The Latest from Nancy...

Before Streets Had Names

by | Apr 1, 2009 | , ,

CornerCorner figureKnight
In the old city of Nurnberg there are a number of these figures, each one placed on the corner of a building at a street intersection.  They are not only lovely sculptures, but sculptures with a purpose.  Well, they served a purpose back in history…back when city streets did not have any names.  These figure served as reference points for people trying to find a certain shop or house.
It's another indication of how much larger our cities and towns are today.  Can you imagine trying to give anyone directions today without using street names?  Or numbers?
The Beautiful Fountain

The Beautiful Fountain

by | Mar 29, 2009 | , ,

image of fancy spire of Schoenebrunnen — Beautiful FountainThe tall fancy spire you see above the market booths is the Schoenebrunnen, or the Beautiful Fountain, and is very aptly named!  It is the most beautiul fountain I’ve ever seen.  And probably the tallest.  The workmanship that went into making this is absolutely incredible.
detail of the Beautiful Fountain, SchoenebrunnenHere is a close up of this fountain.  The photo was taken through the fancy wrought iron fence which encloses it.
Man touching a golden ring on the fountain's ironworkThe golden ring is supposed to bring good luck when you turn it.  Yes, it does move!  Of course, you have to find it first, and that is no easy task!  The ornate iron work is such that the ring blends in beautifully, and even the change of color does not stand out immediately.
another section of ironwork with a second iron ringAnd, unbeknownst to a lot of tourists, there is an iron ring on the other side of the fountain.  Some of the local people asked me if I knew about this one, and when I said no, they beckoned me to this side and said that turning this one ensures that you have children.  Apparently especially important after the plague which wiped out so many. Can you find it?

A Walking Tour of the Old Town

by | Mar 27, 2009 | , ,

MarketSpargel mkt

The first thing I did was to take a walking tour just to get a basic idea of where things were and what there was.  Supposedly a 2 1/2 hour tour, ours lasted another hour because our guide took the time to answer questions as well as adding more information when the group showed more interest.  Walking around the town also showed us very quickly just how steep the terrain was going up to the base of the castle.  And from the base on up to the castle grounds was even more so!

We started at the Hauptmarkt, or the main market area.
The photo on the left shows the booths set up by the vendors.  They filled the entire large otherwise open square.  This square is the main market area of ancient Nürnberg where farmers brought their fruits, vegetables, eggs, animals, etc. to sell on market days.  As you can see, this still occurs (but without the animals).
The twin spires in the background are part of St. Sebaldus church, the church Maria Sybilla Merian Graf attended and where her second daughter, Dorothea, was baptized.  The family lived just a short way up the hill from this church.
The white stuff in the photo on the right is white asparagus.  This was the season for fresh asparagus and many of the sellers had it for sale.

Entering the old city of Nürnberg

by | Mar 22, 2009 | , ,

WallEntrance
WallEntrance
At last I get to see what it is like to be in a city surrounded by its old protective walls.  (These walls were completed in 1452.)
The photo on the left is of the entrance I used most of the time when entering and leaving the old original part of the city since I stayed in a small pension outside of these walls not far from the train station.
The photo on the right is a typical view of what the walls look like from inside the old city.  The square towers each had a door which provided access to the top of the wall.  Here it was easy to imagine men patrolling the covered walkways and keeping a close watch on any activity outside these walls. 

My Artwork at The Creamery

by | Mar 8, 2009 | ,

Amelia Island

The Pit

These are the two pieces of my artwork on display in The Creamery during the month of March. This exhibit, in the office, shows some of the work of members of various Artist’s Way groups.
The painting on the left is a watercolor based on time spent on Amelia Island.
The pen and ink drawing on the right is one of the illustrations I did for a children’s book published in Holland in 2008. It was written by Inge de Graaf and titled “Matthijs in Honderdland.”

March Exhibit at the Creamery

by | Mar 4, 2009 | ,

This month’s art exhibit at the Creamery, Springfield, MO, will kick off at the First Friday Artwalk. It will feature works created by members of the Artists’s Way groups. I have two items in the show. One is a watercolor I painted that embodies Amelia Island for me with its sand dunes, birds, and lighthouse. The second is a print from a pen and ink illustration done for a children’s book that was published in Holland in 2008.

Train to Nürnberg

by | Feb 26, 2009 | , ,

On to Nürnberg, the next city where Maria Sybilla Merian Graf lived.

