SailorTwain109
on September 6, 2010 at 12:01 amFunny… That first panel has totally different meanings for me now, than when I was drawing it.
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Here in America, it’s Labor Day Weekend, which may explain why it’s gone a little quiet lately on the Lorelei. Not many of you at your computers, these fine last days of Summer?
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FOUR PAINTINGS CALLED “THE LOVE LETTER”
AND ONE WAITING TO BE WRITTEN
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Ah, the epistolary pleasures of times gone by…
A few 19th century moments, perhaps not all great on their own, but put together, they build the mood a little…
1834: “Love Letter” by Thomas Sully.
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1872: “Love Letter,” by Emile Levy
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1886: “The Love Letter,” by Frank Richards
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1899 (?) “The Love Letter,” by Marcus Stone
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And this one, which I like far better, also from Marcus Stone, called “Olivia”:
I wonder: what letter is she about to receive? Any offerings, O Fellow Twainers? I know a number of you are writers. How about together we send some time-traveling mail to Miss Olivia?
I’m still here Captain Mark, I haven’t left since the day I arrived on this
wonderful little ship
Mark would you ever consider sharing pics/demo of your page making process? I know it kind of breaks the magic, but you have some wonderful grays that I would love to watch come together to make the final project (reclining mermaid on the last page is fantastic).
One of the best pages so far!
Greetings from Italy
How wonderful it would be to pour over a letter rather than an email.
I don’t have a letter for Miss Olivia; however, if I did mine would be about the local gossip etc… Who has married, who is the subject to scandals of the political and romantic nature. I am sure I would be “absolutely terrible”.
Dear Mr. Siegel,
Whither would you wish said missives sent? Hither? Thither? Shall we post them here, in these blank chambers which beckon our fondest thoughts? Can they have cheeky hidden meanings?
Incidentally, San Diego Twainers have a Thomas Sully writing and painting connection here in our own town: http://www.awordwithyoupress.com/about/
On the subject of your work today, my dear Mr. Siegel: It seems to me that a treasured bond between Mr. and Mrs. Twain is the earlier hint that Mrs. T would sing to her captain. On the understanding that Captain T recognizes the dangers of mermaid music (which, by your earlier account, sounds like rain on the river, I think? – cough – panels 4-5), I retain the fervent hope that this is his last, desperate attempt to remain faithful to the spirit of his marriage to Pearl.
Dude, seriously. You want, like, letters, totally here or like, someplace else?
Yours faithfully,*
Miss M.
*I considered writing “yours Twainfully,” but I suspect that your readership will remain more constant than will our tortured Captain.
I rescind what I said before. Understanding what I do now in light of Anne’s illuminating comments about the bond between Mr. and Mrs. Twain, I would venture to say that the look on Twain’s face when he returns from that memory is not so much melancholy as some form of dread…
This is beautiful and also a bit unsettling. I see how the mermaid is becoming stronger, too – I don’t believe I’ve seen her sit up like that before, yes?
Claire, your words are too kind; thank you! You should know, however, that my hyperactive imagination does sometimes lead me down the wrong rose-strewn path.
My Beloved Olivia,
I miss you more than words can say. I stuggle daily here in the city to gather the money to set up our house here. I was remiss in leaving you in the countryside and yet it was necessary to find employment. I trust we shall be together soon.
Your Always,
Benjamin
Anne, don’t worry. I have an overactive imagination as well, and since beginning the reading of this webcomic (which included your comments), I’ve always thought your observations to be awfully astute, even if they were a bit fanciful from time to time.
And it’s so interesting to hear others’ views of this story and these characters, so please, imagine away!
Lisa, your letter is so very sweet. I wonder if Olivia believes her dear Benjamin. Her expression suggests that she may have heard this promise more than once.
I love Elijah’s profile in panel 2, especially with the shading.
My dearest and most darling Olivia,
I must confess that I am thinking of you constantly as I languish here in my small cell on this godforsaken rock amidst the tumbling seas, as I know and trust that you, Sweet Olivia, are thinking of me. I know in my heart of hearts that God will not forsake me in the name of justice, as I am truly, wrongly accused of these heinous crimes that so beset us both. Fear not, my one and only true love. We shall be reunited and wedding bells will ring out across that dear, dear valley we both admire ere long.
‘Ne’er the twain shall divide’. My dear one. I beg you to hold this sentiment close to your heart, when the melancholy doth prevail.
In deep consternation for your happiness, dear Olivia,
Your Captain
Hi! Thank you all, mille grazie signore Felipo, and Nathanael, Miss M, Phili, Britni, Zelly, Derrick and Claire!
Zelly: yes, I’ll try! I had posted some early entries about drawing process here, but I’ll prepare some more soon…
http://sailortwain.com/sailortwain-022/
http://sailortwain.com/sailortwain-023/
http://sailortwain.com/sailortwain-024/
http://sailortwain.com/sailortwain-027/
http://sailortwain.com/sailortwain-030/
And yay—letters to the good Miss Olivia! Lovely! I’ll try my hand at it too…
Ollie -
Whenever I recall the fevered press of your bosom to my cheeks, I am made as a youth again, lost gladly in the mossy valleys of innocence and passion.
I had thought myself asea and alone, lost and doomed to wrack on the shores of solitude – but your kind attentions, and your glorious affection, have rescued me from the terrible deserted strand and brought me back to the world of breath and life.
I know, my dearest love, that though we may not be bound to one another in the sight of God and our fellow-men, we are as surely twined into marriage within our hearts, as our limbs twine about one another as we find our halcyon meadows of joy.
Yours ever,
Ms. Ruth Barton
Oh Warren… a lovely twist of the tale there!