Gnomenclature: A Study of Gnomes & Company
Written & Illustrated by Emily Murphy
Gnomenclature: A Study of Gnomes & Company Written & Illustrated by Emily Murphy
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Table of Cntents A Foreword page 5
Gnomes page 6 – 15
Faeries page 16-23
Forest Friends page 24-27
In Closing page 28-31
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A Foreword
The forests and mountains of Appalachia were home, and every late afternoon
during my elementary school years I was perfectly content making shelters in the woods behind my house. The idea of a secret hiding place within nature, made from bark, branches, and stones, was enchanting to me. My friends and I built what only we saw as neighborhoods and pathways, foraged for food in the duff, and observed the creatures with whom we shared the woods. Every minute spent in that magical realm stuck with me, even when I had to transition to the more structured life of a young adult.
This project is meant to inspire in everyone the same excitement and wonder for secret worlds and the nature around us. We all need some simple, earthy magic to ground us. My thesis, Gnomenclature: A Study of Gnomes and Company, is an illustrated encyclopedia which takes a look at the ins and outs of gnomes’ lives and how they might interact with each other and the creatures around them. I imagine they are a friendly, intimate community which beneits from each member and doesn’t shy away from neighbors. Alongside the gnomes, live elves, fairies, and fauna we humans are more familiar with. Their shared world is safe through the use of simple magic and the careful redirection of any humans who happen upon it. Gnomes are a pretty earthy subject matter, and I found that the textures and messiness of traditional media helped me to capture their stories. Watercolor and colored pencil is one of my favorite pairings, and I like to imagine that working with my hands in this way brought me a little closer to the characters I was portraying. My hope is that anyone can enjoy the little world I’ve created and everything that lives in it, especially kids like me, who love to get immersed in a realm of their own imagination. If you made little houses in the woods or always wanted to, then my book is for you.
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Gnomes
Gnomes are a jovial and cheerful people, standing at about four inches
high, perhaps ive, if you include the hats. They are secretive about their humble, vulnerable society, with the exception of animal friends and the local faeries. If you are careful, you can typically ind their homes in hidden spots, commonly underground or within an old, dry tree stump. These creatures are extremely social beings and take delight in the company of their neighbors, but they throw famously rambunctious parties when other gnomes from afar come to visit. They greet each other with a hug and a gentle hand hold, always being careful to treat everybody with respect and kindness. Their clothing and hats are woven from the shed fur of their squirrel and rabbit friends, and dyed with natural dyes made from berries and clay. If one were feeling particularly adventurous and sneaky, they might steal a tiny cut of fabric from a human’s wardrobe to use for a uniquely patterned garment. What a gnome loves most is an excuse to wear their best clothes and cause a ruckus with their friends. A gnome's First Birthday is one of the most celebrated events of their whole lives, and friends and family gather from afar to rejoice. Even local animals and the otherwise cautious fae pop in for a bite of the food and a round of ginger beer. Instruments whittled from wood and shells make for a lively tune, and everyone is swept up in the dance. No one knows if our folk dances came from theirs, or the other way around. Either way, no one is lacking in spirit at a First Birthday party. 7
Greetings between gnomes are very distinctive, and one can easily determine
the relationship between a pair if observing closely. For example, if one gnome has not seen an acqauintance in a long while, the most appropriate thing to do would be to compliment their hat. To mention the color, height, or fabric quality of a gnome's hat is to praise their personal workmanship, since every gnome makes their own headwear. Handshakes are most common between gnomes who have completed a business transaction. Gnomes often trade inds from forays into the woods, whether they be a wagon full of acorns or a basket of pine nuts. They also pay each other back with mended clothes and quilts, or the promise of a good home-cooked meal. Young friends who have an especially playful relationship prefer to greet each other with a tap of the boots, usually combined with a short jig and a song if there's time. They will keep this up for years and years, never forgetting a step.
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The most tender of greetings are shared between lovers and close family members. Kisses on the cheek are a respectful and affectionate, "Hello, I missed you," to an elder gnome, especially one who treasures every second spent with loved ones. Forehead touches are the most intimate exchange, and are given to those whom a gnome trusts most and wants near themselves always.
When idle, gnomes often drift together as they consider physical touch to be a very important factor in most relationships. These two pictured below are taking a break from work.
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Chanterelles – Edible mushrooms with a delicious lavor. Raspberries & Blackberries – Perfect for preserves or a fresh snack. Ramps – A cousin of the onion, can be used for soups, salads and more. Dandelions – Use the leaves for salads, the lowers for tea, and the root for coffee.
Acorns – Can be made into lour once shelled, ground into meal, and leached in water which is changed every few days.
Pokeweed – Stay away! The berries cause pain, nausea and diarrhea. Buckeyes – Mildly toxic and bitter nuts which are edible once shelled and roasted. 10
Horsenettle – False cherry tomatoes which cause abdominal pain.
