Award of the Azure Trident - June 2018

The Award of the Azure Trident is an award established and given by the Baron and Baroness of Cleftlands to individuals who have excelled in the arts martial in relation to the Barony.

• Direct Link: Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts
• Title: Gospels, with the Epistle to Damascus, Canon tables, and prefaces, imperfect
• Origin: France, 9th Century 

The Award of the Azure Trident was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Speedball calligraphy ink. The text reads as follows:

Before these here assembled, know that we, Crispin and Gianna, Baron and Baroness of the Cleftlands send greetings. Like the three barbs of Poseidon's mighty trident, our martial forces are made victorious by those who field rattan, rapier, or bow and who excel at displaying their passions for the arts martial in defense of their barony and their kingdom. One such individual has been commended highly to us. Although she may be known more for her animated, if not metallic, smile, it is her infectious enthusiasm on the lists and her acts as an emissary at demonstrations which we celebrate today. Henceforth, it is our wish to recognize Aethelwynn Skerra Dimma as the premier recipient of our Award of the Azure Trident of the Cleftlands. We grant her and all who follow her the right to bear the badge: Fieldless, a trident azure within and conjoined to an annulet argent estencelly gules. Done by our hands this 9th day of June, Anno Societatis 53 at Northern Oaken War Maneuvers.

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.

Award of Saint Alfred - June 2018

The Award of Saint Alfred is an award given by the Baron and Baroness of Cleftlands to individuals who have given service to the Barony.

The Award of Saint Alfred was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Speedball calligraphy ink. The text reads as follows:

Let it be known by all that we, Crispin and Gianna, fifth Baron and Baroness of the Cleftlands, wish to commend the works of our subject Sirius of Cleftlands for his steadfast commitment to helping and serving the barony wherever there is need by granting him an Award of Saint Alfred. Done by our Hands this 9th Day of June, Anno Societatis 53 at Northern Oaken War Maneuvers held in the Shire of Falcon's Quarry.

Finished work.

Glass Fusing

The ladies of the Rus household (Medved Ohoytnik) I belong to regularly get together try different and often strange non-SCA period arts and crafts and our March gathering was no exception. On a dreary March Thursday night we gathered in the wilds of southern Cleftlands (Strongsville) to participate in a private glass fusing party to created two custom panels for a table top lantern.

Although I knew this was coming, and that I should research a clear plan of action, I found myself without a firm any idea of what I'd like to create when I sat down at the table. I knew I didn't want to to focus on SCA heraldry because my arms aren't particularly conducive to a two hour time limit to reproduce, so I figured something more kitchy and mod might be interesting and fun.

After consulting the great information overlord (Google) and looking for MCM black cat art work, I stumbled on the Donna Mibus art piece titled Black Cat on a Table and thought that could be the winner as it reminded me of my black cat who recently passed away. I chose the accent colors in the palette I have in our bedroom.

Would I do this again? Absolutely! With a little more planning...

Lantern pieces, prior to fusing.

Inspiration piece.

The late and great DJ.

Order of the Red Company - March 2018

The Order of the Red Company is an award given by the Crown to individuals who have shown proficiency and leadership in armored combat melee, siege activities, and combat archery, or tournament combat. Conveys an Award of Arms.

• Direct Link: The J. Paul Getty Museum
• Title: Canon Table Page
• Origin: Hromklay, Armenia, Asia, 1256

The Order of the Red Company was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Bombay Black India Ink. The text reads as follows:

See, hear, and read the words of Cellach, King by right of arms of the Middle Kingdom, and Vukasin, our Queen. In all the armies in history there have been many warriors who have fought and led from within the ranks, rising to positions of great honor. A warrior has many virtues, such as skill at arms, leadership on the field, and teaching of the arts martial.  Therefore do we herewith recognize Kenneth Kincaid of the Order of Red Company. Henceforth may he style himself a Sergeant of this noble order, and may bear its badge: Gules, two maces in saltire Argent, in canton upon his shield. Done by our hands this 3rd day of March, Anno Societatis LII, in our Canton of Pferdestadt.

After a double dog dare, I chose the more difficult design of two inspiration pieces I was looking at. (Under much protest and swearing over the course of about 20 hours of work...) I did the original layout on graph paper, then reverse engineered everything to fit close to the design. I'm not the biggest fan of freehand painting, but there are primarily pencil sketches underneath everything instead of 005 Micron pen keeping me in the lines. Of an interesting note (at least to me) the roosters were splotches of color tied together with some select gold and black brush strokes. Insert a picture of me fist bumping them if they had hands. They turned out to be my favorite part of the scroll.

Finished work.

In process.

Inspiration piece.

Order of the Dragon's Heart - March 2018

The Order of the Dragon's Heart is an award given at the pleasure of the Crown, given to those who have performed services on behalf of the kingdom above and beyond that normally expected. Members may wear the order's badge: Argent, a heart vert scaly argent.

• Sources: 11th Century Runestone (Sjonhem cemetery, Gotland , Sweden)

The Order of the Dragon's Heart was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Pigma Archival Ink 05. The text reads as follows:

Cellach and Vukasin,
King and Queen of the Middle Kingdom,
raise these words for Brisi Thorgrimsson.
Brave warrior.
Valiant runebringer.
He toils long to serve the land.
Let all know him by this his Dragon's Heart.

