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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.

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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.

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

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“Fireside Journeys”
Oil on canvas, 21″x13″ wide.

Artist Commentary: I spent Saturday in the Shire, visiting with old friends and meeting new ones. As evening approached, I went up the Hill and knocked at the familiar round door. It opened, and I was ushered in to share in a good supper, laughter, and cheer. We did not tarry late at table, for the day had been wearying for us all, so off we trundled to soft bolsters on four-poster beds; in my own case, a trifle snug, but ample enough and comfortable enough for one who is not among the largest of the Big Folk.

But in the night, I awoke. I was disoriented for a time, and I could hear no noise; the fire had died back in my room. But I soon saw the flicker of flame in the hallway, and heard the clock in the distant parlour strike three. So I arose to see who could be up so late. I peeked down the hall and saw that the light came from the young halfling’s library. I crept to the doorway and glanced  inside; there he sat, the new Lord of these halls, in his most  comfortable chair. The library itself was piled to the ceiling with books, folios, maps, and trinkets. A few candles were lit and a fire burned merrily in the grate beside him.

In his lap lay a book, bound in green with gilt lettering, that he must have been reading; but now it simply rested upon his knee, unheeded. Where his thoughts had strayed, I could not tell, but he was staring into space. Perhaps he was reflecting upon some future adventure, I supposed, or trying out, in his head, lines of some poem that had come to him, unbidden, riding on the wild currents of eventide. But I did not disturb him; rather, I left him to his dreams and fireside journeys, and returned to my bed to seek my own.

21″x13″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE! Please click here.

21″x13″ 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.

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

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“Bucklebury”

Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary: On Saturday, I hiked the hills of Bucklebury, near Brandy Hall. The midsummer air was clear and cool after the rains, and legions of wildflowers sprang in gilt splendour from the fragrant loam.

Atop a high ridge south of the Hall, I stopped to breathe in perfumed air and to paint. Two hobbit children gathered roses near the front steps of their smial, and in the distance, the meandering Baranduin wandered away toward the south, its confluence with the Withywindle lost in the blue haze of distance, and of time.

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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“At Durin’s Stone”
Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary: I spent Tuesday on the slopes of the Misty Mountains, in the crusted crags and fog-filled dells that bound the Golden Wood to the west, just as the Great River bounds her to the east. I hiked the nearest ridge, and espied beneath me the sapphire surface of Kheled-zâram. There, in the vale of Azanulbizar, I pitched my easel as the sun crested and began her journey toward the peak of Baranzibar.

And I painted.

I painted the cobalt waters of the lake and the lavendar plumes of the heavens; I painted the spurs of Zirak-zigil and the plummeting falls beside the Dimrill Stair; I painted Durin’s Stone, weatherworn and broken, standing silent beside the still waters.

And as I was finishing my work, with the shadows of the great peaks flooding the glen with gloom, a dwarf and a halfling came to the water’s edge and gazed in wonder upon the stars, jewel-like, that rest forever there, floating in the depths of Mirrormere.

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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“Radagast”
Oil on canvas, 13″x21″ wide.

Artist Commentary: I spent Saturday in the land of the Beornings. The day was warm, but as twilight came a gilded Buck Moon arose over fields of corn. There I joined Radagast the Brown on his nightly pilgrimage through fen and field. Staff in hand, he allowed us to pause only to descry the soaring of starlings or to heed the rustlings of woodland beasts in deep brambles.

13″x21″ original oil painting – AVAILABLE

13″x21″ wide signed and numbered prints – AVAILABLE

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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.

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“Meduseld”
Oil on canvas, 21″x13″ wide.

Artist Commentary: After the Éothéod had settled in Rohan, the Second King of Rohan, Brego son of Eorl, began building a great hall on top of the hill of Edoras.

Meduseld was a large hall with a straw roof, which made it appear as if made of gold when seen from far off. The interior walls were richly decorated with tapestries depicting the history and legends of the Rohirrim, and it served as a house for the King and his kin, a meeting hall for the King and his advisors, and a gathering hall.

In the late Third Age, Meduseld was the home of King Théoden, and in this painting, I wanted to show Meduseld as a lonely outpost shining in the waning sun as the storm of the War of the Ring gathers.

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.

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