Ten Years in the Woods
Art for Paul Kingsnorth's 'The Wake'
I am away visiting family and friends in Scotland. More about that another time. This week, something I have been meaning to do again for a while, but keep forgetting to share - a largely visual post.
Art for The Illustrated Wake
Late in 2014 I read a glowing review by Lucy Mangan of The Wake by
. My copy arrived, a green man staring out from the cover, and I sat on the tiny sofa in my boat for two days, compelled to read to the very end, sometimes in tears. I read certain parts out loud, wrapping myself around the wonderfully evocative language created to transport readers back to the time of that other apocalypse, the Norman Invasion of Saxon England, in 1066. You can read all about the book all over the web but I would urge you to read The Wake for yourself, if you haven’t already. I was so moved that I did something I’d never done up until then, I googled the author, promptly discovered Dark Mountain, and found an email address there where I could write and offer my thanks for the great writing. To my great surprise, he answered.
A year or so later, at a Dark Mountain event with my basket of wild art materials, conversation led to me being asked to illustrate a possible new version of the Wake. Although the planned edition didn’t come to fruition, the collaboration was fruitful, illustrations were made and I soon began teaching art in Ireland and running creative workshops with Paul. I have never shared online all the art I made for the book, but the original pieces have lives on the walls of the Kingsnorth home, and in other homes across Europe and America. That is what my art wants the most - to be part of the daily lives of living people.
So, in honour of it being ten years since I discovered the book that pointed to the collective, and led to the friendships and working relationships which have enriched my life beyond measure, this month’s visual essay is a selection of works from a volume that never was, The Illustrated Wake. I hope you enjoy them.
All these works were created in 2017-2018, made with my own natural ochre, woad and madder watercolours, chalk gouache and iron gall ink on paper. I used mostly found papers, such as envelopes. They were drawn and painted with sticks, quill pens and brushes made from locally moulted Thames geese and swan feathers. They mark the start of a path back to the wilds, the woods and the waters in my life and art that began in earnest late October, 2015. The journey continues.
This week’s good thing: A very simple thing, no links needed as it’s right outside the door. Despite all the madness in the world, the fact that spring has returned to my part of the world has helped me stay (mostly) sane and buoyant. Birdsong, blackthorn blossom, dawn before I wake: thank you.
Yes! The words started to come alive, I found, and it revealed a new / old way of reading to me, too. Great to hear of your experience.
As for the drawings, The Stag, The Hawk and Crow, The Fens and the Reflections are still at home in my drawing chest, so feel free to drop me an email by replying to the post if you want one of the originals.
I am also making prints of lots of my work this month, including a couple from this post. I'll write about it when they all arrive from the printer.
I also read The Wake out loud. I realised quite soon that reading it as I read ‘ ordinary’ English was forcing me into my head. I was trying to work out the meanings of the words. Once I began to read it out loud it became something alive in my imagination. I was embodying the story in some way. The tale came alive in me and has never quite left since then. I love your ‘ Stag ‘ and wish I’d been able to purchase one of those drawings. Thanks for sharing. ❤️