Merfolk Mythology Series
Personal Project & Ongoing Print Collection
Merfolk Mythology is an ongoing series of digital paintings depicting gods and mythological figures from different cultures that are traditionally associated with water and represented as merfolk. Driven by a long-standing interest in mythology, fantasy, and merfolk, the project explores shared archetypes connected to water, transformation, and divinity through a unified visual language.
Featured figures include:
Saint Muirgen (Irish Christian mermaid saint)
Olokun (Yoruba deity of the sea)
Iara / Mãe D’Água (Indigenous Brazilian water deity)
Matsya (Hindu avatar of Vishnu associated with water and preservation)
Melusine (Celtic/French water spirit, widely recognized today through her depiction in the Starbucks logo)
Glaucus (Greek sea god, “Old Man of the Sea”)
Solution
The series presents a cohesive visual interpretation of mythological figures rooted in their original narratives and attributes. Each piece balances fidelity to traditional symbolism with a stylized, unified aesthetic.
The framework was designed to expand, allowing additional figures to be introduced while maintaining consistency.
Outcome
The initial six-piece series was successfully adapted into art prints, apparel, and wall art, creating an additional revenue stream and extending the work beyond digital platforms.
The project continues to grow, with an expanding list of deities and new pieces currently in development, evolving into a larger body of work.
Tools
Clip Studio Paint · Procreate (iPad)
Challenge
The challenge was to balance cultural specificity with a cohesive artistic style. Each figure carries distinct historical and symbolic meaning, requiring careful research and respect for existing iconography, while the series as a whole needed to feel visually unified and expandable over time.
Role
Concept, research, illustration, and production.
Process
I approached the project as both a research-driven and artistic exploration.
Conducted research across multiple mythologies, selecting figures traditionally associated with water or merfolk representations
Curated an initial set of three feminine and three masculine figures, spanning European, African, South American, and South Asian traditions
Studied and documented the stories, symbolism, and iconography of each figure prior to illustration
Developed visual interpretations grounded in these references while maintaining a consistent style across the series
Created each piece through fully digital, hand-drawn and hand-painted techniques, with each artwork taking approximately one week to complete
