What If I'm A Mermaid...
Acryllic + Ink on Canvas 50×60cms
Painted specifically for the Mirrors Exhibition ‘09
“Beauty is not just an image, it’s a feeling”
“Mirrors” is a Charity Art Exhibition Benefitting the Butterfly Foundation
Raising much needed funds to support Eating Disorder patients, their families & loved ones, whilst also raising awareness in the wider community. The event also seeks to promote positive Body Image through art…
“Expressing, transforming and clarifying the shades of limelight that frame our body image.”
Currently on at the Mori Gallery in Sydney until October 24, for more event details see here
And read about other bubbers involved here
Whilst What If I’m A Mermaid… is an obvious reference to the subject of the painting, it’s also a line from one of my favourite songs by Tori Amos, which is as open to interpretation & woven with different meanings & messages as this painting perhaps is… there are threads in both to which i feel we can all on some level relate.
When it came to elaborating on what those messages were or are for the sake of the exhibtion… Well… I wrote one artists statement… followed by another… and then another… and another. Somewhere around 10 i decided to stop… It was not that i was unhappy with a single one of them, quite the opposite, each seemed to inspire another thought, i’d tilt my head & see yet another perspective, many of which weren’t even conscious in my mind whilst painting…
What it made me realise was that more than anything this painting was not so much about me expressing or conveying my thoughts, nor was there a singular message that i want or wanted people to be taken from it… purely & simply it was aimed at inspiring thought in a different circle… & so rather than cloud that thought with words, i decided to let you ponder… “What If I’m A Mermaid…”
You can see my painting from last years exhibtion here
As well as the prints i donated of my “Girls of La Mar” series…
Liquid Diamonds
Caught A Lite Breeze
Girl & The Sea
More on Mirror’s soon
What If I'm A Mermaid... belongs to the following groups:
1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , * Painted Ladies *, ! HAIRSTYLES !, ! Inspired Art !, * Painted Nature *, All the Colors of the Rainbow, Art Nouveau and the Arts & Crafts Movement, Creative, Talented, and Unknown, Fashion Illustration, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), Finks of Inks, First Things, Freedom to Shine, Journal Junkies, Mermaids and mystic creatures, Out of the Blue (75%+ Blue), Outsiders, THE SISTERHOOD, thick black outlines and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Pip Gerard
It’s so stunning I’m a little lost for words. just look at those waves!! And that blue is so calming and enchanting. I can sense the time is would have taken to paint each stroke of those waves just by looking at it.
It’s definitely a masterpiece of the here and now according to Sarah O’Rourke, that is a perfect example of this time in your life. It will be a stand out piece of the exhibition.
Sarah ORourke replied
Wow Pip, i think that’s the most wonderful comment i’ve ever recieved, thankyou so much.
You know how much i love blue…
It’s fascinating to hear what other people see in this…
& i hope that in it others find reflection of elements of their own self… & perhaps many other things i never even thought of!
Xxx
nishagandhi
wow
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much :)
Bekyy93
Beautiful! i love this so much, especially the face, its stunning!
- Bekyyx
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Bekyy! Especially pleased you like her face… faces are still a relatively new thing for me so each is still a little experimental!
Xxx
Steph Granshaw
simply gorgeous Sarah..i have to agree with Pip..will definitely stand out at the exhib. I love the background too, it’s a very special piece Love..Bravo!! XX
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Steph! I can tell you, your own “Baby Blue” was quite a hit herself! Pics & more soon… promise :)
I’m stoked you noticed the background… it doesn’t photograph so well…. it’s very “watery” & was so much fun allowing things to drip & run instead of precise line for a change… a real freedom in that :)
Xxx
Karin Taylor
O it’s so wonderful Sarah :). I bet this is a big hit at Mirrors.. Wish I could see it in person, haven’t listened to Tori yet, but will soon, lotsa love, k xxx
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Karin… I wish you could see it too… more photo’s on the wall in good time!
