I wrote a poem recently exploring roots and what ties us to the land we grow up in and i was wanting to do something different. I also didn't want to do something with obvious roots like a plant.
I then thought painting a mole since they live among the roots -but I also thought this might be difficult from the point of view of everything being much the same colour underground.
After that , i thought of roots in terms of a verb - and so it made me think of new born babies who root for milk, and also pigs who spend lots of time rooting for interesting items of food [when they are allowed to roam free.
So this week i have painted a wild boar sow and two piglets. The piglets are learning to root for acorns left from the previous winter.
Wild boar are impressive animals very strong and robust -although apparently they can suffer from sunstroke so they will wallow in mud to keep cool and prevent sunburn.
Recently, wild boar have been reintroduced to Scotland [although they are not allowed to run completely free] since their rooting for food actually helps forest growth by keeping down invasive plants like bracken , the soil is turned by their feet and is fertilised by their manure making them very useful in reforestation projects.
Boar probably became extinct in Britain some time in the middle ages when the were hunted to extinction after their habitat was reduced by extensive clearing of the forest.
Wild boar have become very numerous in the south of France now, they are encouraged by the green corridors which link their traditional roaming areas almost to the sea. They often wreck gardens by eating produce and uprooting everything else so many people are not so keen to see them expanding their habitat.
A couple of years ago , a huge wild boar was found off the coast on top of a piece of wood- its thought the the boar made its way to the sea shore and was swept out to sea by a huge wave.
Then after swimming for a long time, the boar must have climbed thankfully on board the wood but sadly it was already dead when it was picked up by a fishing boat.
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13 comments:
Alison, your posts are always such a treat! Not only do you create such truly lovely illustrations; you always provide fascinating background information. I also like that you ponder over how to illustrate the theme, coming up with unique and delighful results. The boar and piglets look so solid, and I can almost feel the bristly back of the mother. The shading on the fur is very subtle..and the texture is so realistic. Like I said, I can imagine how it would feel to pet it...although I wouldn't dare! What did you use for this? It looks great.
Wow, I love that piglets, I saw in the forest and they are really sweet !
Great illustration, and a refreshing take on the theme. You're always a great source of interesting facts too, which give your work depth and truth.
Your illustrations are incredibly cute. They make me feel calm... I wish I could draw like you sometimes...
Cute!
i always come back because of the info you are sharing with us and the nice illustration you create.
This really shows sensitivity to detail and has a good sense of balance...puts me in mind of 50's style of art...lovely. Good job, my friend. : ) The same goes for your insightful and intriging writing.
I am hoping to be able to translate my nature pics from pen and ink to graphics this fanstastically (that's probably not good english...as long as no one knows I was a teacher I'm o.k. with using it that way...LOL) someday.
You know I never gave a thought to using the word Root as a verb. Your writing and illustrations are always fascinating. I enjoy coming back to your illustrations.
Only you could make a boar and piglets so cute! I love the twist on the topic and of course, your writing, too.
I love your take on roots. Fabulous. And the illustration is wonderful.
What a wonderful illustration (and lovely story to go with it)
I must mark your blog... I can tell I'll learn a lot from you!
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