Curious Gaze

This portrait was inspired by Scottish Selkie folklore. I originally painted it for #Mermay 2021
The custom frame I chose reminds me of Atlantian columns made of seashells.. 🐚💦

I tried to capture the curious, wild spirit of a brief encounter before she disappeared again. It was also inspired by the song "The Old Ways" by Loreena McKennitt. The light reflection and water bubbles were especially fun to paint.

“Selkies are mythological creatures that can shapeshift between seal and human forms by removing or putting on their seal skin. They feature prominently in the oral traditions and mythology of various cultures, especially those of Celtic and Norse origin. The term “selkie” derives from the Scots word for “seal”, and is also spelled as silkies, sylkies, or selchies. Selkies are sometimes referred to as selkie folk (Scots: selkie fowk), meaning 'seal folk'.[a] Selkies are mainly associated with the Northern Isles of Scotland, where they are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land.” Wiki