Natural symbols

[Andestine]

Hello

It’s so good to find a British wildlife art forum here. I’m fond of subtle colours and quiet beauty so prefer art done in temperate climates. I’ve been looking through all the past threads and love what’s been done here (and lately laughed at the Ducks’ Revenge, Tallus ).

I’m working on something I hope to post before too long, but I work slowly and throw such a lot away. In the meantime Loripo said I should link a few of my past drawings here and I include them below.

I’ve been wondering. Would there be room for a poetry thread here? I know that various nature poems have been posted on many parts of the site over the years, so I was thinking more about poems that use nature metaphorically, symbolically, or in some other way, obliquely.

Here’s one that sends a frisson through me. It’s by a poet I have a lot of respect for.

Anyway, do let me know if you think it would be a thread worth starting. I’d really value your advice as I’ve no idea about how things work here yet.

Cheers,

Andestine

THE FALCON TO THE FALCONER

Unleash me from your hand
And I will lance the light for you
I'll cut a swordblade on the wind
And pennant it with flight for you
To signal I am yours
If you will free me to be true to you.

Unleash me from your hand
And I will mock the sky for you;
I'll pull the anger from the air
And make the breezes sigh for you
To show that I am yours
If you will free me to be true to you.

Unleash me from your hand
And I will jewel it bright for you;
I'll hunt the treasures of the wind
And pluck them into sight for you
To show that I am yours
If you will free me to be true to you.

O, cast me from your hand
That I may show my love for you,
And throw me to the wind
That I may know my need for you;

All darkness on your hand
I'm hooded, pinned and held by you;
O' give me back my wings
That they may bring me back to you.

Jonathan Steffen

[loripo]

This is the one I mentioned, scanned it in from the book...


Hope it will display clearly.
Will PM later

[nightshade]

Originally Posted by Andestine

Hello

It’s so good to find a British wildlife art forum here. I’m fond of subtle colours and quiet beauty so prefer art done in temperate climates. I’ve been looking through all the past threads and love what’s been done here (and lately laughed at the Ducks’ Revenge, Tallus ).

I’m working on something I hope to post before too long, but I work slowly and throw such a lot away. In the meantime Loripo said I should link a few of my past drawings here and I include them below.

I’ve been wondering. Would there be room for a poetry thread here? I know that various nature poems have been posted on many parts of the site over the years, so I was thinking more about poems that use nature metaphorically, symbolically, or in some other way, obliquely.

Here’s one that sends a frisson through me. It’s by a poet I have a lot of respect for.

Anyway, do let me know if you think it would be a thread worth starting. I’d really value your advice as I’ve no idea about how things work here yet.

Cheers,

Andestine

THE FALCON TO THE FALCONER

Unleash me from your hand
And I will lance the light for you
I'll cut a swordblade on the wind
And pennant it with flight for you
To signal I am yours
If you will free me to be true to you.

Unleash me from your hand
And I will mock the sky for you;
I'll pull the anger from the air
And make the breezes sigh for you
To show that I am yours
If you will free me to be true to you.

Unleash me from your hand
And I will jewel it bright for you;
I'll hunt the treasures of the wind
And pluck them into sight for you
To show that I am yours
If you will free me to be true to you.

O, cast me from your hand
That I may show my love for you,
And throw me to the wind
That I may know my need for you;

All darkness on your hand
I'm hooded, pinned and held by you;
O' give me back my wings
That they may bring me back to you.

Jonathan Steffen

I love the Feather and Lantern may I use them on my desktop for a while?

[thunder]

Andestine, your drawings are beautiful.

henrya

[Andestine]

Originally Posted by loripo

This is the one I mentioned, scanned it in from the book...

I like that poem very much; it's so evocative, and the owls are superb

I have something related to post for you….when I find it. It’s eluded me all morning (early tomorrow, I should think, along with your other reply )

Cheers,

Andestine

[Andestine]

Originally Posted by nightshade

I love the Feather and Lantern may I use them on my desktop for a while?

Of course you may, for as long as you like

A lot of artist fiends look upon their works as children, but I have no attachment to my drawings once they're done. I love the process, but once it's over I want to get going on the next one. I either give them away, throw them away or use them for barter.

It’s made me very happy that you want to use one on your desktop

Do you paint or draw, by any chance?

Andestine

[Andestine]

Originally Posted by thunder

Andestine, your drawings are beautiful.

Thank you, Henrya

Do you do any art yourself?

This is the first time I’ve had the courage to post my artwork to any forum, and I’ve been a member of quite a few over the last fifteen years. I've really enjoyed looking at the artwork posted here so far and am looking forward to seeing more in future.

Cheers,

Andestine

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Andestine

Thank you, Henrya

Do you do any art yourself?

This is the first time I’ve had the courage to post my artwork to any forum, and I’ve been a member of quite a few over the last fifteen years. I've really enjoyed looking at the artwork posted here so far and am looking forward to seeing more in future.

Cheers,

Andestine

I began drawing and painting last year! One day I wll produce something that I feel I can post here - but don't hold your breath! I am in awe of your skills.

henrya

[Andestine]

Originally Posted by thunder

I began drawing and painting last year! One day I wll produce something that I feel I can post here - but don't hold your breath!

Hello Henrya,

I look forward to that day

For those fifteen years on forums I only ever posted my art to friends off-list for criticism. A friend with a good eye is invaluable, and they don't need to be an artist to provide really good help.

It’s pretty obvious that the idea of staying on topic is a bit alien to me, and I’m trying to find out how much I can stray, but I love talking about art, so anytime you want to chat, please feel free, on or off-list. (I have visitor messaging and ‘friends’ disabled, but PM’s are welcome at any time).

I’ll even show you the ones that failed big-time, but only off list I’d love to hear about why you started drawing and painting, what subjects attract you, how you feel when you're creating, what materials you use etc.

Cheers,

Andestine

[Andestine]

Hello again Lori

Loripo: some children in India had owl feathers under their pillows to "help them sleep");

A nice coincidence as this is the drawing I was going to post for you today

I found the feather in a tiny pine forest, along with several others. I took it home and started to draw it. Half way through I went for a cup of tea, and when I turned round 'Splat' (don't ask ), the stray calico kitten we were sheltering, had mauled it! So it was never finished, but I was rather thankful as I'm sure the bars are at the wrong angle, and I didn't notice that at the time.

I'm wondering if this is from a long-eared owl. I've never managed to get a good book on identifying feathers. Maybe I should cross-post it to the bird forum, unless anyone here knows?

Cheers,

Andestine