Diane Young Artist

Printmaker ~ Painter ~ Every Picture tells a story ~ Artwork ©Diane Young

Monthly Archives: June 2016


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Sedna in Animal #Mythology

Stories and Mythology in my artwork

Sedna is mythological figure, a Goddess of the sea for the people of the arctic.

The Myth of Sedna

The young girl Sedna was tricked into marrying Raven, and later when her father tried to rescue her by kayak a raging storm brew and her father threw Sedna in to the sea in order to save himself. Her hands clung to the side of the boat and he beat them until her cold and frozen fingers fell into the sea and became sea mammals. Sedna sank under the sea and was transformed into a sea goddess, able to conjure up storms with her rage whereupon shaman must swim down to calm her by combing her hair.

The Innuits survival is dependant upon the success of their hunting animals.  From this is derived a great respect for the animal kingdom.  Part of the myth is that Sedna holds onto the animals if she is displeased with the people ( so that they will not be successful in hunting them)  and untangling her hair is part of the process of calming her.

From this story I created my image of Sedna with fishes swimming amongst her tresses of red hair, she is looking up to the light of the sky on the surface of the water.   The image at the bottom is a painting done some time later showing Sedna sleeping with three seals.

These three paintings on the left seen below featuring Sedna  are for sale in Studio 71 in Totnes.

Studio no 71 Totnes display of mythological Sedna Artwork by artist Diane Young

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Badger Love

Artwork Originals and Prints for Sale

Last week I had an enquiry regarding some artwork which I made at a time here in the UK when there was great petitioning against the culling of badgers in a couple of counties including Gloucestershire.  Farmers have a hard time with TB in their cattle, to great distress to the cattle, the farmers and the industry.

Unfortunately  the native badger has been implicated in the spread of TB in the UK. Whether this is true or not it is difficult to tell in reality with the different sides providing arguements both for and against.  I prefer to fall on the side of the badger, it’s population is displaced by culling leading to other complicated issues for both the animal and  with regard to establishing cause and effect of the problem of TB.

I have seen the wild badgers who liked to frequent a friend’s garden, and enjoyed tidbits of peanut butter.   Their coats were much shaggier that I imagined and it was so nice to see them ambling about the lawn in their element.

Badger Love

This original artwork Badger Love is now on its way to the USA to its new home.

Badger Love original art by artist Diane Young Manic Illustrations Stroud UK

 


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#Art for #Sale in #Totnes by Diane Young

Studio 71 @ Totnes – A display of my artwork for sale

So a hint of the Summer season is upon us, quite a bit of sunshine and the beginning of holiday bookings.  Here is hoping that lots of people will descend upon Totnes in Devon (UK) very soon in the hope that some of my art will find a loving home.

Studio 71 Totnes gallery with Diane Youngs paintings: Owl, Pussy Cat, Hare, Thunderbird, and Sedna with Seals


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Simple Tastes; Happy Times for a #Cat.

Happy Cat Simba

Wouldn’t it be nice to be a cat…. hey I will just take up this cardboard box in the sun, settle down and not worry too much about anything.  I mean what else is there to do.   Simba loves boxes, the rustle of some cardboard and his ears are pricked.  Such simple tastes and happy times.

Cat in a Box in the garden happy as can be photograph by artist Diane Young


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Stone Circles and Tree Roots

A Trip to Keswick Stone Circle

Gambolling free these ancient stones are set high up in the Lake District and surrounded by a circle of mountains.  They have stood here for generations against all weathers looking at the stars and even putting up with the Victorians chipping at them for souvenirs.

Stone Circle at Castlerigg near Keswick photograph by Artist Diane Young Stroud Manic Illustrations

Castlerigg Ancient Stone circle in the Lake District UK

Here at this little “beach” at Loch Venachar in Scotland the bank of this tree has been washed away by the loch over time.  But look closely what has the tree got suspended in its clutches?

Tree roots and beach in Scotland photograph by Diane Young Artist from Stroud

At Loch Vernachar Scotland UK

Poor old Mr Rock ensnared by the trees roots, the rock might be superior in the rock-scissor-paper game but it does not hold true here.  One presumes over time the water will erode the roots perhaps, but I think that rock has got a long wait for it to be set free.

Nature rock inside a tree photography by artist Diane Young Stroud

Large rock ensnared suspended by a tree.