Finally finished my weird hanging painting thing (originally a secondhand partially-done 'paint by numbers' kit that I found at a thrift store and kept to repurpose lol)! Imagery somewhat based in my own worldbuilding projects, and text written in my constructed language for one of my fantasy species, but also vaguely inspired by old tapestries and illuminated manuscripts and etc. I've never been great at neat clean patterning or text, but it looks cool from afar, and I always enjoy making "props" or things that are somewhat like real objects that might could exist in my world. :0
(additional pictures/info under the readmore)
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Here's what it was originally! I probably didn't have to actually have a river running down the middle because it further makes the composition of the whole thing weird (various connected yet separate locations and things happening, instead of one unified event being portrayed), but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to fully cover up the already existing paint that was there.. and I can also kind of justify it by going with a more "all the imagery is just symbolic so it doesn't have to make exact sense" approach lol.. How is one half of the grass green and the other is suddenly snowy? shhhh.. it's not literal.. shhh...
Made a vague sketch, then painted over it, and then added more distinct lines in black pen. Center image first and border second.
The very last thing was the text, which actually took forever to translate because my conlang is still only like.. partially done, and some of the grammar is not worked out exactly how I would like it to be, so a few sentences I had to think about for a long time before just going "eh, this is probably not how I would do it if I considered it more, but I'll go with it for now" lol . I also am not entirely satisfied with all of the characters for the writing system, but again, it's good enough for a quick project, it doesn't have to be 100% accurate and perfect because it's a fake language that nobody knows anyway lol.
I thought about breaking down the text and translation here like I have for some of the tidbits of Avirrekava (the language) in things I've posted in the past, but I think it would take too long and is not interesting to anyone but me ghghj, so for the sake of getting the post out quickly, I shall not spend an hour typing All That lol.
The general jist of the writing though is that it's just about the Avirre'thel being cast out from the other elves, after abandoning their magic for immortality as a means to truly attain perfection (an important concept in elven culture), the usual, blah blah blah, but how it's Actually A Good Thing, because the gods are wrong and immortality is Cool actually and they like the shitty frozen lands they were sent to, so it's fine that everyone else is being a Hater about it lol
Lastly, here's a few photos outside in the sun to TRY and show the gold detailing actually shimmering or showing up! It really doesn't come through in photos, but there's plenty of little golden spots to highlight light or Importance.
Mostly the fire, the pink sparkle that represents magic, the red drop that represents blood, the light behind Inaashi's hands and head (common symbol for the elven religion/one of their main gods, shout out to anyone who read the ancient elven religion post and recognized that lol), the sun, and the symbol for the Avirre'thel/country of Navyete at the very top. I did a few other gold bits, but they're not highlighted because they're Significant, more just that it looked more symmetrical to have some gold on the border too lol.
Other things of note: The animals are not actually significant to Avirre'thel culture really, I just wanted to put a cat and a bird because I like them lol. (I also wanted to have a few funny looking creatures, as I was slightly trying to go with the 'in some old medieval painting the anatomy and perspective is very weird' vibe, though I think some of the other parts of it look too Normal to pull it off entirely). Same with the four leaf clover, which means nothing in their culture - but these are the only areas where stuff was just added self-indulgently .
Bligabata (giant cabbage that grows along rivers in Navyete) making an appearance! The architecture of the building IS based on actual concepts for ancient elven/older Avirre'thel architecture and metalwork. The Avirre'thel who's turning away from Inaashi/elves/magic and collecting blood, is doing so in a Special Bowl, as is part of their culture (collecting it in the hands, or just in a normal vessel would be disrespectful, they have Specific Bowls which is the only thing blood can be kept in, etc.).
The figure that represents Jhevona (and thus, a closer connection to magic, celestial imagery, etc.) is in weird ugly teal, which is not necessarily a color or design associated with them, as I don't have much common culture (like clothing) worked out for Northern Jhevona (who the avirre'thel would have come into contact with) yet, BUT everyone else is in more Typical colors (a northern elf in green, Inaashi in lavender + white + blue, an Avirre'thel in darker purples and reds).
Some things, like the four figures in the corners, and the two people + fish in the stream, do not currently have a meaning, but in-world they would.. Like, I could make up lore for how they're culturally significant and it would be true because I am god of the world, but I don't have anything currently. But just know.. they DO mean something, I just haven't decided it yet, maybe kind of fill in as I go, come up with a meaning later lol. Probably along the lines of an old myth from the ancient elven religion, a story, etc.
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I don't know, probably other stuff, but that's my Trying To Keep It Short rambling for now lol. I'm just glad I finally finished this! For how vaguely sloppy it is up close (everything being completely freehanded, only used rulers once when doing the initial sketch and lining where the border should be + my hands are shaky + the canvas is bumpy + my handwriting is scratchy and terrible + etc. etc.) it still took a REALLY long time, even when not trying to make it all perfect. Especially if including the text translation + writing, which took like 3+ hours itself.
Maybe all the asymmetry/lack of things being centered is NOT because I was too lazy to measure anything, but is actually because in-universe, it's a practice illustration made by some young apprentice who has to work on little canvases for years before he can be trusted will a full sized mural or tapestry. It's his first week on the job! of course he's uncoordinated! don't laugh at him!!! lol
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"NYU, Lonnie! He's wanted to go to NYU since he was six years old!"
