A Predatory World

For this year's Mermay 2019, I decided to do something a little different!

​“A Predatory World” is a collection about the clash between man and nature. During the golden age of exploration, mankind (particularly the colonial powers), sailed to distant shores in search of silver, wealth, and land. They conquered the world, laying waste to nature and indigenous populations in search of power. But what if nature fought back? Legends tell of the mysterious yet monstrous mermaids, creatures who were equally alluring and terrifying. They captivated and lured sailors to their terrible deaths, turning the hunters into the hunted.
I’ve always been fascinated by the trope of the monstrous woman, which has existed since antiquity and beyond. She is an abject creature often looked at as untouchable, and her very existence threatens the status quo and all that we know about the world. In mermaid lore, she is a woman who can not only defy men, but also control them. In the oceans, mankind is in her domain, and quickly learn that she is to be feared, and never subjugated. Smash ships, smash the patriarchy.

"The Sinking of the Mary Rose" (sold)
Acrylic on board, 3.25 x 3.25"

The Mary Rose was a fearsome pirate ship known far and wide in the Caribbean and Atlantic Coast. Lead by Captain Johnathan Graves, the ship one night met its untimely demise in a great explosion with no survivors. A nearby merchant boat first spotted the dreaded vessel in the distance, and feared for their lives. However, upon closer inspection, they saw a large fire had broken out on board. But the strangest thing of all was that prior to the explosion, the sailors looked completely calm, idling blissfully as their ship fell apart, almost as if they were in a trance…

"The Desolate Ruins of the Esmeralda" (sold)
Acrylic on board, 3.125x3.125"

The Spanish galleon Esmeralda, headed by the fearsome armada captain Francisco de la Cruz, mysteriously appeared in pieces near a beach on the island of La Tortuga after not being heard from for months. A diary was found washed up on shore among the wreckage, which belonged to first mate Bartolome Mendoza. In his final entry, he wrote, “I fear for our captain, as he has been acting in the strangest and most disagreeable manner. He has been on edge, and issuing extremely irrational orders such as demanding the crew stuff their ears with cotton, and to throw our much needed meat supply overboard. I try to reason with him, but every time he simply keeps muttering, 'don't listen...'"

"What Remains of the Rotterdam" (sold)
Acrylic on board, 3.25x3.25"

The Rotterdam was last en route to Curaçao on a supply mission for the Dutch East India Trading Company. Weeks after it had departed The Netherlands, one of its crewman was found washed ashore near a rural town in southwest England, disoriented and in desperate need of medical assistance. Once his injuries were treated, he lead authorities back to the site where his ship had crashed into rocks, killing everyone on board but him. His memory of what happened was sparse, but he could vaguely recall encountering very heavy fog while passing through the English Channel. The crew quickly grew disoriented and confused, especially when they started hearing strange singing off in the distance…

"The Golden Fleece in its Watery Grave" (sold)
Acrylic on board, 3.25x2.5"​

The Golden Fleece was an exploration vessel sailing under the crown on a discovery mission to the South Pacific when it mysteriously vanished. Centuries later, a research company discovers its remains on the bottom of the sea floor. Amongst the wreckage they find a sealed vault with its contents inside left in pristine condition. Inside they find the captain’s log, with one most unusual entry: “I fear that I may be losing my mind. I was on deck last night with Quartermaster Briggs, staring out at the abyss, when something curious caught my eye. Floating in the water was what appeared to be a creature that, strangely enough, resembled a woman. I couldn't see much, but what I remember most clearly was a pair of cold, unsettling eyes staring back at me. I called out to Briggs, but by the time he arrived by my side, the creature had disappeared." 
Upon further inspection of the wreck, human bones were also found, presumably that of the crew. Strangely enough, some of them had vaguely human-like bite marks on them...

"Her Dominion" Acrylic on wood, 8x9"

​"Pieces of Eight" (sold) Acrylic on board, 4.25x2.5"

"The Collection" (sold) ​Acrylic on board, 3.25x2.75"

​Most of the originals have sold, but you can still get some prints and other swag on my Etsy page!