Dragon
calligraphy commission
This was a commission for a piece of calligraphy in Welsh. I am told that the inscription means something like "keep me safe from harm" and it was a christening present for a boy named Oliver from his uncle.
My thought was that as a boy grows up there comes a point in his life where he does not appreciate fairies and cherubs (see some of my other work). Since the calligraphy was in Welsh, the obvious choice for an illumination was the Welsh dragon. I think you'll agree this is a particularly fierce and realistic representation of the species Draco oualiense (or should that be Draco brittanica? If any scholar knows the answer you are welcome to contact me).
The cross of St George reflects the fact that the boy's father is half English, and as his mother is Maltese I painted a cross of St John (upper right) as well.
Oliver's date of birth is displayed on the left and in the middle between the two shields is a canting reference to his name.
Technical information
Calligraphy in genuine indian ink on heavyweight calligraphy paper. Illumination in acrylic using carefully selected lightfast pigments.
All images are copyright © 2008: please contact me for permission if you wish to publish or reproduce my pictures.