U si for Umbrella

U is for Umbrella.

You shouldn’t open an umbrella indoors otherwise it will bring misfortune to the whole household.

T is for Tattoos

T is for Tattoos.

A sailor without tattoos is like a ship without grog. Not seaworthy.

Hobby Horses

I found this great video (I can't remember where from- sorry!) of a hobby horse race....can't wait to do some work around these races!

S is for Scissors

S is for Scissors.

Like giving a knife as a present, scissors too will cut the friendship. To drop a pair of scissors is thought to be unlucky and if they fall with the points facing downwards there will be a death shortly in the house.

R is for Raven

R is for Raven.

To see one raven is lucky, tis’ true, but it’s certain misfortune to light upon two and meeting with three is the Devil.

Q is for Quelling

Q is for Quelling.

To quell the waves in a storm it is suggested that you throw a pack of playing cards directly into the waves.

P is for Pins

P is for Pins.

See a pin and pick it up all day long you will have good luck.

LMNOP 1st Birthday!

Come along if you are around!

O is for Onion

O is for Onion.

Snakes have an aversion to snakes so to protect against their attacks it is wise to carry a raw onion in the hand.

N is for Nails

N is for Nails.

Cutting your nails at sea will provoke a storm. If a young unmarried woman cuts the nails on her right hand she will rule her husband. A child’s nails should never be cut or he will become ‘light fingered’ but can be nibbled off by his mother.

M is for Merrybone

M is for Merrybone.

If two people hold each end of the forked bone found between the breast and neck of a fowl and break it while forming a secret wish, he who gets the larger half can be assured his wish will come true.

L is for Ladder

L is for Ladder.

A well known superstition is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder but the bad fortune comes as the shape the ladder makes from leaning against a wall is the triangle of the Holy Trinity and walking through it suggests a sympathy for the Devil!

K is for Knife

K is for Knife.

To give a knife as a present will ‘cut’ the friendship. This can be counteracted though if the receiver gives something back in return; as though ‘buying’ the knife.

The Pearly King and Queen

Part of a new series. Aesthetically inspired by the woodcut/engravings/scraperboards by the great Eric Ravillious, Edward Bawden, David Gentleman et al.

J is for Jackdaw

J is for Jackdaw.

Rain is foretold if you see jackdaws fluttering round the top of a building and it is an omen of death if one should fly down the chimney.

I is for Itching

I is for itching.

Having an unexplained sensation in the body, for example an itch is suggested to have a significance depending on where it is. An itch in your:
Right ear = Your mother is thinking of you
Left ear = Your lover is thinking of you
Eyes = A pleasant surprise if it is your right, a disappointment if it is your left
Cheeks = Someone is talking about you
Hands = Your right means you will be getting money soon, your left means you will be losing some.
Nose = You will be kissed, cursed, vexed or shake hands with a fool!

H is for Horseshoe

H is for Horseshoe.

The common horseshoe is the best known lucky amulet. However it will only bring you it’s lucky properties if it is hung with it’s prongs pointing up. If the point down all the good luck will fall out.

A British Sampler

Looking forward to listening to sea shanties and morris dancing songs!

G is for Gloves

G is for Gloves.

If you drop your gloves you should always allow someone else to pick them up for you otherwise bad luck will follow. And if they are returned to you then you can expect a pleasant surprise.

Telling the Bees

This is my favourite image I have done in a while. It is an A2 4 colour screen print about the Sussex tradition of 'telling the bees'.
If the bees weren't told of any important event they would withhold their honey from the owners. If there was a death in the family the hive would be decorated with a black crepe bow otherwise the bees would die in sympathy.

F is for Fingers

F is for Fingers.

Assessing the fingers can allow you to glean as much about a person’s character as from studying their face. For example:
Fat fingers = Dim-witted
Long fingers = Artist’s hands (but will be foolish with money)
Short fingers = Gluttonous

Obby Oss

From the sketchbook.

The Pearl of York

I was looking through an old notebook this morning and was reminded of a plan to make an image about Margaret Clitherow a.k.a The pearl of York. Read more about her here. Maybe I still will at some point...

Dancers

I am awaiting the arrival of my copy of 'Here's a health to the Barley Mow' which I think will provide a host of inspiration but here are a few drawings while I wait...

Make your own good luck companion!

Hand screenprinted tea towel. (Sorry the photo is not too great!)

E is for Evil Eye

E is for Evil Eye.

He who bears the evil eye can bring illness and misfortune to humans and animals alike and can even destroy inanimate objects simply by looking at them.

Seagull

3 Colour screenprint.

D is for Dogs

D is for Dogs.

Gabriel’s hounds are a pack of spectral dogs that haunt the skies. Anyone who hears or sees the hounds is doomed to s premature death.

The Fortuitous Rabbit Foot Amulet

A hand screenprinted point of sale advertising stand for the (hand made and printed) 'Fortuitous Rabbit Foot'; you can guarantee success and prosperity!

Raven

3 Colour Screenprint.

C is for Cigarettes

C is for Cigarettes.

You should never light three cigarettes from a single match otherwise misfortune will fall upon he who holds the third.

Card Playing Omens

B is for Bees

B is for Bees.

Bees are seen as sacred as they were thought to be divine messengers and foretellers of the future. You should never kill a bee, and you should always tell the bees of any change in circumstance in the home otherwise they will pine and die, or fly away; a grave misfortune.

Boxed and Labelled II

You will soon be able to order your copy of Boxed and Labelled II which is 'a compelling exploration of the power of state-of-the-art packaging design today'. I have some of my packaging work featured in it and am looking forward to receiving my copy in the post!

Images taken from the Gestalten website.

Visitor's London

I picked up this book for a mere 50p last weekend. It is full of lovely illustrations of London and London traditions. This little image of the pearly Kings and Queens reminded me of these drawings that I did earlier this Summer. You can see more pictures from the London book on mine and my mother's inspiration blog HERE.

Good Luck

A catalog of charms, amulets and tantalising talismans to help improve and preserve your luck. A2 Screenprint.

A is for Allan Apple

A is for Allan Apple.

If a girl sleeps with an allan apple (a very large apple) under her pillow over Halloween she will dream of her future husband. If you eat one on Halloween you will be very fortunate in the year to come.

Watch it.

The Sussex Apple Play

If you are in the area you should go to this...lots of other apple related fun to partake in too!