shine that the burnishing creates. Here is Zagna, finished with her pecking and burnishing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8fJk4TamJC2Z5RXbe9j-i9yYBZWIuMzExx2s4ZcHLH96KHi4ugJfk21GHD6GlUNr1QDKlqyJcNPEG3f9E4cUHSINnvC_8AbbbwVkCTxNE4edV4Co7ILxLI7Ylc_01fg7fEYvs7MI_e8/s1600/2016-08-12+19.35.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8fJk4TamJC2Z5RXbe9j-i9yYBZWIuMzExx2s4ZcHLH96KHi4ugJfk21GHD6GlUNr1QDKlqyJcNPEG3f9E4cUHSINnvC_8AbbbwVkCTxNE4edV4Co7ILxLI7Ylc_01fg7fEYvs7MI_e8/s640/2016-08-12+19.35.32.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As you can see, seam work still needs to be done as well as cutting out the eyes. The next step, really, is to cut the mask free of the cement block so the eyes and skiving for the seam work can be done.<br />
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The seam work is simply making three flaps that are then skived down tremendously thin so that they will not make a huge differentiation from the rest of the mask. The eyes follow the shape and lines of the mould form and should be easy enough to follow and cut out before burnishing to finish them.<br />
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Turning the mask over, the entire inside edging needs to be skived feather thin so it can then be notched and glued into place, often with a wire edging as an extra safe precaution to help the mask keep its shape. Here are photos of the skiving and turning before the notching, and after the notching once everything is glued into place.<br />
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After a layer of polish on her front and a layer of laquer to keep sweat from ruining her on the back, all she needs is a strap to hold her in place.<br />
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And here she is, Zagna, all finished.<br />
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Here are some extra photos of things I learned along the way and some of the other masks I am working on. If you would like to know more, please come and find me with my whole display at King and Queens Arts and Science this coming February.<br />
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We all make mistakes. Mine was not realizing that my container I was carrying Zagna around in wasn't fully closed and she fell out on the Pennsic streets. Of course, I didn't think anything about it at the time and kept working. But when I cut the leather free and the pressure was no longer there, her face fell in half. Since I would like to use her again, I found some gorilla glue...</div>
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...and tied her tight together. She is still in working order and now appears very much like she is an extant find because of my mistake.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IeuCBy_NLZu1kjajsIA33H8KnY01arQ3Y5XFWHaVv5aLQLITgJxCZAE-Rkle89ssg9ikfpqlbpb6WoE_qPRs8OpiRos7ZLgJkOc-8hvRzvIfm_1Kwm3WCADJ9_ldVI7-SQZbCY9CMtA/s1600/2016-08-28+12.50.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IeuCBy_NLZu1kjajsIA33H8KnY01arQ3Y5XFWHaVv5aLQLITgJxCZAE-Rkle89ssg9ikfpqlbpb6WoE_qPRs8OpiRos7ZLgJkOc-8hvRzvIfm_1Kwm3WCADJ9_ldVI7-SQZbCY9CMtA/s640/2016-08-28+12.50.01.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This was my beginning thoughts for a Fosca mask. I am very glad I revamped the entire idea and tried again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8JwJLji60eKKrcex7DPyiHpWdb3GH7g-NgLgjCcpLdezBWMXGfNiwj54qdwdNqc6IGXGjw5XfFwBY6JsEp7PonDy4aoyuw3P0GZmQXGu-n6HEXap6z0I6JWOTT03NLjSeTvPZ28bbM/s1600/2016-09-03+15.58.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglq8JwJLji60eKKrcex7DPyiHpWdb3GH7g-NgLgjCcpLdezBWMXGfNiwj54qdwdNqc6IGXGjw5XfFwBY6JsEp7PonDy4aoyuw3P0GZmQXGu-n6HEXap6z0I6JWOTT03NLjSeTvPZ28bbM/s640/2016-09-03+15.58.14.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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This is a negative of the revamped Fosca who is a much creepier mask choice.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPK5BMhGmSuYf2G1nORZR_6fYfahd3WE27IEqirll5D1eDd1-CyJzk_mdtwyF7q1wLh23egcA4zfSGIoIR-o9AwaDcSwJ3oNR0MhlQz2OeF1RDelKxdRJqfNdqkORYrWV6vrXD92YE5g/s1600/2016-09-05+12.11.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPK5BMhGmSuYf2G1nORZR_6fYfahd3WE27IEqirll5D1eDd1-CyJzk_mdtwyF7q1wLh23egcA4zfSGIoIR-o9AwaDcSwJ3oNR0MhlQz2OeF1RDelKxdRJqfNdqkORYrWV6vrXD92YE5g/s320/2016-09-05+12.11.02.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAlp43PvEhg2R7SQX7WxG2BEv0dq_9Q2uVLU2nJCdloNEwvQqOZTbn8ep3IjIOdjiKxQQk1nX1cyb0XcTq5wgfm-Z1u2DQssI5d72HqKnYlwRTT9miVT3w_h82YkGWVocdDw_KTdiuek/s1600/2016-09-18+10.19.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAlp43PvEhg2R7SQX7WxG2BEv0dq_9Q2uVLU2nJCdloNEwvQqOZTbn8ep3IjIOdjiKxQQk1nX1cyb0XcTq5wgfm-Z1u2DQssI5d72HqKnYlwRTT9miVT3w_h82YkGWVocdDw_KTdiuek/s320/2016-09-18+10.19.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is her both in her cement form and with the burnishing process underway with the leather. She is a creepy mask and I love it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5CIOunknxH66N2dsbtGlW0ga_FPhLjiEEg6UYRbWf1i845Z54BJDo0HHvCgeR4Oe_6A2YItKdOyHb4LBE8FIWBRe04U8bJ_kAam2c3QUMxZ1VlaQTGb-6pKO37aYeeBaXFe-mmne9D8/s1600/2016-09-03+23.05.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5CIOunknxH66N2dsbtGlW0ga_FPhLjiEEg6UYRbWf1i845Z54BJDo0HHvCgeR4Oe_6A2YItKdOyHb4LBE8FIWBRe04U8bJ_kAam2c3QUMxZ1VlaQTGb-6pKO37aYeeBaXFe-mmne9D8/s320/2016-09-03+23.05.59.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziPYNQ7-5PD5e0AuQ3W52AMyMWZM0kuuL1Uo6tWGSa6jTn04BKhggx8ru7gKFk2jkGmDdGntbwFqY8KwL0AY5uLqNFmpoms64ovB4x_heaMXCk2SEbYK9k3HWVG9DEWVMIT32dW6ZWwU/s1600/2016-09-03+23.06.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziPYNQ7-5PD5e0AuQ3W52AMyMWZM0kuuL1Uo6tWGSa6jTn04BKhggx8ru7gKFk2jkGmDdGntbwFqY8KwL0AY5uLqNFmpoms64ovB4x_heaMXCk2SEbYK9k3HWVG9DEWVMIT32dW6ZWwU/s320/2016-09-03+23.06.09.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the beginning of Pantalone, a wrinkled, worried sort of man.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMhoMaSEU-41DE0x19TdPLPZaaiw2vDXHE4loymWQTCyajTd99H6Z61dkzN5SgbQCY2wT8xpZ7ZRrOYMtXX1xf3ly69-Tk7Os33PvYtpRQK88OfD36rs49ZxjHUD1XleNNdZjUXLyZP4/s1600/2016-11-19+13.01.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMhoMaSEU-41DE0x19TdPLPZaaiw2vDXHE4loymWQTCyajTd99H6Z61dkzN5SgbQCY2wT8xpZ7ZRrOYMtXX1xf3ly69-Tk7Os33PvYtpRQK88OfD36rs49ZxjHUD1XleNNdZjUXLyZP4/s640/2016-11-19+13.01.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A side by side comparison of two different Pantalones, ready for their leather stretching phase.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyF0TGrx-95BpFNln6bqANfHyuWuqCBE9kjggrex3OwojG4iXE1pyA0HfnKSlIOQfcP-F6joCmdk6lQpvvEWwoB0xQTvIe0U-MsHZX2zISSm9HpgVoy16hafB2HJhQiC6jZjdwowQmhQ/s1600/2016-11-18+21.52.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyF0TGrx-95BpFNln6bqANfHyuWuqCBE9kjggrex3OwojG4iXE1pyA0HfnKSlIOQfcP-F6joCmdk6lQpvvEWwoB0xQTvIe0U-MsHZX2zISSm9HpgVoy16hafB2HJhQiC6jZjdwowQmhQ/s320/2016-11-18+21.52.42.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpx1L_c78_E-MtYM9mWkKV1FtxBvm1CKLEVo61Bvur9qE1hRvTnhWkOnvW_KvaIDvfRzIx0r6SdTzukX1RqmNQnVLkAqjZzS437s5EpEWavzaja0hUvQv1PZNJvxWDpePiIZaqsp3spQ/s1600/2016-11-18+21.52.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpx1L_c78_E-MtYM9mWkKV1FtxBvm1CKLEVo61Bvur9qE1hRvTnhWkOnvW_KvaIDvfRzIx0r6SdTzukX1RqmNQnVLkAqjZzS437s5EpEWavzaja0hUvQv1PZNJvxWDpePiIZaqsp3spQ/s320/2016-11-18+21.52.52.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the latest mask, Brighella. He is just about ready for his cement pour.</div>
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Update: I have continued working on the masks and have displayed them twice now, once in a competitive setting. I displayed at the EK King and Queens bardic/A&S competition in 2017 and at Pennsic 2017. Here are pictures of the display, as they are interactive explanations of how masks are made.<br /><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-iSLxHHYRAKAJ2MqIGRdHyJOqi-4TIvidk-1SmjfXphEPfmqVtOnm26GDJEogbAMfsTHBPqDKmhCaRYVx4-1-TxaQjCBdbVFTF0kQHdzdaexqOn3K3zIBgywiXME8PRIvxTPH1h-2J0/s1600/19390539_10154878840918253_351943411685163245_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-iSLxHHYRAKAJ2MqIGRdHyJOqi-4TIvidk-1SmjfXphEPfmqVtOnm26GDJEogbAMfsTHBPqDKmhCaRYVx4-1-TxaQjCBdbVFTF0kQHdzdaexqOn3K3zIBgywiXME8PRIvxTPH1h-2J0/s640/19390539_10154878840918253_351943411685163245_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGefyRVYU4iy_I3WQ1IqMQv36vpl8MDIAP_javsokxKeC8176WOejt-JgpAPm3COufIydmw0K36azcWE6t2GXO4ZT02YE4-Mjnieai6Zai6KwphZKq1WWTzizb7AzXNDxhpNo4RcVyTK4/s1600/20770092_10155058248583253_8746091657949055416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGefyRVYU4iy_I3WQ1IqMQv36vpl8MDIAP_javsokxKeC8176WOejt-JgpAPm3COufIydmw0K36azcWE6t2GXO4ZT02YE4-Mjnieai6Zai6KwphZKq1WWTzizb7AzXNDxhpNo4RcVyTK4/s640/20770092_10155058248583253_8746091657949055416_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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New masks are continually being made and a lot of research has been done as to how the masks were made, finding graphic representation of masks in period, and trying to recreate the mask of movement through body language as well as the actual face mask.</div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-48774328399254154262017-01-19T09:04:00.002-08:002017-01-19T09:05:22.083-08:00Apollo's Arrow for Katherine MurrayBased on the design work of Elizabethan fans, this scroll was fully paper cut before glued together with another piece of darker paper and a white letter work done. The glue was fish glue, a period recipe.<br />
