Mermaid Art Doll

This past month, I participated in a great event here in Boise, ID put on by a local painter and friend, Rachel Teannalach. Every month (at the New Moon), she holds an even in her private backyard studio to display her most recent work, and she invites one or two other artists to share the space and do the same. She calls it the New Moon Salon. For September she included another wonderful painter, Pat Kilby, and me.

It was a wonderful event on a beautiful evening, with a terrific chamber music group playing music, and lots of friends attending, and great food and drinks in the warm September air. I enjoyed myself immensely, and I was glad to have a quick and simple, one evening event to share my latest works with friends, new and old.

In my preparation for the event, I decided to make one brand new piece to premiere. I made a mermaid art doll. 

I teased on my Facebook page with this photo immediately after finishing painting the tail.

You might recognize the technique from my MK Nature Center painted fish. I was excited to have an excuse to return to fish-making. I was thrilled by how her tail turned out. I went on to design her hair, basing it a bit on Mucha paintings. I wanted it to look flowing, as if under water.

I also knew she needed to wear a seashell crown, sea shell bra, and pearls. For a bit of mystery, I also envisioned her wearing a silver key. I put it on a pearl bracelet with a silver star fish. I wonder what her key opens?

 

I'm looking forward to making more mermaids. Keep your eye out for the next one!