Nimue and Merlin
9×12 soft pastel and gold oil pastel on Colorfix paper.
Featured in Fantasy Art, Hairstyles, The Sisterhood, Pentacle Passions, The Divine Feminine, and Unconventional Artistry
(Another Klimt inspired piece).
I am very excited right now to be hosting a new group on Red Bubble, THE DIVINE FEMININE. I have been thinking a lot about the Divine Feminine and am reading a lot of the writings that came out of the 11th to 13th centuries. These writings encompass the stories of Camelot and “courtly love”. No other works in history have celebrated the Divine Feminine more than these.
In a time where the Catholic Church was brutally stomping out anything and anyone that honored the Divine Feminine, the writers of these stories had to hide their real intentions. They wrote some of the greatest love stories and poems of all time. To the unlearned these were just romantic tales, but to the initiates of the mysteries these were symbolic tales that would keep the Divine Feminine alive in the collective conscious until the goddess was able to return.
There are many stories of Nimue and Merlin. Merlin was the greatest wizard that ever lived and Nimue was the girl he fell in love with. The stories usually have Nimue using her feminine charms to entice Merlin into teaching her all of his sorcerery and then she uses her newly learned magic to bring Merlin to his death, making her the ultimate femme fatale.
To the Church authorities this story would have been allowed because it shows how women are evil temptresses that can even bring the death of the greatest sorcerer, but it’s truth was hidden in it’s symbolism. The writers of these Courtly love tales believed that all women were to be honored as the goddess, and it was through the love of the goddess that man transcended this world and became immortal.
Merlin would have been able to predict his own death, and yet he willingly hung out with Nimue. In one tale Nimue changes him into a hawthorn tree. The hawthorn tree to the ancient Celts was the symbol for the chalice itself (the Holy Grail). It held the divine secrets of everlasting life. Therefore Merlin became one with those divine secrets by way of Nimue (the goddess).
Nimue and Merlin belongs to the following groups:
1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , ***♂♥♥QUORN♥♥♀, 1 In The Beginning - Ancient Practices, Art Inspired by Dreams, Contemporary Pastel Painters (2 per day), Core [C.O.R.E], Featured Features - For Featured Art, Photography, T-Shirts, Writing, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), In Another World .., Myths, Legends and Fairytales, Pentacle Passions, Practising the Dark Arts, Solo Exhibition, Something To Say, Spiritual Art, THE FRINGE, the love of Eerie and enchanting artwork, The Patchwork , THE SISTERHOOD and Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
tkrosevear
BEAUTIFUL Tammy and coincidently Hawthorn Berries are medicine for the HEART…as is your new group…great medicine for the heART of the feminine principles of CREATION ;) xoxox
MoonSpiral replied
How interesting about the hawthorn berries because it is all about the heart isn’t it :). Thankyou so much for your beautiful, beautiful comment Tammy!
AmandaGWright
THIS IS WONDERFUL! Yes, their story is one of my very favorite stories of love and union.
MoonSpiral replied
Awww thankyou Amanda…..wow is the goddess alive and well on Red Bubble or what :D. Love and blessings to you Goddess!!!!!
MyheART
Fantastic:)
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much my friend!!
Stephanie Smith
Love this image, the story behind it, and the idea behind your new group! Beautiful work, as usual!
MoonSpiral replied
Thanks so much Stephanie, you are very kind!!!
mimi yoon
beautiful drawing as always, tammy… it exudes femininity… and the the story is beautiful as well…
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou Mimi, I always appreciate your sincere and thoughtful comments!!
linaji
your work has such mystic lore to each tendril and curve.. I was so honored you asked me to join… I shall do so now.. and do have one request.. for India.. Kali.. will you do her someday??? xoxo
MoonSpiral replied
Haha. She was one of the first goddesses I ever drew, but the perfectionist in me wouldn’t put that one up here now. I will do her again someday when I can handle her energy again…
Thankyou Lina for your poetic words!
blamo
Excellent folklore drawing
MoonSpiral replied
Thanks so much Blamo!!
Anthea Slade
Absolutely divine MoonSpiral. This is indeed an honour of the feminine spirit within. I have just joined your new group.
MoonSpiral replied
Yay, I am sooo glad you joined, and thankyou for your kind comment!!
marak
beautiful art work to go with beautiful writing.were do you finded the time.i find it hard to do my art keep up with red bubble stuff at home and an almost 2 year old thats all over the place.
MoonSpiral replied
Haha, I have no time with my 3 and 6 year old except on the weekends when my hubbie is around to help out! Also, I draw more than paint because it is quicker…..
Tahnja
You’ve done another outstanding work of art here Tammy. She’s a real beauty
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou sweetie, I know how you like those medieval hairstyles…haha!!
Waleska Luker
Your work is stunning and it fits perfectly into our Hairstyles Group
MoonSpiral replied
Wow, what a fun group!!!! Thanks for the comment and the invite!!
AnitaInverarity
Beautiful Work and this is turning out to be an enchanting journey of education into the many wonderful guises of the goddess :))))))))) Blessings xx
MoonSpiral replied
Yeah, my obsession…lol!!!! Thankyou so much Anita!!!!