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The words were based on a Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh, 1584.<br />
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"Brion, King, and Anna, Queene, defenders of the East, to all people whome hear these presents, greetings.<br />
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Knowe yee that of Our welbeloued seruant Katherine Murray through her bowe shows especial grace, certaine science, and meere motion. She giues and graunts with arrow to take, and leade in the necessary safetie of al men.<br />
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Provided alwayes, and Our will and pleasure is, and Wee do hereby declare that saide Katherine Murray be giuen and graunted licence to holde, occupie, and enioye the right of Our Order of Apollo’s Arrow.<br />
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Witnesse Our Selues, at Kingdom 12th Night, in Barony of Ruantallan, the 14. day of January, in the one and fiftieth yeere of Our Society."<br />
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Words, calligraphy, and paper cut illumination done by me.<br />
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Examples of the paper cut fans:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyY82Lj5MlyzUAUXwsC-LCPcfIRWF8cgqiqyLS34uke7Vaq-GIhRhN7-WPRASnWWODOFVNWw0gP3PypO_XMoyec13BJ6ySd18x4f1Vc6lOuIhWL-z8xQQkXzZI-CNa2deZqYJSx6yXkk/s1600/fan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyY82Lj5MlyzUAUXwsC-LCPcfIRWF8cgqiqyLS34uke7Vaq-GIhRhN7-WPRASnWWODOFVNWw0gP3PypO_XMoyec13BJ6ySd18x4f1Vc6lOuIhWL-z8xQQkXzZI-CNa2deZqYJSx6yXkk/s1600/fan1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr-23RkLPrYfrIhpi0iVwZ76M1-9GE8muWqRrQJ7dpP9iKI4DJ5QJpZHW4dtrV4EcrbUd5pp5LSbiXO9Asb6hC-mt-BiXszQFHPeMFlzG6P1Hv2xvqwvmCTXeh8GGCMTRT0N19Xkaeos/s1600/fan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqr-23RkLPrYfrIhpi0iVwZ76M1-9GE8muWqRrQJ7dpP9iKI4DJ5QJpZHW4dtrV4EcrbUd5pp5LSbiXO9Asb6hC-mt-BiXszQFHPeMFlzG6P1Hv2xvqwvmCTXeh8GGCMTRT0N19Xkaeos/s1600/fan2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfyEBGSEERbiU6YB4opdBXw09T3MFqMUD7LrqypSsL8ire6_lBsbXWLuZZOSuoHeABK6HJEBAJMHnTGg1UQUAj78VgE2mUHzWS5ZmN_UilDW1M-RY3JWw3Lv2t7CVyBjl_-0wYUylW8E/s1600/DSC_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfyEBGSEERbiU6YB4opdBXw09T3MFqMUD7LrqypSsL8ire6_lBsbXWLuZZOSuoHeABK6HJEBAJMHnTGg1UQUAj78VgE2mUHzWS5ZmN_UilDW1M-RY3JWw3Lv2t7CVyBjl_-0wYUylW8E/s640/DSC_0891.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cEpwPqm3xtT-MWRrH_8j3KPywCqSobnT1Lq-zzUs20h3Z2rejtlqbJvNc3ODCbxuRxpjoGNjgKUwJjSunBobwUvigkv-fzpBIL5WEjLe-yiLgssE0dvxDTXpsdMV9Azcpng8ekmPbuY/s1600/DSC_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7cEpwPqm3xtT-MWRrH_8j3KPywCqSobnT1Lq-zzUs20h3Z2rejtlqbJvNc3ODCbxuRxpjoGNjgKUwJjSunBobwUvigkv-fzpBIL5WEjLe-yiLgssE0dvxDTXpsdMV9Azcpng8ekmPbuY/s640/DSC_0892.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-79822678552306751622017-01-19T08:52:00.001-08:002017-01-19T08:52:39.711-08:00AoA for Evelyn of EastonI'm a little back logged in getting some of my work up.<br /><br />This is an award of arms that was created for Evelyn of Easton. It was done to appear like unto the manuscript of Playford's Gathering Peascods, as Evelyn is a dancer. The words were written by Lord Tristan le Chanticleer.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9N3KcfAVNexMs68_vNaimVcaT9CgekzhcOF0o2K0kZDBl8ueSxO44shBINxNJUkWDRtLc_yBJwf3PC4mutcve-A4IUntjDlTfRXs7PFFKMChSMT7FfMOTz4wdaoiCO5kNMJmIYY42eM/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9N3KcfAVNexMs68_vNaimVcaT9CgekzhcOF0o2K0kZDBl8ueSxO44shBINxNJUkWDRtLc_yBJwf3PC4mutcve-A4IUntjDlTfRXs7PFFKMChSMT7FfMOTz4wdaoiCO5kNMJmIYY42eM/s640/DSC_0411.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 20pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">Gathering Lady <span class="il">Evelyn</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To Gathering Peascods, Playford 1651, Arr. PCB</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Section A – 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> Repeat</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Now Avelina Queen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> and Kenric rightly King,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Are moved to dance and sing</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Section A – 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> Repeat</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">For cooks who keep the Weasel iced</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> And feast to table bring</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In joy as rafters ring.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Section B – 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> Repeat</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">‘Tis <span class="il">Evelyn</span> of Easton’s hold</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Whose service makes Us bold</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">For virtues should be told</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Section B – 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> Repeat</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> For she is light of foot</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> and quick with needled thread,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> We hold it enough said.</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Section C – 1</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> repeat</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In A.S. Fifty One,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> On September 3 is done,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">As Smoking Rocks today takes pearls,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> New Baroncy unfurled,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">Section C – 2</span><sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-size: small;"> repeat</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">For this and other charms,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Bestow Award of Arms,</span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">And cut the heralds short to greet,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> this Lady of the Court.</span></span></span></div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-9946475523838815352016-11-12T15:14:00.000-08:002016-11-12T15:14:49.624-08:00Baronial Emerald for Pan Mikulaj von MeissenI was honored to be asked to make the Emerald for a friend of mine, Mikulaj. The Emerald is an Order in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows that is given for a well done creation of persona. Mikulaj and I have talked over the years and he does an incredible Polish persona and is wonderfully knowledgeable in the subject. So when I was asked to make his scroll, I started by searching for Polish documents to inspire me.<br />
<br />
I wanted the words to be the more important part of the scroll, and found a few that were documents from royalty giving out land or titles. This worked well for me. So I scoured the words and eventually rearranged and translated and worked out something to read as follows:<br />
<br />
"For
the eternal memory of things, because human actions are so worthy of
memory, this letter will be handled as memory.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pan
Mikulaj von Meissen, who was to us and our predecessors, valuable
through due merit, faith and duty, saw the more he tried he did stand
out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That
is why we Jean Paul, Baron of Concordia of the Snows, and Lylie,
Baroness, hereby declare that for whom this letter is intended, we
offer respect for the obedience and famous merit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Considering
that his duties both publicly and privately met weights, his wants to
make himself more inclined and willing to Our Barony and Our Kingdom
for knowledge and desire of Polish custom was pleasing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
By
needs and measures established, as well as duties and burdens of
Poland, under which the customs are obliged after all the good this
man has maintained, We do this.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thanks
to Our existing Emeralds, unto this Order which is appropriate to the
circumstances, with all the same goods and income, all for ever
joining, assign and take on the Emerald.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A
testimony to our signature is affixed to the document. Make things
happen in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows at the meeting of
