Thank you for the kind words. That sounds like an interesting topic for a conversation over a beer one day, unless I somehow become miraculously independently wealthy beforehand!

Many thanks to the friends who have supported me over this last year, and especially to my family as we've overcome the various storms that have blown our way. I hope to be able to repay you now with the brighter horizons that you deserve so much.

For an artist mark I wanted to recall my own arms & banner, as well as referencing my passion for adapting heraldry in novel ways. As such I have used a monshō inspired version of my own two chains in a spiral; here being two intertwined futatsu-domoe made of 'shima' chains.

In this piece I use a Hungarian Sabre in the shield & a pheon finial in the crest as additional ways to incorporate the individual's heritage, as I am always keen to do. It also features my first barred helm & the patron sourced an image of folk patterns on which to display it.

Homemade by a local clanswoman to a wonderfully high standard - even featuring re-attachable plant badges to maximise repairability - I am delighted to see my artwork realised with such pride and craft.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇦🇺

Last weekend during the Canberra Highland Gathering this first Pinsel (for at least 575 years) of a Chief of MacEwen was flown at a special ceremony appointing the Chief’s High Commissioner for Oceania

The background is in a shade utilised by Japanese sky blue 'sorario' flags, like Shiga Prefecture (which happens to correspond closely to Air Force Blue).

Here two monshō styled 'kumo' clouds are shaped into the form of an intertwined 'futatsu-domoe' swirls. This of course sees them cross in a broadly X shape in the centre.

The legend of the Saltire's origin is of course as two crossed clouds in the sky. Here I have attempted to depict that as 'two swirls of cloud crossing each other'.

General precedence protocol would have a sovereign nation's flag on the leftmost - more senior pole - above a non sovereign territory. However, in this sporting context the two entities are competing as equals; so Europe has been given precedence here as the location of the flag display.

I fear I've blown their otherwise perfect cover 😅

You're too kind, but thank you. Flags and symbolism are a language and I hope to demonstrate the power in the breadth of this *in addition* to that power in the depth of feeling

Shown together like this they symbolise not only the identity of the organisations, but a unique bond between them born of these tragic circumstances.

Not only is this a fantastic vexillological sight, but it is a great demonstration of the Scottish tradition of 'stem' arms of a chief from which Clansmen derived related but different designs.

This display shows the flags of Clansmen and Chiefs of (from left to right) Clan Irving - whose holly leaf banner was drawn by yours truly - Clan Carruthers and Clan MacEwen