Middle-earth Journeys

The next Amon Hen cover will be 'Lothlorien', Merry . I submitted the Gandalf drawing and sent a link to the gallery asking if any of my colour ones would be suitable and that's the one he chose. Of course, I'd rather it was Bombadil or Goldberry now but I han't painted those yet . Maybe they'll do for another one.

Wow, Riv! The new painting of the White Ship is gorgeous! To me, the new ship is much more "elven" looking. You've really tapped into something that has inspired you with this stained glass design. Just lovely!

Iolanthe, I'm so excited to hear that Amon Hen is publishing your Gandalf portrait, and then to have the cover illustration for the next issue is SUCH an achievement! Congratulations!

Let me also join the others in admiring your depiction of Goldberry. I think she makes a nice companion piece with the Bombadil painting -- he's larger than life, and she is a nature entity -- very, very nice! And, of course, I have to have my own copies of both. Not to be a pest, but I'm still anxious to know if these and your other paintings will be available through the V-W Marketplace? The five Iolanthe paintings on my wall are lonely, knowing they have other siblings out there in the ether!

I'm still trying to set up my own on-line art business, Lindariel. Eventually some of them will be available through that . I'm glad you love the Goldberry - very important to get her right!

Are you going to put these new 'stained glass' pictures in the Gallery, Riv? We've all moved on so much I'm thinking of doing a new collage for the main page that better reflects what we're doing now and the newer stuff in the gallery.

Iolanthe wrote:Are you going to put these new 'stained glass' pictures in the Gallery, Riv? We've all moved on so much I'm thinking of doing a new collage for the main page that better reflects what we're doing now and the newer stuff in the gallery.

Yes. I will get the switches done today and hope to have them all converted soon.

Seven stained glass are now in the gallery.

Riv, I love the stained glass ship and I'm glad you've put this new series in the gallery. I think it's important to keep the gallery up to date as everyone seems to be producing new work so quickly!

Iolanthe, your Gandalf drawing isn't at all overshadowed by the other artworks in Amon Hen - that type of black and white drawing reproduces well - better in fact than some of the colour ones in the latest issue. And the Lothlorien painting will make a great first cover (I'm sure Tom and Goldberry will get their chance in future issues!).

Throwing three more into the jury pot...





© Rabbit Ridge Art

You've made it really difficult now! The ship is the one that stands out most for me in this group. Does this mean that you're now trying to chose 3 out of 6? You could go with a cool coloured group or a warm group. The waterfall and the ship are now my two top favourites with the reedy one a close third - that would be a fantastic 'cool' group. Seeing them all together on the second gallery page they look stunning. The round door, the gate and Rivendell make another quite different group .

You read my mind Iolanthe. I was thinking of the same three for the jurying. If I pass that test, then I can exhibit the others as well.

I was thinking 'cool' and 'warm', too. The clearer colors of the 'cool' group kind of compete with the other colors.

The other thing I wanted to ask you, RR, was about titles. Do they let you title the works? If some of the members of the jury don't know Tolkien, would titles help?

Yes, I will title them Merry. Coming up with a short title will be the challenge.

© Rabbit Ridge Art

Iolanthe, I really like the new image for the Gallery.

It works well, doesn't it? I had to crop mine in a little sideways and Marbretherese's a little at the top so the proportions don't jar too much between them, but I think they work very well together. They are all similar colours and all have a water theme - and - they are all a uniquely different watery vision .

I like your new window one, Riv, pulling out some blues really complements the colours in the central roundel. You have such a good eye for what colours work against each other to make the main colours 'ping'.

I like the new picture, too, Riv - I love the way the colours in the borders echo and bring out the colours in the painting itself. And the new gallery front page looks great!

Iolanthe, my copy of Amon Hen arrived here in the States yesterday and there on page 18 was Gandalf! Congratulations again!!