‘I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air. I am he that walks unseen. I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number. I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water. I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me. I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider.’

Bilbo Baggins is a character from Tolkien’s legendarium who has fascinated me since my first encounter with him in the opening chapter of The Lord of the Rings, which I read quite some time before The Hobbit.

Recently I was inspired to again pick up my copy of The Hobbit and have another read through; also to further explore the character of Bilbo and get some artworks done in the process.

Bilbo had blood from two important Hobbit families, the Bagginses and the Tooks. Because of his adventurous “Tookish side” (which was sometimes conflicting with his stay-at-home “Baggins side”), Baggins was rather restless and “strange” for a Hobbit. – Tolkien Gateway

I think a great many of can relate to Bilbo’s internal struggle between his Took and Baggins side; eager to share in adventures and explore the world outside of the Shire, but equally contented to stay within the comfort of his own home and not partake in anything that could conflict with that comfort.

We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!”

A further exploration of this will be the subject of a later post from me and is picked apart and analysed very well by Alan and Shawn at The Prancing Pony Podcast who are currently doing a read through and The Hobbit which is definitely worth checking out!

Bilbo Baggins – Master of Bag End

This is my second artwork in the series of Bilbo Baggins and I have a lot of ideas for the rest of the series which I believe shall be titled ‘There and Back Again’.

For exclusive behind the scenes pictures and to see work in progress follow my Instagram – @JGloverArt

I post pictures to Instagram that don’t get posted anywhere else; as well as making use of the story feature to share short video clips and pictures that after 24 hours are gone for ever!

The first piece from this series ‘The Road Goes Ever On’ – Limited Edition Giclee Prints are available to purchase from my Etsy Shop, just click the image above to be directed there!

Subscribe/follow my blog to stay updated with my future posts and join me on this adventure; There and Back Again!

Until next time, farewell!

JGlover