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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Now for flowers, I'm looking at Willow Park! For her I'm picking Chrysanthemums, Potentilla, and Roses.
Chrysanthemums, also called Mums, are fall flowers that come in a variety of colors. In general, mums symbolize Friendship and Optimism.
Willow deeply cares about her friends, teaching Gus a breathing technique within minutes of meeting him, following Luz and doing a lot to help with her problems, letting Amity back in, and defending Hunter at Hexside. She's got a friendly disposition about her. An optimistic one too. She always responds cheerfully and tends to try and look on the brighter side. Such as pretending that bones are crunchy sticks. ;)
Now Pink Mums mean Gentle Affection while Yellow Mums once meant Neglected Love.
Willow's affection is shown in quiet ways. She knows how to play mediator between her friends. She likes to be kind and protect her friends. Plus it can be related to perhaps a new relationship, and how affection starts. For Willow, the loss of Amity's friendship was a neglected love. It hurt Willow to lose her friend, and it did leave her resentful. It's healing now, but the hurt was still there.
Potentilla are a small flower that are also known as Cinquefoil. They symbolize Strength and Loyalty.
Willow is a buff lady who works out to earn her strength. She grappled Belos' arm to the ground, and she's a natural at sports!She's also very loyal to her people. She was willing to throw down with Belos and with the Emperors Coven to protect her friends regardless of the risk.
Potentilla also symbolize Growth and Recovery.
Now growth is a bit on the nose with for someone with plant magic, but its also why it fits. Willow's gone through a lot of growth from being timid character to being bold and strong. She's also gone through a lot of recovery. She recovered her strength, and her confidence in her abilities. Much like how a sick plant can get better with the right care.
Lastly we have roses! Roses come in wide variety of colors and with that meanings. Red roses symbolize Courage and Orange mean Energy.
It takes a lot of courage for a teenager to the things Willow's done. Takes a lot to do physical combat against a goop monster, and to stick to your beliefs after you've gone so long thinking you're only 'Half-a-witch'. She's also very energetic! It probably doesn't stand out as much when next to Luz or Gus, but she keeps up with them and King just fine.
Lavender Roses, a rarity and as such mean Enchantment and Ivory mean Gracefulness.
Enchantment is kind of a stretch. But Willow is enchanting in her own way! She enchanted Luz into wanting to go to Hexside by introducing her to it, and she enchanted Hunter into joining her flyer derby team. She also appears to be pretty graceful, outside of her more physical endeavors. Though maybe in a different way than people would associate with maybe Amity.
And after all there is the phrase that Roses have thorns. And I think that is very appropriate for one Willow Park.
And there's Willow's arrangement! She now joins Hunter in this list and let's see where we go from here!
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