My mermaids began to formulate with two events widely separated by time. The first was at a bar on Maui - meeting a young man who took me scuba diving for the first time in my life. He talked me through my terror, and little did he know, opened a portal that would change my life.

The second was finding Lost Lake. I’ve been graced to be in many places imbued with a spiritual essence. I have a sense of gentle gods and mythic creatures here. I painted LINGER here last summer, and am writing this now from my bedroom/office as I watch and listen to the eighth day of rain.

I can’t swim, yet I am at home in the water, under the water... In water, my skin is aroused. I am hypnotized feeling my hair waver like long grasses. Being immersed in water is like being held.

Water and women. Womb; creation, haven, enigma, enveloping,
Form in rhythm and light.
Body flying wingless beneath surface turbulence.
A liquid world, soup of the first things to live, stew of creation.

Mythic female - graceful, enigmatic, beneficent, jealous, gentle, welcoming, powerful, alluring, free.

I am obsessed with wonders. And wondering. My eyes and ears are greedy. I am compelled to sketch, paint, sculpt, write or photograph constantly. Many of my pieces incorporate my visual imagery with my poetry.

My folk art sculptures of mermaids incorporate the treasures I gather; oak roots, shells, rocks, sea weed... my fascination for nature. My canvases rendered in oil or acrylic bridge my dreams and desires. I am drawn by the flow of wending line, soft form and vibrant color. I am not a cubist.

Our human experiment is embryonic. Evolution and devolution are the yin and yang of our experience... reaching back while striving forward as we weave art and science into an expanded, fluid cognizance.

My quest is for realms beyond my experience. I hope my paintings bring the viewer to a magical place of conjuring where the willing suspension of disbelief allows the mind to play and dream in worlds that exist within our desire for faith, mystery and myth as we seek truth and beauty.

~Annette Matrisciano