New beginnings

The weeks just after New Year can seem very flat, but for us 2013 has begun in the chaos of yet more decorating.  There are bits and bobs from my studio all over the house, and the freshly painted room itself currently contains nothing more than two tables and an empty shelf unit.  Until we're straight again I'm depending on my Christmas presents to keep my artistic side satisfied!

two different kinds of catalogues

So far I have found time to read Hammond & Scull's The Art of the Hobbit. This is a special edition in a smart slipcover, presumably launched to tie-in with the release of the first of Peter Jackson's Hobbit film trilogy, An Unexpected Journey, which we saw just after Christmas and enjoyed very much.  It contains virtually all Tolkien's released (and unreleased) sketches and paintings he made to illustrate The Hobbit,  including early and abandoned drafts.  I have also been given the catalogue for the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the Tate Britain - just as well, as we didn't manage to visit the show itself!  I love the Pre-Raphaelites, and it's next on my list to read.

a picture book and a book for pictures

Another Tolkien-related present was a last-minute addition to my wishlist at Amazon - a hardcover edition of Mr Bliss.  It's one of the few Tolkien books I don't already have, and full of more of his charming drawings.  The back of the book is laid out in the original landscape format with the facsimiles of his handwritten drafts, so it's really two books in one.  The other present shown above is a felt-covered sketchbook by local textile artist Barbara Weeks.  It's so lovely I'm loathe to use it straight away!

two books on icons by Sister Wendy Becket

The final two art books on my list were by Sister Wendy Beckett, and are about icons. Sister Wendy is a one-off - a true original;  a contemplative nun living under the protection of the Carmelite Order (although not a Carmelite herself), an art historian who uses her love of art to spread the message of the Gospels.  What her Wikipaedia entry doesn't tell you, however, is that while studying at Oxford she was taught by . . . .  a certain JRR Tolkien! 

a selection of Caligo SafeWash Inks

Another present I'm looking forward to getting to grips with is my new set of Caligo SafeWash Inks.  They are transparent oil-based relief inks which wash off with soap and water - at least, I hope they do!  so all the advantage of oil-based inks with none of the mess.  I put six colours on my wish list and was lucky enough to receive them all.



The Stairs of Cirith Ungol - print of an original painting by Cor Blok

 My final arty present was anotherTolkien-related one: a print of Cor Blok's The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.  I was thrilled to hear that Cor Blok was going to issue some prints of his works inspired by Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings; and meeting the man himself at Return of the Ring 2012 was an added bonus.  I picked up a list of his prints there, dropped a hint or two to my husband, and on Christmas afternoon found myself carefully unwrapping a print of this touching scene, carefully packaged up by Pieter Collier of the Tolkien Library, who has done so much to bring Cor Blok's work to public attention.

I've been extremely blessed to receive these lovely presents, with the core themes of my life - religion, art, Tolkien - running right through them.  Now I must put them to good use . . . !