Lately I have been working on some watercolor paintings on paper exploring chimera beings. Or in my head I call them Chimera Beings. They are half human and half animal beings. Creatures of the in between. I have so long loved the story of the Selkie and throughout the years have made selkie paintings or selkie inspired pieces. I have dreams of sea lions, of swimming with them in the dark ocean and even being one. It’s very strange. But I love those dreams. I had those dreams even before I knew of the selkie folklore. Although I wonder if the folktale was hidden in my brain. I loved reading fairytales and folktales when I was little.
The story is that the selkie woman will take off her sea lion skin to become human. There’s more to the story that has a cautionary tale and also speaks to a woman being pulled by her duties as mother and wife and her true identity. My selkie here is not quite either yet. She is between her two worlds.
Anyway, I was invited to be part of a show in a Baltimore gallery this fall that is called Nocturne. I was sent this exhibition statement: This exhibit will explore the allure of that haunting and hypnotic hush between darkness and dawn. A realm where shadows deepen in moonlit landscapes with nocturnal flora and fauna. A world where dreams and nightmares, unsettling visions and urban melancholy meet. Multiple mediums and disciplines will embrace the dark moods of night: where silence feels sacred, elegance seems eerie, and mystery found in the macabre. Come celebrate art on the dark side; an edgier midnight world with works whispering quietly from the shadows or silently screaming with the unease of insomnia; where images linger long after the lights go out.
…and I thought ooh, maybe I can show my chimera beings. My two bird beings will be in it, and possibly this one. I’m not sure yet. Come to think of it, I keep all the selkie and sea lion artwork I’ve made over the years to myself. I’ve never shown them outside my home!
Interesting…I guess some of my creations needed to stay personal and close. They are different from my norm. I really love working on these mythical creatures in watercolor on paper though. I made a fox woman several years ago. I should revisit that.