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This Coat of Arms brandishing three fleur de lis and a stag are of my own heritage, Rutland, from Scotland. A horse's head, the crest, sits atop the torse, or wreath.
HORSE (Crest): Speed, intellect and Virility
GOLD : Generosity
AZURE : Truth and Loyalty
STAG: One who will not fight unless provoked
FLEUR DE LIS: Purity; also sometimes the sixth son
HORSE (Crest): Speed, intellect and Virility
GOLD : Generosity
AZURE : Truth and Loyalty
STAG: One who will not fight unless provoked
FLEUR DE LIS: Purity; also sometimes the sixth son
Crest Displayed as the Focal Point Among Weaponry
I painted this Coat of Arms and also helped the owner display it as the centerpiece in his collection of antique weaponry. It is quite handsome. This featured wall is stunning when viewed in person. A family crest displayed such as this would look great in any man's office or study.
This particular painting was done in oil, though I typically paint with acrylics.
- RED/GULES: Warrior or Martyr
- RAMPART LION: Dauntless Courage
Original paintings I may paint on any medium you wish- canvas, board, leather, fabric, laminate-- I'm quite versatile.
Although, I most often paint with acrylics on canvas, this particular painting was done in oils on a simulated leather laminate.
I customarily use
VIGOROUS Brush Strokes!
To add my own artistic flair, I use paints thickly applied, sometimes "sculpting" it, using dentist tools.
.
.
This PHOENIX symbol,
I have done in minutely hammered gold leaf.
It signifies:
- Immortality, Resurrection, Renewal and Love
Surname MEANINGS and VARIATIONS
Incorporating PRECIOUS METALS
Minutely thin hammered sheets of TRUE GOLD LEAF (also SILVER and COPPER), I often use to enhance details and add interest.
Fragile silver and gold leaf were both used on this helm
AUSTRIAN CRYSTALS were used on the helm.
AUSTRIAN CRYSTALS were used on the helm.
< Whisper-thin Gold leaf was used as the background on this Phoenix.
<
For another 3-dimensional effect,
I added three
6 sided brass beads
on both sides to
accentuate the
O'Mooney' helm's collar.
I added three
6 sided brass beads
on both sides to
accentuate the
O'Mooney' helm's collar.
The surname Graves, I've found in my research, gives us several origins (as indeed most do). One refers to a person who lived near a 'grove'. Another, a French Graves family is said to have its origins in the Old French word of the same spelling which meant "gravel." The English name Graves has been found in Ireland since the sixteenth century. Variations of this name include Greave, de Greves, and Greaves.
Interesting Symbolism
FESSE- The bar placed horizontally across the shield dividing it into thirds represents a Military Belt or Girdle of Honor
BLACK/SABLE (in the Fesse) : Mourning, Constancy
CROWN: Victory and Sovereignty; also sometimes symbols of God (Coincidentally, different crown styles represent different things).
RAMPART LIONS: Deathless courage, foe to fear, lively image of a good soldier (In Ireland - the symbol of a great warrior chief)
GARB or WHEAT SHEAF- Bountifulness, achievement of hope, commendable hospitality
(The Sable Fesse makes me ponder if a son died in battle. Shields are cryptic, but much can be found about their lives in ancestoral records.)
BLACK/SABLE (in the Fesse) : Mourning, Constancy
CROWN: Victory and Sovereignty; also sometimes symbols of God (Coincidentally, different crown styles represent different things).
RAMPART LIONS: Deathless courage, foe to fear, lively image of a good soldier (In Ireland - the symbol of a great warrior chief)
GARB or WHEAT SHEAF- Bountifulness, achievement of hope, commendable hospitality
(The Sable Fesse makes me ponder if a son died in battle. Shields are cryptic, but much can be found about their lives in ancestoral records.)
