Selkie

The legend of the Selkie, a creature that can assume the shape of a seal when in the water, and a beautiful human on land, can be found throughout Irish, Scottish, and Sami lore. Selkies often marry and reproduce with humans, but usually abandon their husband and children to return to the sea, leaving the human husband despondent for life. In this depiction, the Selkie is assuming human form by shedding her seal skin, the most common way in most of the stories. If a human can hide the seal skin, the Selkie must marry him, but will always search for the skin so she may return to the sea in her true form.

Acrylic and pastel on board, 23x35.