Mermaids and Creating Art

Legends, Myths, Mermaids, Water Babies

Lengends of mermaids
A myth? On no.

The little painting is part of a series. It can be purchased through Art.com or Amazon right now. I will soon be posting her on Art Wanted as well until I set up my own site and that is totally mine.

"She Could Almost Touch Them"
18x24 oil on canvas
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Free E-cards Ask Alana

"Mermaid Baby" 18x24 oil on canvas "Mermaid Baby Series"

I am so excited!

kathysart.com now offers FREE E-CARDS

"Mermaid Baby"; "African Series"; "In Search of Klimt"; "Hawaiian Legacy" are available now on my website:

http://www.kathysart.com/

It is very cool! Through my dear friends at "Ask Alana" you can send out images of my artwork with your own message. There is a fun list of music to go along with your E-card too!

I just LOVE it!


Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
Free Gifts:
http://www.kathysart.com/

Some of the images available for E-Cards on my website

http://www.kathysart.com/


"Testing the Climate" 48x36 oil, gold leaf on canvas "In Search of Klimt Series"


"Wedding Song" 18x24 oil on canvas "Hawaiian Legacy Series"


"Euphoria" 48x36 oil on canvas "African Series"

How wonderful!

Have a happy day, Kathy

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My Favorite Mermaid

My Favorite Mermaid
By Vincent Carlucci

It is dangerous for me to talk of my favorite mermaid because like anyone else I have a continual changeover in favorites. In any case, my favorite mermaid is Mami Wata. She is a fertility goddess from Africa and her cult is still very popular there. Mami Wata is a corruption of the English words Water Mother. It is a reference to her status as the goddess of the waters and the mother of life on earth.

Mami Wata is described as fair skinned with long straight black hair. Many people believe that her appearance is European because of the influence of mermaid pictures from Europe. This is only partly true. In Africa white is the color associated with spirituality and particularly with Mami Wata as we will see in a moment. Otherwise, Mami Wata is called the "more than beautiful woman" because her beauty is more than human -- it is supernatural. She is also said to be incredibly wealthy. She is usually depicted in one of two forms: as a human woman dressed in the height of fashion or as a naked mermaid.

You can see in Mami Wata the influence of other mermaids. As I have already said, her image was influenced by European mermaid pictures. I have read that originally Mami Wata may have been a snake goddess, in form half human and half snake. This is not impossible -- quite the opposite there are many examples of this happening. Iara, the mermaid from Brazil, the Rusalka of Russia and at least some of the Celtic mermaids. The mermaid image must be an extremely powerful one since it seems to have influenced so many cultures.

Aphrodite and Venus are close cousins of Mami Wata. Each is the most beautiful goddess in her pantheon. They have many lovers. The are known for being cruel and kind, capricious and vengeful. They are associated with fertility, sex, creation, water, doves, mirrors, combs and death.

Mami Wata is not identical with these goddesses, of course. She is much more directly involved with her followers. She appears frequently in visions, or in the flesh. She often takes human form to punish men with venereal disease or impotency. She has many human lovers that she rewards with wealth and prosperity providing that they remain absolutely faithful to her. Sometimes she will abduct people, taking them to her watery realm. When they return their clothes are dry and they have a remote, other-worldly attitude.

Colors are important in African mythology and Mami Wata's colors are red and white. These colors highlight the contradictions in Mami Wata's nature. Red is the color of blood associated with violence and destruction, male attributes. It also symbolizes flesh. White in Africa is often used to mean clear, transparent. It is associated with spirituality, passivity and femininity.

Mami Wata is always some mixture of red and white. She is very red when she takes human form. She is incarnated which literally means "in the flesh." Whiter she is a beautifully dressed woman, her form only hinting at something more than the physical. Whiter still she is the mermaid, beyond the need for clothing and edging into the inhuman. At the far extreme she is white or clear, like pure water, invisible in her unknowable spiritual dimension.

I have some folk tales about Mami Wata on my site, you can read them by clicking Mami Wata folk tales. I also have other myths and folk tales about mermaids, sea goddesses and water nymphs, as well as some of the best and most original mermaid art on the net. The main page for my site is Beautiful Mermaid Art.

