A TRIPTYCH: Mermaids saving musicians after a shipwreck. From left to right each panel shows an evolution in their gestures and the manner in which the mythical friends pull them out to safety. By the third, there is the lightest of touches. The female violinist appears blissful, savoring breathing underwater. 

The title of the painting suggests they are not saved, in the dramatic sense, rather gently and gracefully brought to their destination intact, perhaps even reinvigorated. 

Music is used here as a metaphor for creativity and the human spirit in the midst of migration, dislocation, even exile.

The humans of the paintings have been described as “gradually taking on mermaid qualities” without losing their civilian clothing, or their ‘grip’ on their musical instruments, their source of creative expression.

In 2020, I began exploring through a series of paintings I called TROPICAL SHIPWRECK where mermaids rescued musical instruments and musicians from the depths of the sea. Mermaids as well as having extraordinary aptitude for singing and music are also the mythical creatures found in the stories, and therefore the seas of many cultures. Their mystery and place in our imagination was the perfect pairing with humans attuned to the beauty of music.

DELIVERY is the most recent addition to the series. The water of this sea is Mediterranean in nature, as are the musical instruments. As i previous versions, the musicians are miraculously breathing under water. The mermaids have  heard them playing underwater and in an instant, have come from far and wide.

A shipwreck is a dramatic event: drowning, struggle, drama and overwhelming emotions, that the sea is a primal representation of. The creative force in humans to survive and adapt into new versions of themselves was the path I chose to take.

Transmutation, love, celebration, renewal., hope, the unexpected. the miraculous! Disaster was not an option though there were signs in the first (far left) painting when the expressive bride and ominous skeletal fish first appeared.

Very quickly! the mermaids appeared holding up, pushing, lifting people to the surface of the sea. And with this, new ways emerged to envision a rescue from a shipwreck. We are left with no doubt (me included) that all will be delivered safely out of the depth of the sea.

The title of the artwork was provided by a pregnant mermaid from the central panel. ‘Delivery’ was the perfect title to emphasize that we are not witnessing the urgency of a ‘rescue’ but rather a delving deep into dimensions of the heart and psyche to birth wild creativity and new possibilities.

The expressiveness of the paint strokes balanced with the grace and beauty of the underwater figures sets the stage for seeing possibilities, fluidity and imagination, in the face of adversity.

The 3 paintings were painted and composed to be hung in a particular sequence however i have discovered that variations make for an equally meaningful arrangement. The panels can also be enjoyed hung individually.