Arctic Wolpertinger

 

 

“The Arctic Wolpertinger is a curious thing

Caribou antler and snowy owl wing

Found under the Aurora’s glow

Where few are found to go

No brown hare of cousins south

Fur snow white from tail to mouth

Teeth from cats of the distant past

Catch a glimpse, it’s gone fast”

Original poem, 2024

 

 

A couple of years ago I picked up several stickers, and an original painting at the local Renaissance Faire, from the booth of MysticAK.com. Since then, I have loved their images of an Artic Wolpertinger, and a Fae Fox. The contest of "Cryptids in Any Mode" was the perfect opportunity to do a piece inspired by one of them. So, I set about gathering paper and supplies, for a paper and ink contest entry.

Figure 1: Inspirational sticker on one of my water bottles.

Figure 2: Beginning the layout.

The Worpltinger has been around for a fair amount of time, but I was not able to pin down a date range. They come from the woods of Bavaria (southern Germany) and were described to tourists. Many versions were made for sale, with head, horns, wings, and tail of various small animals attached to each other.

 

Figure 3, A and B: Wolpertinger edited from Young Hare, a painting of a hare by Albrecht Dürer 1502. I was unable to find the date or the artist of the edited version.

 

Figure 4: Starting the inking.

I've dabbled in calligraphy for many years. Played with marker pens, cartridge pens, dip pens, and the occasional quill. Currently I have some nice goose quills on order, and have been looking at the different ways to prepare them to be used as pens. Until then though, I have metal dip pens in my supplies. Out of the more modern pens, I have always gravitated to dip pens. I find them easier to use. Also, there is something about dipping a pen into ink that is so satisfying.

Figure 5: A sampling of clam shells from an otter's midden. I am finding the shells to be very intuitive to use.

Clam shells are a more recent addition to my supplies. I got to go on a trip some miles to the south, and found the midden heap of a sea otter. It was great fun wandering the shores of a tiny island inlet to find empty shell halves. The clam shells have been a nice addition. They are a great shape, and for the most part I only needed a drop or two of the various colored inks. This kept the rest of the bottles uncontaminated by stray ink that might not have been rinsed out of the pens well.

Figure 6: Main structure done. It still needed detail work.

Was getting close to completion when disaster struck! My hand dragged through a bit of ink that hadn't dried yet on the ornate capital. Well, time to try out the brand-new pen knife. It worked really well. Not perfect, I was being a bit cautious, and it was ink soaked into paper instead of a thicker paint sitting on top of the surface. After erasing with a sharp edge, I then went on to make the border more ornate and cover the remnants of the smear. I do think it turned out for the better.

Figure 7: My hand dragged! So close to completion.

Figure 8: Scrape scrape scrape with the pen knife. Worked well to help with the smear. Modified the aurora while the smeared ink was drying.

Figure 9: Final detail for ornate capital and aurora. The smear feels like it should be classified under "Happy little accident", as the end result is much improved.

I really enjoyed this project. It was fun getting out my calligraphy supplies and skills after so long a hiatus. “Painting” with inks resulted in finer details than I had previously achieved. Additionally I found the white ink details made the piece pop more than any of my previous works.

State of the Workshop 3

 

State of the Workshop 3

 

Goodness, it has been a busy summer!

 

I made sure to take pictures, but the writing got put on the back burner. There are a couple of bigger projects that are getting their own posts. Actually, did have a bit of time for crafting, though it needed to be travel compatible. Work has sent me to six towns for multiple days, and as I start to write this I am preparing for a seventh.

 

Early spring started with a bang! Or rather a leak. We had to go into emergency mode. Open up the wall between the master bedroom and the garage (both heated). Then cut and solder pipe. After came drywall, paint, and flooring. All took much longer than anticipated, especially with us both of us working full time, and frequently out of town.

Figure 1: Ripping into the wall to find the leak.

Figure 2: Hmmmm... Wonder why it leaked...

Figure 3: Knitting a shawl, inspired from the TV series Outlander.

Figure 4: First attempt at a beret. Turned out to be too small.

