Finding my joy again

Those of you who know me and have been reading my blog know that I've been struggling the last couple years with depression and other issues. In general, things are now a lot better thanks to medication, therapy, good communication with my lady, and more. But part of it being better is finding new things that bring me joy to work on.

In particular, my current SCA/reenactor focus is working toward as authentic a "kit" as possible, and I’m having a blast!

SCA garb and the "10 foot rule"

Greetings readers from your long absent author!

I have a teeny tiny favor to ask you all, especially when speaking/writing anywhere someone new to the SCA is in the audience:

Please stop using the phrase "the 10 foot rule" when talking about general SCA garb/clothing requirements.

NO!

Achievements & Depression

Two years ago today, I was recognized as a Peer in the SCA, and elevated to the Order of the Laurel. It was a goal I had been working toward for around 10 years. The vigil and elevation were amazing experiences. The scroll, gifts, and regalia that were crafted by my friends & my lady are dear treasures that have hundreds of hours of labor and love poured into them. I'm still overwhelmed by the generosity that exists within the SCA, and proud to be a part of it.

Despite achieving this recognition, I wasn't truly happy. I of course had happy moments. But overall, the last couple of years have been a struggle. I hit the bottom of a pretty deep depression about a year ago. With the help of therapy, medication, and a very understanding wife, I've slowly been creeping my way out of that hole.

Tracing is Period & Good!

Pardon folks, but I'm a little fired up over something, and need to rant about it.

I often see new scribes who have been told or feel they must create original art, or that tracing from period sources is frowned upon or not allowed. Excuse me? There are so many things wrong with this idea that I'm having a hard time figuring out where to start... Oh... I know! Let's start with the fact that:

Tracing is a period technique!

Cennino Cennini provides methods for tracing and talks about why it is desired in his 15th century treatise, Il Libro dell'Arte.

"Chapter 27 - How you should contrive to copy and draw after as few masters as possible.  

... strive and delight always to copy the best things that you can find, made by the hand of great masters. And if you are in a place where there have been many good masters, so much the better for you. But I give you this advice: be careful always to pick out the best and the one that has the best reputation. And if, day in and day out, you follow one like that it will be odd if nothing of his style and manner rubs off on you."

-Broecke, Lara. (2015) Cennino Cennini's Il Libro dell'Arte: A new English translation and commentary with Italian transcription. London England: Archetype Publications. p. 47

Working through a "Learning Plateau"

It's been a few months since I've posted anything, and one big reason why is that I hit the longest "learning plateau" so far of my scribal career. I'm working through it. After this post I plan keep the momentum going and get back to some more "lesson" posts.