Book Description

Borne on the Wind is the compelling autobiography of English artist Mary Fairburn. This second edition features an additional eight colour plates (illustrations seen by JRR Tolkien); a selection of Mary's The Lord of the Rings suite, from a private collection in the UK. Mary has led an extraordinary life: from camping with lions in the Serengeti to volunteering at Mother Teresa's 'Home for the destitute and dying' in Kolkata, which she relates in a humorous, thoughtful and engaging way.Although marked by the disruptions of war, Mary Fairburn's early life was a magical time, immersed in art, friendships and the landscape of southern England. She was inspired creatively and spiritually by myth and story, particularly by the English fantasy tradition of C.S Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, which eventually led her to illustrate The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien himself was very impressed by Mary's work: 'I think the samples you sent me are splendid. They are better pictures in themselves and also show far more attention to the text than any that have yet been submitted to me.' (Letter from J.R.R. Tolkien to Mary Fairburn, 24th May, 1968.) An exchange of letters ensued (between Mary Fairburn and J.R.R. Tolkien) but unfortunately - due to a series of misadventures - they were not published until 2014, in Tolkien: The Official Calendar 2015 by Harper Collins.Borne on the Wind features descriptions of Mary's many and varied occupations, which serve as an historical snapshot from the perspective of an independent, creative woman. These include: teaching at the Forest Gate Franciscan Friary in East London and at the school at MiLS (Masjid-i-Suleiman) in Iran; painting egg tempera frescoes for a wealthy Baron in Italy; and volunteering at one of the infamous Sister Gemma's hostels for London's down-and-outs.'Mary's life story is a lived lesson in art, literature, history, geography and spirituality, brought to life for the reader by her strong feelings about everything, and astonishing retention of detail.' (Paul Tankard, 2020)