St David the Dendrite of Thessaloniki
The first image that came to mind was a window of sorts, the trees were the frame and up there amongst the leaves reaching the sky was an old bearded holy man. Thankfully the idea for this one came quite quickly, sometimes this happens and it’s refreshing, other times it can be quite a struggle to get something to fit, like putting on a shoe that’s too small. I turned to Gothic tracery for influence, taking elements of the geometrical harmony of the Gothic style and trying to use that as a way to form the trees. Wells Cathedral is on the agenda this year to go and visit, it is utterly sublime. Particularly the scissor arch.
It’s imposing, in a very magnificent way, it is exuding presence as an immovable form yet seems quite light in its openness. Like many of the great inventions of Gothic style, they were often created from a structural need, and these are wonderful examples of the perfect balance of function and form. The pillars surrounding are like great tree trunks vaulting upwards to form the cathedral, bearing the weight and forming stability. I saw the trees being St David’s Cathedral, where the only thing that comes to see him as a wee bird.
As seen in these sketches, I based the composition on the scissor arch. Trying to emulate the trees as tracery. The churches are to represent the monastic connection with St. David, but also work very well as a framing device. As always, I have tried to keep it simple, I think these bolder spans of colour work well on the computer screen. I think this one is a slight improvement on the synthesis of medieval and the oriental aesthetic, though there is still more to improve upon with time.
There is a limited run of 5, which are available here if you would like one: https://www.ewancraig-art.com/category/all-products
Below is a video showing the making of the print. These videos are a bit of fun, I see them as a moving collage. People seem to enjoy them, Initially I wanted to find a way to show the passing of time in-between the making period. I thought of filming my own footage but I stumbled upon the treasure trove in the dark depths of the internet archive and there is so much free footage of the past to use. I think the clips work in a humorous and serious way to show the contrast of the Saint and the modern world. I am usually drawn to older black and white footage, revelling back to the aesthetic of the 40s and 50s, but this time I thought old 80s commercials would be a good laugh, as they are wonderfully in your face and a bit vulgar, particularly the ghastly looking foods. Also a good excuse to use New Order for musical accompaniment…. Enjoy!
These prints have been very enjoyable to create, I see each one as a chance to experiment a little, each new print asks for a new composition, and in that there are problems to be resolved in the attempt to find harmony. Here’s to the next one!
Wells Cathedral will be good - what with the stairs! Thinking about gothic structural solutions to the enormous weights they merrily hoisted in air - trees do the same, but I wondered a long time ago how the builders knew. Flying butresses gave me the idea that we 'calculate' in our own bodies the movement and balance of weight and transferred stress and support. And the locking in place of mutual support across the aisle: I guess you can feel for it. Well's cosmic clock provides another sense of proportion. Smile. Wonderful drawing btw!
When I saw your drawing I immediately thought it looked like gothic tracery! Thanks for confirming, such beautiful work.