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Gnomes have many means of transportation throughout their hidden
neighborhoods and beyond. After all, there are so many friends to see and so many places to explore. Although they are seldom seen by humans, gnomes are out and about for most of their day and take great pleasure in getting where they need to go. Most of the time there's no reason to hurry, and a gnome can enjoy their journey at a leisurely pace. They can always count on their animal friends to help make the trip even more comfortable, if they wish. Some, however, prefer to pick up the pace and travel with the wind.
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In the winter, skating is a popular way to get from place to place, especially for gnomes who live next to a calm forest stream. Getting some fresh air on a lovely winter day is a perfect activity for friends, and they are light enough not to worry about breaking through the thin ice. When they get older, some gnomes aren't in a rush to get anywhere. This gentleman is content to stay where he is. 13
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Faeries Elves are generally amicable
and harmless beings because of their gnome friends’ careful inluence, but their aloof nature can be changed at the drop of a hat. They wear long, sock-like hats made from knitted and dyed squirrel fur with a tassel at the end which they are quite fond of, and these serve the purpose of covering their wild hair. The complete exposure of this hair by means of cruelly tugging off their hat sparks a change which spells bad news for whosoever dared to make such a transgression. An elf will transform into a vengeful, angry fae who will stop at nothing to curse their attacker, and if possible, cause bodily harm. Typically, the local gnome population is very aware of their friends’ secret nature and do all they can to keep them paciied and happy with frequent dancing and feasts. They were even the ones to supply the elves with their woven hats, since they are always eager for new friends. 17
Another species in the forest
which appears in the same areas as gnomes and elves are faeries. These fascinating beings don't begin as the forms one would expect them to, and are a direct result of their gnomish neighbors' magic. When gnomes move to a new area, they inluence the creatures around them, and in the faeries' case, this initiates their very life cycle. Faeries begin as common insects, like the katydid and stag beetle pictured here. When gnomes start to make contact with the animals and insects around them, some latch on to their magic easier than others. Their nature adapts to become more curious and daring, eventually becoming capable of communication. These insects begin to adopt gnomish behaviors and grow more friendly.
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After some time, even the most unexpected species change to it in with their magical neighbors.
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These are some more elves and faeries I have observed at different stages in their development. They move very fast, and don't like to be seen any more than gnomes do, so some of these sketches were done hastily. 21
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Protected in the depths of the forest, far away from human civilization,
gnomes make their homes. Their natural magic gradually transforms the environment around themselves, including the creatures within it. Forest animals become friendlier and less reluctant to help the gnomes build their houses underground or transport foraging hauls. Elves curiously come out from their hiding places to mingle and eventually integrate themselves into the growing community. Faeries, who do not exist without the presence of gnomes, peek into the festivities every once in awhile. A neighborhood of sorts is created in this fashion, built out of fallen logs, stumps, and rocks, which have been piled up with the help of friends.
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Forest Friends Gnomes form mutualistic relationships with the creatures around them and have no trouble asking moles, rabbits and foxes to help shape their earthen houses. In turn, they will aid these creatures in avoiding humans, grooming fur, and with any medical attention they may need.
As aforementioned, gnomes often ask for the assisstance of animal friends when traveling. These same animals are usually willing to help them laze around, too.
If their families are close enough, a new parent might ask a young gnome to babysit for them. The gnome takes this job very seriously, and tends to bring a friend along for extra help. However, it is easy to doze off on the job when your charge is very soft and cuddly.
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A favorite pasttime of young gnomes is to race; of course, they aren't very
fast on their own two feet, so it's more fun to recruit help from the local rabbit warren. Elf children love to join in on this game as well, and there seems to be an air of friendly competition between them and the gnomes concerning most things. Fortunately for gnomes, they don't have many natural predators. Most animals ind their presence soothing, and lower their defenses easily. The few exceptions are birds of prey, who usually don't stick around long enough to make friends before striking, and unfortunately, well-meaning humans who blunder through gnomes' secret neighborhoods without thinking.
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In Clsing There is so much more in this hidden little world that I have not gotten to
show, whether it be because of time or my inability to spy on my gnome friends more often. There are more celebrations, more games, more recipes, and more moments of beauty that enchant me with every scene I discover. I hope that this study helps you ind comfort and solace in the pictures of a safe, secret place. The creatures within its pages are lighty and wary of us humans, but I think we have a lot to learn from them. The gnome sees good in everyone and never misses an opportunity to be jolly. The elf contains great power and mystery within themselves, yet they allow their friends to help them see the light side of things. The faerie begins as something instinct-driven and afraid, and learns to be curious and social. I have grown fond of each of them, and I hope they ind me to be a friend in their own way. As you close this book, remember to look for the little things in your surroundings. Even if there is not a forest nearby, nature has a way of springing up through the cracks and iniltrating our seemingly controlled lives. Watch where you step, mind whose homes you’re stepping over, and leave every place you visit better than how you found it. The creatures living there will appreciate your effort, I promise.
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