[Ansteorra] Original Scrolls

[Lady Eithne]

Your Excellency,

Congratulations on your most excellent reign. And thank you for your
comments
on our current artistry in painting scrolls. Many of us who do not consider
ourselves as artists, dare to be Charter Illuminators. I would never be
where I am today. After less  than two years of painting scrolls, I making
my first "*original"* for a Kingdom Award. I would not have been painting *
any *charters.


In Service to the House & the Kingdom, and to the Pursuit of True Honor,
Lady Eithne ingen meic Cináeda
GrandeDamme FalconRose Keep at Loch Callendre,
*Acting* MoAS Shire of Rosenfeld

On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 14:15, Traci <traci at crimsonvision.net> wrote:

> Greetings to the list!
>
> I have been following this conversation since the start and am thrilled to
> be able to share my opinion on it now.  ;)
>
> Over the 6 months I have been very blessed to not only be able to view many
> a scroll but to actually sign my name to them and award them to deserving
> individuals.  We gave out well over 100 awards in that time and since I
> signed every single one of them that went out.  I actually LOOKED at every
> single one of them as well.  I was even SO INSPIRED by the work that these
> artists did that I went out and started trying my own hand at painting
> scrolls & actually was able to get a few done.
>
> While I do admit that yes, on occasion I saw a scroll that maybe had a
> color
> scheme that wasn't to my personal preferences or maybe has a stray drop of
> paint where it wasn't supposed to be (I know the ones I did do!) overall
> the
> scrolls were absolutely beautiful.  Some of them I would sit and hold and
> just try and absorb all the details before I signed them they were so
> amazing.  I honestly covet some of the works that left our hands this year;
> not the awards but the actual scrolls.
>
> I feel that you are discounting all the time and effort that the artists of
> Ansteorra put into their scrolls just because they aren't 'originals'.
> Sure, they were given a starting point to go from... so what?  They still
> sat and painted each little bit of color by hand.  I have seen many
> 'original' scrolls in my time in the SCA (Not from Ansteorra of
> course!) that couldn't hold a candle to some of the ones 'just painted'
> that
> are given out in this Kingdom.
> Originals are wonderful things, I agree with you on that.  But I challenge
> the stand you seem to be taking that the scrolls we give here in Ansteorra
> are inferior and not worthy of representing an award from the Crown.
>
> Just a little bit defensive of our artisans;
> Countess Elizabeta di Valore della Rosa
> On Sat, Nov 7, 2009 at 6:40 PM, eleanor cleavely <whiteoakbard at gmail.com
> >wrote:
>
> > Greetings,
> >
> > I feel I have to throw in my two ducats. I started playing and painting
> > here
> > in Ansteorra. When I was taught to paint scrolls, the charters were
> viewed
> > as disposable. You screw up on a color? No problem! Trash it and start a
> > new
> > one! Some of the charters I saw being given out were atrociously painted
> > (paint WAY outside the lines, odd color combinations, no attention to
> > detail
> > at all).
> >
> > When I moved to Atenveldt and volunteered to paint, I was handed an
> > original
> > piece of work on parchment vellum paper. I was absolutely terrified. The
> > scribe (the now-Dame Hrefna Karsefni) taught me how to take my time and
> pay
> > attention to detail. I worked harder on one scroll than I ever did on any
> > charter. Why? Because they weren't disposable. Someone took the time and
> > put
> > forth the effort to design a gorgeous piece of work that I was priviliged
> > to
> > paint. Over time, my painting got better and I ventured out into
> designing
> > and drawing (well, tracing because stick figures aren't period!) my own
> to
> > paint. The scribal guild I worked with had five, maybe six regularly
> > contributing painters and calligraphers and we put out a great majority
> of
> > scrolls for the kingdom as well as our Barony, so much so we were awarded
> > the Scarab of Atenveldt. I am proud of the works I have painted. If you
> > want
> > to see them, please check out my website (
> > http://eleanorcleavely.weebly.com/index.html , that way you know I'm not
> > talking out of my bottom half)
> >
> > I think the excuse (and, I'm sorry, it is an excuse) that the scribes of
> > this kingdom could not possibly keep up with scroll comissions is
> > completely
> > off-base. I think that, if we really wanted to and were seriously willing
> > to
> > put forth the effort, we could go from charters to originals. Yes, there
> > would be a small lag at the beginning, but that is something that is
> easily
> > overcome by giving a cut-off date for charters and a start date for
> > originals. By having that start date well in advance, we could build up a
> > library of originals and start off with a surplus.
> >
> > I see no reason that a kingdom as grand as Ansteorra should not be
> creating
> > an original piece of work for all who are graced with an award from Their
> > Majesties. I am most certainly willing and able to do this...are you?
> >
> > Ever in service with a song and a smile,
> > Lady Eleanor Cleavely
> > Descendant of the White Oak
> > Scarab of Atenveldt
> >
> > --
> > http://eleanorcleavely.weebly.com/index.html
> >
> > "Mine honor is my life; both grow in one;
> > take honor from me and my life is done."
> > --William Shakespeare
> >
> > Ego existo obstinantus - I am resolved
> >
> > Reluctor ultum , pareo parum - Resist much, obey little
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