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Published: 2011-08-22 04:29:47 +0000 UTC; Views: 8720; Favourites: 262; Downloads: 0
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Description
Branwen was the daughter of Lyr, the Welsh equivalent of the Irish sea god, Lir. She was given in marriage to High King Matholwch of Ireland. One of her brothers, Efnisien, however, was not consulted about this arrangement, and feeling slighted, took it upon himself to mutilate Matholwch’s horses. To ease now strained relations with the Irish, Branwen’s other brother, Bran, gifted the High King replacement horses and a magic cauldron.
Upon her arrival in Ireland, Branwen was embraced by her new people, and she was content with her new life. In time, however, the cordiality of the court waned. Those who had the ear of the king whispered that Bran’s compensation all those years before had been insultingly inadequate. To silence them, Matholwch banished Branwen to the kitchen to become a cook for the court.
For the next three years, she laboured in the palace kitchen, all the while rearing a young starling that she taught to recognise her brother Bran. When the young bird was ready, she tied a letter to its leg, and released it to carry her plea for help across the sea to her brother. Upon his receiving the letter, Bran led his army to Ireland…
Just a little side note… initially, I had thought to make this piece fairly gloomy and angsty, but decided against it, thinking that after training her starling for three years, that Branwen would feel both hope and relief upon releasing the bird, and at her taking her very first real step towards gaining her freedom.
Credits:
Model: ~Kuoma-stock [link]
Bird: ~dark-dragon-stock [link] [link] Scroll: *ravenarcana [link]
Foreground:
Steps: ~Amliel [link] Tower and Door: ~xNickixstockx [link] Stone wall: *PixellyPerfectStock [link] Texture: *violscraper [link]
Background:
Ruins: *PixellyPerfectStock [link] Waves: *PixellyPerfectStock [link] Mountains and Sky: ~SteerIS [link] Lightbeams: *redheadstock [link]
Other textures: *violscraper [link] *SolStock [link] =Smoko-Stock [link] [link] `hibbary [link]
All digital painting done by me, and all other resouces used are from my personal collection.
All images on this site under the name “RottenRagamuffins” are original works of art and are protected by copyright law. They may not be used, reproduced, distributed, resold, exhibited, downloaded or manipulated for personal or commercial reasons without my express permission. You may not remove my name and copyright.
© RottenRagamuffins - All Rights Reserved.
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Comments: 159
RagamuffinRose In reply to ??? [2011-08-31 09:14:58 +0000 UTC]
Thank you, sweet thing!
I'm so glad that you like it
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Rachelevans1013 In reply to ??? [2011-08-25 22:09:00 +0000 UTC]
I looked at this a long time, deliberately avoiding the notes below it. Here are my thoughts... This is what I see: A young woman releasing a bird, moving from shadow to light. The sky behind is turbulant with rays of sun breaking thru. Her face has desperation around the eyes.
It seems she's in a place of gloom and at least her heart, her soul may be freed?
*****
LOL you're good at visual storytelling, I just read the legend
So what happened next????
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
RagamuffinRose In reply to Rachelevans1013 [2011-08-25 23:15:19 +0000 UTC]
And you've a talent for writing awesomesauce comments, milady
Ah... the next part of the story is rather gruesome and bloody... Basically, Branwen's brother lays waste to Ireland, decimating the population, and leaving only six women alive!!! I think you'll understand why I left that bit out
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Rachelevans1013 In reply to RagamuffinRose [2011-08-26 13:25:39 +0000 UTC]
Ya, that part is less than uplifting!!O_O
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KarinClaessonArt In reply to RagamuffinRose [2011-08-25 23:30:18 +0000 UTC]
It's my pleasure
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
RagamuffinRose In reply to arunknathan [2011-08-24 23:08:11 +0000 UTC]
Thank you for your lovely comment
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RagamuffinRose In reply to PunkMoon [2011-08-24 05:23:48 +0000 UTC]
Thank you! Glad you like it
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
ShinigamiLover1991 In reply to ??? [2011-08-24 04:55:51 +0000 UTC]
This is so beautiful! Well done!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
RagamuffinRose In reply to ShinigamiLover1991 [2011-08-24 05:24:06 +0000 UTC]
Thanks for your lovely comment
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
ShinigamiLover1991 In reply to RagamuffinRose [2011-08-24 05:25:45 +0000 UTC]
No problem! And you're welcome!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
ShinigamiLover1991 In reply to RagamuffinRose [2011-08-24 05:28:38 +0000 UTC]
Oh! Thanks for the kiss, lol!
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RagamuffinRose In reply to BeautifulBizarreMag [2011-08-23 05:42:25 +0000 UTC]
Thanks for your lovely comment
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
RagamuffinRose In reply to Misha43 [2011-08-23 01:09:58 +0000 UTC]
Thanks! I'm glad you like it
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Anileya [2011-08-22 21:53:39 +0000 UTC]
Thank You for contributing to
Your submission has been selected for excellence & is featured in the "SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS" section of "FAVOURITES" [link]
Keep Up The Great Work!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
RagamuffinRose In reply to Anileya [2011-08-22 23:33:05 +0000 UTC]
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KirstenLane In reply to ??? [2011-08-22 20:02:56 +0000 UTC]
It's a great Celtic myth, wonderful piece
That cauldron has been in many a good story too
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
RagamuffinRose In reply to KirstenLane [2011-08-22 23:35:36 +0000 UTC]
Thank you for your lovely comment~ I appreciate it
Perhaps I'll have to consider doing something involving the cauldron!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
RagamuffinRose In reply to Kuoma-stock [2011-08-22 23:36:07 +0000 UTC]
Thank you~ I'm glad you like it
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
RagamuffinRose In reply to Hanen-Madi [2011-08-22 23:36:28 +0000 UTC]
Thank you~ that's really kind of you
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
AndreasHensel In reply to ??? [2011-08-22 16:45:48 +0000 UTC]
WOW!!! It´s a breathtaking artwork, full of life!!! Excellent!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
RagamuffinRose In reply to AndreasHensel [2011-08-22 23:37:22 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, Andreas! I'm glad that you like it
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
AndreasHensel In reply to RagamuffinRose [2011-08-23 16:07:57 +0000 UTC]
You´re very, very welcome my dear friend!!! I love it!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
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