Ceilidh on Saturday, the eve of the 12th in the year of Our Society
LI (51), in the presence of many dignitaries, officials, courtiers,
and subjects who are dear to us."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was quite happy with the results and decided, in the end, that the document that inspired the words should also inspire the finished product. So here is a link to the document I had chosen, a Polish document from 1548:<br />
<br />
http://tnn.pl/mapy/lublinwdokumencie1548/<br />
<br />
And here is my finished product. I kept the pencil lines in this time since they were also very apparent on the original scroll. I was trying to keep it as true to form as I was able with the skills and supplies I have for use.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgul-CADtgRAKdreqQTOtZFLzca9ZtEsvZ4a1Wbr3OXAU6NoYmhtWi10_H-VSGnL5hSIQdnmwOsGjvuajyVsdy53X4rotUJrkIkROw2HOSqGgYZ_-zFdahL-fLqxPVzfacG_rwAKt_gw/s1600/DSC_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgul-CADtgRAKdreqQTOtZFLzca9ZtEsvZ4a1Wbr3OXAU6NoYmhtWi10_H-VSGnL5hSIQdnmwOsGjvuajyVsdy53X4rotUJrkIkROw2HOSqGgYZ_-zFdahL-fLqxPVzfacG_rwAKt_gw/s400/DSC_0656.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sumi ink and gauche paint on parchment.</div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-31212453254565840792016-07-22T17:28:00.001-07:002016-07-23T10:17:34.283-07:00Compleat Anachronist CoverI was approached, some time ago, to work on a cover for The Compleat Anachronist by good friend and Capicomico Sophia the Orange.<br />
<br />
Of course, if you know Sophie, the focus of her article for CA was Commedia. But not just commedia, but how to work commedia for the modern audience. So not only did I get a sneak peak at what she wrote, but I was asked to make an inspired piece for the cover.<br />
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The first thing I did was take into consideration all the magnificent classes that both she and her husband have taught about how to bring commedia to the people. Everything from writing scenari to how to create a stage and lighting when you have nothing.<br />
<br />
I then searched for a period illumination that I could work from. In this case, I chose a Flemish painting depicted the Commedia dell'arte troupe Gelosi and Isabella Andreini.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzwJ-rXGkmqAkA40aWf-tINPjpQuKUNBNIGBPRIHkg25zrwRWK4H-LR8KHEEUvWW_OIZ948frUWztcyBMA7y4GCeNjhG24xuXAs8IFKerK_hDUNnRW2p4UYvnTTmcc6BXVhLJeWuBwZs/s1600/commedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzwJ-rXGkmqAkA40aWf-tINPjpQuKUNBNIGBPRIHkg25zrwRWK4H-LR8KHEEUvWW_OIZ948frUWztcyBMA7y4GCeNjhG24xuXAs8IFKerK_hDUNnRW2p4UYvnTTmcc6BXVhLJeWuBwZs/s400/commedia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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With this in mind, I then decided that I would make the picture a little taller so that I could add Magus's idea of stage lights at the bottom, and to show the make of the curtain at the top being held on a rope. The next part was to place people in the roles of the characters, and at Sophie's request, the capicomico of various troupes took the roles.</div>
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As for the manner of drawing style, since the CA is done in black and white, I figured if I drew it to look as if it were a block print, it would look much sharper than if I did painting or shading. So I studied a few block prints of the time period and went to work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrSzmuXfmjuQ3pH-pE-GbBkuR94OFkD6tL0-pvUDlEPSdqOTMEUkqiwxQ9lddm8eFMM9kTMMRE9OzlEDNIxzlyvUSXTZeajRc4dY1C-lDecfs3wpHjappQ9paiTHTXkvR817Ee6lN3wM/s1600/sophie+commedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrSzmuXfmjuQ3pH-pE-GbBkuR94OFkD6tL0-pvUDlEPSdqOTMEUkqiwxQ9lddm8eFMM9kTMMRE9OzlEDNIxzlyvUSXTZeajRc4dY1C-lDecfs3wpHjappQ9paiTHTXkvR817Ee6lN3wM/s400/sophie+commedia.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The characters, from left to right, are as follows: Avalina from Vagando Stolti, Abigail from i Scandali, Virginio from i Genisii, Rhonwhen from i Sebastiani, Sophia the Orange from i Firenzi, Katrusha from Le Mezze Lune, Anton from iSebastiani, and Niccolo from i Verdi Confusi.</div>
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If you want to know what all the fuss is about, stay tuned for the upcoming issue of the Compleat Anachronist! There is some exciting stuff that awaits within!<br />
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<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-18869565076727691342016-05-30T14:00:00.001-07:002016-05-30T14:00:45.647-07:00Lady Elewys's Ram's Horn, Baronial award for Concordia of the SnowsThe words were based off of Sun Tzu's The Art of War:<br />
<br />
"In the valor of our warriors, we hear the echo of the wisdom of Sun Tzu.<br />
<br />
Defense is a matter of vital importance to the Barony of Concordia of the Snows, for it is the forum of our life or death - the road to our survival or ruin. The resources of those skilled in extraordinary defense are as infinite as the heavens and earth, as inexhaustible as the flow of the great rivers, for their mighty battle motions are cyclical, recommencing as they end, as the movements of the sun and moon.<br />
<br />
The musical notes are only five in number but their melodies are so numerous that one cannot hear them all. The primary colors are only five in number but their admixtures are so infinite that one cannot see them all. In defense there are only the normal and the extraordinary forces, but their combinations are limitless, that none can comprehend them all. Lady Elewys of Anglespur sees that these two forces are mutually reinforcing. She knows that their interaction is as endless as the binding of interlocked rings.<br />
<br />
When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing. Thus the momentum of Lady Elewys, as one skilled in the art of defense, is overwhelming, and her attack is precisely regulated. Wise commanders pursue victory through thoughtful selection of their warriors. Thus do We, Jean Paul and Lylie, Baron and Baroness, call this warrior to Our Order of the Ram's Horn, so that one so valiant shall not strive alone, but march in brave company."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xHSwPeoqYY7kGxXR2A3NHfPlZbLZT0MMK_ZBpUuS4peQ8s9mYw_1OahBCh5YK37bNM8nNtu54KNRlGOKG3Y9cBF7aBYTmmM0JZCCIlEnDSnTUQzdwVigLEv9vFyTQFOxDLin4jofMhs/s1600/DSC_0809%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xHSwPeoqYY7kGxXR2A3NHfPlZbLZT0MMK_ZBpUuS4peQ8s9mYw_1OahBCh5YK37bNM8nNtu54KNRlGOKG3Y9cBF7aBYTmmM0JZCCIlEnDSnTUQzdwVigLEv9vFyTQFOxDLin4jofMhs/s640/DSC_0809%255B1%255D.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgRU0jrNjAQrGJM9o7nHQ7LjSaagOiHtRfEw4KWppQOOjnwvJ7p9qewrH6tWqTfAwAJLpxzUiSbr60Z9zuVS36JEHVIEv8EMrygzlfLCLY0bCXhLFsabXuh1TTzDYqCaZexAUSx-c6SE/s1600/DSC_0807%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgRU0jrNjAQrGJM9o7nHQ7LjSaagOiHtRfEw4KWppQOOjnwvJ7p9qewrH6tWqTfAwAJLpxzUiSbr60Z9zuVS36JEHVIEv8EMrygzlfLCLY0bCXhLFsabXuh1TTzDYqCaZexAUSx-c6SE/s640/DSC_0807%255B1%255D.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjnfpJNe2Qry8pri2fvFX8JCD6yY7eO6zLbAW6d0Lr_AaxtWBe5sKMrT334WS4JEvfFJYaMnz5dlOvlL-v_C4rK8orMSlCEC1hgWJkTwZePd5m3PmW67jU71_nHxmA2n4BYf5TbPCm3E/s1600/DSC_0810%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjnfpJNe2Qry8pri2fvFX8JCD6yY7eO6zLbAW6d0Lr_AaxtWBe5sKMrT334WS4JEvfFJYaMnz5dlOvlL-v_C4rK8orMSlCEC1hgWJkTwZePd5m3PmW67jU71_nHxmA2n4BYf5TbPCm3E/s640/DSC_0810%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I was super stoked about this scroll because, hurray! I could finally use my craft of paper cutting! China had been doing paper cutting since 5 BC at the very least and this woman has a Ming Dynasty persona! So I did my research of paper cutting during the Ming Dynasty. They used everything from brands to pottery designs. So I made a design using paintings and pottery designs and am quite pleased with how it came out. For the calligraphy, I studied a bunch of Chinese symbols and eventually created a flowed hand with brush that were similar to Chinese stylings, but were all our typical ABC alphabet.<br />
<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-91787635490189843132016-05-30T14:00:00.000-07:002016-05-30T14:00:05.282-07:00Lady Anne's Ram's Horn, Baronial scroll for Concordia of the SnowsThe words are based on George Silver's Paradoxes of Defence, from 1598.<br />
<br />
"To the noble, victorious, valiant, and most brave Barony of Concordia do We, Jean Paul and Lylie, Baron and Baroness, send greetings.<br />
<br />
The noble science of fencing defends the body from wounds and slaughter.<br />
And moreover,the exercising of weapons puts away aches, griefs, and diseases, it increases strength, and sharpens the wits.<br />
It gives a perfect judgement, it expels melancholy, choleric and evil conceits, it keeps a woman in breath, perfect health, and long life.<br />
It puts her out of fear, & in the wars and places of most danger, it makes her bold, hardy and valiant.<br />
<br />
Anne De Basillion embodies this knowledge.<br />
Her passions for the art of defence knows no bounds.<br />
<br />
