Being busy with the sketchbook project and vector graphics galore, I haven’t contributed to Illustration Friday for so long! Too long! But when I saw this week’s topic “Myth”, I was so happy because as it turns out, it fits with the series of paintings I have been working on for the past several months. For those of you who have been keeping up with me, you know I have this obsession with the fox maiden, Tamamo; perhaps the most intriguing and beguiling female figures in Japanese mythology. It is a story I am obsessed with for the past few years. I am in love with her, with the idea of her, and with her story because in many ways I see her smile reflecting back at me when I face the mirror. I suppose I can call her my familiar. The fox maiden has had to endure hardship, a downtrodden heart, and betrayal but always moved forward gathering her strength to protect the truth but according to the old myth with tragic consequences. I want to change that. Give her a “fair” ending, an ending I could live with 
Usually I would be nice enough to give you a hyperlink to some resource material like wiki but this tablet app for wordpress does not allow me to do it so I will suggest that you wiki Tamamo if you are curious and want more in depth information about her. Well back to the painting! kisses, Paintblotch…
Beautiful!! Love the folds and the lines directing the eye this way and that way. <3 Happy painting and a productive Sunday to you =)
lovely! but i want to hear the story now. i remember a japanese tale about a fox and a badger but cant remember the fox maiden
is there an online link maybe?
Here you go Tin Roof: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamamo-no-Mae
here is a contemporary version written by Florence Forrest:
http://www.cracklemountain.blogspot.de/2006/06/tamamo-fox-maiden-folktale-japan.html
its a good story. very sexist.
well when i start looking at all folk tales or myths they are usually pretty sexist, although there are the few exceptions.
This is a good post exploring some feminist characters from hindu myth in light of the whole delhi bus rape thing
http://nilanjanaroy.com/2013/01/08/speaking-volumes-woma-in-the-forest/
Oh wow thanks Tin Roof! Happy New Year by the way! I’ve been away from my blog for so long didn’t realise how much I missed ya
Wonderfully fluid painting.
Thank you Elena! I hope it stays fluid till the very end
Its almost finished just have to work on the values here and there.
Just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award! I know this is a bit silly, but I wanted to help promote your wonderful blog. Check out my post for the rules (http://gegallas.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/the-versatile-blogger-award/). Congratulations, G. E.
Oh my goodness! Thank you Gegallas for liking my blog <3 I will honour the the rules this weekend