Selkie's Song

Selkie's Song
11"x8
Acrylic
This piece originated with Cinnamon Clooney, The Art Sherpa.  She has what she calls an art quest and does a different theme each year.   For this year it was mermaid, fairies, etc. and she licensed the most beautiful reference pieces.  I always learn something when I watch her videos, even though I don't always like the style she ends up with.  She basically expands my mind's ideas.

Since I try hard any more not to copy, although I have learned much through the years doing just that, my Selkie's story deviated from Cinnamons.  First Selkie folk is Scottish lore, their version of a seal that can shape change into human form.  If you have the seal hide the person is indebted to you, until they find their seal skin and then most leave hearth and home and head back to sea.  Some say they are mermaids, sirens, mermen or mermen, meows, etc.

I decided to put my selkie into the night, on a cliff, high above the sea, but still she hears the call while she sings her song into the night.  What really caught my eye on this was the dress.  I just loved the flowing fabric.

Hope you can hear her song and thanks much for stopping by.


Comments

Helen said…
Love the mood you've created. The flow of the dress is fabulous!
September 8, 2018 at 3:05 PM
Sheila said…
The fabric is perfect Nelvia. This piece is perfect. I absolutely love how you have made it feel as if the stars are all around her. I see them in 3D. Howdid you do that? I keep looking again to see if I can figure it out. ;)
September 9, 2018 at 4:21 AM
hmuxo said…
I love the color and looseness of the piece!!!!
September 9, 2018 at 7:39 AM
Nelvia said…
Thank Helen, the dress is what made me want to paint this piece. The original was done in beiges but I really like the blues. I kind of stepped it up with the turquoise. I think that always looks great again black and dark blues.
September 9, 2018 at 9:28 AM
Nelvia said…
I really loved the flow of the dress. I like doing draping of fabric, and this really called out to me. I did the stars differently than I have in my galaxy paintings. I took, using transparent white and blender with a little blue and put in a layer. Then came back with just a small point and put in some brighter white and then another layer of the transparent white/blue. So rather than splattered these stars were all handmade.
September 9, 2018 at 9:30 AM
Nelvia said…
I am glad to say it is getting easier to do loose. Might now be hard to go back and do really detailed paintings again. I will have to try a face soon to see if I lost that in my quest to be loose.
September 9, 2018 at 9:31 AM
Mellowood Gallery said…
This is absolutely fabulous! I love everything about it Nelvia - PERFECT!
September 9, 2018 at 5:26 PM
carol edan said…
Love the mood you have created here!
September 10, 2018 at 12:56 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Magnolia Blossom acrylic portrait magnolia flowers

Image
Magnolia Blossoms Acrylic 11"x14" “Talent is a pursued interest. Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.”   - Bob Ross I thought this was a wonderful quote.  I don't know if it has happened to you, but people say, oh you are so talented.  Not true, couldn't be farther from the truth, although I am sure there are many artists who do possess that something extra, something special.  But for the most part for the rest of us, it is just a matter of studying,  learning your  tools and materials, practicing, and then start to trust your inner self.  I am on a journey to try to find my voice.  Not that I am a late bloomer, but I should have already found it, yes?  I guess what I am really looking for is the way I wish and want to paint.   Not necessarily how I have been doing it. I am pleased with this piece.  Many thanks to Sanne who put this wonderful reference piece up at PMP.  Personally I think Magno...
Read more

DAY 19 Noise

Image
Noise I have noticed, now that we live out of the hard core suburbia, how much we get quiet.  I mean actual quiet, no kids, no dogs, not cars, not motorcycles, no sirens, etc. etc.  How many waves, noise carrying waves, go through our bodies every day.   Phone, radio, tv, fiber optics, microwave, etc. etc.   Can that really be good for us? Anyway, I never know what I am going to get and this was a pretty quick one since I had a big time work day, for me.   But I got some really clean windows - am really ready for Fall, wish the temperature could understand how ready I really am for Fall!!. Thanks much for stopping by.
Read more

Nicolae's GF Laughing Giraffe mixed media portrait

Image
Nicolae's Giraffe Over the years we have decided the places we like to visit and have gone back multiple times.   In this day and age I think it is uncommon that in a hotel environment the workers would have been there 10-35 years.  So friendships develop.   Each of the people we have encountered have made our stays extra special in a variety of ways.   One of the ladies that works the check in desk had a baby last year.   Since we were unable to go in November we just saw her when we were in DC.   He is now 14 months, and in love with giraffes.  She has a yellow and gray nursery decor and I wanted to do a giraffe.   Wasn't sure if it should be the "kiddie" kind, but thought he might outgrow it.   So I decided to do one semi realistic so that he wouldn't outgrow it right away.  Aren't they just the strangest looking animal? I always wish I would keep my mouth shut, because it does worry me when I say I will paint something - it ...
Read more