Sweet Pandemonium: Folkestone Mermaid Festival Art Exhibition

I have picked out my favourite pieces from the Folkestone Mermaid Festival Art Exhibition, so this entry is mostly photographic, with links to some of the artists pages or websites if you would like to see more of their work.

Victoria Nelson (Lion Tamer Prints) - 'Well there could be worse things in the world'

Inspired by the H.G. Wells book 'The Sea Lady', which is based in Folkestone. It is a comment made by one of the books characters, Lady Poynting Mallow, on hearing of the Folkestone Mermaid and her tail.

Carol Stump, Seahorse (l) & Catfish (r).
Apologies for poor quality photos, but I think these 2 pieces have such charm!

Dee Taylor, 'Online Dating Danger'

Possibly a problem faced by many Mermaids wishing to find land based love online!

Mark Sutherland 'Sea Lady off Sandgate'
Another piece inspired by H.G. Wells book, and the image is taken from the same stretch of beach.

Driftwood seahorse from La Mer, Old High Street

Victoria Fontaine-Wolf 'Coral Reef Mermaid'

Carol Harper (Banana Garden) 'Scampi the Merbear'.

I adore Carols work, and Scampi is a cute take on her traditionally made collectors bears.

Carol Harper 'Veleda'

Mermaid dolls by Vanessa Clarke

Elena Priestley 'Mermaid' & 'Merman'

Caroline Hallett 'Mermaids suitcase'

I have to confess this isn't the type of thing I usually like, but there is something very charming about this little suitcase, especially the photos of sailor boys she has persumably loved over the years!

Russ Smith (The Dirty Pen) 'Nerissa'

I'm a HUGE fan of The Dirty Pen, and the above image is the poster girl for the Mermaid Festival. Her name comes from the ancient greek for water.

'Nerin'

Her name is taken from the ancient greek name for 'one from the sea'. Russ's detail is incredible, you really need to see his work up close to appreciate it, but I have taken some close ups (through the glass) to give you some idea of the incredible intricacy.