This is a handcrafted (hand carved and hand printed) linocut print of a whale in an underwater oceanic world filled with schools of fish and seals. Above are flying gulls and a landscape with pine trees.

It is handprinted with Caligo archival safewash (non-toxic) ink on Strathmore archival printmaking paper (a local Massachusetts paper mill).

SIZE:
Print size: 10" x 18"
Paper size: 12" x 20"

DETAILS & INSPIRATION:
Whales are enigmatic gentle wandering souls of the ocean infused with old world enchantment. They draw our attention into that oceanic underworld, that borderless place where myth and reality swim together and stories wonder like schools of fish. . .

Whales have been part of the mythic imagination since the beginning of time as evil monsters of the deep as well as benign protective spirits and guardians. Whales exist in that threshold between all these opposing places. Whether it is the Biblical story of Jonah who gets swallowed by a whale or the Vietnamese whale guardian angel Ca Ong a sentinel of the deep who protects sailors during storms, in so many ancient whale legends from around the world an encounter with a whale is a metaphor for life’s greatest challenges. Ancient seafaring stories about whales invite us to confront what is larger than us, drawing out of us questions that have been sitting dormant in the depths of our inner ocean… The presence of a whale poses a question as old as the sea mist itself: In a borderless world, what does it mean to belong? Perhaps this is the greatest gift whale offers us, as she gently wanders and weaves together the world. . .

GIFT IDEAS: This would make a great gift for a whale lover, or ocean lover, or someone who loves to be reminded of the wisdom of whales. It would also be a wonderful earth-friendly piece of wall decor for a family room, living room, children's room and its horizontal proportions work well above a bed or fireplace. It would also be suitable as inspiration for someone undergoing a great challenge in their life, who loves folklore and myth and would welcome being reminded of whale folktales from around the world that help us navigate whale-like experiences.

PACKAGING: This print will be carefully packed in a recycled clear bag and shipped in a recycled cardboard tube. A one-page insert including a description of the folktale is included with the print.

Free Shipping within the USA. Ships out within 1-3 business days.