Title: Tom Bombadil “Who are you, Master?” he asked. “Eh, what?” said Tom sitting up, and his eyes glinting in the gloom. “Don't you know my name yet? That's the only answer. Tell me, who are you, alone, yourself and nameless? But you are young and I am old. Eldest, that's what I am. Mark my words, my friends: Tom was here before the river and the trees; Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn. He made paths before the Big People, and saw the little People arriving. He was here before the Kings and the graves and the Barrow-wights. When the Elves passed westward, Tom was here already, before the seas were bent. He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from Outside.” - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Chapter 7: In the House of Tom Bombadil
Project Description: The assignment was to take a quote from a book and artistically interpret it using imagery to indirectly show the meaning behind it. I chose a section on the character Tom Bombadil from the Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Issues: I had to interpret a quote without using pictures from the Lord of the Rings movies or showing the actual characters. I had to show a beginning, middle, and end in sequence using just imagery inspired by the quote.
Solutions: Choosing a quote that allowed for this interpretation. Tom Bombadil was not in the movies so he was easier to concentrate on. I interpreted the quote as having to do with immortality as well as his close association with the hills, river, and woods. The water lilies and old willow tree from the book also help to show the essence of Tom. Immortality (without religion) is reflected by the ageless symbols of sun, moon, and stars, as well as rivers, hills, and stones. The image flows from light to dark, and from river conception to river end.
Software/Skills: Adobe Photoshop. Artist interpretation and creative thinking.