Oh there is every chance i’ve had you listen to that song before… but if i haven’t yet, it’s a MUST!!! & fits right in with your thinking earlier today.
Xxx
leonie7
beautiful love the blue
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Leonie… i adore blue… in almost every shade… something so calming…
:)
Danielle Reck
oh so beautiful!
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Danielle :)
MoonSpiral
Wow, everybit of time you put into this shows. I love the statement of her “body” being the water. Flowing, changing, not fixed and stagnant. All of the passion that you have held about this exhibition is in this piece. Beautiful Sarah!
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Tammy!!! I absolutely love what you see in this… there is something freeing in allowing others to interpret your own creative work… not something i’ve dared to do before!
Xxx
Cynthia Lund T...
Emancipation.
That’s what I see and feel in this.
And so much knowing. Look at that eye and her face.
Your keen and much-too-young-for-so-much-wisdom is showing loud and clear.
We are lucky to see and know this about you.
xoxox,
cia
Sarah ORourke replied
Wow Cia what an insight, thankyou so much!!!
What interests me is what you learn about others from what they see in your art & the feelings they express in response to it… & that in turn feeds fresh thought & new waves of perspective… this is how we grow.
Fascinating.
Thankyou for being a part of it,
Xxx
Alan Dean
a real winner – at one with the ocean ….
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Alan… “at one with the ocean”... what a lovely place to be!
linmarie
Water of blue lift me up.
Free my soul and spirit.
Strands of hair flow freely,
As I ascend in new life.
this is a spectacular, freeing painting,, I feel her, she is reborn,, she makes me feel anything is possible if we just let ourselves go,, I love this painting heart and soul..peace and love linmarie
Sarah ORourke replied
Wow Linmarie thankyou so much for your beautiful words… what wonderful thoughts you’ve illustrated… & that feeling… that “anything is possible”... that was my 1st thought for this… i couldn’t be happier to hear that you feel that.
Love Sarah Xxx
midnightdreamer
Oh this is an emotionally captivating piece, her face is so pretty and her eyes just draw you in, beautiful, beautiful creation!
Peace,
Leah♥
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Leah, such a lovely comment!
Peace to you also.
Xxx
Renate Dartois
Wonderful and inspiring creation Sarah-I think we probably could all be Mermaids if we just could free ourselves and see with uncluttered minds we need to open our hearts to give love in order to receive it and see and be more thankful of the beautiful things in our lives.
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Renate… i think we are all mermaids… just here on earth we become so entangled in… life… rather than letting it ebb & flow as does the tide we seem to always be swimming upstream, battling the current in one way or another… even Mermaids have to dive beneath the waves into the dark depths sometimes… but she emerges… revitalised… in water crystal clear.
Xxx
artisandelimage
excellent and beautiful artwork !
my best, francis.
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou Francis for your lovely words :)
ROUBLE RUST
Wonderful xx
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much!!!
Xxx
mimi yoon
most amazingly beautiful painting, sarah…. and she looks like you…
i bet it was the center of attention at the opening night….
hope the night was a successful one… and wish i could’ve hand delivered the piece… i would have if i could… and bigger and better print too… hope the event turns out to be a big success (i’m sure it is already)... and again, this is a beautiful work of art, dear sarah… : ) xxx
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Mimi… you always seem to see me in these… fascinating… i’m very flattered… i think there are parts of me in this in many ways… most of which i’m probably completely unaware!!!
I’ll be posting about the opening very soon… there were so many wonderful works, there was no one centre of attention which was wonderful… a success in every way.
Thankyou so much, your support is invaluable… i’m so touched by the generosity that’s been expressed… The size of your heart is greater than that of any print or painting… that’s what matters & i appreciate it so much Mimi :)
Xxx
linmarie
you are so welcome and if you choose, you have my permission too use the poem and attach too the painting,, its called collaboration,, and I am doing with many other artists,, it is your choice, just couldn’t help myself expressing how it made me feel when my eyes met this painting,, peace and love linmarie
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Linmarie, that’s lovely of you… & as i said, this was about inspiring expression above all else… i’m smiling to know i’ve done that.
