Works based in the mythology of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion Examining the narrative of the Fall of the Ñoldor: Exile and the flight from Valinor, the wars and hardships suffered by the exiles in Beleriand, and their fruitless and complex tragedies and triumphs within the narrative of the First Age.
I seek to explore the major events of the story through visual media in a way that is not illustrative but expressive; my preferred style is dreamy, color-driven and dynamic, semi-abstract and emotive. Inprefer to work with acrylic, but often incorporate other media such as ink, chalk pastel and found\mixed media.
The Flight of the Noldor
Acrylic & ash on canvas, 18×20”
Though there is no indication that the Swan-Haven burned, this depicts the social and psychological destruction that was undoubtedly a result of the Kin-slaying at Alqualondë using flame as a visual metaphor.
Acrylic on Canvas, 18×20”
“So in that place which was called Losgar at the outlet of the Firth of Drengist ended the fairest vessels that ever sailed the sea, in a great burning, bright and terrible. And Fingolfin and his people saw the light afar off, red beneath the clouds; and they knew that they were betrayed. This was the firstfruits of the Kinslaying and the Doom of the Noldor.”
This depicts the great and terrible fire of the burning of the Swan-Ships at Losgar by Fëanor as seen by an embittered Fingolfin, knowing that he and his host have been abandoned at Araman to perish, return to Valinor, or cross the Helcaraxë on foot.
Acrylic and Ground Glass on Canvas, 8×10”
Fëanáro’s betrayal at Losgar left his half-brother, Fingolfin, to cross into Beleriand on foot, across the looming glacial desolation of the Helcaraxë, suffering many losses during the long and bitter journey.
Acrylic, ash (silk & wood), ground gemstones on Canvas, 24×36″
“…so fiery was his spirit that as it sped his body fell to ash, and was borne away like smoke”
[In progress/finalizing statement/description]
“The deeds that we shall do shall be the matter of song, until the last days of Arda.”
The Fate of the Jewels
Acrylic on Canvas, 12×12”
“Being in anguish and despair he cast himself into a gaping
chasm filled with fire, and so ended; and the Silmaril that he bore was taken into the bosom of the Earth.”
Maitimo (Maedhros), Fëanáro’s eldest son, was burned by the hallowed jewels he swore an oath to recover, and in despair threw himself into the depths of the earth and was consumed by the fire within, taking the Silmaril with him.
Acrylic on canvas, 12×12”
“And it is told of Maglor that he could not endure the pain with which the Silmaril tormented him; and he cast it at last into
the Sea, and thereafter he wandered ever upon the shores, singing in pain and regret beside the waves.”
Makalaurë (Maglor), the only one of Fëanor’s seven sons to survive the First Age, was overcome at last by despair and cast the remaining Silmaril into the sea in grief and remorse, and ever after wandered the shores of Middle-earth in exile, singing his lamentations.
Acrylic on canvas, 12×12”
Elwing spirited away the final Silmaril and cast herself into the sea, but was spared by the Vala Ulmo, who gave her the form of a swift bird, and it is in this form she was able to flee with the jewel upon her breast to the side of her husband, Ëarendil the Mariner. It is he who bears the final jewel into the night sky every day, and when dawn breaks, he returns to her side at the isolated where she dwells in the undying lands.
“And thus it came to pass that the Silmarils found their long homes: one in the airs of heaven, and one in the fires of the heart of the world, and one in the deep waters.”
The War of the Jewels
Acrylic on Canvas, 24×36”
“…thereafter he wandered ever upon the shores, singing in pain and regret beside the waves. For Maglor was mighty among the singers of old, named only after Daeron of Doriath; but he came never back among the people of the Elves.”
Set against the backdrop of the drowned world after the War of Wrath, though burdened by the horror and guilt of that which he has endured, Makalaurë mourns also the fate of his six brothers and Fëanáro, his father. Taking only his harp and his grief, he leaves his sword behind, marking a cairn of seven stones above the shore of the endless ocean where once there was Beleriand.
Works in Progress
Acrylic on Canvas, 18×24″
Color field/background only
Acrylic on Canvas, 18×24″
Color field/background only
Acrylic on Canvas, 4 Panels, 8×20” each
(L to R): Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Dagor Aglareb, Dagor Braigollach and Nirnaeth Arnoediad
[in progress: finalizing details, descriptions, quotes]