Edith Holden, Artist 150th date of Birth

 Edith Holden 150th Date of Birth Today (26th September)

The Apple Tree

The Apple Tree

The garden in the 1597 frontispiece is thought to be based on other European woodcuts and modified to suit an Elizabethan garden. As John Gerard worked for Lord Burghley (William Cecil), it is possible that this is a representation of his garden at that time.

John Gerard encourages people to,

“have land and living ..to .. Graffe, plant and nourish up trees in every corner of your grounds, the labour is small, the cost is nothing, the commoditie is great, your selves shall have plentie, the poor shall have somwhat is time of want to relieve their necessitie, and God shall reward your good mindes and diligence”.

The phrase ‘An Apple a day keeps the doctor away’, became popular in the 19th century.  Benefits of apples include:

- soluble fibre that helps lower cholesterol
        - the bioflavonoids properties help in the treatment of asthma and other lung diseases
        - quercetin which is believed to be protective against heart disease and cancer
        - enhances dental hygiene

The apple shown below was compiled from red and yellow brolly fabric.

The Tree

The Tree

The garden in the 1597 frontispiece is thought to be based on other European woodcuts and modified to suit an Elizabethan garden. As John Gerard worked for Lord Burghley (William Cecil), it is possible that this is a representation of his garden at that time.

The season could be late spring to early summer when the leaves are fully out on deciduous trees. The woman looking down on the garden, flanked by angelic looking beings maybe Mary Queen of Scots.  This is possible as she abdicated in 1567 and died in 1587. As this first frontispiece was completed in 1597, perhaps it was also a form of dedication / memorial to the former Queen.

I’m still working on improving my tree art.  This one is drawn on yellow brolly material. 

Some Early Gardens

Some Early Gardens

People have been creating and tending gardens for thousands of years. Two historical gardens are: 

* The biblical garden, east of Eden that God formed and first placed Adam. 

“ And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Genesis c2 v8-9 KJV

* The Garden of Hesperides mentioned in Greek Mythology and understood to be located in North Africa.

The garden shown on, 'The Herball'  1597 frontispiece is thought to be based on other European woodcuts and modified to suit an Elizabethan garden.

As John Gerard worked for Lord Burghley, (William Cecil) for a period of time, it is possible that this is a representation of his garden.

I’m still working on improving my tree art.  The tree shown below is sketched on a green broken brolly material. 

One character can play many parts 

In previous posts, I have alluded to the possibility that the lady on top of this frontispiece could be the goddess Flora or Themis.  This time, based on her attire, I am looking at the possibility that she could represent the goddess Artemis. Some observations: 

• Corset or zona  - with a similar outline to the item on the bottom right plinthe
• Other attire – long blue dress and red robe
• Mushroom  effect / colour – chanterelle or leather tan

St George 2021

Happy St George's Day (Friday 23rd April 2021)

Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
Some people think that the chap holding the Fritillary plant (bottom right), is a representation of William Shakespeare, who is also remembered on 23rd April.  Whilst he would have been around in that time period, the plants being held by the lad indicates that there were some geographical implications i.e. the sweetcorn in his left hand originated from the Americas and the Fritillary flower possibly from Asia.
John Gerard used the term ‘Of Turkie’ in his description for both the sweetcorn and the flower.  

Then there is the weird poem preceded by the reference to; ‘Martial seemeth to call Fritillas Abacus, or the Tables whereon men play at Dice, in the fifth booke of his Epigrams, writing to Galla.

The sad Boy now his nuts cast by,
Is call’d to Schoole by Masters cry:
And the drunke Dicer now betray’d
By Flattering Tables as he play’d,
Is from his secret tipling house drawne out,
Although the Officer he much besought,
&c.’

I have included a sketch of the Fritillary also known as: “Turkey-hen, Ginny-hen floure, Chequered Daffodill and Fritillarie, according to the Latine'. All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella). 