I took the slow train that stopped many times along the way just so I could relax and enjoy the trip.  I love traveling by train.  It's a time when you can let your thoughts wander and at the same time watch the changing scenery.   I spent the time enjoying it so much I forgot to take pictures––except for one visually interesting train station called Langenprozelten. 
Train–station
Train–station

Coins from Frankfurt 1647-1658

by | Feb 24, 2009 | , ,

1Albus
1Albus
I soon became curious as to what kind of money was around during Maria Sybilla's lifetime; the hunt was on!
This coin was minted in Frankfurt in 1647, the year Maria Sybilla Merian was born.  Its denomination is that of an Albus.  Having never heard of that before, I began to research to try to get an idea of how much it was worth at the time.  That, I soon discovered, is practically impossible to do.  Not only were different coins minted in different cities and different areas, but there were also coins that were called by the same name that had a slightly different values.  Throw in exchange rates and it all gets very confusing.  Now add the fact that there is very little written about what things cost back then.  I have no more idea of what it's worth now than I did when I started!
BaptismCoin
BaptismCoin
These coins were given to the parents of newborns when the baby was baptized.   The side with writing on it says: "Be true until death and I will give you the crown of life." 
This coin was minted  to celebrate the coronation of Leopold I as Holy Roman Emperor.  The coronation and celebration was held in Frankfurt when Maria Sybilla Merian was eleven years old.  The inscription is in Latin; the date given is Ausust 1, 1658. 
I find it fascinating that these coins are still in existence!

The Bug is Done

by | Feb 12, 2009 | , ,

DSC_7266DSC_7268
I decided the lantern bug was dried enough today, and took off the pins and strips of paper.  The shadowbox was already prepared, so all I had to do was pin the insect in.  It's about three inches long; the wingspan is close to six.
I would now love to see one in its natural habitat. 

Lantern Bug

by | Feb 7, 2009 | , ,

On wet sandSide pinnedWings pinned
While Maria Sybilla Merian was in Surinam, South America, she  was given some of these insects in a box.  They are so unusual looking, I just had to see a real one.  Since I haven't managed to get to Surinam and the rainforest there, I bought a Lantern bug ( scientifically known as Fulgora lanternaria ) from the internet!  Then I had to learn how to go about mounting it.  Thomas J Riley, entomologist and photographer, emailed me detailed instructions; and David E. Bowles, entomologist and Professor of Biology, gave me some mounting pins to use; both were very much appreciated!
Since it came as shown in the first picture, it had to be "relaxed" first.  I slit the plastic it came wrapped in to allow moisture in.  Then I placed it in a plastic contained partially filled with wet sand.  On top of that I placed a piece of matboard cut to fit the container.  On went the lid, sealing the bug inside with all that moisture.  And I waited…and waited…and waited.  On the fourth day I took the bug out and carefully took off the plastic it had been shipped in.  I lightly touched the wingtip; it was slightly flexible.  I put it back and closed the lid.  The next day I tried again.  Again I was afraid the bug wasn't damp enough to spread its wings.
Day six.  I did it!  I discovered that the groove I made in the piece of styrofoam was a bit too large there in the middle, so I scooted the bug up.  His peanut shaped protuberance in front of his eyes sticks out over the edge of the styrofoam.  It was actually easy to gently pull the wings into position, place the strips of paper over the wings to hold them down, and pin through the paper to hold the wings in position.
Now I wait some more.  After this unusual bug dries out again, I will mount it in a display case.  I'm ready!  In fact, I'd like to do another one!

Upcoming Events

No events

Other Work

Chasing Caterpillars 
The Life and Times of Maria Sybilla Merian

Maria Sybilla Merian (1647-1717) lived in a culture where women were supposed to marry, keep house, and raise children. So how, then, did her persistent involvement with caterpillars make such an impact on the world of science? This is her story.

Draft

Varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes. Varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes.

Read More

Missouri Life Magazine
Illustration

Read More

Gone But Not Forgotten — Missouri Life Magazine
Artist Profile: Jim Veronee

An article about a Missouri mural artist and his legacy.

Read More
All Books
{

I just couldn’t put it down!

– Dixie Simpson

Upcoming Events

September 8, 2018

ABC Books, Book Signing • Springfield, MO

1-3 pm

September 31, 2018

Draft, Book Reading • Los Angeles, MO

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus et nisi mattis, bibendum mi vel, interdum urna. Donec in augue sed turpis hendrerit semper. 

Register

Coming Soon!

Available Aug 16, 2018

Missouri’s Best Known Resident, A Dog?

Non-Fiction

In the 1930’s Jim may have been Missouri’s best known resident.

 

Preorder the Book - $12.00

My Writing Blog

Follow Along

Read More

Schedule an Event

events@nancybdailey.com

Contact Agent

publishing@nancybdailey.com

Contact Author

author@nancybdailey.com