Wednesday 23 February 2011

A deep blue breath

As I swam deeper and deeper among the coral I couldn't help but follow that beautiful music, as if a seashell orchestra was luring me in. Then as I rounded the old wreck and despite the oxygen tanks on my back, I found it suddenly impossible to draw breath. There before swam a shoal of mermaids, laughing and playing with the fishes and tangling an octopus' legs. They saw me and stopped and stared bemused. I finally gulped down some air but movement was impossible as fear kept my limbs from movement.


Mermaids are stories, fiction.... No one had ever really seen one.... or at least lived to tell the tale. What would be my fate?

As I floated in that deep palace of greens and blues, the beautiful creatures pulled at my tanks and played with my flippers but with no real strength or aggression. They were fascinated by the bubbles my spent breath leaked out into the ocean and chased them toward the surface before racing back down and pulling at my arms encouraging me to join in their games.

Their sweet smiles and gentle natures thawed my fear frozen limbs and I began to swim alongside them, joining in their games in the same way I had raced the dolphins the day before. They took me deeper, in and out of caves and crevices. We swam, span and swirled in the currents and laughed at the startled sea creatures that fled from our path.

Time lost all meaning and I did not notice my tanks empty; I just kept on swimming and diving and playing and splashing and swishing my tail and undulating my body like the waves above that had now become my home...

My entry for 'breathe' the Inspiration Avenue challenge this week - and also some of the work I've been doing for Tam's Mythical art class on Willowing.ning.

I'm kinda liking these sea creatures. Expect to see more...

While we are on the subject of 'breath'... Seven years ago today, my son took his first as he popped into the world full of love and wonder. Happy Birthday my little Munchkin! xxxx

24 comments:

  1. Super beautiful Lisa...I adore mermaids..gorgeous and enchanting beauties you have created!! yay!!

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  2. Lisa this is a lovely, atmostpheric piece of writing, and your mermaids are all so pretty! I like your approach to the challenge - I see the link!

    The first painting especially is amazing, those colours are so vibrant they sing!

    And a very Happy birthday to your little boy - 7 is such a fabulous age! Childhood passes so quickly, treasure every moment! x

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  3. Oh wow they are all gorgeous, so loving all the different layers and colours. Great story as well. Annette x

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  4. LOVE your mermaid story! And the mermaids? Soooo fabulous! I loved your mix-media techniques and the colors on all of them. Your Chagall styled one is very dreamy and beautiful too - great watery effects. I am crazy for mermaids and will stay tuned for more!!!

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  5. Love all your mermaids Lisa,theyre Beautiful. And of course i always love your stories!!

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  6. All three are lovely, Lisa, but I SO love that second one! =)

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  7. Oh your mermaids are magnificent ! Definitely continue on this trend !!!!
    Happy Birthday to your Son !
    Happy story telling, Mom !

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  8. Your mermaids are wonderful. I can see Tam's class has really benefited you. Gorgeous colors and a great story too.

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  9. You know I am in pure love not only with your art.. but the beautiful prose you added with it...
    Aaahh.. I do believe I am a mermaid!
    Smiles!
    Cricket @ gypseanurse

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  10. Your mermaids are so whimsical, and I loved your little story...happy birthday to your little guy - I hope he is spoiled with birthday cake and kisses x

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  11. Mermaids are all awesome! happy birthday to your little boy! :)

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  12. A new book with illustrations to boot! It would make a good one. Happy Birthday to your son!

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  13. Happiest of birthdays to you little one :) Love the mermaids - I need a trip to the sea myself. Thanks for taking me there.

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  14. love the Mermaids!

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  15. They're so beautiful, and their stories bring them to life.
    P.S. Happy Birthday to your little guy!! :)

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  16. I love all your sweet little mermaids and you story is wonderful.

    Hugs,
    Penny

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  17. oh these are gorgeous memaids I love the colours you have chosen! Happy birthday to your little man too! :0)

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  18. Love your work. Mermaids intrique me and I have a John Waterhouse print of a mermaid.

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  19. These are wonderful and perfect for the theme! I love the colors you've used- so rich and intense, and each of your mermaids is beautiful in her own way!

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  20. I adore your mermaid pictures and your colorful imagination. A colorful imagination makes you free to fly and breathe~* Happy birthday to your son! and thanks for adding your story to your mermaid pictures!

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  21. love the watery feel you've captured...

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  22. All so beautiful, Lisa...you have a way with those mermaids for sure. You have to publish a childrens book...put that on your list :)
    And
    I hope the little prince had a happy birthday.
    Xox

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  23. I realize I'm very late getting here this week, but I just had to stop by before I leave for my trip. I saw your gorgeous mermaid on the IA blog and it blew me away. What beautiful mermaids you have made, dear. I love them as much as the words.

    BTW, I hope your son had a great birthday.

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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