We saw her put to trial in proof:<br />
Three bouts apiece with three of the best fencers & three bouts apiece with three unskillful valiant men, and three bouts apiece with three resolute men half drunk.<br />
She did defend herself against these men, and hurt, and won the iron ring of the East.<br />
She is to be honored, cherished, and awarded Our Ram's Horn.<br />
<br />
Done this day by Our hand in May of ASLI at Our Wars of the Roses."<br />
<br />
The illumination is based on the Ovid, translated by Octavien de St-Gelais in France in the last part of the 15th Century.<br />
<br />
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<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-18411533225661723002016-05-30T13:59:00.000-07:002016-05-30T13:59:00.614-07:00Skarphedinn's AoA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIZincCZj7bDax85Mpbk7lxpwqFTpIbGzBE2KhXQRiK76Z04HoV1kNydyUFfjCgLBuUFk93kh1NaXgB2bET_9SHZ288tTAvSeJH933USz6PRgRMQYEMM9vgiy6I7cyBdpGhb_C-Ygt6E/s1600/DSC_0818%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNIZincCZj7bDax85Mpbk7lxpwqFTpIbGzBE2KhXQRiK76Z04HoV1kNydyUFfjCgLBuUFk93kh1NaXgB2bET_9SHZ288tTAvSeJH933USz6PRgRMQYEMM9vgiy6I7cyBdpGhb_C-Ygt6E/s640/DSC_0818%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Words by Magnus hvmalgi:<br /><br />"<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">At the Flower-Clash, Skarphedinn inn havi was called before Kenric the king and Avelina the queen. A skald was called to speak on the man's deeds. This is what was said.</span></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Iron-tower</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of terrible power</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">crushes our foes,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">his fearsome blows</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">breaking their ranks,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">reddening the banks</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of Gjöll - the raven</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">glutton-haven.<br /><br />Thunder roars<br />rankle the boars</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to run - a dog</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">drives through the fog</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the corpse-mud -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cowering from flood,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">their hides bear brunt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of Har of the hunt.<br /><br />Stalwart skilled Skarphedin<br />stands proud, and skull-laden<br /><br />This beast of might,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">bearing the light</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">touch of service,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">settles the nervous</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with gilded voice,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">grasping the choice</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of peace when force</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the plainer recourse.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The wisdom of old -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the ancient gold</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">breaker's advice -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to bear as ice</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the weight of the world</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with words furled -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">feeds the rowan</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a feast to grow in.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stalwart skilled Skarphedin</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">stands humble, grace-laden</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These things opposed -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">proud-strong battle-oak</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by fire disposed</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to fulsome smoke -</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">speak of a man</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of spear-knowledge</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and knowledge-span</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">like spear-hall edge.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Praise-fit the ash</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of ancient roots</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that stands in boots</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of Bragi and clash</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">of wounding-poles,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with winding trunk</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that battled and sunk</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the bravest of souls.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stalwart skilled Skarphedin</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">stands - worthy of honor laden</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then all were called to remember the deeds of Skarphedinn and give him his due honor. It was the Time of Remembrance, fifty-one years after the Settling."<br /><br />The illumination was inspired by the Book of Kells and the Lindisfarne documents. The calligraphy was inspired by the Norse runes, created specifically for this scroll.<br /><br />I worked the entire thing on a piece of goat skin ... parchment? Vellum? Whatever it is, I was worried I couldn't tame it. The thing was frustrating. Trying to flatten it produced weird wrinkles. Writing on it caused it sometimes to work beautiful and sometimes to bubble as if oil was on the skin. But I didn't give up! Why? Because Skarphedinn is an inspiration and he would be proud and overjoyed to know I wouldn't let this scroll best me! And honestly, I'm quite pleased with the result.</span></div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-37071452199326085692016-05-01T10:50:00.000-07:002016-05-03T17:11:40.506-07:00AoA for Léana Doucet<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I admit, I don't know everyone. I just don't. So it is no wonder when this scroll assignment came across my desk that I said 'yes, but I don't know who that is!' Thankfully, the description of -why- she was getting the word was so brilliantly inspirational (as they all are, gosh darn it!) and so I knew this was a scroll I wanted to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...but I didn't think I had all the time I wanted for the wordsmithing. So I contacted the person who put in the request and words were eventually given to me. In French. Eep! So, then I had to start working on a translation because I don't know French but wanted to make sure the whole scroll had a proper feel to it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here are the words that were given to me by <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Sir
</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Pellandres
dit le Frère with a few little tweaks by Dame Bruinissende and Alys Mackyntoich to add in the names of the royalty where they best fit as well as the event place and date:<br /><br />"</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; orphans: 1;">Il
en est une dont les actes, quoique toujours silencieux, ne laissent
aucun indifférent. Du chaos naissent l'ordre puis l'action. D'aucun
ne savait ce qu'il devait faire, du coup il accompli de grandes
choses. Un sourire en coin, elle sait son travail accompli. Certains
voudraient la saisir et définir son influence. Nul ne peut ainsi la
réduire. Revestant le haume, elle affronte sans doutes les ennemis
du Roiaume et assiste à l'entrainement de ses troupes. Hors de la
lice elle s'assure que non seulement sa propre personne, mais aussi
sa suite, soient couverts de vestiments honorables. Ce sans oublier
son amour pour la gens équine, les activités desquelles elle songe
établir en ceste principauté et qu'elle introduit à qui veut
l'entendre! N'osant laisser un tel murmure s'élever trop haut
et cherchant plutôt a le transformer en clameurs de joie de la
part de leur sujets, Nous, Kenric, Roi du Royaume d'Orient par le
droit des armes, et Avelina, de par le même droit notre Reine, de
par les ci-présentes lettres accordons à notre sujet Leana
Dosquet le droit de porter les armes suivantes:</span></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ainsi
ordonné en ce 30 avril de la cinquantième année de notre Société
dans notre baronnie du Havre des Glaces."</span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A space was saved where arms could be placed when the time came that there were registered.<br /><br />Here is the translation, to the best of my ability, from French into English:<br /><br />"</span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There
is one whose acts, though still silent, leave no one indifferent.
