Middle-earth Journeys

The colours are beautiful, Riv, and the overall effect is lovely. The moon, shining brightly, is well complemented by the use of the same yellow in the text.

You're so right about the fun to be had interpreting Tolkien's work. I had an absolute ball doing my next painting (finished but yet to be posted!) and I've now enrolled on a week's water colour painting course in the Summer!

Speaking of which . . .

© marbretherese

Stunning marbretherese!! What gorgeous use of fire and color!!

Hey I like this a lot!

Woah !! That's amazing. I love it . You've picked a really difficult moment and made the execution look simple. That ain't easy . I love the way Gandalf's hair and cloak is flying upwards as though from blasts from the crevasse below, it's so dynamic. And I've never seen that moment drawn from behind the Balrog, they are usually shown side to side or front on from Gandalf's viewpoint. Very .

Hey - we're really all rocking here , aren't we ? I'm thrilled.

thanks everyone! I'm really pleased with it. Such fun to do - I had the film score playing in the background to inspire me!!!

Excellent work marbretherese! It's as if I can feel the heat of the flames! And while Gandalf seems to have the upper hand, the whip is looming behind him. Well done!

Merry, I think I smell that series coming.


Click on images to enlarge.

© Riv Res

© Riv Res

This may be my favorite Tolkien poem--the different green line always kind of gives me a pang in the heart! This is really lovely, RR. It juxtaposes two of JRRT's favorite things, nature and home.

Very, very nice, marbretherese! I like the way the figures of Gandalf and the Balrog seem to intertwine in their conflict.

Riv, your paintings are just beautiful and really evoke the poetry so well. Is there any chance you might also interpret "The Road goes ever on and on . . ."? I really love the way it keeps reappearing throughout LOTR in different forms.

We first hear this theme when Bilbo makes good on his escape after his mysterious disappearance during the birthday party:

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

Then, Frodo murmurs it when he sets out from the Shire on his dangerous journey, although he amends the fifth line from "eager feet" to "weary feet," a reflection of the very different tone and purpose of his journey.

Finally, we hear yet another version from the elderly Bilbo's lips when the adventurers return to Rivendell:

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

I just love the way The Professor develops this lovely and profound little poem. The Road is Life, and in the end, it becomes the journey beyond Life into Rest and the Hereafter.

Yes Lindariel, Tolkien weaves his themes throughout. I also love the entire Tom Bombadil series. There are SO many visual images conjured up there.

For example...

Now let the song begin! Let us sing together
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, bells on the heather,
Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter.

Tolkien's poetry is truly incredible. I can not begin to imagine his stories without the poetry.

Riv Res wrote:Now let the song begin! Let us sing together
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,

That's my signature line ! I thought it was very appropriate when we 'launched'.

Great minds...

Wow Riv you're work sure has come a long way. Watercolors is becoming your medium for sure.

I've finally figured out why I thought you should give your watercolors as presents for Easter, RR--they're Easter egg colors! I saw Easter stuff in a store today and they reminded me.

marbretherese, I really like your Balrog picture, too. I'm not good at describing art--good thing we have Iolanthe here, isn't it?--so it has taken me a while to find the words. But it has all the qualities of a good primitive: primitive not in the bad sense, but in the sense of folk art that has strength and simplicity. You seem to be getting more confident!