The Eagle and St John
Tricks and Devices in the Eagle Drawing The Book of Kells lets us in on many artist tricks and devices. The monks have flattened this image of the eagle as…
Viking Dragon Ship
Viking Dragon ships with beautiful towering sails make an incredible icon. They were ships constructed with gigantic overlapping planks of sculpted timber from the forests of Norway. With a dragon…
Animal Letters
In this Post I have added some decorated animal letters from the Book of Kells that were created by the monks. These designs are loved and kept alive because they…
Flower Motif Border
A favourite theme in Embroidery Flowers and foliage have been a favourite theme in embroidery for centuries. During the early Middle Ages embroiderers and painters worked together to create flower…
How the Monks Wrote with the Animals
Animal Letters from the Book of Kells The monks wrote with the animals by entangling and interlacing animals and body parts around letters in the Book of Kells. Sometimes as…
Finfolk Man
Wisdom of the Celts This is a drawing taken from the Book of Kells of the Finfolk Man from Celtic mythology. I found the Finfolk Man in George Bain's book…
Designs for Horse Harness Fittings
La Tene Style found in Horse Gear The Celts loved and honoured horses. They were highly skilled riders and fierce warriors in battle. Horses were part of the farming and…
The Old Gardener
A Tetramorph From the Trier Gospels This old gardener from an illuminated manuscript holds a flower and a knife. The image from c720 AD is signed by the artist scribe…
Jacobean Orange Tree
Flowers in Art
How did it Happen? Flowers in art are not new. People that care about plants and nature grow flowers. It is such a simple thing. It keeps ecosystems alive and…
Mad March Hare
The Hare and the Easter Bunny The Celts are connected to nature and the seasons. There are many festivals and events to celebrate throughout the year and the Spring Equinox…