Your fantasy creatures all seem to possess a palpable uniqueness setting them apart from other artists’ usual interpretations. I am most impressed with the way you are able to bathe subjects in a light that is almost an inner-illumination. Your kelpie has the appearance of being made of blown glass. So perfect for a powerful yet ethereal mythic creature. The utter grace of the entire composition – the submission of the human form, enfolded in a swan’s wings suggesting the sacred robes a voluntary sacrificial maiden – is quite remarkable. It’s wonderful how you’ve managed to capture in the kelpie an attitude of relentless brutality but also dutiful resignation – like a Mayan executioner. I think you’ve created quite a signature image of fatalistic duality. Something to play at the edges of one’s mind as one slips off into sleep…...

This picture clearly shows the idea of relativism; at first glance, the kelpie is seen to be the evil in the picture, a symbol of destruction. The swan is the protection, while the girl is the victim. This, again, is the initial idea behind the picture. The girl is holding a flower, which generally represents the idea of death (e.g. placing flowers on a loved one's grave), creating a connection between the young girl and the kelpie. Her pose also hints at more of a loving relationship, rather than a destructive one; the hand in which she is holding a flower is gently held upwards, and her pose seems relaxed, content. The kelpie, caught in an action of jumping toward the girl, seems to be reaching toward her, acting as a savior. The swan plays into this as well. Its wings are opened in an act of trust, and also of protection (as previously said). The swan is envelopoing the kelpie in its wings as well. The question that now appears is: what is truly evil? The idea of relativism is now clearly shown.

The scene is filled with flowers, which are colored in warm tones. This is another symbol of peace, and of good. When coloring with this particular scheme, as opposed to using cold colors such as blue or purple, it gives an unthreating mood; acceptance. A few of the flowers are flowing upwards toward the kelpie (which is colored in which colder colors, making a contrast between the girl and the swan, and the kelpie), combining the two worlds of good and evil. Therefore, the kelpie now cannot be strictly definted as evil. The girl is welcoming him, as is the swan, which in turn shows the deep connection between the girl and the swan; they appear to be one.

The space above the kelpie is not filled, as compared the bottom of the piece, which is adorned with flowers. This shows the world from which the kelpie comes: it is dead, and is subjected to the scrutiny of those that are good, never allowing that world to become anything else but evil. They were never given a chance. When this particular kelpie is accepted, the bonds which tie down the two worlds are broken, and finally evil has a chance to become good.

On a last note, the detail in this piece is beautiful, The detail in the swans wings is amazing and realistic. This shows true artistic conviction, and a love of art in itself. The focus on the two animals makes for an extremely wonderful and interesting picture. Due to this, the simplicity in the girl stands out, and makes for quite a piece of art. It is amazing, and the level of artistic development that is shown is wonderful. The contrast between light and darkness deeply adds to the picture greatly. Your grasp on perspective is at a professional level, and all of the techniques that you have used are understood amazingly well.