Alright, we’re get’n back to business here!

Progression of piece MERMAID’S SONG, or NINGYO NO UTA (人魚の歌) as follows:

The HUGE box that the paper I ordered from Paper Woman: http://www.papernado.com had a warning that said ‘beware of water damage’ in Japanese.  Well, I ripped it out and was inspired to make it the starting point for my new project.

After layers of extremely thin unryu paper cut out into freehand designs which I dyed with acrylic pigments, I painted over top, and added whimsical elements.

I like how my imagination unfolds, and unexpected elements like the paper air plane which does not exist in the original fable presents itself.

I created the body out of clay, painted, added further elements like the three dimensional paper dyed, and sculpted into her hair and tail.

More detailed shot.

You can see the final art work here: http://www.marietomeoki.com/portfolio/mermaid-song/

Here is a rough photo of the final piece: colors more saturated, added dimension, texture, scales cut individually, layers, finishes, and oh there is a moon in the background too.

The reasons I believe and think Japan’s mental health system and society has become the way it has been/is will be what I hope to discuss in the next blog post.

Thank you so much for your time, and for the Canadians tuning in I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!!!

xoxo,
Marie