Happy Mother’s Day

Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece
The lady at the top of this art work is holding a basket of flowers in each hand.  I can see what looks like a sunflower in the right basket.  On reflection, it could be another plant from the Compositae family of flowers. Another observation, the basket is both lower and larger than the one in her left hand.  This could indicate the weight of the sunflower which can grow over 20 feet tall!  

So, for me now the representation of this lady in the frontispiece is possibly more to do with balance.  Light weight flora in her left hand and a heavier weight in her right.  Maybe presenting the ancient Greek goddess Themis, known for her clear sightedness – Greek Goddess of Justice and Law. 

John Gerard’s ‘vertues’ of the “Floure of the Sun or the Marigold of Peru”
“…we have found by triall, that the buds before they be floured, boiled and eaten with butter, vineger and pepper, after the manner of Artichokes are exceedingly pleasant meat.”

Either way, one to avoid in the garden for hay fever sufferers!  Although in recent times, some say that seafood and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids have an anti-flammatory effect.  So consuming those foods could help to overcome the hay fever issue.

Almost universally, sunflowers are a symbol of hope, healing and joy.  In terms of health it is reputed to: improve skin health, boost energy levels and strengthen the immune system amongst other benefits. 

Happy Valentine's Day

Saint Valentine of Italy was born in 226AD Temi, Italy and died 14 February 269AD in Rome.  

The most famous miracle attributed to St Valentine is believed to have happened via a letter he sent to a blind girl.  The girl miraculously gained her sight to read the note.

In modern times, some people exchange cards and gifts such as flowers, chocolates and have a special meal to mark the occasion as a token gesture of love!

Some drinks that are good for the heart include: water, beetroot juice and carrot juice.  Healthy heart foods include: tomatoes, bell peppers, grapes and dark chocolate.

The red and yellows aspects of the sample artwork below are made from a broken umbrella.

Happy New Year 2021

 Happy New Year 2021

Continuing with John Gerard’s ‘The Herball’ 1597 Frontispiece. The lady – possibly a portrayal of the goddess Flora, is holding a basket of flowers in each hand.  I can see a rose or is it a tulip in the left basket?  Why are all the flora petals in the basket shown in red? 

John Gerard’s ‘vertues’ of the rose
“The distilled water of roses is good for the strengthening of the heart and refreshing of the spirits and likewise for all things that require a gentle cooling... It mitigateth the paine of the eies proceeding of a hot cause, bringeth sleep,  which also the fresh roses themselves provoke through their sweet and pleasant smell.” 

I have included an applique of roses compiled in 2016 for comparison.  All of the fabric is made from a broken brolly (umbrella). 

Happy Christmas 2020

Happy Christmas 2020

The yellow backdrop on the bauble is made from brolly fabric, featuring a selection of used UK Christmas themed postal stamps. 

It's great that people still take time out to write and post cards!

Advent Season

 Advent Season

Over the centuries, the Advent wreath featuring 5 candles has come to represent variations of similar themes.  In some churches, one candle is lit each Sunday leading up to Christmas day.

1. The Patriarchs in faith -  Hope  
2. The Prophets - Faith
3. John the Baptist / Gaudete - Joy  
(also for those who are fasting over the period, refreshment day)
4. Mary and Joseph / Annunciation - Love
5. Christmas Day Candle / White 

In the arrangement shown above, the background and outer candles are created from brolly fabric and the central one from a piece of cardboard.   As I do not have any holly in the garden, I have used the rosemary herb for the circular effect.  Furthermore I find rosemary easier to work with as it:

 - has a pleasant scent
-  is not prickly like the holly
- can be washed and used in teas / cooking afterwards!

Six years of this blog

Six Years of this Blog.

