#te shaw

TE in the style of a monumental brass rubbing

Extremely enjoyable project, I really enjoy taking three dimensional objects and expressing then in as few clean lines as possible (it's the background in archaeological illustration I think) and monumental brasses (and imitation brasses in my case) do that well. And it's big! Almost two feet tall, I love big art! (I am also tempted to do a later RAF version but I have some other stuff to work on first)

A photograph of T.E. Lawrence, c.1918, which seems --from my sources anyway-- to be a lesser-seen companion image to the one of him seated in front of the same backdrop. // This sepia-toned version is the back cover to Lawrence of Arabia & Middle East Air Power, Cross and Cockade International, 2016.

Of particular interest in this photo (and also the second one, below) is the petite gold jambiya, attached to Lawrence’s belt. This was apparently T.E.’s most treasured dagger, its commission was even overseen by King Hussein himself. Furthermore, it was the replacement for a more uncomfortable and larger silver gilt version which had been presented to him by Sherif Nasir, in itself as a replacement for an even earlier weapon—a gift from the Emir Abdullah—which Lawrence had given to a Howeitat chief!

It's a bit unfortunate the state of abandon the RAF monument is currently in, but it really is a beautiful little memento to the area's past and a certain someone's legacy in the area.

(I didn't place the flowers they were already there, a really sweet touch!)

I didn't realize there was another signpost that went more in-depth regarding the area's motorized boat history situated only a few meters away. This one seems a bit newer with nice B&W photos that are only a bit yellowed with time.

Mount Batten tower is an absolutely gorgeous medieval tower to behold. The general diversity of flora around Plymouth is beautiful, but I found this patch of light pink flowers on the slope of the tower's hill to make quite a nice shot. Quite the surreal thought to think that he might've been staring at the same site throughout his time in the area...

Finally, in remembrance of the shared history with him, they named two streets that conveniently convene at a roundabout. The area really is mostly upper-class, retired houses/condos so I'm not sure what he would actually think about it but I thought it was cute. Definitely wasn't a nuisance trying to stand in the middle of a roundabout to take a good shot...

There was also a magnificent used bookstore nearby. I read some reviews in advance that talked about a cantankerous owner, but he was a very nice and informative man from my experience.

It really is such a beautiful Elizabethan building full of a wonderful selection, but I was able to get a few readings including a compact 1945 print edition of 7 Pillars that had this incredible documents from a 1935 Plymouth newspaper right after his death...I swear this should be in a museum or something.

Let it be known I will be drawing over these pics these r just placeholders