Commenced during the Lockdown of March 2020 (March 31) and completed on July 18 2020.
Mixed media painting on Fabriano hot-pressed paper. Framed in Oak.
I saw a unicorn today.
It first appeared in the far distance on the misty bay.
The dog and I stood to watch as the beast moved along the line of the outgoing tide towards us.
Sunlight shone rainbow droplets through a flying mane and flag end tail as its thunderous hooves crashed through the gently rippling water. As it came closer I was filled with fear; what I had thought to be a fine white horse was this wondrous creature, with its sharply pointed horn gleaming ike a sword carved from mother of pearl.
We stood stock still, frozen as the unicorn veered tumultuously towards us – passing so close that we sensed the heat from its gleaming flanks and felt the breeze in its wake.
With explosive force it mounted the shingle bank, blasting pebbles in a roaring avalanche as it clambered the steep wall of stones.
Then it was gone.
As we dazedly walked towards home and safety. I realised that it had spoken to me as it passed, burying its message in my mind.
I am powerful resourceful and emblematic.
I am the giver of life
The curer of disease
I am alone, live alone, travel alone…
I don’t exist.