In March 2007 I joined the YouWriteOn.com community, and uploaded the initial chapters of my novel Leif the Runtling. For more on this and a link to an extract, see my Writing Portfolio. YouWriteOn.com authors provide their own book cover image. I made an embroidered design of a Viking boat’s stern and scanned this in to use. This is the image.
Below is a series of small embroidered pictures I made in 2000. The hessian is painted
with fabric paint first and then the design embroidered on top.
Embroidery is a traditional Celtic past-time, this series of designs incorporates
symbolism in the borders as well as the main picture.
The 'silver' in Silver on the Tree is mistletoe, which grows around the neck of
the trunk and lower branches of an oak tree. The Celts used mistletoe in rituals
and it has a significant part in fertility rites.
Celtic Knotwork is one line made to look like two. It has no
beginning and no end and symbolises the ancient Celtic belief
in reincarnation. For many Celts it symbolised the renewal of
relationships with loved ones from previous incarnations.
To make this piece, I used a length of string for the knot, sewing it into
place with white thread. I planned to make a whole series of string-knots.
Dolphins were believed by the Celts to be sea spirits. In modern times
they are still believed to have a spiritual connection. People swim with
dolphins to find peace and healing.
