Inspiring Places
The Black Dog of Barthomley
This was inspired by a local legend of a Black Dog which patrols the graveyard and lanes around St Bertoline's Church and the White Lion Inn at Barthomley.
Like Black Shuck he brings death to those who are unlucky enough to see him.
The Wizard of Alderley Edge
This place is full of inspiration for me, a magical and mysterious landscape, full of history and legend. The Edge is also the setting for some novels of one of my favourite author's, namely Cheshire writer Alan Garner.
The Legend of the Wizard is well known, and thought to be based on Merlin and the sleeping knights of King Arthur.
As well as the artwork of the Wizard, this place also inspired a poem.
Please See my Video Poem, entitled
Ancient Oak
This piece was inspired by 'The Newland Oak', an ancient oak tree which stood in the Forest of Dean.
The Nemesis Shrine
The Nemesis Shrine or Nemeseum is a Roman Temple situated in Cheshire's Chester Roman Amphitheatre.
Gladiators would pray to the God Nemesis before combat.
The Mermaid
The Mermaid of Black Mere is a ghostly entity which entices single men to the depths of a mere near Congleton in the Peak District.
A local pub is situated near the mere, named after this unusual land locked Mermaid.
Puzzlewood
This artwork was inspired by Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean, my most favourite place, as it formed Tolkien's Inspiration for Middle Earth in the trilogy 'The Lord of the Rings', one of my most favourite books of all time.
Fantasy Novels are the best!
See my Video Poem based upon Puzzlewood, entitled
Sandbach Crosses
Near where I live, in the Cheshire town of Sandbach, are two stone Anglo-Saxon Crosses as well as two modern timber crosses in a similar style, erected for the Millenium.
The Dove of Saint David
This piece was inspired by a stained glass window depicting the 'Dove of Heaven' at St David's Church in Llanthony in the Brecon Beacons' Black Mountains.
The Memento Mori of St John's
At Chester an old Abbey Church and Ruins is situated next to the Roman Amphitheatre, dedicated to St John.
Here may be found depictions of 'Memento Mori' - Remember that you will die, a medieval term to entice the viewer to think on death and prepare for it.
The most unusual 'Memento Mori' at St John's is a coffin set into a wall in the ruins, within which is inscribed 'Dust to Dust'!
The Druids Last Stand
According to legend, the Druids held out their penultimate last stand in the Forest of Dean, at Welshbury Hillfort.
They finally fell to the Romans on the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales.
The Nine Ladies
The Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Drew in Derbyshire, inspired this picture.
I based it upon the legend that the Devil played his music to nine witches who were then turned to stone, to form the nine stones in the circle.
This place also inspired me to write a poem entitled 'The Nine Ladies'.
The Nine Ladies
by Michael 'Jarl' Oakes
What is this circle of stone
Was it made in pre history
To most the truth is not known
Let me now unravel this mystery
For here is the answer to their riddle
Nine witches were dancing on a sabbath day
To the devil playing his fiddle
They were cursed and there they will stay
For the devils music encircled the ring
Of the ladies of flesh and bone
That was the end of their dancing
For they were all turned to stone
Come here in the day and you will see
Nine sisters and their stone king
With symbols hanging from a tree
And a stone with spiral carving
Come here at night and you will see
Around the circle a dark figure lurks
The devil with his face full of glee
Come to admire his evil works
Goodrich Castle
This artwork was inspired by a stained glass window in Goodrich Church, nearby to a historic castle, in Herefordshire.
The Astbury Yew
At Astbury in Cheshire, an ancient yew tree stands inside St Mary's Churchyard.
The Yew tree is thought to be over 2000 years old, and predates the church.
Some of the graves here depict intricate artistic forms, some of which are known as 'Memento Mori'.
Kissed by Le Fay
This artwork was inspired by Nine Stones Stone Circle in Derbyshire.
This site also inspired me to write a poem entitled 'Kissed by Le Fay'.
Kissed by Le Fay
by Michael 'Jarl' Oakes
Nine stones stood in all
Only four still stand
One used in a nearby wall
Four now lost in this land
Overlooked by the two pillared tor
That they call Robin Hoods stride
There can be found a secret door
Amongst the stones it does hide
On the sacred night come on your own
For the doorway only once per year
Sit and pray within the circle of stone
And beneath you it will appear
At the last stroke of midnight
The ground turns to glass
Peer down into a world of twilight
Through this doorway you may pass
To a land that is never day
Nor is it ever night
This is the realm of the Fay
With their other worldly delights
That was how I met her
With her forever youthful face
Her voice seemed to purr
As I entered her embrace
Now her lad has returned to the mist
And until my dying day
I will only ever be kissed
By she who is of le Fay
Tintern Derelict Church
Old Tintern Church is now derelict after a fire, and is situated high above the Monmouthshire village to the north-west of the famous Abbey.
It has been the site of modern witchcraft rituals and other strange happenings.