Born into the chaos, she creates order in action. Where no one else
may know what to do, she can accomplish a great many thing. Always
with a smile, she goes to her work. Some would try to define its
influence, but none may invalidate her labors. Wearing a great helm,
she faces without doubt the enemies of the Kingdom and attends the
training of its troops. From the lists she ensures that not only her
own person, but also those around her, are clothed with honorable
vestiments. Without forgetting love for equestrians, whose activities
she feels important to the Kingdom, she teaches anyone who will
listen! Not daring to leave such a murmur to grow too loud and
instead seeking to turn it into joyful clamor from Their subjects,
We, Kenric, King of the Kingdom of the East by right of arms, and
Avelina, by the same right, Queen, by the following present letters
grant Leana Dosquet the right to bear the following arms:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 1;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dated
April 30 in the fiftieth year of our Company in our Barony of Havre
des Glaces."<br /><br />The illumination of choice in inspiration comes from the Bible of Borso d'Este, circa 1455.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh378VwV2QLxIHi_fIw6b0nfWg8mKVomz2Smv8isNAnc015uaeTkWDmmXOycsCNFe2pQKq6TdoYeCxQSGjDvSqc8Rh_HJzdKA4cC1Vpje359Qdgs3HLglAn6TN-UjRXNA19Xu2H1oQCgbA/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh378VwV2QLxIHi_fIw6b0nfWg8mKVomz2Smv8isNAnc015uaeTkWDmmXOycsCNFe2pQKq6TdoYeCxQSGjDvSqc8Rh_HJzdKA4cC1Vpje359Qdgs3HLglAn6TN-UjRXNA19Xu2H1oQCgbA/s640/DSC_0626.JPG" width="424" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiEGE7MowM9sD2hAOPAkUvu_sDZlgW3Iabq_bQ9tXTNmBzPtQoQMAZec6oA68qm81OTqaSksQ0cJVUvNegzFz-wzz93oJM5WS6lOlHdmnUjByx5WXRhi0xmyL4NF8sy6wLn0N2hiBtjE/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiEGE7MowM9sD2hAOPAkUvu_sDZlgW3Iabq_bQ9tXTNmBzPtQoQMAZec6oA68qm81OTqaSksQ0cJVUvNegzFz-wzz93oJM5WS6lOlHdmnUjByx5WXRhi0xmyL4NF8sy6wLn0N2hiBtjE/s640/DSC_0481.JPG" width="424" /></a></span></div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-65183927367672420872016-04-07T17:51:00.000-07:002016-04-10T08:07:07.924-07:00Order of the BedchamberSo, I had decided if I had managed to get into the third round at King and Queen's Bardic, that I would put on my resume (and hope to get asked) to do an Order of the Bedchamber piece. We know, from documents of the court, that there were two Skomorokhi in Ivan the Terrible's Order of the Bedchamber (which was a list of all his retinue that did the home tasks that were necessary). And we also know from journals of visitors that Ivan often enjoyed having his Skomrokhi regale him with songs, poetry, byliny, and epic tales - whether they were true or not. Sometimes he would have them recite epics that were well known and loved. But Ivan also enjoyed getting drunk and wearing masks and doing improv with the Skomorokhi, so almost anything is up for grabs.<br />
<br />
In either case, for quite some time now I have been taking notes on phrases that would make good 'Order of the Bedchamber' glory to the King type of praise piece. And that is what I offered to do. Although I didn't make it into the third round, I finally decided I would like to try my hand at arranging all the phrases and see if I could make a worthy praise poem for the soon to be King Kenric of the East, as he and his beautiful lady have always been an inspiration to me.<br />
<br />
So, based off a variety of byliny, but mostly the Lay of Igor's Campaign, here is the praise piece for Kenric that I wrote, something that would rival the Skomorokhi tales that were told while Prince Ivan languished in his bathing tub in the afternoons.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
O you guests, invited guests,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Honored guests, warrior guests.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You are to be told a wonderous thing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A wonderful thing and it is no trifle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I speak of our King Kenric.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Swaddled to the sound of trumpets,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nursed beneath helmets,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fed at the spear's point.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He has girded his mind with fortitude</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And sharpened his heart with valor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
King Kenric will speed like an ermine
into the rushes,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like a white duck onto the water.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He will spring upon his swift horse</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And leap from it like a white footed
wolf.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He will speed towards the meadows of
AEthelmearc</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
And fly like a falcon beneath the mists</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Slaying geese and swans</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For his morning, midday, and evening
meals.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is this noise?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
What is this ringing I hear far away?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
He shouts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The earth rumbles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The grass rustles.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The tents stir.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The East advances on the great plain
with scarlet shields</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Seeking honor for themselves and glory
for their King.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The roads are known to them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The ravines familiar to them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Their bows are strung.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Their quivers open.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Their sabres whetted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They race across the land like grey
wolves.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
But a like battle was never heard of.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From dawn till evening,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
From evening till dawn.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tempered arrows fly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sabres thunder against helmets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Lances of steel crash amid the land.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A blood red glow will herald the dawn.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Black clouds come in from the East</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and streaks of blue lightning quiver
within them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
There will be a mighty thunder.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rain will come-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A rain of arrows.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here lances will break.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here sabres will strike against foreign
helmets.<br />
<br />
Brave thoughts carry our minds to action- to war.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Horses neigh beyond the shires.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glory rings out in the baronies.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Trumpets sound in the cantons.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Standards are raised in Tir Mara.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The countryside is happy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The cities are joyful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We praise the deeds of the past.<br />
Glory to Brennan!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glory to Caoilfhionn!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now we must honor the present.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glory to Kenric!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glory to Avelina!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Long live the King and Queen!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Long live the retinue!</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Glory to the East!</div>
Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-20267169041931691702016-04-03T19:38:00.001-07:002016-04-03T19:38:29.149-07:00Klaus Winterhalter's Tyger's CombattantI have never done a Tyger's Combattant before and, honestly, when I was given this assignment, I wasn't certain where to start. Fighting, in general, is one of the few parts of the SCA I don't know as much about as I would like, but having done one of the AoA level combat awards, I felt excited and confident that I could do this one justice!<br />
<br />
When I typically start a scroll, I start by choosing the words that will inspire me and then choose the manuscript based on the words.<br /><br />For words, I decided on a letter from Ermengard, Viscountess of Narbonne: <a href="https://epistolae.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/letter/17.html" target="_blank">To view the original letter, click here.</a><br />
<br />
I worked with the words and eventually the scroll wording read as such:<br />
<br />
"To Our most beloved populace, by grace of the East, the most illustrious King Brennan, and his gracious Queen Caoilfhionn, greetings, good health and the magnanimity of the Kingdom.<br />
<br />
We desire to protect and defend the East and as necessary, We shall not resist the cries of many. It is said that Klaus Winterhalter does strive to deliver up to Us and Ours both commands and service at many times and places. As his arm has taken up the shield of protection and risen in aid of the East, many have willingly and constantly followed behind his arms and his teachings<br />
<br />
We do not speak alone, but all our compatriots are consumed by ineffable joy that We see Our Kingdom, on which the vigor of the Eastern Kings and Queens have conferred the tokens of such honors, another is given such recognition.<br />
<br />
Let his vigor therefore assume strength and enter into Our Order of the Tyger's Combatant with a strong arm to repress the boldness of Our enemies and give solace to the worthy hope of Our friends. So We conclude at Our time of the Mudthaw in the Barony of Settmour Swamp. Dated this day of April 2, A.S. L by Our very hands."<br />
<br />
Once finished, I decided for an illumination choice the Psalter of Saint Louis, circa 1260. I decided to do the whole thing on parchment to give it more of an authentic feel instead of the watercolor paper I often like to use. Here is the final product:<br /><br /><br />
<br />
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<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-44354407252059355262016-03-08T05:57:00.003-08:002016-03-08T05:58:40.768-08:00King and Queen's Bardic ChampionsIt is very important to me to start documenting my performances because I have been working so hard on all of them. I have been working hard on how to stand, how to talk, what to wear, what props to use, how to move, etc.<br />
<br />
This past weekend, against previous decisions that my life had been too hectic, I decided that I would compete if for no other reason than to be given a venue in which to teach a little bit more about skomorokhi and what/how they did what they did.<br />
<br />
For the first round, I did a piece I call The Brave Youth. I decided to incorporate a lot of the movement I learned taking classes from Antonio Fava as well as an extant find mask I had been wanting to make for a long time.<br />
<br />