Nancy + Jonathan college AU // in which our happy couple lives in New York City together, studying journalism and photojournalism at Columbia and NYU respectively.
Hobbies include: surprising each other with the fresh flowers they bought on their way home from class, wandering into every record shop and bookstore they come upon, adopting a cat (who somehow gets named by El even though she's literally not even in New York, and he's not even her cat, and how did this happen, Jonathan?!), spontaneously deciding to get engaged one day while picnicking in Central Park senior year, and generally falling madly, deeply in love with one another a little bit more each day.
(a gift for the wonderful @jancys-blue-bayou who requested jancy in NYU)
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Fear Thy Nature - Teaser
Frigid wind blasted through the balmy March evening, weaving through the narrow streets of the Lower East Side, instantly subduing the sweet smell of spring's earliest blooms as it mingled with the fetid decay piled in the city streets.
Meandering through the labyrinth of narrow alleyways, the wind crept through the Bowery and hushed the flicker from the few remaining gas lamps. Building after building, tenements were plunged into complete darkness, with only the glow of oil lamps and candlelights in the windows high above offering any hope of illumination.
The wind busied itself briefly with an abandoned newspaper. The storm cared little for society weddings, a fatal gas leak on Marble Row, or the offerings on Broadway and discarded The Times several blocks north in a whirlwind of wet pages, further decorating the squalor of the landscape.
The last of the warm spring wind hovered over the fashionable neighborhoods to the north and caressed the faces of those who braved the streets of New York City at nightfall. Where the rich met the poor, the garish met the gaunt, electric lights of the upper set met the darkness of the slums; the bitter winds of change and debauched darkness met Maeve Woodbury. Here at the undoubtedly closed bakery, she removed the key from her leather boot and stepped inside the candlelighted room, out of the chill and into the warm company of her dearest friends.
"Ladies, when shall we next meet? The ache in my bones tells me we could be in for quite a storm," Mae asked the women seated at the bay window table. Her warm breath clouded the doorway against the evening's sudden chill, causing the fog to envelop her petite frame as she removed her gloves and stepped into the warmth.
Closing her eyes for fear of rolling them, Sidonia Van der Snyte looked past the latecomer and to the dark evening. "There's always an ache in your bones, dear. The weather has been wonderful as of late. The whole of winter went by like a seaside holiday."
Aurelia Luppino sighed, wistful for the Mediterranean winters she had known in childhood. "It felt like home."
"I suppose you are right. Mr. Whitman seems to believe so. Dermont took me to hear his latest work last night," Maeve noted. "It seems they are already celebrating the season's first blooms in Brooklyn. At least those of dandelions." She pressed her handkerchief to her nose at the mention of the weeds. She gathered her composure once she was confident the urge to sneeze had passed. "Mr. Whitman has such a sense for what is to come. You both could be right, but it is downright bitter out there."
This time, there was no stopping Sidonia's eyes from spinning in suspicion. "Do you always get your news from the ramblings of a madman?"
"I get my news from you, Sid."
Cocking her head to the side, unsure if she had fully understood the banter of the other women, Aurelia asked, "Is there a difference?"
When Sidiona stood from the table in a huff, the chill from the crack under the door was undeniable. "Perhaps Mae is right. She was right about the tea, after all. Did you bring the good sort from uptown?" Straightening her stance, she took the teapot from the table.
"Pendleton's Tea and Tonics, naturally. The finest in all of the city," Maeve promised, extending an emerald box with gold lettering. She scooped the lemon balm, jasmine flower, and lavender into the kettle in Sidonia's hands. "They say this one can help a person see the future. Perhaps this one will settle the debate on the weather. Whether it does or not, I promise the new blend is delicious."
Aurelia's smile brightened with the first taste but fell with the second sip. "How sad to have tasted the very best. Then, what shall I have to look forward to?"
"Sounds to me, the tea may tell you that itself," Sidonia groaned at the notion of tea meant to open a third eye. She had done fine to rely on her two amethyst eyes since birth.
Ignoring the skeptic, Maeve poured a cup for herself and felt the steam tickle her nose. The warm porcelain in her hands and the company of her book club slowly but steadily drove out the chill from deep within her chest. "Well, Lia, I am glad you asked about the Pendletons. It seems their case is nearly won. Dermont tells me the Gerard family has no claim to the patents on the family's pharmacy or cosmetic lines. With any luck, we will all be free to summer in Saratoga, happily slathered in Pendleton sun cream. I am nearly tempted to spend all I have on Pendleton stock and would encourage you-" Maeve's gaze dropped to the table.
While the women's club was meant to discuss books, they had come to find they would rather share their views on politics, religion, and sex. Nothing was taboo between them, but as her eyes flicked to Aurelia's mangled right hand resting on Sidonia's soiled lace tablecloth, she realized the three had no business bringing money into the conversation, no matter what foresight the tea had to offer. "I only mean to say I will know more next week after attending Mrs. Pendleton's gala. Sid, will you be attending?"
"I will be present. You know the rules, Maeve. If you wish to see me at Mrs. Pendleton's gala, you must sneak into the kitchen with the rest of the help. You can only pretend to be lost on the way to the powder room so many times, lest she suspect we are friendly."
Tea poured from Aurelia's lips as she struggled to contain her laughter. "You, my dear Sidonia, will never be mistaken for friendly."
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