The inspiration for this piece was of the great Sea Nymphs of Greek Mythology. They are known as the 'Hiliai' and are as far as I know the only 'Naiads' {Nymphs of Water} to be found in the seas. Unlike their later Mythological kin the Mermaids- The Hiliai travels the Seven Seas on mounted horseback... that is half true atleast. The Horse in this case is the Great 'HippoKompoi' a fantastical Beast of Greek Mythos bestowed to the Hiliai at Birth by the Feared Posiedon.
Making the piece took me many places and I enjoyed working with the gouache with a passion to push the medium- often laying on think paint and scrubbing it away until what remained seemed to be the mixed and crisp oldest layers with it from the beginning. A sky and moon/sun that could be construed to the subjective times of day or night. For what is the morning or the evening... to the immortal eye?
Nymphs are thought of as 'Minor Goddesses' in the Lore and I was moved by the vision of this powerful woman free to roam the vast Ocean with a loyal steed such as this grand creature. I mused upon their battle-tested, rollicking friendship, protecting the seas together and what it must be through years and centuries of triumphs and heartbreaks with one another. It is also for me, a celebration of that momentous connection we feel with animals and the wonders of life like shared play and enjoying the simple things...

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 5.57 oz/y² (189 g/m²)
• Giclée printing quality
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%