Here is the 13th century 'buffoon' mask, made of leather and found under the floor boards of a cobbler's shop that was excavated.<br />
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And here is the mask that I made, using the same measurements as the mask above (16 x 13 centimeters).<br />
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The card I handed to the judges with the documentation for my performance read as follows:<br />
<br />
"The Brave Youth<br />
Katrusha Skomorokha Negodieva `Doch<br />
<br />
Mask based on late 13th century extant find.<br />
<br />
"The first known recording of a Russian folktale was made in the sixteenth century by an Italian historian."<br />
"While the east slavic folktale flourished as entertainment ... folktales were enjoyed among all social classes, including the tsar's family."<br />
Johns, Andreas. <u>Baba Yaga</u>. Peter Lang Publishing: New York. 2004. Page 49.<br />
<br />
In 1905, an excavation revealed burial mounds of the 11th -12th centuries that bear a striking resemblance to the tales of Baba Yaga, giving us reasonable cause to believe the skomorokhi told the stories to keep the bodies from being disturbed."<br />
<br />
Here are a few photos from the performance to show some of the acrobatics used. I geared the performance hoping for children to come forward and enjoy it. I will post a video of the performance once they are available.<br />
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<br />
My second round piece I had decided on taking excerpts from the Izbornik, a book written around 1076. My documentation for it read:<br />
<br />
"Parental Advice<br />
Katrusha Skomorokha Negodieva `Doch<br />
<br />
Excerpts from the Izbornik, circa 1076.<br />
<br />
"The majority of the people were largely unaffected by the conversion (to Christianity) ... they continued to practice the ancient cult of their ancestors and to call upon the skomorokhi for spiritual guidance."<br />
<br />
Zguta, Russel. <u>Russian Minstrels</u>. University of Pennsylvania Press. 1978. Page 15."<br />
<br />
Here is what I read:<br />
<br />
"Child, in your lifetime test your soul and see what is bad for her and do not give it to her, for not everything agrees with everyone, not every soul enjoys everything. Entice your soul with gladness and comfort your heart, and remove sorrow far from you so that you will not grow old too soon.<br />
<br />
Do not be ashamed to stand against the current of the river, or submit yourself to a fool, or court the face of the powerful, but defend truth to the death.<br />
<br />
Do not withhold your mercy even from the dead and do not fail those who weep; mourn with those who mourn and do not shrink from visiting the sick, because for those deeds you will be loved. A sweet throat multiplies friends, and a fair speaking tongue multiplies courtesies.<br />
<br />
Child, from your youth up choose instruction, and until you turn grey you will find wisdom. Come to her like one who plows and sows and wait for her good crop. In cultivating her you will toil a little while, yet soon you will be eating the good things of her produce. She seems utterly intractable to the uninstructed and the faint of heart will not remain with her but leave; for wisdom is like her name and is not revealed to many.<br />
<br />
Put your feet in her fetters and into her collar your neck; put your shoulder under her and carry her, and let her bonds be not to close. Come to her with all your soul and keep her ways with all your might Search out and seek, and she will become known to you. When you get hold of her, you will not let her go, for in the end you will find her rest: she will be changed into joy for you and her fetters will become for you a strong protection and her collar a robe of glory, for upon her is the beauty of gold, and her bonds are a braid of precious stone. You will put her on as a robe of glory and put a crown of gladness on your head.<br />
<br />
If you wish, child, you will be instructed, and if you give it your soul, you will become clever; if you love to listen, you will live, and if you incline your ear, you will become wise. Child, stand in the multitude of elders, and if one is wise, cleave to him. Be willing to listen to every narrative, and the precept of insight will not escape you. If you see a wise man, rise early to visit him and let your feet wear out his doorstep.<br />
<br />
Above all, child, remember this. Do not hide your wisdom, for wisdom will be recognized by your word. Be firm in your mind, and let your word be one."<br />
<br />
Although I did not make it into the third round, I decided that I would begin documenting my resume as well. So my resume was written as such:<br />
<br />
Katrusha Skomorokha Negodieva `Doch<br />
<br />
A War Song (not period) written by another<br />
" ... foreign influences enabled the skomorokhi to transform themselves ..." page 21<br />
<br />
Order of the Bedchamber (period style) praise poem for the King created on the spot<br />
"Of the 188 persons listed under the general heading of the Order of the Bedchamber ... two were skomorokhi." page 54-55<br />
<br />
Traditional Russian historical piece (period style)<br />
" ... skomorokhi became heirs to a rich body of oral heroic poetry ..." page 22<br />
<br />
Sing-a-long (not period)<br />
"... on occasion Ivan himself (Ivan the Terrible) took part in their (the smokorokhi) entertainments." page 55.<br />
<br />
Zguta, Russell. <u>Russian Minstrels</u>. University of Pennsylvania Press. 1978.<br />
<br />
<br />
The only other thing to explain is the clothing style choice. Skomorokhi, having been nearly banished by the church, took on a lot of repertoire as well as clothing styles from their European counterparts. They took inspiration from anywhere they could get it: Germany, Italy, Greece, China, etc. So I fashioned my garb after these descriptions and the few illuminations we can find of skomorkhi. And yes, there were female skomorokhi.<br />
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<br />Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-56898866057310542312016-02-12T19:32:00.000-08:002016-02-12T19:32:50.723-08:00Fava Class Day Five: Wrapping up-There are androgenous masks that can be used by the lovers as social masks (or other un-masked characters) if they want to meet in secret for the purposes of intrigue.<br />
<br />
-You can not pronounce the name of the masked person until it is obvious you know who they are.<br />
<br />
-Always look away when another person is doing their aparte or you will simply appear like part of the audience<br />
<br />
-Capitano boasts: make something so impossible that even the skeptic has to hang on your every word. Make mistakes as you talk so that you can laugh them off.<br />
<br />
-Never look at a person face to face during an aparte<br />
<br />
-Always take off intrigue mask in one simple motion, holding it gently by your side without showin the back of thumb through the eyes.<br />
<br />
-Main business for pantalone and dottore is to speak of marriage (usually)<br />
<br />
-Zanni and Pantalone are friends.<br />
<br />
Pantalone's strategy for documents is simply 'agree or don't agree' and sign.<br />
Dottore's strategy for documents is to make Pantalone appear like a fool/humiliated<br />
<br />
A happy ending in commedia is to return to the beginning balance. AKA starting with a wedding, wedding gets interrupted, return to the wedding. Etc. Everyone happy.<br />
<br />
It was a very short day with some teaching as the long part of the day was set aside for all of us, as one company, to do a canvaccio:<br />
<br />
In Pantalone's house with Pantalone, Isabella, la Signora, Pedrolino, Columbina, and Zanni as well as Dottore and Flavio. Dottor and Pantalone are about to go through with the ceremony of engagement for Isabella and Flavio. There is a knock on the door: announcement of Capitano's (and his Zanni) entrance. Ceremony is interrupted and Capitano produces a letter signed by Panalone promising Isabella to him for marriage. Everyone is confused. End scene.<br />
<br />
Next scene: First is the duel of the two lovers. Then the duel of the old men. Then the duel of Signora/Pedrolino as she plots how to get the Capitano for herself. Then the desperate servants who just want the food from the ceremony. Then the Capitano and his Zanni talk about how they created the trick of the document. End scene.<br />
<br />
Next scene: Engagement ceremony to begin between Capitano and Isabella. Dottore/Flavio are upset. Arrival of a mysterious woman (Columbina) and a baby (Zanni) who is searching for Capitano. Capitano admits to his trick and the engagement ceremony between Isabella and Flavio can happen once more.Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-90377290572549284572016-02-11T20:25:00.003-08:002016-02-11T20:25:45.354-08:00Fava Class Day Four: Pantalone, Dottore, Servetta, Infernato, and stage slapsPantalone:<br />
<br />
- old is NOT an ailiment. It is just a condition that happens. This does NOT mean that Pantalone acts old and decrepit. He merely has a slight body posture change because of age.<br />
<br />
-Followed a full life: a lover- most likely in marriage where Isabella/Flavio whomever came from<br />
a zanni: worked hard for a living<br />
a capitano: lived through many wars<br />
This means that Pantalone (and Dottore as well) may be old, but can have the same steps and motions as the other archtypes for a variety of reasons.<br />
<br />
In stance:<br />
-World weighs down on Pantalone from age which causes his knees to bend more, his back to round out and rolling his pelvis/belly outwards. He is -not- hunched over. He remains with a good vertical access. This pose will make your thighs burn if you do it right.<br />
<br />
-keep loose in the wrists and ankles. Do not drag/shuffle feet. Pantalone may take small steps (almost heel to toe), but he is still filled with energy. Walks heel first.<br />
<br />
-When excited, Pantalone will lift foot quickly off the ground as if floor is on fire and then slowly put it back down again. He will do the same kind of step when angry.<br />
<br />
-keep elbows out and up. Never fully extend arm, but he can still point and move just fine.<br />
<br />
-Loves money. Every coin has a name, a shape, a color, a story.<br />
<br />
-Pantalone is not a thief. He will not steal money.<br />
<br />
-If not wanting to pay a loan, Pantalone will suddenly remember that he is old (aka- can't hear, aching back, stiff knees, etc.)<br />
<br />
Dottore:<br />
<br />
-Also weighed down by the world, but it causes instead for his back to arch outward, sticking out his stomache and keeping his knees and arms very open and bent.<br />
<br />
-Walks with a similar step to Pantalone, but because of being such a large man (always pictured as a very large man who loves his gastronomy), a nearly small hop has to be inserted just for the effort of getting him off the ground. Shoulders and elbows will bounce with the hop steps as if a bird (if he is not gesturing)<br />
<br />
-Very bombastic. Whole world is his chalk board to draw on, refer to, create visual diagrams with as he answers questions. In other words, he speaks with his hands and his words will change in tone and texture depending on what he is talking about, almost like onomonopiae. (AKA if he is describing how to cook sausage he may say 'then you *makes sounds of frying* and you CRANK up the heat')<br />
<br />
-It is always dangerous to ask him a question. It will take him hour to explain anything. He will make up theories and loops and roads and cross himself and follow his own logic that no one else can.<br />
<br />
-Often is seen wearing robes and really big hats.<br />
<br />
-When he stops walking, he plants his feet with authority as if saying 'I am here, you stupid people. You should be glad I am here.'<br />
<br />
Servetta (such as Columbina)<br />
<br />
-stands like a more upright zanni. Walks similar to signora.<br />
<br />
-Often loves a 2nd zanni<br />
<br />
-Often has little flip kicks in her step in order to pop her skirt up<br />
<br />
-no mask. Beautiful woman.<br />