My Heart went into the CUSTOMIZATION
of this COAT OF ARMS
Memorializing the Deceased Children of a Friend
This coat of arms, I designed and painted in remembrance of a brother and sister who both have died in recent years. They were their mother's only children and very dear friends of mine. Their mother and I talked of hobbies and vocations they both enjoyed. I combined both her son's and daughter's lives symbolically through this design.
Their mother LOVED it!
See more details on how I designed this crest by clicking on "Designing or Customizing Your Own Crest" page.
Their mother LOVED it!
See more details on how I designed this crest by clicking on "Designing or Customizing Your Own Crest" page.
I painted this Helm straight on to show differing styles from which to choose. Helms open or closed, to the left or right and of which metal all represent different things on a coat of arms. (See Heraldry page)
I'd like you to sign my Guestbook
LIZARD:
ancient symbol of Good Luck
HOLLY: Truth -
from the word,holy
from the word,holy
Some families choose to keep the Gaelic spelling of their surname on their painting.
CHARGERS, being smaller than most canvases, are often displayed in sets of four. The first two designating both paternal parents' coat of arms; the third and fourth chargers depicting the coat of arms of maternal sides of the new family. These make
Great Wedding Gifts!
Great Wedding Gifts!
SWAROVSKI AUSTRIAN CRYSTALS adorn my paintings
<Note the Swarovski Austrian Crystals as rivets on the helm of the painting.. You will also find ten flanking the bottom half of the shield.
My paintings are all done
with a
FLOURISH! This includes Swarovski AUSTRIAN
CRYSTALS
added to each
helm's collar
to give it an overall "KNIGHTLY" affect,as
only the aristocracy
could afford
jewelry.
My paintings are all done
with a
FLOURISH! This includes Swarovski AUSTRIAN
CRYSTALS
added to each
helm's collar
to give it an overall "KNIGHTLY" affect,as
only the aristocracy
could afford
jewelry.
Chargers are
14" in diameter.
They may be painted using paint pens (which appear flat) or acrylics which are "textured" by brush strokes.
Chargers come in a variety of differing colors, many of which are metallic.
I also have a friend who makes wooden plates on which I may paint. if you'd like.
I also have a friend who makes wooden plates on which I may paint. if you'd like.
On this Kelly coat of arms is a TOWER, symbol of a steadfast individual. It was granted to one who had faithfully held a castle for his sovereign, or who had captured one.
CHAINS:
on the Kelly Crest represent a reward for acceptable and weighty service; Also marks of sheriffs, mayors, and former knights.
Chains suggest the owner is "chained" by a sense of obligation to the people that he serves or rules.
on the Kelly Crest represent a reward for acceptable and weighty service; Also marks of sheriffs, mayors, and former knights.
Chains suggest the owner is "chained" by a sense of obligation to the people that he serves or rules.
Resting atop any coat of arms, above the TORSE is the literal CREST.
"Coat of Arms" is a phrase interchanged with "Crest" although the two are quite separate entities.
The Kelly Crest I've painted here
is of the Irish Wolfhound.
is of the Irish Wolfhound.
By the year 391 A.D., the Roman Consul received as a gift, 7 Irish Wolfhounds which "all Rome viewed with wonder." Later the dogs were brought to fight for entertainment in the Circus Maximus.
Ownership of these great hounds was highly restricted. They were much-coveted gifts to emperors, kings, nobility and poets.
The Irish Wolfhound's collars were often made of precious metals and jewels.
Ownership of these great hounds was highly restricted. They were much-coveted gifts to emperors, kings, nobility and poets.
The Irish Wolfhound's collars were often made of precious metals and jewels.
ESCALLOP SHELL
(crest on right) :
Emblem of St. James, patron saint of pilgrims. Consequently, the escallop became a badge worn by pilgrims attached to a hook or hat.
(crest on right) :
Emblem of St. James, patron saint of pilgrims. Consequently, the escallop became a badge worn by pilgrims attached to a hook or hat.
