FIONN MAC CUMHAIL'S SAMHAIN VIGIL

Handmade woodcut print of original artwork on fine kitakata printmaking paper, done with oil-based etching ink. Carved out of Japanese mountain cherry wood.

The story of Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) and his Samhain Vigil is part of the Fenian Cycle in Gaelic mythology. In the tale, the legendary hero confronts the yearly torment of Áillén mac Midgna, a fire-breathing, otherworldly harper of the Sídhe, whose magical song lulls people to sleep. To resist Áillén’s enchantments, Fionn uses a magical spear to remain conscious and defeat the harper. In many tellings, he simply presses the spearhead to his brow, but the version I’ve chosen to depict has him piercing his own forehead with the venomous, searing blade in order to stay vigilant through the temptations of delusion.

- Signed and limited to 26 prints.
- The approximate dimensions of the artwork is 16.5x20cm on a 21x27cm sheet.

*Each print is unique, with slight variations in registration.