Tahnja
Oh yes indeed, I DO love those hairstyles lol
Jan Landers
amazing seeing all these energies emerge…..and your beautiful way of portrayal….the art of spirit…..and always you teach me….thank you….
MoonSpiral replied
Oh Jan, you are such a gentle kind soul. Many thanks and much love to you my friend!
Carol Berliner
Tammy this is amaaaaazing work instant fav! Outstanding! there are so many depths and layers in this work!
MoonSpiral replied
Aww thanks sooooo much Carol!! I am just addicted to the Klimt style. I feel like it adds those layers and depth and confuses the logical mind…which I love…teehee!!!!
Carol Berliner
oooooh me too Tammy! I just luv the Klimt style & I really luv your work! U R soooo talented & creative! Keep it coming! It’s soooo inspirational!
Waleska Luker
MoonSpiral replied
Wow….what an honor, thankyou soooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!
Emma Wertheim
I’m officially in love with this picture..
:) xx p.s so excited about your new group!! Go GIRL!!
MoonSpiral replied
Thanks Emma, I am soooo glad you joined!!!!
Sally Omar
MoonSpiral replied
Yay!!!!! Thankyou so much Sally!!!!!
NomadicGoddess
Very nice work, love the broken down patterned background, it adds extra interest, and Nimue like she should be, is beautiful
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much, I have been seeing patterns everywhere lately!!
pmn-photography
fantastic work!! congrats on the feature…...so well deserved! :)
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou for your kindness!!!
mimulux
instant fav….... congrats on the feature :)
MoonSpiral replied
Aww so glad you like it, thankyou!!!!!
Valerie Simms
I’m intrigued! Beautiful image
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much Valerie!!!!!
NomadicGoddess
Yes I cant go anywhere without seeing things as a piece of art, I love it
Earthmonster
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou, I am very honored by this!!!!!!!
Sensiworld
Great work !!
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much Sylvia!!!
softearthart
Hi, This is great, I am a fan of enchanted worlds,and this is a lovely piece. Cheers
MoonSpiral replied
Oh thankyou so much my enchanted friend!!!
jmcJMC
Great MoonSpiral,IT MAGIC,THANKS JMC
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much for the magical comment!!!
catherine walker
wonderful work ..so well done!!!
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou very much Catherine!!
BLYTHART
I really love this picture. The background reminds me in parts of Klimt (I like Klimt).
MoonSpiral replied
Yeah I got stuck in a Klimt phase after I did Ariadne and Dionysus. I read that The Kiss was of Ariadne and Dionysus, so I decided to honor Klimt by doing mine “Kiss” style. Anyway, it was so much fun I have been wanting to put little patterns everywhere now!
You can definately see your Klimt influence in your work!
ElYPares
Wonderful paintings. I agree with Blyhart. It definitely has a Klimt quality. Well done.
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much, yeah I have been in a little Klimt phase lately…lol!
Reynaldo
Like you style and grace of your work Moon Rey
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much Rey!!
Michael Scholl
so lovely. Your style is beautiful.
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou for stopping in Mike and for the fave and comments, much appreciated!!!
Matt Bottos
stunning image… love the way you’ve portrayed Nimue… such strength & grace
MoonSpiral replied
I like that observation, thankyou Matt!!!
Hena Tayeb
great work. love it.
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much Hena!!!
LoneAngel
beautiful image ., congrats on been featured
MoonSpiral replied
Thanks my friend!!
genevievem
just lovely!
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou!!!
Kelsey Williams
Such beautiful work!
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou very much!!!
RebeccaWeston
Lovely – this is very Klimt-like and he is one of my fav’s, so this is even more special XX
MoonSpiral replied
Sorry I am so late with this, but thankyou so much Rebecca!!!
benJammin
I LOVE this painting! I love all the spirals and triskeleles in there as well! I feel that I am a reincarnation of Myrrdin (Merlin) sometimes. The gods and the goddesses are alive and well! Thank you for posting all of these paintings!
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou so much for enjoying them, and indeed there are many gods and goddesses walking amongst us today ;))
alana janesse
really like this piece!!
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou Alana, I greatly appreciate your comment!!
GittiArt
So beautifully done ….I love your style and adore you talent…..bravo MoonSpiral .9
MoonSpiral replied
Thankyou sweetie, and the feeling is definately mutual!!
nancy salamouny
I love the style… softness and strength. Bravo
elenaoleniuc
Lovely work, well done ! Love the composition and your special style !
Pip Gerard
MoonSpiral replied
Wow, thankyou….this is such a great honor, and a great start to my Sunday!!!!
bosmoore
wonderful expression and beautiful colours.
F.A. Moore
Truly beautiful. Thanks for submitting it to Solo Exhibition, Tammy.
MoonSpiral replied
Thanks Frannie….hope I didn’t flood your galleries too much with my work…haha.
Marilyns
i love it , its so beautiful and makes me dives in tales and legends , ancient stories and symbolic poetry ! magical art :)