Today’s article in our series on the Kingdom’s Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney is about a beautiful entry titled the White Scarf Scroll, made by artisan Gesa van Wellenstein. She also entered a second entry featuring Royal Horse Barding, which unfortunately is not discussed here but can be read about in detail on the Queen’s Prize Tourney website. As we do not have the ability to converse with our entrants face to face, the Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney now offers the opportunity to drool over images and read the documentation right there on the Kingdom Ministry of Arts & Sciences website – even to leave feedback! And to learn a little more about the artisan and their thoughts behind their entry, the organizers decided to broaden our traditional entry of object and documentation with personal interviews.

Could you tell me a little about you, your persona.

My persona is German, but I do not have a specific time period as I am playing in different groups. I belong to a Celtic mercenary group called ANGLESY. As a Celt I get exposed to various cultures, but primarily I identify myself as a high-born German Lady who had the privilege to be trained as a mounted warrior.

What inspired you to make your entry?

For many moons I have been fascinated by Albrecht Durer’s woodcut prints. Over time I tried often to replicate them, but often failed to do the masters justness. I recently got an electronic copy of Joachim Meyer’s book “Grundtliche Beschreibung der freyer ritterlicher unnd adlichen Kunst des Fechtens,” as I started earlier this year to indulge myself with exploring the art of long sword fighting. Each time I read this manual I looked at the cover and thought I should try to create a blank scroll from it. Having some extra time over the past months, allowed my to play with different ink and nibs on various paper. What you see in the picture is the resold of many try and errors, which ended up in a White Scarf Scroll.

What is your intention with your entry?

It has been mailed out to its recipient.

Did the entry throw up any unexpected issues?

No, as I did not start the scroll with the intention to submit it for a competition. I was just one of many scroll blacks I played around with.

Did you learn something specific, something you would do differently, or would recommend others to do again?

Yes, I learned a lot about different nib qualities, flexibility and how frustrating a very pointy nip can be, especially if the paper is not smooth.

What motivated you to enter the Virtual Queen’s Prize Tourney? I had something completed in time of the deadline. Are you interested in the exposure? Not really, I never submitted my art before. It appeared to be time to try something new. The feedback? Only positive ones. Lol. Provide inspiration to others? Modeling, inspiring and supporting for others is always one of my priorities. Needed a little me-time to create something beautiful in these unusual times? Being creative is my coping skill from everyday problems. I struggle sitting still, and craft, painting, sewing and scribal work keeps me occupied. I often work on multiple projects. The COVID-19 shutdown allowed me to finish many projects as well as getting into very time consuming projects.

Thank you, Gesa van Wellenstein, for sharing your wonderful work with our Kingdom’s artisans and populace!

If you would like to see Gesa’s entry, follow this link. And if you liked her work, have a question to ask, or a tip to share – please leave your comments with her entry! You can “Leave a Reply” at the bottom of the entry’s page. We have until Æthelmearc Æcademy on July the 11th, when Her Majesty will announce the winners in Virtual Court, to peruse, enjoy and interact with the entrants. Make use of the opportunity, if you can!