An idea came to mind to make four pieces of work that look back to Saxon and Celtic legend. As seen here there is the initial layout starting with postcard sized sketches along a line above the main pieces which are being drawn on A4 size 200gsm Daler cartridge paper. The photo on the left is a seascape placed over the original figure drawing as a reference for the sea component of that picture. The tree at the top is a study for the work in progress below. The figure on the right is work-in-progress of a wanderer/pilgrim traversing a windswept fell-top.
The Dream of the Rood. A kneeling figure looks out from a chapel doorway and sees a vision of a tree bearing a cruciform figure. The title is taken from an Anglo-Saxon poem describing the cross, - or tree's version of Christ's crucifixion.
Seven Stanes. On the England-Scotland border not far from the western end of Kielder Reservoir stands a fell of that name. Seven stones do indeed sit on that summit but little or no hint of a ruined chapel and the trees are absent too. However, hagiographies and archaeological evidence suggests that the early Christian missionaries such as Patrick, Columba and Aidan built their chapels on the sites of stone circles. These places had spiritual significance long before the Christians arrived. Stone circles are themselves pre-dated by avenues and circles of trees known as henges. I have brought all three elements together to given it a wraith-like quality where time stands still. I know when I've visited these places I could sense that timelessness.
Caedmon was a deeply religious man who worked alongside St Hilda at her double monastery in Whitby on the North-East coast of England in the 6th century. "Caedmon's Hymn", written in old Northumbrian, is a paean to the glory of existence.
I hope at some future point I'll be able to feature the words from "Dream of the Rood" and "Caedmon's Hymn." I have them to hand. Its really a question of finding time to set it out here.
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