PAINTINGS IN TARTAN
Original
Paintings in Tartan.
Artist Siu/saidh Moireach Miller produces paintings and sculptures using the unique art technique of tartan painting. Using acrylic paints, Siu'saidh is able to capture the essence of an individual in plaid.
Over the past 10 years, Siu'saidh has developed techniques for painting plaids that have resulted in more representative renditions of the true fabric.
Tartan painting is unique to scholars studying plaid and its origins and is used in the representation of patterns for both older, "obscure" plaids and newer plaids in the process of being registered. The resulting plaid pattern can then be woven into its true form.
Plaids are not a unique art form to the Scots, and "Tartan" ("Plaid with a pedigree") is not an ancient art form in itself. Plaids were woven far back into ancient history, but it took the resourceful and waring clans of Scotland to bring these patterns into the forefront of fabric design.
Like the bagpipes, (which is an ancient instrument brought to Scotland by the Romans) it took Scots to elevate it to the status it enjoys today.
Plaid fabric has not changed much from ancient times with the exception that warp and weft of the fabric are now standardized. Most of the patterns are now registered with The International Tartan Association and are available to the public.
Siu'saidh has a computer program full of many hundreds of patterns of tartan which are available to view from the shop and studio in Cherry Valley, New York. She also has many notes on new patterns being developed as well as scholarly prusuits in the field of older more obscure patterns of plaid.
Siu'saidh has been the driving force on the registering and design of the Cherry Valley, New York tartan which was commissioned by the Cherry Valley Historical Association. She is currently working on the design of 2 family plaids and one state plaid.
Currently in the studio, Siu'saidh is working on a sculpture for a national show, 2 commissioned sculptures, 2 tartan paintings, plus the everyday demands of commercial tartan painting and running an import and export Celtic business with her husband.
"THE PARTY'S OVER"
Mairi was found here in the wee hours by Siu/saidh.
It is a wonder Mary is still speaking to Siu'saidh.
The walls are in the Blackwatch tartan,Mairi in the Borthwick dress tartan in modern colors, and the paper in the Cherry Valley New York tartan.
This work is 3 dimensional. The "paper" and clothing are real fabric and paper.
"Siu'saidh had a devil of a time painting the toilet paper"
Framed painting size: 34 inches x 45 inches
Price: $4500.00
"NEIGHBORS"
Neighbor on left is German, he is painted in the Coburg (the original German) tartan. Neighbor in center is painted in the Drummand of Perth and the neighbor on right is pictured in Graham.
Framed painting size: 25 inches x 37 inches
Price: $1200.00
"2 IRISH FLUTE PLAYERS"
Diane is Irish, hence she is in the Irish National Tartan. Meredith is pictured in one of the Frasher tartans. Both tartans are painted in the modern colors.
Framed painting size: 25 inches x 45 inches.
Price:$1500.00.
Photographs by Lady Ostepek
"The ARD RI"
King of All Ireland
Everett as Brian Boru.
Framed print size: 18 inches x 22 inches.
Price:$800.00.
"The High Queen"
Susan as The High Queen of Ireland.
Framed print size: 18 inches x 22 inches.
Price:$800.00.
Original Sculpture.
Siu/saidhs' interest in the metaphysical and in the history and philosophy of the Celts has inspired her into creating many designs that are not commercially available to the general public. Hence, this rendition of the Sheela-na-gig.
The Sheela is an ancient image of an overtly sexual, grotesque, sometimes comical human form. The images are usually associated with old women. There is facial and torso scarring on some of the originals and with most, the ribs show.
Sheela's are often associated with female saints. They are usually found on Norman origin churches plus castles, and secular buildings. The image is most prominent in Ireland but also found in England, Spain and France. Many believe the images are Celtic and may depict some form of the Goddess.
Those that appear on churches and other host buildings are very old and have been placed there from other sources, possibly a previous building or temple.
Sheela-na-gigs molded from original by Siu'saidh Miller and finished in 3 stone finishes.
8 inches x 6 1/2 inches
$35.00
Keep watching for more updates on work in progress and pics of finished pieces.
NOTICE: Siu'saidh has been seen roaming the streets of Cherry Valley with her digital camera yesterday. No one is safe!
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