#forfedaproject

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THE LIVES OF ÉTAÍN

This piece depicts the themes and symbols around the character of Étaín from Tochmarc Étaíne and her various transformations throughout the tale. The two faces depict Étaín's two incarnations a thousand years apart, flanked by suns and moons to represent that "all time is made up of days and nights." The swan and fly represent Étaín's two animal forms, while the cup and pitcher represent the cup of the wife of Étar, and Étaín's skill at serving drink, by which Eochaid seeks to recognize her. Finally, the vegetation and swirling billows on the outside of the frame symbolize the "fragrant and wonderous herbs" of Aengus's crystal sun-bower, and Fuamnach's magical winds.  This was my submission to the late Ralph Kenna's EÍRÍ art project through the Irish Post in 2022, based on the prompt of Evoking Ireland's Resiliant Female Icons. The Wooing of Étaín is one of my favorite Irish myths, and I've always wanted to take a crack at representing some of the themes of the story. Hello everyone, it's been quite a while! I've been on a bit of an impromptu hiatus due to general life stuff and a bit of artistic burnout in the last year or so, but I've got a few works in progress that I'm hoping will help get me back into the swing of things!

[forfeda-project]

PHANTOM AT THE FORD

"I will come against you in the form of an eel about your feet in the ford, so that you shall fall… I will drive the cattle on the ford to you, in the form of a grey she-wolf… I will come to you in the form of a hornless red heifer before the cattle. They will rush on you on the plains and on the fords, and on the pools, and you will not see me before you…" - The Morrígan to Cú Chulainn, Táin Bó Cúailnge

In the Táin Bó Cúailnge ("the Cattle Raid of Cooley"), the warrior Cú Chulainn is able to stave off the advances of Queen Medb's army by invoking his right to single combat at the fords, singlehandedly defeating each of Medb's champions in turn. But when Cú Chulainn refuses help from the Morrígan, a powerful goddess, she resolves to instead be a hindrance to him, taking different animal forms to disrupt his battles - an eel to trip him, and a wolf and a heifer to drive the cattle over the ford.

This piece depicts the three forms of the Morrígan surrounded by the thorns and flowers of the hawthorn, a tree connected to terror, baneful magic, and the powers of the Otherworld in Gaelic folklore.

[forfeda-project]

The Tale of Mac Da Thó's Pig is equally about a hound, Ailbe, coveted by the rulers of both Connacht and Ulster. To avoid offending either party by refusing them posession of the magnificent dog, its owner, Mac Da Thó, invites both royal companies to a feast of the titular pig at his hostel, where boasting and quarrelling breaks out among the warriors to a bloody end... This is another entry into my series of pub-sign-style logos for the mythological Irish bruidne, this time featuring both the pig and the hound from the tale, as well as a reference to the cauldrons and flesh-forks that serve as the hostel's signature offering.

[forfeda-project]

GODSTONES - THE DAGDA

The Dagda ("the good/capable god") is portrayed in the lore as a powerful warrior, a wise chieftain, and a shaper of the land, appearing in such tales as the Second Battle of Moytura, the Wooing of Étaín, and How The Dagda Got His Magic Staff. Known for his massive stature, lowly appearance, and his mastery over all the arts, the Dagda is one of the most important figures in the Mythological Cycle.

This is an art series depicting the Gaelic gods as ancient statues, with designs loosely inspired by historical finds, such as the Boa Island and Tandragee idols from Northern Ireland, and the Ballachulish Figure from Scotland. In this piece, the Dagda is pictured with his signature harp, club, and cauldron.

[forfeda-project]

GODSTONES - NUADA

Nuada is portrayed in the lore as a noble king and warrior, who wields a magical sword and sacrifices both his hand and his kingship to aid the Tuatha Dé. He appears in such tales as The Fate of the Children of Tuireann and both Battles of Moytura. He may also be an ancestor of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and may be related to (or identical with) Nechtan.

This is an art series depicting the Gaelic gods as ancient statues, with designs loosely inspired by historical finds, such as the Boa Island and Tandragee idols from Northern Ireland, and the Ballachulish Figure from Scotland. In this piece, Nuada is pictured with his signature sword and silver hand.

(I promise I'm not dead, just been busy! New stuff coming soon)

[forfeda-project]

THE HOOD OF CROTHRAINNE

"Gold is its woof, silver underneath it, soft to the skin is its lining; you will be hound, man, or deer, as you turn it, as you change it." - A Rí Richid, Réidig Dam

The 12th Century poet Gilla in Chomded húa Cormaic is credited as the author of a poem known as A Rí Richid, Réidig Dam, which contains an episode involving the exploits of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Fianna. At the end of this episode, we are told of Fionn's most marvellous possession: the magical Hood of Crothrainne, a woven mantle fashioned in the Land of Promise that can change the wearer's shape. Any tales of Fionn using this power have been lost, but the significance of both hounds and deer to the Fenian cycle remains an ever-present motif.

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"O grandson of Conn, O Cormac," said Carbre, "what were your habits when you were a lad?" "Not hard to tell," said Cormac. "I was a listener in woods, I was a gazer at stars, I was blind where secrets were concerned, I was silent in a wilderness…

~ Tecosca Cormaic

Tecosca Cormaic, or the Instructions of Cormac Mac Airt, is an Old Irish wisdom text where the legendary high king Cormac provides judgements and advice to his son Carbre on how to be a good man and a wise king. Upon being asked about his conduct as a young man, Cormac recounts, among other things, time spent in the woods and wilds of Ireland, saying "it is through these habits that the young become old and kingly warriors."

This piece is built around my favorite line from the Tecosca, and features far more knotwork than I ever want to draw again (but probaly will). Wanted to illustrate this quote for a while, so I'm very pleased with how it's turned out.

[forfeda-project]

GODSTONES - MANANNÁN MAC LIR

Manannán, the "son of the sea," is portrayed in the lore as a trickster figure, a great magician, and a powerful lord of the Otherworld, appearing in such tales as the Voyage of Bran, Cormac's Adventure in the Land of Promise, and the Birth of Mongán. Manannán is also the patron and namesake of the Isle of Man, where he is revered as a wizard and necromancer whose magical mists kept the island hidden from invaders. This is a new art series depicting the Gaelic gods as ancient statues, with designs loosely inspired by historical finds, such as the Boa Island and Tandragee idols from Northern Ireland, and the Ballachulish Figure from Scotland. In this piece, Manannán is pictured with his signature Corrbolg (crane-bag) and shrouded in sea mist.