Griffins or Gryphons
Journey Dateline: August 19, 2007
What piqued my interest in griffins today you might ask? 
Miss Sugar Plum chasing squirrels. This dog is a jumper (as well as a runner that reminds me of a barrel racing horse with her tiny little precision turns at top speed). She was looking out the patio doors when suddenly she began jumping on them rather frantically - I went to look and there it was - the squirrel was sitting on the ground next to the tree staring at the dog behind glass - almost as if deliberately teasing her - nah nah boo boo - ya can’t get me.
This dog had a squirrel by the tail in the backyard one day - my daughter saw it - she told me that she didn’t know this fat little dog could run so fast! Thankfully the squirrel got away and didn’t hurt her. The dog is a bit plump but not really fat - we just tell her she is a fat little dog and/or call her sausage butt - we put her on the lite dog food to keep her from getting any bigger per the Vet’s instructions - he said she is okay right now at the top of her weight for her size but we do not want her to gain any more weight than where she is right now at being a tiny bit plump.
Anyway, I opened the patio door and out she ran like a bullet - the squirrel ran up the tree before she got there but the dog was appearing to be climbing the tree in her jump against the limb. I laughed at her and told her she can’t climb trees - she isn’t a cat! It was the pose that reminded me of a griffin. She was stretched out in full with her back legs locked as if a majestic regal lion hindquarters with her nose stretched out like an eagle’s beak ready to snatch up the squirrel if it got within her reach. This tree has several quite large sturdy branches that fork just barely above the ground with one that leans slightly so it is a perfect tree for her to be posed like a griffin shield with heraldry designs like the ones I saw when I looked griffins up over at Wikipedia.
Griffins - the history of griffins (from Wikipedia) is quite interesting to read - heraldry appears to be where today’s logos and trademarks got their start.
Today’s first featured art from ImageKind is Celtic Gryphon by Nina Bolen
Note from Barbara - I really like the detail and in a black and white style - there is no myriad variety of colors to distract from the tiny details that come together to make this whole drawing quite eye-catching. This lovely framed griffin fine art print would stand out on a counter or end table. This Celtic art is a bit different in style from much of what I have seen - it is very interesting though, quite pleasing to the eye and very well done.
Tags: Nina Bolen, Celtic Gryphon, ImageKind
Today’s second featured art from ImageKind is My Gryphon by Carmen Keys
Note from Barbara - I love the watercolor look and feel of this fine art print - the original was a watercolor so thankfully it shows in the print The details are wonderful - her fantasy art is delicate yet fine tuned to tiny details that draw me into the painting. I like the color harmony quite well too.
Tags: Carmen Keys, My Gryphon
Today’s third featured art from ImageKind is Green & Blue Ornate Lion by Lekker Designs
Note from Barbara - heraldry art has been around a very long time yet it is as fresh and exciting today as it was a century ago - I like the aged feeling from this fine art print - it appears stable and weathered as if it has been around a very long time and will continue to withstand the tides of encroaching time.
Tags: Lekker Designs, Green & Blue Ornate Lion, Griffin, Gryphon, Heraldry