Xxx
margaretfraser
lovely
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou Margaret :)
Pip Gerard
i think we are all mermaids… just here on earth we become so entangled in… life… rather than letting it ebb & flow as does the tide we seem to always be swimming upstream, battling the current in one way or another… even Mermaids have to dive beneath the waves into the dark depths sometimes… but she emerges… revitalised… in water crystal clear.
Sarah… that is so beautiful!!!
Sarah ORourke replied
Aw Pip thanks, you’re so sweet!
It’s as i said, i could have written a lot about this painting… but much of that thought came about after she was already finished & thus i really was interested in letting her speak for herself & inspire other peoples thoughts… which then often further influence my own!
Xxx
artisandelimage
bravo !
my best, francis.
(did you participate in this challenge ???)
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Francis!
No i don’t think i spotted that challenge with such a busy lead-up to the exhibtion, i must go have a look… thankyou :)
linmarie
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew this would get featured and probably many more features are coming your way,, this is just too spectacular not to be honored over and over again… peace and love linmarie
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much Linmarie, your suppport on this piece has been amazing… i’m so honoured you seem to have connected so strongly with it :)
Xxx
AnitaInverarity
Gorgeous !!!! Her face is so beautiful- LOVE IT xxxxxx
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Anita, i’m so glad you like her!
Xxx
MoonSpiral
she needs to be featured everywhere ;)
Sarah ORourke replied
Aw thank so much for all the love Tammy, much appreciated!
Xxx
Alexandra Felgate
Beautiful painting with such depth of subject to it. It makes me feel my mermaidy-ness :)
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks so much Alexandra! & so glad to hear you’re feeling your inner mermaid… couldn’t be happier!
stitchgrin
Very Cool!!
Sarah ORourke replied
Thankyou so much!
Lesley Ritchie
Ilove your work I love drawing faces myself but your work takes my breath away/
Regards Lesley
Sarah ORourke replied
Wow Lesley thankyou so much, that’s such a wonderful comment & i really appreciate it as i actually only started drawing faces very recently(as many as are here in my folio).
:)
artisandelimage
“CONGRATULATIONS !!!”
you are a top 10 winner in the Illustrate A Song challenge of the Inspired Art group !!!
my best, your host (francis).
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks Francis, that’s so cool!!!
Music seems to be inspiring all of my art lately :)
Lars
i just saw this > http://www.redbubble.com/people/jezhawk/art/2687298-2-aquarius
on the front page, looks so similar hehe
Sarah ORourke replied
I know me too, i was just over there looking at it!
Since i started drawing… & painting… all these blue girls(evolved by accident, don’t know why?!) I’m seeing similar things everywhere… strange :)
Luke Brannon
Congratulations! You’ve been featured in the Finks of Inks!
Sarah ORourke replied
Thanks Luke, much appreciated :)
Cynthia Lund T... 15 days ago
You have me torn between this one and then your foliage adventures. You do both so very well.
Amazing. Just had to tell you again.
Sarah ORourke 15 days ago
Aw thankyou, you’re so sweet… so maybe next will have to be a faerie in a foliage adventure, the perfect balance? Actually i did have an idea that wasn’t so far removed from that… hmmm… relates to this
Xxx
gemynd 15 days ago
your style is amazing this is so creative
Sarah ORourke replied 13 days ago
Thankyou :)
crazy2wax 13 days ago
Awesome!! really fabulous!
Sarah ORourke replied 13 days ago
Thanks so much!
Janis Zroback 13 days ago
Extraordinary work…..
Sarah ORourke replied 13 days ago
Thankyou Janis :)
eoconnor 13 days ago
this is so magical and mezmerizingly beautiful.acreative painting LIZ
Sarah ORourke replied 13 days ago
Thankyou so much Liz :)