MYTHOS

A story about FANTASTIcal BEASTS & THEIR HUMANS

Almost a year ago, I faced a significant creative block. I wanted to reconnect with my personal art and give my exhausted mind some much-needed art TLC. After many years in corporate marketing and design, my creative energy felt drained—or so it seemed. A friend encouraged me to try Julia Cameron’s Artist Way journaling program to help restore my balance. As part of my creative challenge, I decided to create a series of pieces as a thank-you to friends and family who have always supported me. I’ve always loved mythology and folk tales, especially stories featuring incredible creatures. I began collecting a list of the ones I wanted to illustrate and matched each with its appropriate human companion.

It’s a very long list, and I’ve already filled a sketchbook with names of creatures and sketches to experiment with. It’s a thick sketchbook packed with inspiring images and doodles. How do dragon wings work? What elemental colors are in the firebird’s blazing feathers? What medium would best capture the spirit and essence of each creature?

The beast therapy has worked wonderfully, thank you very much. I approach each beast with the focus and attention of a major league baseball pitcher. This is very much ‘slow art,’ which requires passion and dedication, and I am rewarded at the end with a fulfilling creative journey and a piece that offers a glimpse into the human personality that inspired the creature.

Each featured creature has its own story to tell. Enjoy the tales and tails, each sparking a thousand and one stories that I think Scheherazade would appreciate!