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The Snow, The Crow and The Blood
Tue, Mar 31, 2009
As a painter of folktales I see my role as reflecting some of the underlining unconscious messages of the myth through the emotions, narrative and mood of the painting.
Ian Daniels
Mythopoeia
“I live in Kent, England - in the town of Maidstone, which is steeped in history. The surrounding countryside of ancient woodlands, meandering rivers, meadows and leafy lanes of light, provide a constant inspiration throughout the change of seasons.
I work from home in a studio looking onto the garden - a very simple set up, a desk, an easel, and a cabinet of paints, brushes, pencils and sketchbooks along with various collected bits and pieces that I find while wandering; a jewel-like leaf, a fox skull, a twisted root, a textured stone, anything that captivates my imagination.
I’m inspired by folktales, myths and old stories - from ghost stories to fairy stories – I’m interested in the psychological aspects and emotions, and exploring how symbols and stories may reflect a feeling or spirit in us that is forgotten, an emotion or inner understanding that is passed down to us through myths and legends and is part of our make up.
I like to explore connections of different emotions, perhaps sadness and love, darkness and wonder, beauty and witchery. A quote, I think by the painter Khnopff, rings true for me ~ ‘Like long echoes from afar that melt into a unity deep and dark.’
Nature is forever a great source of creativity for me too. Bewitching trees and autumn leaves, the moon, a shell, roots and moths: anything that inspires. I enjoy exploring our connection with the rest of nature - on both a physical and a deeper spirit level - revealed in our stories, our personal journeys and our place in the world.
All sorts of mystical and religious imagery is an inspiration, as well as a fascination with the shamanic beliefs of ancient peoples and their connection with animals and the earth, spirits of the dead and ancestral memories and totem magic.
I try to find a balance in my work between natural representation and symbolism, the inner and the outer, dark and light, our fear of death and our fear of life, our hopes and dreams.”
Ian has been a member of Enchanted Folk since February 2008
A Folktale from Donegal, Ireland - The Snow, The Crow and The Blood
Tue, Mar 31, 2009
One day in the dead of winter, when the snow lay like a linen tablecloth over the world, Jack, the King of Ireland's son, went out to shoot. He saw a crow, and he shot it, and it fell down on the snow. Jack went up to it, and he thought he never saw anything blacker than that crow, or redder than its blood, nor anything whiter than the snow round about.
The Snow, The Crow and The Blood - Part 2
Tue, Jun 30, 2009
Myths and fairytales are very resourceful in giving us accounts of life's experiences. Because of their metaphoric and direct nature they do this with great efficiency. Having developed over many years through stages of mankind's evolution they contain the very essence of human psychology. The great themes of humankind are expressed in their concepts, narratives and symbolism. Their themes have germinated, developed and evolved in direct simultaneity with the evolution of the human heart and mind.
A Rose Amongst Thorns
Tue, Jun 30, 2009
He is humble, patient despite many trials, Ages it's been since he set out from the known- world that he dwelt in peace and security, Yet love drives him on like a thirst for water.
Dark Alchemy and Temperance
Wed, Sep 30, 2009
This wintertime of longing can offer us beautiful dark-gemmed treasure. It is a time for waiting, for hoping, for gathering and for dreaming deeper into ourselves. A time for expanding our roots and drawing up the nourishment from summers past - enriching us for the coming spring. A time for Alchemy.
Dark Faeries
Wed, Sep 30, 2009
I'm a creeper across this distant world, An echo upon the wind, That shiver running along your back -A work of my intangible hand.