Medium Dawn Felagund of the Fountain

A few weeks ago, my friend and illumination teacher Tristan and I were talking about my website. And I mentioned that I would like to put a picture of myself up on it (since many bloggers weblers do) but didn't have any photographs that I particularly liked. So he said, "Why not have me do a portrait of you?"

Which, of course, made me squee, since I adore his artwork.

But not much else was said about it; I've been busy finishing up my school year and so haven't been able to be as active in the SCA as I would want. But, a few weeks ago, a group of us did go in garb (costume) to a special showing at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore to provide living scenery for their new illumination exhibit. Apparently, I ended up in some of the photos. Tonight, I came home to an email from Tristan with a picture attachment.

My first thought: Yay, I've corrupted converted him into doing Elves in artwork!

Then I realized that the Elf looked an awful lot like ... me.

Apparently, he took one of the photos from the Walters and did a drawing of me as an Elf. I did make a loud noise like "Eeeeeeeeeeee!" when I realized this. (Bobby can vouch for that.) It's very exciting! I've had artwork done for me but never of me, and especially by a professional artist.

The drawing is here on Tristan's weble. (There is adult content on his weble but not on this particular post, so those concerned with such things are safe to click through the warning that will pop up.) He even included the DF-in-Tengwar monogram that I use on, well, everything.

*squee!*

And, yes, he takes commissions, so you, too, can be an Elf! ;)

( For Those Who *Don't* Know What I Look Like 'IRL' ... A Comparison Photo )

I don't make recommendations on my journal often, but hrymfaxe illustrated one of my "Release the Bonds of Winter" ficlets as a birthday present, and the result is simply stunning, so I wanted to share it with my flist who may not be mutual friends with her.

http://hrymfaxe.livejournal.com/26328.html

As I told hrymfaxe in an email earlier today, I often compose stories (particularly ficlets) around a strong image, in this case the thrashing pine trees of Dorthonion. Dorthonion, to me, has always evoked a sepia-toned image: the brown earth and the white sky, the only color coming from the deep green of the pines. When I see Dorthonion, in my mind, I see the trees and I see the color of it and little else: For me, this defines this particular setting in The Silmarillion.

This is not something that I've shared with anyone because it is largely frivolous and irrelevant; however, hrymfaxe's work picks up on these images that I've held in my mind with an almost uncanny perception. The result is something that I think makes the ficlet more meaningful than my words alone ever could have.

Thank you, hrymfaxe, for such a lovely gift!