I’ve been super excited to share this with you guys! Last week’s theme for the 52 week project was mythology. I considered doing something based on mermaids for just a few seconds but then I decided I really wanted a dragon in my picture! I wasn’t sure how to make it happen, but then I contacted one of my favorite artists and friend, Hessa Al Ajmani, and asked her if she’d want to collaborate with me. She said yes!
I was worried about telling you guys about this before finishing the image because I had NO idea if it was going to work. I explained what I wanted to Hessa, and we went back and forth with stuff like what the dragon should look like, and if it should be interacting with the subject. I initially wanted the dragon to be in the background with its wings spread as if it’s flying upwards. Hessa suggested having a more, she called it, interactive dragon.

The inspiration behind this came from Norse mythology, and the show Merlin. It used to be one of my favorite shows, and I remembered how often they’d talk about dragon lords. A dragon lord is a warlock who possessed the ability to tame dragons. Dragon lords are also able to speak to any dragon in the language shared by their souls, and they can use their abilities to force tasks upon dragons (and the dragons would have no say in the commands they’re given).  In Norse mythology, Nidhogg is a dragon that’s believed to chew the corpses of those guilty of murder, adultery, and oath-breaking. All of which Norse society considered among the worst possible crimes.

So this week’s theme is: I dreamed a dream.
I added a bunch of themes to my “themes pouch” because I was running out and I think this was one of the new ones. Let’s see how this goes haha.

First blog post of 2015, yay! Happy New Year everyone ❤ did you do anything special on New Years Eve?

2014-2017 52 Week Project Thoughts 52 week project amani alshaali dragon drawing fears fine art photographer fine art photography friends hessa al ajmani inspiration mythology photography photography challenge photoshop photoshop edit thoughts turtlina