Another week of marvelous Monochrome Madness 46 with Leanne Cole and Laura Macky
I haven’t been venturing out as much this time of year, and so looking through some old books I remembered the brilliant and bizarre, creepy and Gothic world of Mervyn Peake and his Gormenghast chronicles and illustrations.
“Each day I live in a glass room unless I break it with the thrusting of my senses and pass through the splintered walls to the great landscape.”
–Just one of many marvelous quotes from Mervyn Peake
It’s probably the mist and rain we have been experiencing on the island this time of year that causes melancholia to slither down the twisting staircase in time for afternoon tea and a seance.
creepy grounds
creepy bird
creepy stairs
creepy mansion
creepy castle with warp
and here is the coloured version of the windows of an old mansion. Does anyone recognize it?
the runes of the gatekeeper's daughter- dedicated to Nick 
There is some phenomenal photography here!!! Wonderful tonal ranges!
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I am overwhelmed – very grateful for your generous comments!
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As you know, dear Cybele, I’ve reduced my presence at he keyboard immensely due to reasons… well, life! So, I’m enjoying your posts and photos. Anything Gothic has my immediate attention and, as always, you’ve managed to prompt a (good) turmoil of research online! 😀
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Thank you Lizzie ! I love gothic too of course. And no worries, I appreciate you came by, and life comes first!!
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Love these Cybele! 🙂
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thanks Kev!!!
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You gave me goosebumps when you wrote of melancholia slithering down the staircase! Great atmospheric writing and photos Cybele.
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What a wonderful compliment!! ( Brrrhahaha) Thanks so much Andrea. Your comment is much appreciated!
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beautiful, dark and moody 🙂
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thank you Joshi!!!
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The black and white images are haunting, almost like when it is a foggy Halloween evening! I have yet to read Mervyn Peake’s novels.
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Oh they are dark but brilliant. Thanks so much Christy!!
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Love them. The castle’s my favourite but I could quite see Dr Frankenstein coming down that staircase.
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thanks so much Six! yes and Igor close behind lol!!
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The light outside at the moment although 0745 is very much the same … a Gormenghastlian morning I shall call it from now on 🙂
You caught a *mood perfectly Cybele … mystery and unexpected visions around each corner and onward up the stairs …..
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Thank you so much Poppy!! I appreciate your comment!
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They all look so good.
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thank you Maria!!
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These are great, Cybele. I really like your gate of two roads. You call the others “creepy”, I lean more towards intriguing! But maybe I’m just being creepy! 😆
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creepy can be intriguing. I like your description better!! Ty!!
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Cybele Dear ! What shall I start praising first ? !!!!!!
Entranced by Peake’s quote which predisposed me and then mesmerised by the magnificent mono photos.Real masterpieces,loved all of them,but the dazzling light over the gate of two roads magnetised me … I also found the “creepy castle with warp” very interesting;it reminded me of some of England’s ” Listed Buildings ” 🙂
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Thanks so much for your comments Doda- It actually is a castle in Scotland!!!
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Oh yes….very Gormenghastian….with a bit of Victorian Gothic horror thrown in for good measure.
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Glad it came across!! I am very goth!! 🙂 thanks for commenting Mark!!
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Like these pictures very much!
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thank you Arret!!!
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So beautifully done! Dramatic, indeed! 🙂
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thanks so much Amy. I love a little drama!!!
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Ab-so-lutely STUNNING Cybele! These are the kinds of images I would love to produce, but haven’t yet got the processing skills. Right up my Gothic street! I especially love the gate of two roads….
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I’m thrilled by your comment. I’m sure you can do it!! Goth rules!! Thank you Sue!!
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Glad you liked my comment! I must get trying some more monochrome experiments….. 😀
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You are so great to create shadows and lights!
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Thank you so much pike!!
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I don’t go out much this time of the year either…
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SAD for me!!! I have to fight it.
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Or wrap up VERY tight in warm clothes…
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Rain gear mainly here!! I’d love a bit of snow!
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I loved reading Gormenghast, many years ago. Your dark gothic images really bring the book alive!
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thanks so much Katie!!! Mervyn Peake was quite brilliantly dark!! I love his writing.
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really beautiful photos.
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thank you Sedge!! Glad you like them!
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Beautiful and mysterious.
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thanks so much Kaz!!
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I consumed the Gormenghast books many years ago. I really like the way you have used Peake’s descriptions as creative fuel for your photographic processing. Brilliant work. 🙂
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a kindred gothic soul!! Thanks so much Suzanne!!
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Ooooh… they are very moody dramatic images! I like them a lot!
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I’m glad you like them Ali!! Thanks!!
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You are gifted with such a wonderful mind & talent ….I enjoy all your offerings. Mervyn Peake!!! An all-time favourite! The mansion? One photo looks like Hatley Castle…What is the correct answer?
Hope you are very well….
xo DG
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awww, so many thanks DG!! It is Muckross House in Ireland!! But it looks like Hatley!!
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Beautiful chiascuro lighting on the gate of two roads.
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oh I love that word chiascuro!! Thank you Deborah!!!
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Oh gosh, it’s been ages since I read Gormenghast! You’ve illustrated it perfectly 🙂
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Many thanks for a lovely comment Sarah!!
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