The Dark Vicar and The Big Black Hen

Original painting inspired by a Devonshire legend of a vicar well versed in the black arts. A servant came upon a manuscript left on his desk and began to read. The sky grew dark and wind shook the house. The doors flew open and a black hen came into the room. The hen grew to enormous size right before the servant's eyes. The vicar returned just in time with a bag of rice and he reversed the spell.

The Dark Vicar at My Good Babushka.

The Dark Vicar and The Black Hen

Painting inspired by a Devonshire legend of a vicar well versed in the black arts. A servant came upon a manuscript left on his desk and began to read. The sky grew dark and wind shook the house. The doors flew open and a black hen came into the room. The hen grew to enormous size right before the servant's eyes. The vicar returned just in time with a bag of rice and he reversed the spell.

Lover's Revenge

Original acrylic painting on thick, acid-free paper, approximately 8" x 10". Inspired by an archaic "Lover's Revenge Curse" that involved sticking pins into a birds' heart. Lover's Revenge at My Good Babushka.

Lover's Revenge

I have some notes that I jotted down, I assume they are from W.C. Hazlitt's Dictionary of Faiths and Folklore, but I'm not sure. Something about taking revenge on an unfaithful lover by sticking pins into a bird's heart via sympathetic magic. I seem to have left out any particulars, like the kind of bird, so I'm going to make it up. I picked a black swan.

Witch Bottle

 

Work continues on my Witch Bottle. But you can skip ahead and see the finished Witch Bottle painting at My Good Babushka. Folk Tale Art, Chainmaille Jewelry, and Handmade Needlework.

Witch Bottle

Laying in the background for my witch bottle painting. Shortly after I started the sketch for this a real Witch Bottle was found in Greenwich. How neat!
I had learned through my reading of folklore that a tangled thread in a bottle prevents witches from meddling with you. Tying red thread on your cows' tails would prevent witches from bothering them. Witches are flummoxed, apparently, by knots. Just like my nine year old with his shoelaces.
You can see the Witch Bottle Painting at My Good Babushka. Folk Tale Art. Chainmaille Jewelry, Needlework

Marocco Embroidery

Marocco was the trained performing horse of Mr. William Bankes who lived in the late 16th - 17th century in England. He was a very famous and beloved performer. Whilst travelling in France, however, the two were accused of witchcraft! Bankes was clever and taught Marocco to bow down when the cross was produced, and that is how Bankes and Marocco escaped and saved their necks!
Here is my embroidered tribute to William Bankes and Marocco.

More than half done now.

The Witch of Beaulieu

More work on The Witch of Beaulieu, a crafty witch who turned herself into a hare to avoid getting caught stealing wood.

The Witch of Beaulieu

The Witch of Beaulieu painting in progress. Up to no good, with her saucy wood-thievery.

Marocco

Marocco was the trained performing horse of Mr. William Bankes who lived in the late 16th - 17th century in England. He was a very famous and beloved performer. Whilst travelling in France, however, the two were accused of witchcraft! Bankes was clever and taught Marocco to bow down when the cross was produced, and that is how Bankes and Marocco escaped and saved their necks!
Here is my embroidered tribute to William Bankes and Marocco.