Middle-earth Journeys

Airwin wrote:I like the little peek inside the hobbit hole (I assume that's what it is?), and I like the yellow of the buttercups mixed in with the greens. Bravo Riv! Now where's the front door?

It's coming Airwin...with the poem..."The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began..."

First pass...


Click on image to enlarge.

© Riv Res

Riv, those are awesome mallorns! I've often felt that attempts to capture Lothlorien have fallen short, but this has a great feel to it. Well done!

I agree with Merry, those trees are gorgeous, Riv!!

I especially like the ethereal silver light shining from the mirror . It's well handled - is there a bit of wet-in-wet technique there?

There is very much wet in wet technique there Iolanthe.

LOL...there is every technique I could lay my hands on in those trees, and I think I am OK with the end results there.

I am still not sure about the mirror though. I never realized how difficult that one object would be to do. This is about the 5th design that I have tried. I tried making it more in tune with nature, but then it looks like I copied it from all of the other artists. Flat bowl? Round bowl? Simple? Ornate? Still pondering that one and waiting for an "Aha!!" moment.

Riv, this is lovely, and I'm so GLAD you selected this little gem of a poem for your series! Every time I read it, I feel a sense of peace and refreshment wash over me. "White is the star in your white hand; Unmarred, unstained is leaf and land . . ." Mmmmmm . . . don't we all long for such a place?

Here is Tolkien's description of the vessel for Galadriel's Mirror: "At the bottom, upon a low pedestal carved like a branching tree, stood a basin of silver, wide and shallow, and beside it stood a silver ewer."

Bsaed on that description, I think a shallower basin might work better. I've always pictured it as broad and rather flat, so that the water forms a thin layer or sheet across the expanse of the broad, shallow basin, and quickly becomes still after being poured. Describing it as a mirror almost begs for the basin to be shallow and flat, almost like a tray.

Your concept is terrific. The circle of the mirror turned sideways within the circle of the "Ring" is very apt symbolically.

I think Lindariel might be right, Riv. I hate to say this, but now that I see it in light of her ideas, your mirror looks a bit more like a baptismal font!

LOL...yes Merry, baptismal font does fit.

Here is one of my first attempts to be closer to Tokien's vision.

Click on image to enlarge.

© Riv Res

YES! This looks more like something a person could bend over and peer into. I hadn't realized it, but in your first picture, there is no "ground" underneath the column supporting the "baptismal font," which gives the impression that the Mirror has been raised up on high towards the stars.

I like the second painting better. Very nice!

Yes: perfect! I would love to have that on my wall--not in a frame, but as a mural!

After September 1st, I may be taking orders.

Orders to come to my house to paint a mural?

LOL...why do I have visions of the Cistine Chapel?

...or was that frescos?

I love those trees!! And I agree, the second picture looks better to me too. I like that the column is now a wood-like (?) pedestal (or whatever you call those things). Looks more in line with the image I have of Lothlorien. But those trees are my favorite part of the picture.