Between Earth And Water. Selkie

I very rarely have pieces of work that don't want to be finished. But a canvas I began over a year ago has been one such painting. Several times I've settled down with paint brush to it, but something didn't feel right.? Something nagged me that it wasn't ready to be completed. It wasn't yet it's time? Can a painting have a time? Anyway, so back it went into my big tin chest out of the way and pushed to the dusty corners of my mind, while I carried on with other projects and ideas.
That was until last week when I placed it on the easel again.  This time the cogs of creativity creaked and turned, quite slowly mind, it still being January and me still with my hibernation tendencies. ;)  Eventually it began to turn into a glimpse of a story.  This is how it looked  way back in 2009. Yes 2009! I can't believe it's been that long!?... take a look, it's at the end of the post....  here
And here it is now. Somewhat changed, but I think it works?

                                                              'Between Earth And Water' 
                                                                          Selkie                                                         

A selkie ( as most of you probably know) is a seal that can shed it's skin to become human. It is believed that the legend began on the Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland where selch or sel(kie) is the scots word for seal. ( from old English seolh )

I'm not sure why this painting suddenly took on the selkie theme? Selkies, Kelpies and Mermaids have been swimming around in a sea themed room in my mind for a long time now though, so they will make an appearance from time to time, in fact I'm already thinking about the Kelpie for a painting. :)
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The painting is now available to buy as a print in my shop here

A few years  ago I had a video cassette of a beautiful film about Selkies. You may have seen it? The Secret of Roan Innish. if you haven't it's well worth looking out for. Sadly my video wore out. One day I will get hold of the dvd and enjoy owning it again.

Here is the trailer....



There is also another film which is on a similar theme that I must confess to not having seen yet. But one that will be definitely on my list to watch this year.
Ondine.