<br />
Infernato AKA the white face (such as Pedrolino)<br />
<br />
-Often has no mask but a face dipped in flour with a small red dot for mouth<br />
<br />
-wears crisp, clean, very rich silken white clothing and a red skull cap<br />
<br />
-disgusted at dirt, unlike other zanni. Nose often in the air looking down at the other zanni and at filth (which horrifies him)<br />
<br />
-More vertical than other zanni. Has a similar step feel as la signora<br />
<br />
-feels more important/better than the other zanni<br />
<br />
-seen as a master of ceremony and a beauty expert (described in class as seriously metrosexual)<br />
<br />
-every movement is a zanni movement, but more graceful.<br />
<br />
-servetta and infernato live in the house, unlike zanni who are more of a rent a worker.<br />
<br />
-Last scene of a play usually has all weddings being announced. Make sure to invite the audience. This is when everyone gets a small moment to say something to the audience.<br />
<br />
-the madness of love can be a time where the lovers can be something other than divas and serious. It can also make the audience cry.<br />
<br />
List of stage slap styles taught: punch in the face, full face slapping, small face slaps, grabbing of hair, pulling of ear, pulling of nose, head butts, nose flick, eye gouge, tickling.<br />
<br />
Today's cavaccio was:<br />
<br />
La Signora is being primped by her faithful servant Pedrolino to prepare for the Capitano's visit. Her husband tries to see her but is turned away multiple times. In the mean time, Capitano slips into the room as the husband decides to disguise himself as a gift to get in the room. Once in the room, he catches the lovers and they quickly need to make a lie as to who the Capitano is.Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-31949633753784535022016-02-10T19:36:00.001-08:002016-02-10T20:03:37.863-08:00Fava Class Day Three: Capitano and SignoraFirst let me start with Fava recommending searching for 'teatro del' whatever language you want to learn. He said that recording himself saying a sentence or two would just not be useful at all for understanding. He also did not feel comfortable recording any of his movements, which I completely respect, so continue to bear with my descriptions.<br />
<br />
Capitano<br />
<br />
-Same stance as zanni: knees slightly bent, chest out, point and click head, etc, only allow more elasticity in movement. You are showing off, offering a wider stance and expanse with chest and legs.<br />
<br />
-When moving, unlike the zanni, there is a pivot/hip torsion. It causes one to walk with more of a strut. Heel should always be the first thing that strikes the floor; move with conviction. Shoulder and opposite leg move when walking.<br />
<br />
-Capitano was not always masked. The important features are the nose and mustache. There are times just a nose was put on and then blended in with make up, etc.<br />
<br />
-Capitano shows as a man with dignity, but he has none.<br />
<br />
-Capitano is filled with a good sense of humor. The lovers, on the other hand, have no sense of humor.<br />
<br />
-Capitano laughs off danger unless it is an immediate threat: the war is right there, for example, or he sees his shadow or a mouse.<br />
<br />
-kind of a bastard with a lot of bragging. Very easily able to exhibition with other capitano.<br />
<br />
-long names<br />
<br />
-often names his sword a woman's name. The weapon is not animated, but he refers to it, looking at it and treating it with respect. Example "Back to battle I go. To fight. To protect. Rosaria, you shall keep me safe. Now. We go."<br />
<br />
-Often refers to a horse, but one is never seen.<br />
<br />
-Seen as a second lover, also known as the secret lovers or adventure lovers.<br />
<br />
-Ways to carry a sword<br />
on hip - traditional<br />
under arm - british<br />
over both shoulders - military<br />
over one shoulder - gypsy<br />
twirled in front - french<br />
<br />
-finds good humor in everything - laughs at small mistakes/scares to prove he is good natured/not afraid<br />
<br />
-can be afraid of own shadow, reflection, mouse, lover's husband, etc<br />
<br />
-he will laugh off momentary fears. example, seeing his shadow. "Aaah! Oh. Haha."<br />
Fears that "I will die" such as going off to fight in the war, he will hide himself or pretend to be someone/something else that would no longer be in such danger. Example: pretending to be sweeping the floor with his broom because no one would ever think a cleaner is dangerous enough to envoke a fight.<br />
<br />
-speaks poetic, but ignorant. As if he were a first lover, but with the romantic logic of a zanni.<br />
<br />
-his destiny is to fight<br />
<br />
-he tries to look dangerous, but he's not<br />
he tries to look powerful, but he's not<br />
he tries to look rich, but he's not<br />
<br />
La Signora<br />
<br />
-Feet are almost in the shape of a T and walk more in a ballet position on the tips of the toes<br />
<br />
-Nose is above the pride line which is a horizon mark. Looks down on everyone<br />
<br />
-Arms out and floating because of very full skirts. Not out like wings, but comfortably out and up<br />
<br />
-Again, torsion/pivot in the hips when walking<br />
<br />
-acts very elegant with movements, tries to be poetic but is romantically naive<br />
<br />
-very generous because it is her husband's wealth, but often will not look at or touch the servents<br />
<br />
-very authoratative<br />
<br />
-tries to look dangerous, and she is<br />
tries to look powerful, and she is<br />
tries to look rich, and she is<br />
<br />
-Also is a second lover<br />
<br />
-Seen as a young woman who was likely closer to being a zanni than a lover who was married to a pantalone. Either she is married or she is widowed.<br />
<br />
-often her walk appears like a grand balancing act as she is often loaded with gold, jewels, large wigs, etc.<br />
<br />
-A woman actor would normally start as a lover, and as she ages she would become la signora and then a masked character where age and sex would no longer play a factor on the stage.<br />
<br />
-Commedia is NOT physical theater. Physical theater is acrobatics. There may be acrobatic moments, but it is not, fully, acrobatic/physical.<br />
<br />
-a traditional set is a city. Often it was made of wood or paintings, two walls and a back, and no religious buildings would be seen.<br />
<br />
-Humanist studies- studying new form of theater<br />
<br />
-commedia starts the age of professional theater where actors get paid, stay in troupes, and have fixed characters.<br />
<br />
-it was not practical to work all year in one place, many troupes traveled to various theaters. In this way, the props were more important than the sets.<br />
<br />
-Sometimes the set is just a pedestal in the middle of the stage, but it has to have an importance. Things on stage have to be used for significant importance.<br />
<br />
-a list of props in scenari never include any of the things that were traditionally for a character already.<br />
-prop list is only for the particular comedy being read<br />
<br />
-first time with a prop is exaggerated and then put back to normal. Example: la signora's wig often would have a theme the first time she is seen, such as war with cannons and such in it... and then it would be a normal wig after the fact.<br />
<br />
-props have very precise functions. Know how your props move/work/what they are made of. All props are important. They should not drop on the floor accidentally. They can be thrown, but only with an intended reason (such as capitano tossing his sword so he wont be caught looking so dangerous). Things that are tossed in such a manner can/should be taken up by another character (example, zanni yawning and suddenly there is a sword in their hand. Where did that come from?) Every action with a prop needs to have a purpose.<br />
<br />
-zanni and capitano are not always aware of each other<br />
<br />
-capitano's servant is normally ruffano - AKA a ruffian<br />
<br />
-how fear happens: First hear it. Then see it. Then shock. Then reaction to the fear.<br />
<br />
-create disaster for visual effect, but everything is always in control<br />
<br />
-final show is an agreement between professionals. Given an idea, each actor has a fixed character - they can create a show in 5 hours.<br />
<br />
-Lovers are typically the only ones who can destroy props. Example: thinking their love no longer loves them, they can tear up a letter and have it rain down like snow. Poetic movement of the prop.<br />
<br />
-Fixed types of characters: there are 4 archtypes and about 7-8 characters within them.<br />
<br />
-Publicity for plays were mistaken as street performance because the publicity happened through parades of the characters.<br />
<br />
-Only the best troupes would get play time in theaters.<br />
<br />
-A sun was made with a sphere of glass filled with water with a torch behind it.<br />
<br />
-Often used candles for lights in the theater<br />
<br />
-Commedia is not miming. Props are needed for any object you may want/need in the comedy.<br />
<br />
-use the darkness as a solid: it weighs on the characters and their body shows the weight. They have to fight through the darkness: Lovers protect their face by going feet first. Capitano is a hunter and goes nose first.<br />
<br />
-commedia is just a moment in the life of a society<br />
<br />
-if lovers fall into a severe suffering, such as the loss of a love, they can become mad. Madness shelters them and the are safe in their madness. They can be cured upon seeing their love again.<br />
<br />
-The 7 deadly sins are NOT seen in commediay. Comedy is just under these. It is more comic not to have them.<br />
<br />
<br />
Edit: ARGH I forgot today's canovacci (which I believe I have seen isebastiani perform):<br />
<br />
Two lovers meet to plan for a secret elopement. Capitano and signora meet to plan for a secret tryst. That night, Flavio and Capitano get mixed up and climb into the wrong bedroom.Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-71741616763517397572016-02-09T17:08:00.000-08:002016-02-09T18:33:26.900-08:00Fava Class, Day Two: The Lovers and further exploration of the ZanniThe Lovers:<br />
-Eyes still follow the nose, even with no mask on. Head is still independents and moves a lot.<br />
-Lead with the sternum. The sternum is the heart. Collapse chest to pull heart away/hide it from breaking.<br />
-Arms out as if you were the statue on the bow of a ship.<br />
-Walk with toes. Ballet feet. Keep your walking feel always about hip space apart.<br />
<br />
-Lovers can think about suicide, but they would always find reasons that are too dirty to do it.<br />
<br />
-First act: least comic, mistakes are made, symmetry<br />
-Second act: more comic, explosion of mistake, no symmetry<br />
-Third act: very short, few words, crescendo, most comedy, symmetry<br />
<br />
-Very hard not to parody the lovers. Let them have their own lives. Do not make them into something else. They are funny because they are naive, not because you make humor with them.<br />
<br />
-All commedia characters are good characters. AKA All players play commedia characters well.<br />
- Disguised characters still act as themselves: therefore all characters do not play all characters well. example: Capitano is a horrible Isabella. And vice versa. They can not act the part, only wear the disguise.<br />
<br />
- Must always retain contact with the audience. Whenever there is a big change in a character, there should always be a small aside with the audience. The audience is seen as the only true friend of the character and so they are always to be kept in the loop when something changes: someone falls in love, had an idea, finds something, etc. Any change of movement (looking at the word 'movement' as in the art form of music) should be shared with the audience.<br />
<br />
-There are no extremes in Commedia. This means no Kings/Monarchs/criminals/villains. No good or evil. And never any religion.<br />
<br />
