Heraldry is perhaps one of the oddest quirks of history that is still alive and well in Britain. It is full of pomp and deep multi-layered messages, and often represented by the strangest creatures. A visit into a stately St George's Hall at Windsor castle or pulpits of Westminster Abbey are is enough to make one wonder if the goofy fairytale beasts around truly have any of proud historical importance or if they constitute a practical joke for visitors. 

Makes for an interesting investigation, particularly perfect when looking for a subject matter for samples. Being a fresh British subject, I started with the three exceptionally
virile Passant Guardant lions that have been part of the Royal Arms of England more or less since Richard the Lionheart used them in 1198 on his Great Seal of England.  I had to figure out what the Lion Passant in the description stood for, and once I found transcriptions for the different lion poses and attitudes in Wikipedia, I frankly could not stop. I work in different techniques, and was always wondering how they would compare to each other as a low relief/ surface decoration on a similar subjects. So far, I am about halfway through working with the different lion attitudes and techniques, and I imagine there will be an update to this blog post. But I though to share these amusing results. And yes. As some of you might expect, I have some special plans for the Lion Dormant!

Went to see a showcase of the Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Awards and was very much impressed by the vase made by Wally Gilbert. I have came across images of his work before, but seeing one of the up close, really drove it home the beauty of the texture that could be achieved by chasing techniques. 

Some images from the ricent workshop by Rod Kelly that I attended at West Dean few weeks ago. 
One starts with an image of a Diatom Arachnoidiscus and a flat disc of copper.. and little by little the shape and design emerges in metal just as if it was clay..