Consulting the dragon...

Many years of developing the vocabulary, abilities and skills associated with Celtic art has led me to a working familiarity with many of the key traditional artefacts: metalwork (swords, cups, brooches, etc.), stonework (cross-slabs and high-crosses) and the illuminated books of Lindisfarne and Kells. There are also many recently published books on the subject and new offerings by artists working today. Artists tend to be maze walkers and as such I can guide you through the wondrous, cunning and (at times) befuddling realms of this artform and advise on a large range of patterns and motifs which it would take the lone researcher a great deal of time to access and explore!

Consider, for a few moments, the main motifs of Celtic art:

Knotwork - In this area alone there are dozens of types, styles and characters that can make stand-alone units, borders or all-over panels.

Spirals - whorls of different numbers (double spirals, triple spirals...) can be interlinked via expanding / contracting pathways and even fused (usually) with knot and key.

Key and maze - many different styles and types are to be found here which, again, can be single units, borders or panels.

Steps and tessellations - a deceptively simple motif, often overlooked and underused. A simple but effective contrast when combined with other more detailed motifs. Reminiscent of kaleidoscopes and mirroring.

Figurative (including plant and creature) - birds, dogs, serpents and people are some of the more common types seen in traditional designs.

Letters - from major capitals (in-filled with various motifs) through to smaller types and distinctive Celtic calligraphic script.

It's the ability of these motifs to fuse and contrast in equal measure that makes Celtic art so powerful and beguiling. Celtic art is a complete yet open-ended design language that mirrors the essential energies of life.