Ocean Dragon, 2023
Acrylic, Gold Leaf & Ink on Canvas
36x48" 

"Deep beneath the Earth's surface in a long-forgotten crystal infused grotto of the ancients, pure aquifers ebb and flow, creating an ideal realm for playful beings of myth and legend."  

This post has a been a while in the making! This new piece on canvas was about 75+ hours in the making. I've been working a lot for others, and finding 2, 3 or 6 hour sessions has been the main challenge wrapping this piece up. The custom frame took some damage at the gallery, and had to be rebuilt and replaced. Thankfully no one was hurt when it fell, and the frame took the brunt of it. I finally have a clear image to share with you with the frame now!

I worked on this piece under many lighting situations, from noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, studio lighting, and various levels of cloud cover and direct sunlight - giving the piece some interesting color and depth features when observed at various times of day. Layer after layer of color, shading and highlights were applied, changing things up and evolving over time. 

The fairy-mermaid is a fan fave for all ages, and the piece received a lot of great comments in the gallery in Malibu. The fairy-mermaid changed a lot over time (hair color, anatomy, facial features) yet remained clever in essence, seeming to toy with or pester the dragon itself. Some kids and adults asked if it was real, and sparked numerous conversations with all sorts of folks. The painting really shines when viewed up close, I like how it evolved.  

The painting was created in a large vaulted ceiling crystal sanctuary, and a crystal garden, as well as in open air balconies, surrounded by some of the world's largest and rarest crystals. It is assuredly infused with crystal essence, as it has been bombarded non-stop by negative ions and so forth, being released naturally from the large crystals surrounding it. The crystals pictured in the painting are painted from crystals that existed in the space surrounding the canvas across several months. 

The "eye has it." Numerous people have commented on the gaze of the dragon. It really draws the viewer in. I love the way it turned out. At one moment in time, I knew that the soft glassy orb needed no more work and it was best to stop - such moments of clarity are a gift in creative work. No visual reference was used for this element.

Prints are currently unavailable. Only the original exists at the time of this posting. 

This original can be yours, and is available with the frame in the greater Los Angeles area. Pickup or delivery is flexible. Shipping worldwide to your locale is available for the right collector. 

Contact my assistant for info and to acquire: moondragonstudios@gmail.com