Magic, Words! Acrylic painting on text collage on canvas, 6"x6"

Acrylic painting by Leah Palmer Preiss: A wizard in purple robes holds a mysterious scroll

It’s that magical time of year again– when I get to share my illustrations for that wizard of words, Anu Garg, & his fount of esoteric etymological lore, A.Word.A.Day! How appropriate that we begin this year with Gramarye. I first encountered the word as a child, reading T.H. White’s Arthurian series, The Once and Future King, & ever since it evokes warm memories of those books, so when Anu offered it as a possibility, I knew immediately that I wanted to illustrate it. I felt the image needed some magical letters in addition to the letter “G” formed by the art, so I researched magical alphabets & did my best to “spell” out a secret message using one of the most popular. Do you have the magical powers to interpret this gramarye?

5 thoughts on “Magic, Words! Acrylic painting on text collage on canvas, 6"x6"

  1. Pam Baker

    Hallo!
    I’m curious. Having learned in my calligraphy classes, some years ago, I don’t believe I can discern the difference between a curiotype and an illustrated letter (as in The Book of Kells). Praytell, would you be able to enlighten me? Your work is so delightful and intriguing. I would like to pin some of it but don’t want to violate your work.
    Warm Regards,
    Pam Baker

    Reply
    1. Leah Post author

      Thanks so much, Pam! I must confess, I completely made up the word curiotype! For me it goes a bit beyond the illustrated or figural letter, because not only must the letter be formed by a figure in some way, but it must also illustrate the concept at the same time. This began with a challenge I created a few years ago for my old blog Oddments & Curiosities, just because I like to make life difficult for myself. ;-) When I completed my first alphabet of scientific words, I sent that link to Anu & he invited me to illustrate some words for AWAD. Needless to say, I was thrilled to do so!

      Reply
      1. Pam Baker

        How delightful. I love when people make up a portmanteau. Great definition by the way, for curiotype. My own portmanteau is “Frins”….for fraternal twins. There are two large boulders sitting in the middle of the West River and they are not exact twins so I said they were fraternal twins. (used them as a distance reference when we first moved to Vermont). Then came Frins. Works for people as well as rocks. Wouldn’t it be cool if people actually used Frins! When I googled Curiotype, your blog was the first 5 results. Yeah for Leah!!!
        Thanks so much for responding. You definitely made my day…well you and the person in line in front of me at Dunkin Donuts who bought me my iced tea! I, of course, paid it forward as well. Such a great day.
        Pam

        Reply
        1. Leah Post author

          Curiouser & curiouser! I am a mother of frins, & I didn’t even know it! Will have to tell the boys too. :-)

          Reply
          1. Pam Baker

            Oh My! I had forgotten that piece of information from your “About” page. How wonderful I thought to share it!
            How synchronistic!
            Best,
            Pam

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