The Secret of Roan Inish

I was thinking of interesting stories or folktales that haven't been illustrated too often, and I remembered seeing "The Secret of Roan Inish". I researched the folklore behind the story and started sketching some ideas. The story revolves around creatures called 'selkies', which are seals that have the ability to transform into humans. According to the legend, Selkie parents put their children into cradles built for the sea and tie them to rocks on the shore. These children were known to have webbed hands. Other selkies in the sea protected the infants while their cradles bobbed around in the ocean. More illustrations of this folklore to come. :)

listen to them play!

I wanted this painting to be dream-like with unusual and unfamiliar characters. I also wanted it to have a sort of Greek celebration feel. More pieces like this to come!

mokele-mbembe!

This is an illustration I recently painted. One day I was researching cryptozoology, when I came upon an interesting legend. Many natives of central Africa have claimed to have witnessed sightings of a sauropod (long-necks!) dinosaur that is still alive! The prehistoric creature supposedly still roams in the Congo River basin's swamps and lakes. They named it "mokele-mbembe", meaning "one who stops the flow of rivers." This painting is what I envisioned when reading about the legend. Enjoy!