So six years have gone by since I started this blog. A wide range of topics have been covered including using the broken umbrella (brolly) for: Arts – sketching on them, Crafts – cutting out shapes and using as appliques, covering garden pots, methods to help produce and heat water, the metal frame as a inference for use in the circular economy and much more.Now for something a little bit different.  Whilst viewing historic literature on gardening, I came across the frontispiece used on one of John Gerard’s (1545 -1612), book ‘The Herball or Generall History of Plantes’  1597.  I am amazed at the number of plants displayed in one setting – for that time period.   They did not have the photo editing software then that we have now! So for this piece, I am going to focus on Sweet corn!  Why –  well  providing that it is not genetically modified, it is great to eat and has: essential minerals such as zinc, magnesium, copper, iron and manganese.  Other health benefits: it is a good source of the antioxidants carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin which promote eye health! (source Mayo Clinic Health System).The sweetcorn impression is sketched on yellow brolly fabric .  The green background is also taken from a bust brolly!

Autumn Berries Sketch - revisited

Autumn Berries Sketch - Revisited

From my earlier sketch in September 2019, the blackberries and rosehip  are illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden . The picture is drawn on  yellow brolly fabric.  The blue background was also taken from broken brolly.

Edith was in Scotland for a period of time during August 1906.  On  25th August she writes, ‘I gathered the first Blackberries at St Fillans’. 

The blackberries in our garden had started to ripen on the plant for at least 2 weeks now. Both blackberries and rose hips are a good source of Vitamin C.  Check for recipes  that include these items or the equivalent that help ward off colds and infection. I prefer blackberries in jam.  There was a rose hip based syrup called 'Delrosa', some people may remember this.

St John's Wort Sketch

St John’s Wort – Hypericum Shrub

The St John’s Wort shrub in bloom is illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden .

The image is drawn on a cobalt blue shade of brolly fabric. The green background is also from a broken umbrella.

There are numerous  varieties of this deciduous shrub.  Historically, parts of the plant has been used in medicine

.

Iris Flower

Iris Sketch

The iris flower in bloom is illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden.

The image is drawn on green brolly fabric. The black background is also from an umbrella.

Historically, the parts of the iris plant has been used in cosmetics and in medicine.

I think my former sketches on yellow brolly fabric comes out more clearer than on the green !

Common Garlic

Common Garlic

The common garlic flower in bloom and butterfly are illustrated in the adapted style of the artist Edith Holden.  The image is drawn on green brolly fabric. The yellow background shown is also from a broken brolly.

Point to note, as  of 26th April 2020 the garlic in the ancient woodland was in bloom.  As of 24th May 2020 most of the petals from the garlic in the woodland had fallen.

According to Edith’s diary, 19th May 1906, ‘…and the garlic, the latter just breaking through it’s green sheathe.’

This suggests that the common garlic was blooming earlier in 2020 (possibly up to 3 weeks), than in 1906!

Garlic has historically been used in cooking and medicine to overcome viruses.

Apparently, locusts do not like garlic  - in addition to birds.  Perhaps garlic should be planted amongst the crops that the locusts destroy.

VE 75 years

VE 75 Years

The strawberry flower in bloom is illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden.

The image is drawn on yellow brolly fabric. The blue and red backgrounds shown are also from a broken brolly.

Some people may have included the strawberry fruit in their 75th VE commemorative meals.  I noticed ours came from Spain.  Where were your strawberries produced? 

Happy Easter

Happy Easter 

The sloe in bloom and butterfly are illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden.

The image is drawn on yellow brolly fabric. The blue backgrounds shown are also from a broken brolly.

Point to note, the blooms from the Victoria Plum and Sloe are very similar.  As of the 11th April 2020 most of the petals from the Sloe in the garden had fallen.

 

According to Edith’s diary, 17th April 1906, ‘The blackthorn bushes are a wonderful sight just now, their masses of snowy blossom making a striking contrast with the deep gold of the gorse’

Periwinkles

Periwinkles and Song Thrush Bird

The periwinkles (vinca) and song thrush bird are illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden .

The image is drawn yellow brolly fabric. The blue and green backgrounds shown are also from a broken brolly.

Snowdrops

Snowdrops Plant Sketch

The snowdrops and robin bird are illustrated in the adapted style of artist Edith Holden .

The image is drawn yellow brolly fabric. The red and blue backgrounds  shown are also

from a broken brolly.