Paintings and Drawings by Savanna - Pen and Ink Drawings

Column - Mermaid, Dolphin, Eagle Ray, Sea Turtle, Fish...

Fri, 11 May 2007 10:32:40 CDT

Column - Mermaid, Nurse Shark, Caribbean Fish

Fri, 11 May 2007 10:32:40 CDT

Sea Monster ink drawing

Fri, 11 May 2007 09:01:04 CDT

Created with India ink on D’Arches watercolor paper (a lot of ink – it was a large drawing). This drawing started as a day scene with a sun, obviously it evolved on it’s own - as my mythical creatures do. My sea monsters create themselves - when I set my mind free to play. However, I was surprised when the moon and the depth of the shadows, pulled the waves into an almost stylized botanical motif. I cannot explain where these things come from - when they simply emerges from the depth of my subconscious. I do find it funny that something in my unconscious likes an extravagant baroque style. And, for unknown reasons these drawings - with the subconscious influence – become favorites. I have more of an eastern view of dragons, even though this sea monster looks a bit aggressive. In the west, they are seen as evil, represent chaos or are the devil incarnate. In the east - as with most things, the view is 180 degrees the other way. Dragons are just who you want around when times are tough, a benevolent and fierce protector who rules the elemental forces of the world. They bring the gift of rain and fertility of the earth, spiritual knowledge, happiness and even immortality. The Chinese dragon processions with the paper dragons and fierce masks celebrate the germinating blessing of the spring rains.

Pirate Envy - Mermaid

Fri, 11 May 2007 08:59:57 CDT

I drew this mermaid after a week sailing in a Regatta in Samui Thailand. It seemed, if the sailors had their choice, they would all be pirates and forget the day job. The name for this psychosis surfaced when I was drawing this piratess "Pirate Envy", made me laugh. She needed to steal hearts and turn the heads of the salty old dogs there. This Pirate Mermaid is also available in my Gallery Gift Shop on t-shirts, mugs and more.

Pirate Daze

Fri, 11 May 2007 08:59:01 CDT

I drew this mermaid after a week sailing in a Regatta in Samui Thailand. It seemed, if the sailors had their choice, they would all be pirates and forget the day job. The name for this psychosis surfaced when I was drawing the other piratess "Pirate Envy", made me laugh, so this one became “Pirate Daze” (or days) in tribute to the week. She needed to steal hearts and turn the heads of the salty old dogs there. This Pirate Mermaid is also available in my Gallery Gift Shop on t-shirts, mugs and more.

Sea Turtle “Glyph Turtle”

Fri, 11 May 2007 08:09:29 CDT

“Glyph Turtle” Beautiful Sea Turtles come to me in my dreams... This one I drew after a wonderful day of diving and a night of turtle dreams. The day was incredible, diving in a bay filled with turtles, all returning, in mass to nest (a rare site anywhere in the world, with turtle numbers falling like rocks). That night, I dreamed I was swimming with a beautiful old turtle, his shell covered with glyphs. I was trying my best to stay with him and read his shell. Knowing turtles are the longest living vertebrates that travel great distances and often-go weeks without food, I wanted to learn anything this turtle could teach me. Another turtle I drew from this same dream had an intricate design of a compass on his shell (possible saying the same things in dream-speak) giving me direction. In Chinese mythology, the turtle or tortoise is the symbol of unchanging stability and longevity.

Sea Turtle & Jelly Compass

Fri, 11 May 2007 08:09:28 CDT

Beautiful Sea Turtles come to me in my dreams... This one, I drew after a wonderful day of diving, and a night of turtle dreams. The day was incredible, diving in a bay filled with turtles, all returning, in mass to nest (a rare site anywhere in the world). That night, I dreamed that I was swimming with a beautiful old turtle with a compass pattern on its shell. Another turtle from this same dream had intricate hieroglyphic designs on his shell (possible saying the same things in dream-speak) giving me direction. In Chinese mythology, the turtle or tortoise is the symbol of unchanging stability and longevity. As I drew this turtle, I was setting on the beach in the shadow of a big Buddha, smelling the light scent of the floral offerings mixed in the sea air. Like many of my ink drawings, this turtle emerged completely with its own style. When drawings flow from my fingertips, with what seems like no thoughts of my own - except to hold the pen, it is magical - as if powers greater than me are having fun drawing and creating… and the day is as solidly etched in my mind forever.

Barracuda Ink Drawing

Fri, 11 May 2007 08:08:05 CDT

The Barracuda is a smooth stalker and a lone hunter... I was sitting on the dock one night, watching a 4-foot long Barracuda hunting, it was not a tough night for this fish. Beneath a spotlight that was set up for night swimming, hundreds of Yellowtail Snappers lazily circled in the pool of light. Un-noticed, the barracuda lazily moved to the edge of the school and in moments had his target in sight. His smooth silvery coloring pulsed and changed into dark black stripes, like those of a Bangle Tiger. (No, I was not smoking). He struck his target so fast, that I could not detect any movement, just the sudden splash of the attack, five feet away, and the scattering of Snappers in all directions. After finishing his meal, he slowly returned to the edge of the pool of light, easing back into position in his smooth silvery coat. The school of snappers amazingly regrouped and resumed their calm circular swimming. With self-assured calm, he locked his sites onto a fresh target, his bold stripes pulsing to life, and the scene repeated itself… This drawing was my tribute to such an incredible hunter.

Mermaid and Dolphins

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 11:59:04 CST

The Wildlife, a pen and ink drawing of a Mermaid having fun - riding a Dolphin. Signed limited edition giclee is 11"x14"

Mermaid - Lilly and Dolphin

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 06:35:18 CST

A pen and ink drawing of a sweet, fantasy mermaid sorting the booty of a sunken treasure chest, as her friends - a dolphin and reef fish watch. The Signed Limited Edition Giclee is 11"x14"

Message in a Bottle

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 06:32:36 CST

A pretty pen and ink drawing of a Mermaid who is slipping messages into bottles and setting them adrift towards an old sailing ship in a palm tree edged bay. Signed limited edition is 11x14"

Lunar Ovation Mermaid and Dolphins

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 06:32:36 CST

On a bright clear Caribbean night, the stars are amazing and dolphins can sometimes be seen in a quiet bay playing in a bioluminescent sea. Signed limited edition giclee is 11"x14"

Mermaid Blowing a Conch Shell

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 06:32:36 CST

Waiting for the ship she has called. The surf edges close, to a Mermaid with a Queen Conch Shell and Starfish at her side.

Reef Madonna

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 06:32:35 CST

A pen and ink drawing of a mermaid. I envisioned her as the mother of the reef - the guardian of all reef life, stars and a moon shine behind her, while she cradles two fish… Signed edition is 11x14