Péinteáil is Gaelic for "painting," and is pronounced paint-oil. We are an art company that sells a variety of products,
specializing in custom design pieces. Our goal is to generate business by offering customers top quality items at discount
prices. We also offer hand-painted original custom designed artwork. We strive to provide the best customer service on the
Internet, which is why so many of our customers are "repeat" customers. Since customer satisfaction is a top priority, we are
available via email or phone. Contact us today if you have any other questions about our company.
specializing in custom design pieces. Our goal is to generate business by offering customers top quality items at discount
prices. We also offer hand-painted original custom designed artwork. We strive to provide the best customer service on the
Internet, which is why so many of our customers are "repeat" customers. Since customer satisfaction is a top priority, we are
available via email or phone. Contact us today if you have any other questions about our company.
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The art of
miniature
painting is many
hundreds of
years old. The
earliest
examples in the
Western world
are to be found
in the
illuminated
capital letters of
ancient church
manuscripts.
Decorated often
with pure gold
leaf, these tiny
pictures showed
scenes of
everyday
mediaeval life,
scenes from the
Bible, or
portraits of saints
and angels.
After the
invention of the
printing press,
the skill of the
illuminators was
turned to the
painting of
exquisite
miniature
portraits for rich
merchants and
royalty. These
jewel-like works
of art were small
enough to be
held in the palm
of the hand and
were carried
much as we
carry family
photos today.
With the
introduction of
photography in
the middle of
the 19th
century, the art
of the miniature
was in danger of
being lost.
However, the
20th century has
seen a
tremendous
increase in
interest. Today
there are many
fine miniature
painters (and,
no, we are not
all vertically
challenged)
covering all
subjects under
the sun.
miniature
painting is many
hundreds of
years old. The
earliest
examples in the
Western world
are to be found
in the
illuminated
capital letters of
ancient church
manuscripts.
Decorated often
with pure gold
leaf, these tiny
pictures showed
scenes of
everyday
mediaeval life,
scenes from the
Bible, or
portraits of saints
and angels.
After the
invention of the
printing press,
the skill of the
illuminators was
turned to the
painting of
exquisite
miniature
portraits for rich
merchants and
royalty. These
jewel-like works
of art were small
enough to be
held in the palm
of the hand and
were carried
much as we
carry family
photos today.
With the
introduction of
photography in
the middle of
the 19th
century, the art
of the miniature
was in danger of
being lost.
However, the
20th century has
seen a
tremendous
increase in
interest. Today
there are many
fine miniature
painters (and,
no, we are not
all vertically
challenged)
covering all
subjects under
the sun.
|
The Celtic Knot is one of the best known motifs in Celtic jewelry and art. The delicate twists and turns are found in ancient
stone art and tattoos, in illuminated manuscripts.In fact, just about anywhere the Celtic people have travelled. Similar
designs exist in Norse culture, and as far as China.
While there are many Celtic symbol guides available, especially those that list every variation of celtic knot, many of the
purported meanings of the symbols are usually simply made up (most often to sell trinkets and jewelry). There are no known
authentic knotwork designs meaning love or loyalty or many of the other common meanings ascribed to the designs.
The spiral is probably the oldest symbol of human spirituality. It has been found scratched into rocks from thousands of
years ago, on every continent in the world. The religious significance can only be guessed, but it has been found on tombs,
and possibly has a connection with the sun- the sun makes a spiral shape every three months in its travels. A triple spiral
motif found on Celtic tombs is drawn unicursally (that is, in one continuous line), suggesting a cycle of rebirth or resurrection.
(this hypothesis is bolstered by the fact that many of these appear to be deliberately placed where they catch the first rays of
the sun on the solstice). In modern times, the spiral is still spiritually significant. It is the symbol of spirit in Wicca, an
emblem of the Goddess.
There is much meaning behind the septagram, or seven-pointed star, also known as the elven Star or faerie Star. Over the
past few years, the elven star has gained much popularity among those who believe in faeries, and for us it's a symbol of
magic, childhood and whimsy.
Each point of the star has a meaning, and stories about the meanings vary depending on the storyteller. Seven has long
been a magical or lucky number, so many like the elven star for it's seven points. There are seven wonders of the ancient
world, seven visible colors in a rainbow, seven notes to a musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti), and seven levels of heaven.
Additionally, there are seven chakras, or energy centers in the body, and seven days of the week. Seven represents universal
balance. This is illustrated by the symbol for earth, a square with four sides, combined with the trinity, representing heaven.