Be sure to check out Vincent's Website at:http://www.beautiful-mermaid-art.com

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Artwork In a Butterfly Garden | Map Fairy Tale Adventures of Tiny Angels

Artwork In a Butterfly Garden | Map Fairy Tale Adventures of Tiny Angels

I will draw the wind
the sea
the dream.
I will draw
art work in butterfly garden
and pictures of cats and dogs.
I find my treasures hidden
but kept safe by tiny angels.
I map faery tale adventures
Tiny angels
guard a world unknown to me
as yet.
I will not consider impossible.
I will take out my pen and draw
whimsical musicians artwork
whimsical angel pictures
enchanted fairies.
I will find my muse
contemplate its rhythm
stroke its complexities
stamp out reservations...
they hold no place here!
I will collect whimsical angels
innocent angel they be
and introduce them to enchanted faries
I will make drawing of the phoenix bird
legends of mermaids will attest to their flight.
I am a fantasy art warrior woman
no dragon can block my pathway.
Enchanted arms walkthrough
I will always stay amused.
Elves in folklore and myths abound
I hear the one winged angel calling.
Never limit the undefined
never accept limits at all.
Offer free poems
set them on the doorstep
of any given traveler.
How to draw flames
how to draw winter
how to bring the fairies home again.
I steady my Viking ship
and produce coloring pages
for children and their mothers.
Pixies fairies
elves
colouring pictures
whimsical musicians artwork
never ending pleasure.

Ahh yes!
I map faery tale adventures
and keep them safely inside my pocket.

Angels Design

http://www.angelsdesign.net
Angels Design

This is a fantastic website that uses artists images to create free sets. Hopefully she will soon do one of the "Mermaid Baby"! So far she has done them using my "Victorian Series"

Patti's Words:

I love creating web page sets to be used on personal web sites. Nothing that I create may be used in any commercial manner.

These are the wonderful artist & photographers giving Angels Design
permission to use their work in my creations.
Please visit their website to enjoy all their art pieces.
Most artist have a link where you can purchase their artwork right on line.

Artists:

Alan Giana
Abranda Icle Sisson
Bettye Williams
Danny Hahlbohm
Erin Dertner
Glory Hamilton (Glory's website is closed)
Janet Kruskamp
John O'Brien
Jonathon Bowser

Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Lewis Barrett Lehrman
Mikki Senkarik
Nicole Jahan
Penny Parker
Randy Souders
Sally Holt
Scarlett Chou
SOTL
Tom Sierak
Photography

Annie Reb
Beverley Lu Latter
Big Stock Photo
Don Paulson
Image cafe
Lady Oz
Marianne Venegoni
PD Photo
Stock Xcnng

Baby Handprint Poem

Baby Handprint Poem

I listened for your breath
held my head close to yours
as you lie sleeping
Soothing sounds
as my whimsical angel dreams.

I will tell you stories of
butterfly gardens
puppies and kittens
legends of mermaids
fantasy faires
and affirmations of love.

An image
of your tiny baby handprint
I will keep inside a book
dear and sweet memories
held close to my heart.

I smell the sweetness of you
the softness of your skin.
Sweet miracle and blessing
to my life.
Mommy loves you
treasures your handprint
I hold your little hand
show you the way
as rainbows sing your song.

My dear and treasured angel
just beginning your life
I will watch you on your way
your little footprints
deciding your path
I will catch you before you fall.

Oh my tiny angel
I will gather moonbeams for you
give you everything a baby needs
and as you grow older
I will encourage you
to be steady your feet.


10 December 2006
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen


Growing up my parents had a pair of bronze shoes. Yes, these were my baby shoes. I LOVED those baby shoes of course.

A box years later was unpacked by my mother holding yet another pair of my baby shoes.
"Wow' I thought, "They must have really love me!"

One day when I was about 16 we visited my Grandmother. She came out of her bedroom with yet another pair of bronzed baby shoes.
"Here" she said to me, "I believe these are your bronzed baby shoes".

