ultramarine focus in Vermeer Girl with a Pearl Earring art crop via LaWhimsy
Word Nerd

Word Nerd: Ultramarine

Ultramarine is a vivid intense shade of blue. Ultramarine is often described as a color that is beyond the sea deep blue. Thanks to it's vibrant, rich color ultramarine was highly sought after and used to add luscious detail to works of art. As a pigment, ultramarine was first made by powdering the semi-precious stone Lapis Lazul… Continue reading Word Nerd: Ultramarine

Word Nerd

Word Nerd: Draíocht

Draíocht (which is pronounced DREE-oct) is an Irish word for magic. Draíocht once specifically denoted the secret lore and arts of the druids of pre-Christian Ireland, however now it is used to describe the magical unseen. Irish and Celtic legend and lore are rich in draíocht. My own Irish side connects deeply to draíocht in… Continue reading Word Nerd: Draíocht

Word Nerd

Word Nerd: Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist is the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. Zeitgeist is quite literally German for "spirit of the age," from Zeit "time" (see tide) + Geist "spirit" (see ghost). Scholars have long held the belief that each era has a unique… Continue reading Word Nerd: Zeitgeist

nemorivagant a modern fairytale via LaWhimsy
Word Nerd

Word Nerd: Nemorivagant

Nemorivagant combines the terms nemoral (of a wood or grove) and vagant (a wanderer who has no established residence) into one utterly divine word that means wandering through a forest. Nemorivagant is one of many words that stem off of the nemorous (wooded) word - a few others include nemophilist (one who loves the woods)… Continue reading Word Nerd: Nemorivagant

croquis back sketch by Ella Patrice via LaWhimsy
Word Nerd

Word Nerd: Croquis

A croquis is a quick sketch, usually of a live model or of the human form. Since croquis is a French term for a basic figure template, it's a very familiar word in the fashion design industry. Croquis is actually new word to me, though not a new concept since I've been familiar with quick sketching… Continue reading Word Nerd: Croquis

Irenic Eirene Goddess of Peace jacques dumont peace 1749 via LaWhimsy
Word Nerd

Word Nerd: Irenic

Irenic describes something that is peaceful or creates peace and it is a most fitting word this week since we could all use something irenic. Irenic derives from from the Greek word eirēnē, which means peace (by no coincidence, Eirene is also the Greek goddess of peace). While the worship of the gods and goddesses… Continue reading Word Nerd: Irenic