These are bound together in harmony, forming a seven-pointed star. In an elven star, this balance is symbolized by three
over four, or heaven over earth. For some, the points represent the seven directions: north, south, east, west, above, below,
and within. For others, it's the seven magical elements: earth, air, fire, water, life, light, & magic. Still others say it's inner and
outer elements: earth, air, fire, water, heaven, earth and self.
stone art and tattoos, in illuminated manuscripts.In fact, just about anywhere the Celtic people have travelled. Similar
designs exist in Norse culture, and as far as China.
While there are many Celtic symbol guides available, especially those that list every variation of celtic knot, many of the
purported meanings of the symbols are usually simply made up (most often to sell trinkets and jewelry). There are no known
authentic knotwork designs meaning love or loyalty or many of the other common meanings ascribed to the designs.
The spiral is probably the oldest symbol of human spirituality. It has been found scratched into rocks from thousands of
years ago, on every continent in the world. The religious significance can only be guessed, but it has been found on tombs,
and possibly has a connection with the sun- the sun makes a spiral shape every three months in its travels. A triple spiral
motif found on Celtic tombs is drawn unicursally (that is, in one continuous line), suggesting a cycle of rebirth or resurrection.
(this hypothesis is bolstered by the fact that many of these appear to be deliberately placed where they catch the first rays of
the sun on the solstice). In modern times, the spiral is still spiritually significant. It is the symbol of spirit in Wicca, an
emblem of the Goddess.
There is much meaning behind the septagram, or seven-pointed star, also known as the elven Star or faerie Star. Over the
past few years, the elven star has gained much popularity among those who believe in faeries, and for us it's a symbol of
magic, childhood and whimsy.
Each point of the star has a meaning, and stories about the meanings vary depending on the storyteller. Seven has long
been a magical or lucky number, so many like the elven star for it's seven points. There are seven wonders of the ancient
world, seven visible colors in a rainbow, seven notes to a musical scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti), and seven levels of heaven.
Additionally, there are seven chakras, or energy centers in the body, and seven days of the week. Seven represents universal
balance. This is illustrated by the symbol for earth, a square with four sides, combined with the trinity, representing heaven.
These are bound together in harmony, forming a seven-pointed star. In an elven star, this balance is symbolized by three
over four, or heaven over earth. For some, the points represent the seven directions: north, south, east, west, above, below,
and within. For others, it's the seven magical elements: earth, air, fire, water, life, light, & magic. Still others say it's inner and
outer elements: earth, air, fire, water, heaven, earth and self.
| Let our brushes tickle your fancy! |
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CRAFT
council
MEMBER
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CRAFT
council
MEMBER
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| Copyright © 2005-2008 Peinteail Designs. All rights reserved. |
About Miniatures
About the Artist
About Our Logo
About Us
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Donnalee Severin, a native Marylander, currently residing in Frederick County Maryland
with her husband, two dogs and cat. She has been creating artwork for as long as she
can remember, cultivating a love of art from an early age. In secondary school, she
studied drawing, photography, and ceramics. She sold her first art piece in 1991 after
winning an Secondary School Art Council Award.
Donnalee took a communications position with a prominent securities agency, and
developed a love of graphic design. This lead her to design and painting studies at
Frederick Community College, and Towson University.
Now Donnalee practices a wide variety of art, often incorporating techniques and media. Her love of the Gaelic culture, the
renaissance period, animals, and nature are often reflected in her work. The artists that inspire her most are: Koo Schadler,
June Blyth, Mary Cassatt, and Edelgard Brecht.
Donnalee is a member of American Craft Council, Celtic Cultural Alliance, and The St. Andrews Society of Mid-Maryland, Inc.
with her husband, two dogs and cat. She has been creating artwork for as long as she
can remember, cultivating a love of art from an early age. In secondary school, she
studied drawing, photography, and ceramics. She sold her first art piece in 1991 after
winning an Secondary School Art Council Award.
Donnalee took a communications position with a prominent securities agency, and
developed a love of graphic design. This lead her to design and painting studies at
Frederick Community College, and Towson University.
Now Donnalee practices a wide variety of art, often incorporating techniques and media. Her love of the Gaelic culture, the
renaissance period, animals, and nature are often reflected in her work. The artists that inspire her most are: Koo Schadler,
June Blyth, Mary Cassatt, and Edelgard Brecht.
Donnalee is a member of American Craft Council, Celtic Cultural Alliance, and The St. Andrews Society of Mid-Maryland, Inc.
Sign up for our new...
Celtic Directory for Maryland and Surrounding Areas.
A Portion of the proceeds to go to The St. Andrew's Society of Mid-Maryland, Inc., Directory designed by Peinteail.
Celtic Directory for Maryland and Surrounding Areas.
A Portion of the proceeds to go to The St. Andrew's Society of Mid-Maryland, Inc., Directory designed by Peinteail.
