portrait #81 Helen McClory

Helen McClory, pencil, 2 3/8" x 2 3/8"

Helen is the author of the blog Schietree,  the name being a reference to part of the storyline in her first novel Kilea; a Schie (phonetic for the Gaelic Sith) is a spirit or ghost, whether human or non-human.  ” A schietree, therefore, is a spirit or fairy tree; these trees grew in Scotland and Ireland. Some were places to seek help/pacify the spirits over issues of fertility, or infant mortality and are still, apparently, to be found today with coins embedded in the bark, or rags tied around the branches. They may have been considered gateways to the fairyland/underworld. Others were simply large, impressive trees, often hawthorns (one of my favourites for their heady-scented white flowers in spring), growing in an open clearing, or another significant place, that found their way into local legend in their own distinct ways.” (from Helen’s about page).

Cool! Sounds like an awesome read! Helen is apparently working on her second novel, The Millenial. Besides her extraordinary writing skills, Helen’s blog is full of all things Scottish (which I appreciate due due my partial Scottish heritage) including some very cool photos of very Scottish scenes- I really must visit some day- as well as book reviews and all things bookish!

Thanks Helen- sealbh math dhuibh! (I looked up Gaelic for good luck) on novel number two!

(Oh and I also learned that in Scots a hoolet is an owl.)

This is portrait number 81 of 100.

NINETEEN MORE TO GO! As a reminder, the draw for the 100th portrait, which will be an acrylic painting, takes place on Feb. 15th.  Check the link: https://artboy68project.wordpress.com/for-number-100-acrylic-painting-enter-here/ . Enter even if I’ve drawn you before!

Go here to see my other portraits, or learn more about this project.

Thanks for visiting!

artboy68