PRINCE OF WALES FEATHERS:
(literally the CREST on this painting)
It signifies willing obedience and peace of mind.
Often there are 5 feathers in a plume, though Prince of Wales feathers is always only three.
In armory it signifies a soldier who had made long journeys or gained great victories. It is an emblem of safe travel.
It is also an emblem of fidelity because its shells, once separated, can never be rejoined.
(literally the CREST on this painting)
It signifies willing obedience and peace of mind.
Often there are 5 feathers in a plume, though Prince of Wales feathers is always only three.
In armory it signifies a soldier who had made long journeys or gained great victories. It is an emblem of safe travel.
It is also an emblem of fidelity because its shells, once separated, can never be rejoined.
The Wade surname was first found in Durham, England where they held a family seat at Hilton Castle from very early times.
The name was taken from England to Ulster (Northern Ireland) by early settlers.
Usually during tournaments only feathers adorned knight's helms,
not their coat of arms.
This "Wade" crest , in my research, was originally "Waed" (MacQuade and Mac Uaid were interchangeable surnames to Wade as well) and meant someone who lived near a ford. http://www.houseofnames.com
http://www.irishsurnames.com
Thought I'd include a wee bit of interesting finds gleaned along the way while researching this family's specific crest and coat of arms.
All we knew is that the ancestors were from England.
Hylton Castle is said to be haunted by the spirit of Robert Skelton, known as the Cauld (a pronunciation of "cold") in Lad of Hylton. Various versions of how he was killed exist, the most popular being that he was decapitated by Sir Robert Hylton (later de jure 13th Baron Hylton), after falling asleep and failing to get his master's horse ready on time. Skelton's spirit then began to haunt the castle and would move objects, similar to a poltergeist. The spirit was said to have been finally laid to rest when the castle servants put a cloak out for him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylton_Castle
Below is a crest a friend and I designed for the Supreme Council 33 degrees,
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A
This crest appears 3D in that the paint is built up and I also added gold leaf, Austrian crystals, jewelry pins (for golden rays), elongated glass beads, even a metallic fleur de lis for the hilt of the sword. It's an extremely regal piece and was very well received this weekend in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Supreme Council,33 Degrees,
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A
Chi Omega Crest (applying for legal rights to sell this month, March 2012)
I chose an actual “straw” linen textured mat board, as opposed to my usual canvas because my research found that the color “straw” has deep meaning for this sorority. My paintings are done using vigorous strokes. Some, such as the Chi Omega owl, I chose to “sculpt” the paint using dental tools to get the “right” texture. True, whisper-thin gold leaf, imported Austrian crystals, green freshwater pearls and the like were also used It’s quite obvious my forte is to “flourish”.
I will sell these, once licensed, as paper prints also, but my main interest is in selling these crests, to be solely reprinted on canvas, as these are fine art and I wish to keep my work at a “fine quality”. Once printed on canvas, I personally retrieve them to add any three dimensional flourishes I feel will best complete each print, then naturally, they are signed. As a result, all my canvas "embellished" prints are a wee bit different. True, these are not “originals”, but they ARE unique, as I add extra paint for texture, place silver or gold leaf if needed, add Austrian crystals and the like before I am satisfied to ship. (Actually, they appear so original, I accidently donated my original to a church silent auction recently. Oh well, they got a fine painting!)
I will sell these, once licensed, as paper prints also, but my main interest is in selling these crests, to be solely reprinted on canvas, as these are fine art and I wish to keep my work at a “fine quality”. Once printed on canvas, I personally retrieve them to add any three dimensional flourishes I feel will best complete each print, then naturally, they are signed. As a result, all my canvas "embellished" prints are a wee bit different. True, these are not “originals”, but they ARE unique, as I add extra paint for texture, place silver or gold leaf if needed, add Austrian crystals and the like before I am satisfied to ship. (Actually, they appear so original, I accidently donated my original to a church silent auction recently. Oh well, they got a fine painting!)