This scroll was unlike any other that I've done and well outside of my comfort level. While I originally solicited a bardic laurel and their apprentice for a boast to use in lieu of scroll text, after a consult my amazing Elder Futhark translator (Njall Orkneyjarson), we worked together make the wording more in line with scroll texts and frankly more succinct so it would fit within the confines of the design. I am exceptionally grateful for all involved with helping me work through this! \o/

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.

Arts & Sciences 100 Day Challenge - March 2018

1. Mar 2 - Non-SCA watercolor paintings.
2. Mar 29 - Non-SCA glass fusing class.

Not the most amazing of months, but it has been exceptionally busy on the job and home front.

Twenty four down, seventy six to go!

Award of Arms - February 2018

The Award of Arms is an award given at the pleasure of the Crown, typically for service or skills. The recipients are known as armigers, and may use the title Lord or Lady before their name.

• Direct Link: Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts 
• Title: Psalter (the 'Luttrell Psalter')
• Date: 2nd quarter of the 14th century 
• Origin: England, N. (Diocese of Lincoln)

The Award of the Arms was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Bombay Black India Ink. The text reads as follows:

Let it known to all that we Cellach, King by right of Arms of the Middle Kingdom and Vukasin our Queen send greetings. We have heard much good of Milisandia MacGreghere, who has made herself worthy of advancement through her efforts in building and encouraging archery and by supporting local groups. In recognition of these good works we are minded to make unto her an Award of Arms. Done this 17th day of February, AS 52 at Masque of Courtly Love in Alderford.

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.

Inspiration archer.

Inspiration dragon.

Arts & Sciences 100 Day Challenge - February 2018

1. Feb 5 - Tacked more seams down in the grey wool tunic. Perusing digital manuscript archives for upcoming scroll assignment.
2. Feb 6 - Continue perusing digital manuscript archives for upcoming scroll assignment.
3. Feb 7 - Illumination and calligraphy for Award of Arms scroll for Masque of Courtly Love. Research for Red Company scroll for Winter War Maneuvers.
4. Feb 9 - Red Company scroll layout, design, and calligraphy. Tack down more seams on the grey wool tunic.
5. Feb 10 - Red Company scroll painting. Finished tacking down seams, finally!
6. Feb 11 - Research for an Norse-themed Dragon's Heart. Yikes.
7. Feb 22 - Layout of Dragon's Heart.
8. Feb 23 - Round 1 of Dragon's Heart.
9. Feb 24 - Round 2 of Dragon's Heart.
10. Feb 25 - Some non-SCA watercolor paintings.

Twenty two down, seventy eight to go!

Award of the Sapphire - January 2018

The Award of the Sapphire is an award given by the Crown to individuals who exhibit courtesy, grace, and honor to others and exemplify what it means to be the embodiment of the Dream.

• Direct Link: Catalog of Illuminated Manuscripts (Inspiration)
• Source: Book of Hours, Use of Sarum, 
• Origin: France, N. or N. W. (Rouen?) c. 1430- c. 1440

The Award of the Sapphire was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Bombay Black India Ink. The text reads as follows:

Let it be known to all that we, Cellach and Vukasin, King and Queen of the Midrealm send greetings. It is one of the pleasures of the crown to recognize individuals who exhibit great courtesy, grace, and honor to people of all ranks and who exemplify what it means to be the embodiment of the dream. Therefore, we are hereby minded to make unto Constanza de Mendoza an Award of the Sapphire and the right to bear the badge: Fieldless, a step-cut gemstone fesswise azure. Done by our hands this 27(th) day of January, Anno Societatis LII in our Barony of the Cleftlands.

This scroll was a bit of a challenge for me, in that first... it's tiny about 6" square on the outside and second, it's almost all free hand which I am definitely less than comfortable with. It turned out well enough and the recipient was pleased. There are subtle Easter eggs with the nebuly-decorated flower, the pale flower, and her registered arms, a sun in its splendor with a green halo.

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.

Award of Arms - January 2018

The Award of Arms is an award given at the pleasure of the Crown, typically for service or skills. The recipients are known as armigers, and may use the title Lord or Lady before their name.

• Direct Link: Catalogue of Illuminated Manuscripts 
• Title: Harley 647 f. 10v Eridanus
• Origin: France, N. (diocese of Reims)

The Award of the Arms was created on pergamenata with Windsor-Newton gouache and Bombay Black India Ink. The text reads as follows:

Be it known to all that we Cellach sovereign King by right of arms of the Middle Kingdom and Vukasin our Queen of love and beauty do send greetings. It is both our duty and right to recognize the good works of our populace and to reward them. Therefore we wish to bestow the Award of Arms unto our most loyal subject Americk Gilead for his long standing service as a soldier of the Midrealm and for leading the troops of Red Winged Lion. Done this 27th day of January, Anno Societatis LII in our Barony of the Cleftlands.

In my recipient stalk...research, I learned that the recipient was a Captain America fan, so I added a few modifications to the original inspiration piece. In the body of the lounging Eridanus, I have a quote and changed the water vessel into a Captain America shield themed vessel with silver stars. To embellish the plant, I added three device shields - one for the Midrealm, one for Red Winged Lion, and one blank for the recipient to add his own device.

Body Text: This is why you were chosen. Because the strong man who has known power all his life may lose respect for that power, but a weak man knows the value of strength and knows compassion. Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are, not a perfect soldier but a good man.

Finished work.

Inspiration piece.