I look puzzled and I guess a bit upset. How many baby shoes could one baby wear?

The truth had to come out!

Turns out my parents tried their hand at bronzing baby shoes, wanting to start a little cottage industry. NONE of the baby shoes were mine. WAAA!

"She Could Almost Touch Them"

"She Could Almost Touch Them"

This is a drawing I did with the intention of painting it. And...I did! I changed it some. One thing I did was add a little Monk Seal off into the distance. I am still looking at this painting for a bit more. I often do that to see what should be changed or enhanced, if anything. I will post the little darling soon.

Blessings!

My site is very different now... and I have FREE gifts just for signing up for my mailing list. A wonderful letter from the toothfairy for one. Go sign up and get your FREE GIFTS!! www.kathysart.com

Kisses!

Mermaid Babies New Friend

There is a NEW Mermaid Baby painting that I will post soon. In the meantime check out my message below:


Fantasy Art Woman | Beautiful Women Goddess Art |kathysart.com

Coming Soon! Sign up on my comments and receive a free gift!

Be sure to signup for my mailing list I will from time to time offer free magical gifts. I'll also have a bit of fairy advise on mermaid, goddess, whimsical angel pictures, and other fantasy delights, gifts and ideas! Or sign up just to say, "Hi!"

Sign up 'this month' on my mailing list and receive a free printable letter from the tooth fairy. Ahhh yes, I know this tooth fairy well, her name is Dallyanna. She is most eloquent with lavender bows and ribbons attached to tiny pink satin roses on a whimsical sky blue chiffon dress. Her hair is held fast by a wreath of stephanotis and lobelia blossoms found from trees on African mountains where she is often seen traveling. She fills the air with laughter and always makes me happy. Soft fairy dust meets her pathway as mist wherever she flies as one might suspect. Once in awhile she flutters by just to say hello and offer a bit of conversation or to share her love of poetry. We sit at a round glass table topped with a white linen tablecloth and dine on green tea and crumpets. I always have special jams and jellies on hand to impress my dear guest of magic. Dallyanna often advises me on what gifts my friends, like you, might enjoy. We have a splendid time together as she shares legends of mermaids and her adventures of gifting children in exchange for their treasured tiny teeth.

My other gift to you this month is a "legends of mermaids" drawing. You can print it out for cards; transfer it to shrink art and use as a magnet or sun catcher; use it as a coloring page or reduce the size for clip art or stationary accent, just to name a few ideas.

PLEASE NOTE: My gifts to you are available for free use ONLY for non-profit, personal use only, and not to be distributed in any way or form. -Kathy

Future free gifts:

December:
Christmas drawings and a lovely whimsical angel picture

January:
free fairy coloring pages

February:
Valentine Day Images and ideas

March:
fantasy fairy paper dolls

April:
mood magnets (patterns for shrink art)

May:
legends of mermaids drawing

"Monkdogz Urban Art"

I just completed a new Mermaid Baby painting. I will be posting her soon!

News:


I have a show in New York

Monkdogz Urban Art
547 West 27th Street
Chelsea, New York

http://www.monkdogz.com

May 18 - June 10

If you would like me to send you an invitation please contact me via email through my website http://www.kathysart.com

subject: Monkdogz Urban Art

Yay!

"Discovery" detail

detail

Such sweet secrets and moments of sharing.

"Discovery"

"Discovery" 24x18 graphite on paper

The "Mermaid Baby" is so tickeled by what the older mermaid holds in her hand. She is discovering new things every day.

"She Could Almost Touch Them" detail

detail of the graphite posted November 20, yesterday.

She has such dear little hands... no?

"She Could Almost Touch Them"

"She Could Almost Touch Them" 24x18 graphite on paper

Such a dear,sweet little baby with splendid curiosity and wonder.

"The Mermaid Baby"

This is the "Mermaid Baby"

This painting of her is an oil on a 24x18 canvas.

She is a real mermaid. You will usually find her with her best friend,

a Monk Seal. If you see her, please tell her I said, "Hello".