Figure 5: Subtle paint to add to a hat feather.

Figure 6: Start of an antler salt cellar.

Figure 7: Aquascaped the "Bachelor pad.”

Figure 8: Ezabi ensuring quality control as I sew on trim.

Figure 9: Partially completed.

Figure 10: Ezabi modeling the completed front panel for my FAFO outfit. This purchased trim was perfect for it.

Figure 11: So many rainbows! I adore my FAFO Garb Challenge outfit.

Figure 12: Advancing my warp while demoing. While weaving the loom faces the other way.

Figure 13: Guppy Bachelor tank is doing well. Added a bunch of shrimp.

Figure 14: Fun A&S evening making pendants.

Figure 15: My finished pendants.

Figure 16: Some decor finally came in for the guppy bachelor tank.

Figure 17: Nero helping with the bedroom remodel.

Figure 18: Ezabi being pretty in the middle of the bedroom remodel chaos.

Figure 19: Double your kitties, double your fun.

Figure 20: Ezabi supervising my putting trim on a tunic.

Figure 21: Intentionally went as the wrong franchise for the May The Fourth event.

Figure 22: Two of my dear friends during an event. There were a few stringed instruments to plink around with.

Figure 23: Trying out soaked antler carving. Still pretty hard.

Figure 24: Office tank needing a re-scape. The mixed sand just doesn't do it for me.

Figure 25: Getting there. Sand got replaced, on to filling and planting.

Figure 25: Getting there. Sand got replaced, on to filling and planting.

Figure 27: Overdress for the Baronial Spring Offensive garb contest. Stripes, spots, zigzags, gold lame. Super fun competition, the entries were amazing.

Figure 28: Needle case got an upgrade. New bead and cord! Support other artists. Yay Beads!

Figure 29: Working on a hat commission.

Figure 30: Had someone asking about my old tablet loom, vs my new. Still absolutely in love with the new.

Figure 31: Nettles! Bit late in the season, but I have nettles!

Figure 32: Trying out the York stitch for the first time. Beret ended up being entered in a contest. My handspun, using some purchased alpaca/silk blend.

Figure 33: Decreases.

Figure 34: It's getting there.

Figure 35: Random hyperfocus while on a work field trip, Balearic slings. Had paracord available, so decided to give that a try.

Figure 36: Good progress on the sling.

Figure 37: Took me forever to get the decorative knot right.

Figure 38: Finally!

Figure 39: Finished sling.

Figure 40: Doubles as a super chunky bracelet.

Figure 41: Working on a hat commission. Yarn spun and dyed by a dear friend.

Figure 42: Coffee, new stickers, watching the ocean, and nalbinding. Not a bad way to spend down time on a work field trip.

Figure 43: Second Balearic sling, following a tutorial. Linen.

Figure 44: Finished second sling. Linen and braided fishing line.

Figure 45: Nettles are growing!

Figure 46: Nettle row is a little short, but I also got them late in the season.

Figure 47: Nero inspecting some Tibetan slings I purchased.

Figure 48: Ezabi being extremely helpful with casting off.

Figure 49: Finished knit shawl. Inspired by the show Outlander.

Figure 50: They seem happy, if short.

Figure 51: I'm even more happy, I have nettles to play with!

Figure 52: Trying out kumihimo.

Figure 53: Skirt based on 18th century petticoat.

Figure 54: The side joins make slits for tie on pockets!

Figure 55: Same style, different color.

Figure 56: Pocket slits!

Figure 57: Doodle made at lunch.

Figure 58: Made a name tag for a bag.

Figure 59: Trying out a "mending loom". It's actually pretty fun, and quick.

Figure 60: Nero is not sure why I am so excited about patches.

 

In other news:

 I finished documentation for an upcoming art contest tonight. Unfortunately, I will need to purchase printer ink in the morning. Post will be up after the contest.

Two super-secret painting projects are in the works. Making sure to take photos during progress. Will share my documentation after they go to their intended destinations.

Seven towns was a blast over the summer! Got to see friends, explore old places and new, and meet some awesome people.