Inkling in the Library. Ltd Edition

“But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew, upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think;
’T is strange, the shortest letter which man uses
Instead of speech, may form a lasting link
Of ages; to what straits old Time reduces
Frail man, when paper — even a rag like this,
Survives himself, his tomb, and all that’s his.”

― Lord Byron, Don Juan

Whilst contemplating where my creativity and imagination come from, I thought about my inspirations and influences. Firstly,and most importantly, there are my parents, my late father who was a book binder, is represented in the book propped up – it is based on one  he bound for me in leather. The influence of literature in the library is from both my parents, who encouraged me to read widely, and also my academic studies. The feather represents nature, and the embryonic dragon represents the birth of an idea and the intent and focus. The heart in its tail represents emotion.

Additionally, the title of this piece, Inkling- was a nod to the Inklings, which was a literary discussion group at Oxford University between the 1930s and late 1949. The Inklings were literary enthusiasts who praised the value of narrative in fiction and encouraged the writing of fantasy. Members of the group included  J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Charles Williams and Owen Barfield.