The Narwhal

8x8"

Original acrylic painting on 78lb smooth cardstock, created as part of a series of "Weird Medieval October" art prompts!

A combination of Unicorn Hunt and Mortal Wound days of Weird Medieval October. For this piece I wanted to depict the unreal beauty of the very real narwhal, whose tusk would be passed off as evidence of unicorns during the Middle Ages. A wonder of our natural world that may soon become as much of a myth as the unicorn, I'm drawing on a deep well of grief and anxiety about the loss of life on our planet due to human caused climate change. While these thoughts are devastating, and the sky is literally falling, I always want my art to be beautiful as well, for the joy of what we have on earth and a stubborn belief in our ability to save it.

Painting features a pale purple and blue narwhal with a large wound on its side dripping rainbow blood onto the calm ocean. A woman with blue skin and pink hair gently holds the narwhal partially out of the water. She wears a flowing orange caftan with floral pattern. Both figures are outlined in bright white and appear to glow, setting them apart from the dark scene. The sky is patterned with concentric circles in various colors, many of which have a metallic sheen, while the black sea shimmers with small dark green waves. Rainbow stars and celestial objects fall from the sky and plunge into the sea, some floating on the surface.

Art is protected with a Gloss clear coat.

➩ Colors on your personal screen may not match the art in person.

Signed and dated on the back.

Thank you!

🖤Anka

Paper is hand cut so small variations may exist.