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“The Ring Goes South“

Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary:

I spent Saturday hiking the empty crags and peaks in the westernmost foothills of the Misty Mountains. The December day was chilly, but the winter sun made many of the heather-filled vales hint of the warmer days of autumn ending. As I was seeking for it, I came suddenly upon a prospect opening nearly at my feet: the edge of a cliff that fell down, down from the heights and into a green valley cleft into the rock below. From this height I espied waterfalls on the cliff face opposite me, and these plummeted to dwelling places that ran along a river below.

As I stood there, marveling at the view and considering whether I should attempt to paint it, I saw movement on the slopes before me. Soon an unusual couple strolled my way. The first was a tall old man with a staff; the second clearly a halfling, although why he was here so far from the Shire, I couldn’t guess. Then it dawned upon me. Certainly, these must be guests of the Last Homely House, which lay at the base of the cliffs upon which I then stood.

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

13″x21″ original oil painting – $1400.00 US plus shipping.

To purchase this original painting, please click here.

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“The Conversation“

Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary:

I spent Saturday on the Greenway, south of Bree. I had been traveling for many days, and had begun my journey near the ruined bridge at Tharbad. From there I trekked northward, ever mindful of the movement in these quiet lands of strange folk, sightings of whom had recently been all the talk at the Prancing Pony.

I halted early on Midsummer’s morning (for the seasons flow differently in Eriador than in our own world) as I approached Bree, and I set up my easel at the edge of the road. The plain was golden-lit in the morning sunlight, and long shadows fell between the spot I had chosen and the hillside town in the distance.

Ere long I heard footsteps and the voice of someone humming a tune as he strode up the Greenway from the south. At nearly the same time, a horse and rider came from Bree along the road, and these two travelers met near where I was painting.

Older men they appeared to be, and yet with all the vigour of youth. One was clad in brown and the other grey, and it was clear that theirs was an urgent business, for ere long the one remounted his horse and headed east, while the other hastened his steps northward towards Bree. I did not eavesdrop upon their conversation, but I could not help but wonder if their business touched on the evil tidings I had heard of late.

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

13″x21″ original oil painting – $1400.00 US plus shipping.

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“The City of Kings”

Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary: Before dawn on Saturday I rode the Pelennor Fields and arrived at the Great Gate guarding the Tower of the Setting Sun. There I passed through the Othram and entered the lowest level of this once great city. Forlorn, she seemed now, and desolate; her people, still proud, were nonetheless few, and they were wary of ill news and of strangers.

I led Brego to the southeastern gate and to the city’s second level. Here the golden light of dawn began to break over the distant peaks of the Ephel Dúath, and as we made our way toward the third level gate, I paused, gave Brego some hay, and set up my easel. The halls and columns of the city bloomed roseate in the new morning light, and they soared above us to impossible heights. The cobbled streets were wet with the morning dew, and glinted in mist-laden air. Despite the evil of these times, I thought, one can still find hope and faith in such beauty.

While I plied my paints, I perceived the sound of hooves upon the cobbles, and soon a great silver stallion appeared. He bore upon his bare back a grey-cloaked figure, who clutched before him what I took to be a curly-headed child. The stallion galloped past us like the wind, and Brego whinnied a greeting. But even as he did so, the horse and riders were gone, flying toward the northeastern gate. I knew not what omen might be borne by these travellers on their mighty steed, but in these days, I feared theirs could not be glad tidings for the brave souls in this City of Kings.

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

13″x21″ original oil painting – $1600.00 US plus shipping.

To purchase this original painting, please click here.

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“The House of Beorn”
Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary:I spent Saturday east of Anduin, beneath the eaves of Greenwood the Great. I came upon a thorny hedge and knew it for the bounds of Beorn’s realm. And as I passed through the wooden gate, I noticed stormy skies in the west, and calamitous clouds rising. Quickly, with golden afternoon light leaping across the lawn, I primed my palette and, heavens heaving above me, sketched the skin-changer’s home in cadmiums and cobalt.

As I painted, I was startled by the sight of a tall old man and a halfling coming through the gate; they gave me greetings and passed me by, proceeding along the lane and through the ripening corn. The Mage pointed out the distant hall to the pensive Hobbit, then they both vanished among the billowing gilded tassles.

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

13″x21″ original oil painting – $1800.00 US plus shipping.

To purchase this original painting, please click here.

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“On Woodland Trails”
Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary:I spent Saturday in the Green Hill Country, near Wood Hall. Day dawned drab and dull, with high clouds and mists abounding. But skies soon brightened, and I hiked the hills and pitched my palette at forest’s edge. At teatime, I heard voices, and was joined on the ridge by a halfling and one of the Big Folk. They tarried, and the doughty doyen perched on the trunk of a felled oak tree and blew smoke rings across the wooded valley below us. After an hour, the companions continued on their way, fading off into the folds of the hazy afternoon hills while I my pigments plied.

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

13″x21″ original oil painting – $1400.00 US plus shipping.

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Out of Imladris”
Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary:I awoke Saturday in the crisp predawn hours and at first knew not where I lay. But morning’s chill reminded me; I had vowed to paint the Imladris pass at daybreak, and so had camped in the high places that hem the blessed vale. I threw back my cloak and beheld the stars fading in the east; then, with numbed hands, I prepared palette and canvas. The first roseate rays were rising above the peaks when up from the valley rode two pilgrims on the path: a tall old man with a cloak and pointed grey hat mounted on a great white steed, and beside him, what appeared to be a tow-headed youth riding a pony. They greeted me heartily as they passed, the glory of dawn now rendering all of the mists of the new spring day in swirls of cobalt, violet, and gold.

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

13″x21″ original oil painting – $1400.00 US plus shipping.

To purchase this original painting, please click here.

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The Grey Pilgrim”
Oil on canvas, 21″x13″ wide.

Artist Commentary: I spent Saturday with Mithrandir walking the foothills of the Misty Mountains. The light was golden and it glowed on glade and glen, field and forest. We stopped to rest along the roadside and watched the sky turn from cerulean to violet as evening set in.

13″x21″ original oil painting – AVAILABLE

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE

To purchase this original painting, please contact Jef by clicking here.

To purchase a print of this item, please click here.