-Scenes must be symmetrical in the beginning as in the end. If two people walk on stage, two people walk off stage. But the stage must never be empty, even for a second. As two are walking off, two are walking on.<br />
<br />
-Typically a scene end is an end for EVERYONE on stage. Do not stay as an aside while others leave as it only add dramaturgic that the scene doesn't need and may confuse the audience.<br />
<br />
-Zanni know everything about beds. Everything. They know rich beds, poor beds, middle beds, etc. They sleep standing up (lift foot to cross over knee, balance on one leg, put head on fist and slightly cross arms) so they can jump when their master calls. But if there is more than one zanni, they usually all sleep in a cluster.<br />
<br />
-We learned the Zanni tired walk: lead with head instead of feet. And the Zanni proud walk: thumbs in belt while leading more with knees and moving elbows slightly like a chicken.<br />
<br />
- Servetta is not a Zanni. Zanni are like... rent a servant. Servetta are a little more clever, more beautiful, unmasked, and are a live-in servant.<br />
<br />
Today we did three short little scenes:<br />
<br />
The first- Two lovers are to meet at the same time and place as another two. Unfortunately the male and female lover, one from each set, meet in the dark and think it is their lover. They are then found by their actual lover and chaos happens (jealousy, anger, upset, etc).<br />
<br />
The second- The zanni sleeping machine! Zanni got into a position to sleep, slept together like a machine, and then woke, went back to sleep, etc three revolutions.<br />
<br />
The third- Two lovers meet in the dark but there is a problem. They wake a sleeping Zanni who then tries to help them with their problem.Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7649337903783961221.post-22480685974570913882016-02-08T18:33:00.000-08:002016-02-09T18:32:39.675-08:00Fava Class Day One: History of Commedia and Masks as well as Zanni work-Until the 4th century when Romanization took over, masks were primarily used in religious ceremonies. Eventually they became more secular and then disappeared for a time before returning in a more social setting. <br />
<br />
-Around 1530 we can see Commedia coming into the scene. The characters never defined Commedia; Commedia chose the characters.<br />
<br />
-Different dialects are seen with different charaters. Dottore usually has a Bolognese dialect as he is from Bologna where the first university can be seen as well as a gastonomic capital. Pantalone, which stands for Plant a Lion (the symbol of Venice), speaks Venetian. In fact, all versions of the Pantalone character come from various different port cities, heavy in trade: Pancrazzio, Magnifico, Stefanello. The lovers spoke the language of Florence as it was the most common, plus had the most Latin and was mostly used for writing. Southern servents spoke Neopolitan and the Northern servents spoke Bergamesk.<br />
<br />
-Commedia started in Italian and then went to Spanish, French, German, and then English.<br />
<br />
-All Characters are part of the audience. In that sense, all the audience is part of the play. There is no fourth wall.<br />
<br />
-Pulcinella stands for chicken, but not chicken like the animal, but more of a bird brain or a rube. In Italian, people will say they will trick that 'pollo' over there, for example.<br />
<br />
-You need a zanni 1 (smarter/cleverer) and a zanni 2 (more foolish/stupid) for a play. They are the an integral part of the machine that is Commedia.<br />
<br />
-Follow the rules of the mask at all times. If you wear a mask of that character, you are that character. Respect the mask. When it is on, talk and act in character.<br />
<br />
-There are six pillars of Commedia: Masks (on principle), Improv (to react with your partner, to know how to react on stage), Engage the Audience, Multilingual (as long as one person in the troupe is understood by each member of the audience, and it can be a different member for each person, you don't need everyone speaking the same language. Commedia is PHYSICAL not VERBAL), Fixed parts (the mask is the character), and the audience must be happy!<br />
<br />
-You have to know 1/2 of the character and 1/2 of yourself to have the definitive to improvise.<br />
<br />
-Commedia is based on a binary system. You should always be working in pairs.<br />
<br />
-The finale of each act should be all actors and big confusion until the finale of the last act, which should be all characters and happy.<br />
<br />
-It is not uncommon for the play to end with Dottore coming out and apologizing for the play not being on the same level as such a beautiful audience. Always leave the audience happy!<br />
<br />
-The audience can see the creation of a mistake and will follow it to the inevitable conclusion. The goal of the players is to be more creative than the audience so they can make the mistake do things that the audience couldn't have imagined... and then resolve it.<br />
<br />
-All scenarios almost exactly the same for the past 2 centuries: not written words but more focused on the physical comedy.<br />
<br />
-Everyone in commedia is a protagonist. There is no good and evil. Cruelty and cynisism is not synonymous with evil.<br />
<br />
-Typical commedia would be three hours long with 2 intermissions, making the full show time about 4 hours. There would be a tremendous amount of props, sets, and costumes.<br />
<br />
-Commedia started on the street because it was an invention of a new type of entertainment and they had to invent and figure out the audience they needed. It could not stay there, though, because 5 minute skits, (which were all someone was allowed) would just confuse an audience.<br />
<br />
-In 1560 we see women in public in theater and it was a big success. Immediately we see the professional term for an actress seen in writing.<br />
<br />
-Use the language of the country. Italy has over 300 dialects of Italian. Use them all. Some will understand you, some wont, and that's okay. Your body should be telling the comedy.<br />
<br />
-Isabella Andrini was a poet and playwright. She invented how to speak in love, upside down, term: mad for love.<br />
<br />
-Each actor invents their own names.<br />
<br />
-1st Zanni examples: Brighella, Finnocchio.<br />
<br />
-2nd Zanni examples: (there are OVER 300 of these names) Alecchino (who is NOT separated from the rest), Pulchinella (who is a survivor of political change in creation and is the only zanni who is typically married to Dona Setza and has lots of children).<br />
<br />
-Your mask is your face. It is not a mask. You do not touch, readjust, move your face. That is creepy. Do not speak normally in your mask. When you put it on, you are that person. Follow the rules of the mask.<br />
<br />
-An actor is a worker making a mask do what it needs to.<br />
<br />
-Social masks were invented to hide people, for secret rendevous. It was the same as if saying 'should I wear a hat today or not'.<br />
<br />
-Ancient greek/roman theaters were open. Audience and their reactions were part of the show.<br />
<br />
-Lights out theater did not start until Wagner. At that point, the audience was no longer a part of the show. They were simply there to watch the actors.<br />
<br />
-Canovaccho is a more elastic term for a single scene as opposed to scenario which refers to the whole play.<br />
<br />
Zanni stance and characterization:<br />
-Your head is independent of your body and moves in a camera point and click action. Otherwise, with a mask on, you just look drunk. So small short movements. Your sight follows where your nose is pointed.<br />
-Lead with your sternum. Push it out to accentuate spine curvature. The sternum represents the person. Your body moves in whichever direction your sternum is pointed in.<br />
-Keep your elbows bent and your hands rounded.<br />
-Pop out your butt to, again, accentuate spine curvature.<br />
-Knees bent.<br />
-Feet at oblique angle and kept close together.<br />
<br />
-When moving, your arms and legs move opposite directions like a marionette.<br />
<br />
-All masked characters follow the point and click so they don't look drunk.<br />
<br />
-Actions happen in an upsidedown pyramid shape. You should act like you are floating, barely touching the ground. Take small steps but big movements to take them.<br />
<br />
-Kick steps: always land with feet flat or lead with toe. Don't put down heel and stick toes in air.<br />
<br />
-Grand Zanni walk - arch back inward and bend down slightly. Slow steps, big arms, high legs. Over accentuated creeping walk.<br />
<br />
-Engage audience!! They are part of the cast!<br />
<br />
-Masks hold no magic. They are a science and an art. Bad religious mask is still good because it holds magic. Bad commedia mask has no art and hence is a bad character.<br />
<br />
-Too finished = naieve/obvious. Do not 'demonstrate' the character.<br />
<br />
-Sprizatura = natural and being absolute in a natural way.<br />
<br />
-Psychology is not inside the character. Everything is shown on the outside visibly. All wants/fears/etc are shown, visible, outside.<br />
<br />
-Commedia is like jazz. Two people at the same time make a cacophony, but the harmony will come.<br />
<br />
-When you have a fixed point (ie, two people grab the same thing or each other) all action happens around that point and the point stays as still as possible or the action will feel dirty.<br />
<br />
-Disguises go around the character. Do not mask a masked character. Always have part of the character showing so we know who is disguised.<br />
<br />
-Feet should -never- make a sound. It distracts the audience.<br />
<br />
-La Servetta is LIKE a 1st Zanni. She has no mask. Beautiful. Columbina (dove), Olivetta (named after food), Rosetta (named after flowers), Emeretta (named after precious stones). They are always the first to recognize the imposter or plot.<br />
<br />
-Can not couple two 1st zanni because both will want to be the leader. Always love between a 1st and 2nd.<br />
<br />
-1st Zanni try to sound clever<br />
<br />
-Try to create liberation of disasters. Example: Zanni is upset because he lost his love. So he decides he will try to kill himself and tries to punch himself, but that hurts. He tries to hold his breath, but that doesn't work. Tries to eat himself, but that doesn't work... etc.<br />
<br />
-2nd Zanni can not lie<br />
<br />
-Masks are not to be made on the actors face or with the mold of an actor. Then the mask will look like the actor.<br />
<br />
-Never play as a parody of something else. Each character is serious in their life.<br />
<br />
-Play emotions over the top, but you can interrupt for a serious moment. AKA Crying Zanni that can't be understand by audience called by his master. Turns and says 'in a minute' before returning to crying to the audience.<br />
<br />
-Ignorance should be dynamic.<br />
<br />
-Props are given the same dignity and respect artistically as the actors.<br />
<br />
Themes of Commedia:<br />
-Love<br />
-War<br />
-Hunger<br />
-Poverty<br />
-Money<br />
-Richness<br />
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-Every character should have their breaking point. Examples: If I don't eat, I will die (Zanni). If I don't marry, I will die (lovers). If I am not seen as knowing all the history of humanity, I will die of shame (Dottore).<br />
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-Commedia is the poetry about surviving everyday life<br />
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We did two Canovacchio today.<br />
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The first was two Zanni, both of them having something that they found/were given/bought/etc. Each one searches their pockets and can't find it.<br />
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The other was playing as the Zanni of three different masters all searching Pantalone's basement, in the dark, to find a document (which they may not know what is) and none of them know the others are there.Katrushahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11368326087292275176noreply@blogger.com0