Bee In My Bonnet

A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse (1901)
Would you look at that? Just... Wow.
I’m not a big fan of classical “real” art – mostly because it seems to me, in my humble opinion, far too pretentious for little me – but I do love the pre-Raphaelites, and especially John William Waterhouse. I mean, just look at this painting. He’s beyond brilliant.

I have a humongous wall picture of this in my room, that’s how much I love this painting. I think it’s because of its softness and air of innocence; the mermaid looks so young and guileless, almost non-sexual for all her sensuality. And then there is the design on the fin. It’s gorgeous. The smooth transition from skin to scales, how it follows the shapes of her body, covering her hips while showing the convex curve of her belly and the heart-shape of the small of her back. That, ladies and gentlemen, is both arousing and alluring, without becoming vulgar for even a moment.

I am so stealing that for my own merfolk design. ♥


Also, just almost off-topic: I know the original voice casting is always the one you should prefer, but I’ve found that I like the Swedish dub version of “Poor Unfortunate Souls” a lot more than the English American one. I think it’s because the Swedish voice actress has such a commanding presence, and an amazing voice.

I still adhere to my opinion that Disney’s The Little Mermaid is a story about a MTF transsexual.