SpiralFire Studio Where Art and Energy Meet

Illuminations

About Illuminated Manuscripts

Traditional manuscript art was done on parchment or vellum. Pigments were made from ground stones such as lapis and gold leaf was applied to the page. The application of gold is what defines a manuscript as "illuminated".

This illuminated art is - unless otherwise specified - done on pergamentum, a fine quality Italian parchment and uses gouache paint and gold leaf. Occassionally I use opaline vellum, a composite vellum made of animal skin.

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Order of the Cavendish Knot
Period: Early 13th Century
Medium: Gouache on paper
Description: Based on the illumination of Ptolemy's Almagest
Year: 2004

Award of Arms
Period: Mid-15th Century
Medium: Gouache on paper
Description: Based on the illumination from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the Lichfield Cathedral Library
Year: 2006

Illuminations

Order of the Willow
Period: 15th Century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Based on the illumination in the book by Giovanni Boccaccio: La Theseide
Year: 2006

Commissioned Stationary
Period: 14th century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Made as personal note paper for TRM Aleric and Noelle.
Year: 2005

Commissioned Gift
Period: Late 15th century
Medium: Gouache on paper
Description: Italian White Vine
Year: 2006

Purple Fret
Period: Mid-14th century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Grasille style, based on the illumination of the Poetical Works of Guillaume de Machaut
Year: 2004

Order of the Cavendish Knot
Period: 15th century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Based on The Black Hours, 1475 c.e.
Year: 2008

Gift to House Kheperu
Period: 8th century
Medium: Gouache on opaline vellum
Description: Celtic design, inspired by the Lindisfarne Gospels
Year: 2006

Order of Chivalry
Period: Mid-15th Century
Medium: Gouache on opaline vellum
Description: Based on the Bible of Borso d'Este
Year: 2006

Award of the Purple Fretty
Period: 14th century
Medium: Gouache and ink on paper
Description: Grasille style, inspired by the Book of Hours of Jean d'Evreux from the workshop of Jean Pucelle. Music from French troubador Guillaume de Mauchet, done for the Saltatoris Dance Guild.
Year: 2005

Gift to TRM Felix and Madeleina
Period: 14th Century
Medium: Gouache on opaline vellum
Description: Made for TRM Felix and Madeleina
Year: 2005

Order of the Chivalry
Period: Early to 14th century
Medium: Gouache on opaline vellum
Description: Based on the illumination of the Morgan Crusader's Bible. Made as knighting scroll.
Year: 2004

Commissioned Gift
Period: Late 14th-early 15th century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Based on the illumination from the Book of Hours of Catherine of Cleves. Music from French troubador Guillaume de Mauchet. Commissioned by HRM Queen Noelle, made for Canadian musician Heather Dale.
Year: 2005

Award of the Purple Fretty
Period: Early 15th century
Medium:Gouache and gold leaf on pergamenata
Description: Based on the illuminations of Boccaccio's Of Famous Women. These scrolls were made for the signets of the Middle Kingdom.
Year: 2006

Award of the Purple Fretty
Period: Early 15th century
Medium: Gouache and gold leaf on pergamenata
Description: Based on the illuminations of Boccaccio's Of Famous Women. These scrolls were made for the signets of the Middle Kingdom.
Year: 2006

Order of Evergreen
Period: 16th Century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Tugra - Based on the Berat of Murad III, Istanbul
Year: 2005

Court Baron
Period: Late 14th century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Based on the King Wenceslas Bible
Year: 2004

Order of the Willow
Period: Late 15th century
Medium: Gouache on pergamenata
Description: Italian White Vine
Year: 2006

Order of the Willow
Period: Late 15th century
Medium: Gouache and gold leaf on pergamenata
Description: Italian White Vine
Year: 2006

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Request Your Own

Personally designed illuminated art is great for weddings, certificates, holiday greeting cards, personalized stationary. These hand crafted pieces make a wonderful gift for a friend or for yourself! If you would like a piece designed especially for you, please contact me by email to discuss your needs. Pieces are priced based on complexity and size, as well as any special materials requested. All art is done on Italian parchment with 23K gold (white or yellow) and Winsor&Newton gouache paints.

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Thanks for visiting! If you have questions about the art or products? Interested in having me to teach classes at your event? Please contact me by email! spiralingfire@gmail.com