![\"allen-stichler-woodcut-print\"](\"http:\/\/stichler.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/allen-stichler-woodcut-print.jpg\")
<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inking up the carved block<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inked and ready to print<\/p>\n
I always like to have a couple of new prints on the stall for Beverley Folk Festival; unfortunately unless I get my skates on, it may be restricted to this one addition ~ a woodcut this time, of a badger.<\/p>\n
Whatever your thoughts on badgers and the recent culls there is no denying that they are beautiful creatures, and they have a fair amount of folklore attached to them ~ such as their ability to protect against witchcraft:<\/p>\n
“A tuft of hair gotten from the head of a full-grown Brock
\nis powerful enough to ward off all manner of witchcraft;
\nthese must be worn in a little bag made of cat’s skin – a black cat –
\nand tied about the neck when the moon be not more than seven days old,
\nand under that aspect when the planet Jupiter be mid-heaven at midnight.”<\/p>\n
They can also bring good or bad luck, depending on whether it walks in front or behind you:<\/p>\n
Should a badger cross the path
\nWhich thou hast taken, then
\nGood luck is thine, so it be said
\nBeyond the luck of men.<\/p>\n
But if it cross in front of thee,
\nBeyond where thou shalt tread,
\nAnd if by chance doth turn the mould,
\nThou art numbered with the dead.<\/p>\n
A 16th Century writer called Turberville stated that there were two types of badger in Britain: one breed was known as “badgerwhelps” and had taller legs, yellow ears and lived in sandy areas; the others were known as “badgerpigs”. These were less yellow, shorter, more fierce and had a terrible smell about them.<\/p>\n
Anyway, all good inspiration for a woodcut.<\/p>\n
<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inking up the carved block<\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inked and ready to print<\/p>\n