Thanks Keith! Vanishing fore edge painting is a dying art form and not many folks left are doing it - only one or two professionals worldwide, and a handful of hobbyists, although there's a popular trend at the moment for painting Dune, Middle-Earth, etc literary scenes on book edges.
I found out about this craft a couple of years ago through a UK TV program and knew I had to try my hand at it...now it's an obsession! Makes me proud to keep carrying the torch for an art almost forgotten. :)
Honestly, I haven't read most of Austen lol! I have read Pride and Prejudice, and I've read about half of Mansfield Park but lost momentum. I was trying to tackle a lot of her stuff last year, but my reading attention has since pivoted lol. I need to finish the stack of books on my desk first, but I think I may pick something of hers after that!!
Mansfield Park is a bit of a drag to be honest (or so I found the first time round). May I recommend a light and easy one - Northanger Abbey (incidentally contains my favourite Austen hero!) - or the gloriously satirical Emma :)
Of course, one has to pay attention to the 'to be read' stack first hehehe.
I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the little peek into my hours of research, Jennifer!
Excuse a short ramble here but you've made me reflect on how I think this is partly what gives human-made art its special touch: the hours of unseen labour that go into a finished work. Yesterday I visited an old leadlighter in his workshop and it was awe-inspiring to hear him talk about his work on restoring a 100-year-old stained glass window of St. Cecilia. So much knowledge and care going into his craft! But he is already getting old and wanting to retire, and no one in our area seems interested in taking up the mantle. It is sad to think of it dying out like that.
Anyhow...ramble over...thank you for your note and a blessed Holy Week & Easter to you also!
Jess, you're very right. It's the attention, that particular kind of love and care which renders human-made art precious. To me, it's a form of prayer. The old leadlighter probably understands that better than most people.
It's always a tragedy to see a beautiful art form die out, but I hope the presence of the old windows will draw someone to take up the mantle, even after the current artist is gone.
I appreciated your "ramble" and your thoughtful response.
Wow! Thanks for breaking it all down - the small details do look especially difficult to paint with an already small canvas, but that just makes them more impressive, too.
Yes, the small details are a joy in themselves and while more time-consuming, they have the best effect! I only wish I found a way to paint fingers on a fore-edge that didn't look like sausages. xD
Whoa I have never seen something like this… that’s so cool, and very well done
Thanks Keith! Vanishing fore edge painting is a dying art form and not many folks left are doing it - only one or two professionals worldwide, and a handful of hobbyists, although there's a popular trend at the moment for painting Dune, Middle-Earth, etc literary scenes on book edges.
I found out about this craft a couple of years ago through a UK TV program and knew I had to try my hand at it...now it's an obsession! Makes me proud to keep carrying the torch for an art almost forgotten. :)
These are lovely - you're making me want to jump back into reading Jane Austen!
Indeed you should! Is there any work of hers that you haven't read, or feel like it's about time to re-read? :)
Honestly, I haven't read most of Austen lol! I have read Pride and Prejudice, and I've read about half of Mansfield Park but lost momentum. I was trying to tackle a lot of her stuff last year, but my reading attention has since pivoted lol. I need to finish the stack of books on my desk first, but I think I may pick something of hers after that!!
Mansfield Park is a bit of a drag to be honest (or so I found the first time round). May I recommend a light and easy one - Northanger Abbey (incidentally contains my favourite Austen hero!) - or the gloriously satirical Emma :)
Of course, one has to pay attention to the 'to be read' stack first hehehe.
Absolutely beautiful work. I also love seeing your research, especially about the chair. I can see how it took a lot of careful effort.
Blessed Lent and Happy Easter to you!
I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed the little peek into my hours of research, Jennifer!
Excuse a short ramble here but you've made me reflect on how I think this is partly what gives human-made art its special touch: the hours of unseen labour that go into a finished work. Yesterday I visited an old leadlighter in his workshop and it was awe-inspiring to hear him talk about his work on restoring a 100-year-old stained glass window of St. Cecilia. So much knowledge and care going into his craft! But he is already getting old and wanting to retire, and no one in our area seems interested in taking up the mantle. It is sad to think of it dying out like that.
Anyhow...ramble over...thank you for your note and a blessed Holy Week & Easter to you also!
Jess, you're very right. It's the attention, that particular kind of love and care which renders human-made art precious. To me, it's a form of prayer. The old leadlighter probably understands that better than most people.
It's always a tragedy to see a beautiful art form die out, but I hope the presence of the old windows will draw someone to take up the mantle, even after the current artist is gone.
I appreciated your "ramble" and your thoughtful response.
Wow! Thanks for breaking it all down - the small details do look especially difficult to paint with an already small canvas, but that just makes them more impressive, too.
Yes, the small details are a joy in themselves and while more time-consuming, they have the best effect! I only wish I found a way to paint fingers on a fore-edge that didn't look like sausages. xD
Beautiful! That really is incredible work. Your close-up images show a great amount of detail so I can only imagine how this might look in-person.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment, James!
Love it so much!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Veronica! ❤️😍😍