Mystic Dance

If they had not mentioned that this had originated as a manipulation then I might never have realized it.

In all earnestness I thought this was a painting plain and simple and what a painting it is. There is so much in the way of motion going on simply through a series of poses from the two principal characters in this piece: the mermaid and the sea serpent.

The posing and motion of these two characters asks a question: are they working in concert or against one another? It is a fascinating consideration and one that could leave us wondering for a time as we try and decipher whether or not these two characters seek one another's destruction or cooperation.

The light of the piece throws these two and their interaction, shadows serving to keep the viewers eyes focused on the centerpiece with vague shapes flitting through the edges and background of the piece, hinting at a wider world unseen within the ocean of the piece.

The overall color scheme used in the piece makes it so that the unusual splashes of contrasting colors stand out in the eye of the viewer, a brightly colored school of fish, the glowing eye of the serpent. These are positioned in a more or less vertical line that enables the viewer to travel the height of the piece in a smooth motion before beginning to explore the surroundings.

The piece that started as a manipulation has become an enchanting image that leaves the viewer with no clear interpretation as they question the imagery for the answer to the question of its two principals to decide if their fates are in concert or conflict.