Mermaid of the Moment: Ocean Nymphs by Stephen Reid

"There dwelt the red-haired ocean-nymphs" by Stephen Reid, 1910.

Stephen Reid was a Scottish illustrator and painter (1873-1948) who specialized in Georgian settings and costume pieces. Born in Aberdeen, he was educated at Gray's School of Art and the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. He was elected to the Royal Society of British Artists at the age of 33.

This illustration was created for a collection of Irish myths and sagas titled The High Deeds of Finn and other Bardic Romances of Ancient Ireland by T.W. Rolleston, published in 1910.

Here's the scene as described for this illustration:

At last Brian fashioned for himself by magic art a water-dress, with a helmet of crystal, and into the depths of the sea he plunged. Here, the story tells, he searched hither and thither for a fortnight, till at last he found that island, which was an island indeed with the sea over it and around it and beneath it. There dwelt the red-haired ocean-nymphs in glittering palaces among the sea-flowers, and they wrought fair embroidery with gold and jewels, and sang, as they wrought, a fairy music like the chiming of silver bells.

The entire text of The High Deeds of Finn can be found on Project Gutenberg. This excerpt comes from Chapter 2 of the Bardic Romances. 

Salem's So Sweet: Ice Mermaid

Every year for the past several years Salem Main Streets has organized a special festival called Salem's So Sweet in February to celebrate chocolate, love and local commerce. In my opinion the best part of the festival is the artfully crafted ice sculptures placed around town sponsored by local businesses.

Of the 19 sculptures from this year's festival, my favorite is this fantastic mermaid ice sculpture gracing the entrance of The Adriatic Restaurant.

 

The Salem's So Sweet festival continues until February 15th.

The Little Mermaid at the San Francisco Ballet

In 2011, PBS's Great Performances featured the San Francisco Ballet's production of The Little Mermaid.

The ballet was choreographed by John Neumeier and the music composed by Lera Auerbach. (A complete cast list and production credits can be found on Odette's Ordeal.)

The little mermaid swims while being suspended in air by the strong arms of fellow dancers, and by flipping her silky blue fins behind her. Hans Christian Andersen also plays a role in this telling. He dances the little mermaid to life with his words and movement.

Here are a few images from the ballet:

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid, San Francisco Ballet

The Little Mermaid by the San Francisco Ballet is a hauntingly beautiful adaptation of Andersen's fairy tale. It was commissioned for the 200th anniversary of the famous storyteller's birth and had its world premiere on April 15, 2005 at the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen, Denmark.

If you have the time, be sure to watch some or all of this mesmerizing production, available for streaming on PBS. org.

Mermaid of the Moment: The Illustrated Man and La Sirena by George Courage

Earlier this year my husband George designed a mugboard (the photo thingy with the faces cut out) for a musical theatre production of ICARUS, produced by Liars & Believers in residence at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA.

The story was a retelling of the ancient myth set in a Depression-era freak show carnival. (George also designed several banners that were used in the production, getting him a mention in the NY Times, which you can read about Here)

Since George loves mermaids he decided to go with a sailor and mermaid illustration.

Below are his concept drawings and progression throughout the process, from sketchy doodles and reference, to the finished mugboard in use.

Mermaid of the Moment: 2015 Calendar by Abigail Halpin

 

Today's Mermaid of the Moment is another lovely illustration from Abigail Halpin featuring a 2015 calendar she created for  a tea towel design contest on Spoonflower. There will be prints available for purchase on her Etsy shop soon.

Mermaid of the Moment: Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

On a recent trip to Gloucester I stopped by the Cape Ann Museum. In their outdoor courtyard I was drawn to this remarkable piece: a bronze bench adorned with various sea creatures, two mermen, dolphins, coral and a lovely female face in the centerpiece.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

The bench was created by sculptor Shelly Bradbury in 2008. It is on loan at the Cape Ann Museum from the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

Here are the two mermen and some other details. Mermen are an uncommon design element, but their strong shoulders seem fitting to hold up the bench's net-like seat.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

Sea Bench by Shelly Bradbury, Bronze, 2008.

 

If you're heading to Gloucester, MA or the Cape Ann Museum, be sure to take a moment to enjoy this beautiful and functional sculpture.

Mermaid of the Moment: The Ipswich Mermaid by George Courage

The Ipswich Mermaid, George Courage, Acrylic on canvas 8"x10".

My husband George Courage painted this mermaid portrait.

The image of a mermaid in a wheelchair is one that's been with him since he was young, growing up in Ipswich, MA. When he was in high school, the drama club produced the play Miranda by Peter Blackmore. (Miranda was made into a film in 1948 starring Glynnis Johns, one of my favorite mermaid films.) The titular mermaid was transported in a wheelchair for the better part of the play and inspired the image. Although the play was set in the 1940's, George loved the idea of a mermaid wearing a Victorian-style dress, and that's how he sketched her as a college student.

This recent version also features a lighthouse in the background. The model for this lighthouse once stood on Crane's Beach in Ipswich. It was moved to Cape Cod in the 1930's and though George never saw it in person, he grew up going to Crane's and heard stories about the lighthouse that used to reside there.

"The Ipswich Mermaid" is currently on display in Salem, MA (along with several other illustration works by George) at the Salem Theatre at 90 Lafayette Street. His work will be on display through December 2014.