The text and paintings on The Trowbridge Chronicles are taken from the illustrated journal of Violet Trowbridge, a shrew that once lived in a village deep in the Olympic Rain Forest. Each new post will represent a portion of Mrs. Trowbridge’s journal.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

THE WIND RIDERS

I've especially enjoyed reading Mrs. Trowbridge's journal pages that pertain to the history of her species, Sorex Trowbridgii. She wrote extensively about her Wind Rider ancestors and their amazing "wind ships" that sailed the skies of long ago. Their colorful silk sails, bearing bold clan symbols, strongly resemble our modern-day flexifoil kites, which also are capable of lifting a human aloft. I would know...I own such kites, and I have been lifted, and dragged many times. I was once dragged non-stop for 1 1/2 miles on the beach at Westport, Washington.

You'll note from Mrs. T's painting that the pitch of the sails is controlled from inside the basket. The baskets were carefully woven from sturdy dried grass, and sealed with pitch.

I will continue to occasionally slip in a page or two from what I call Mrs. T's Primer. These are pages, usually illustrated with her fir needle charcoal sticks, that discuss the creatures and culture of the rain forest. On this page she speaks of the beetles, and the segregated nature of their relationship with shrews.

17 comments:

Olivier aubin said...

Beautiful work! Très délicat!
^^

Bino

http://portfoliobino.free.fr/
http://binoland.blogspot.com/

Michelle Lana said...

Very cool! great work!

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

Your idea of the journal pages is really a terrific one. I enjoy your artwork a lot.

Amy Zaleski said...

Bron, the colors here are amazingly rich and vibrant.I love this for "wind" - so clever to think up this mode of transportation!

sage said...

great!

trowbridge chronicles said...

Beautifully drawn and rendered, Amy. I always look forward to seeing your page.

flossy-p said...

I just love catching up on the adventures. This week is wonderful! I love those Wind Ships! Genius!

Igloos of the sky!

Anonymous said...

thank you Bron for your comment...actually it is the same for me: I never get tired of your beatiful images and tales...I'm particularly intrugued by this one, since I use to go sailing!
:)

Anonymous said...

Welcome Home Bron! Love this illustration as usual! The colors are wonderul! The ships are cool!

Alexiev said...

Great pict...
I love artwork

Anonymous said...

Haven't been by in a while, but as always love the stories and beautiful art that goes with them. Love the idea of Wind Riders, and using fir needle charcoal sticks!

HARDWAX said...

They are beautiful, those vintage flying ships of Mrs.Trowbridge's ancestors, must have been thrilling to see those little vessals sailing in the sky. I do feel sorry for poor beetle, perhaps their plight will lighten as the world becomes more enlightened. As always, your imagination and the sweet charm of these chronicles is inspiring!

Kay Aker said...

Brilliant, fun and intriguing writing and artwork!

Duncan said...

Beautiful work as always

Unknown said...

I'm wanting to go for a ride in a wind rider. How wonderful would that be! Lovely illustrations.

Kim de Young said...

I love their little shrew faces looking out in their domed hut baskets. I'll bet they loved the breeze in their wiskers.

*clap, clap, clap*

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