Fiddlefaddle -- or something more?

 

We’re still at auditions for Fern Andra’s circus, and there’s still so much to explore beneath those fronds.  Some circus aficionados have the coordination and nerve to imagine themselves as skilled high-flyers.  Others (like me) just love the history and the lore – the energy, the patterns, the drama of skilled bodies in motion, and the centuries of evolution in the arts.  And if my group might be daunted even by the game of “Wordle”, some of us never miss a chance to check a word’s etymology.

 

For instance, we can learn that the word “fern” is associated with words suggesting delicacy like feather, leaf, wing. 

 

In fact,  

"The plant's ability to appear as if from nothing accounts for the ancient belief that fern seeds conferred invisibility (1590s)."

 ..as shown here:

 

Who would imagine that from such modest starts would come a whole tradition, in many parts of the world, of gathering fiddleheads – the still-curled frond – for delectable spring-time eating?

 

Despite appearances, there’s nothing wispy about the dynamo performer, director, producer Fern Andra who this series celebrates as she conducts auditions for some hot new talent for her latest tour.

 

As I delved for historic images of both Fern and circus, I happened on this gorgeous late 19^th century painting “Acrobat with Violin” by Italian artist Antonio Mancini. 

 

Well!  Couldn’t we say that’s a fiddle he’s holding?  And there’s a very long tradition of stringed instruments associated with the circus.  Chagall and his “Green Violin” come readily to mind.

 

Then, as my mind whirred off into fantastic territory, my search produced a photo of an older…dare I say stodgier?...Fern.

 

In this profile pose, she evoked my long-time infatuation with what might be one of the most beautiful “fiddles” ever – the viola da gamba. (short form:  “viol”)

 

Take a quick glean here to see a lovely collection of the fabulous carved heads that distinguish these cello-cousins.

 

My wheels were turning – Fern, fiddles, fiddlesticks, fiddleheads…  I knew it was meant to be when I found a schematic drawing of a viol…

 

..that recalled the engraving of the famous challenging acrobatic maneuver.

 

All right.  We’re under way with some small sketches and the first underlayer.

 

I had thought an undercoat of iridescent copper would lend some pizzazz, but it just dulled the colours added on top.

‘

But I pressed on, resolving to splash brightly as best I could.  Here’s the final outcome:  “Fiddlesticks and Fiddleheads” (copyright 2026, Audition Series).   (Professional  musicians, please don’t scrutinize the placements of strings and fingers).

 

Yes, it’s another example of how I can get carried away.  Someday I think I should do a series based on the concept that’s a keyword for many great artists:  Simplicity.  That would be a real stretch.