I’ve long been obsessed with the eerie, visceral, and unsettling tales found in ancient Scottish and English ballads. These paintings and drawings are inspired by this fixation. Ranging from darkly funny to moody and morbid, the works depict transmuted snakes, prophetic selkies, wax babies, and other elements meant to evoke an eldritch time and place—a lyrical and symbolic otherworld that has been perpetuated by word of mouth for centuries.
Sweet William’s Ghost (CB:77). 9″x12″, graphite on paper. Anderson Museum of Contemporary ArtThe Great Silkie of Sule Skerry (CB:113). 9” x 12”, acrylic on panel, Anderson Museum of Contemporary ArtTwa Corbies (CB:26). 26″ x 29″, graphite on paper. Private collectionThomas Rhymer (CB:37). 12” x 15”, acrylic on panel. Private collectionKing Henry (CB:32). 8″x10″, acrylic on panel. (Available)Willie’s Lady (CB:6). 6″x8″, acrylic on panel. Private collectionYoung Hunting (CB:68). 8”x10”, acrylic on panel. (Available)The Twa Sisters (CB:10). 8″x12″, graphite on paper. Private collectionBonny Barbara Allen (CB:84). 8” x 6”, acrylic on panel. (Available)Rare Willie Drowned in Yarrow (CB:215). 5” x 7”, acrylic on panel. (Available)Allison Gross (CB:35). 6” x 8”, acrylic on panel. Private collectionTam Lin (CB:39). 9” x 12”, acrylic on panel. (Available)Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight (CB:4). 6” x 8”, acrylic on panel. (Available)Young Hunting II (CB:68). 6” x 8”, graphite on panel. (Available)Sir Patrick Spens (CB:58). 5″x7″, acrylic on panel. Private collection
