The Mermaid of Lamu is a painting by Anthony Mwangi which was uploaded on April 19th, 2022.
The Mermaid of Lamu
I have always seen stories of mermaids all over the internet and on films. I have always believed that these stories were fiction. So I am on this... more
Original - Not For Sale
Price
Not Specified
Dimensions
30.000 x 42.000 inches
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Title
The Mermaid of Lamu
Artist
Anthony Mwangi
Medium
Painting - Kyle's Oil Paint
Description
I have always seen stories of mermaids all over the internet and on films. I have always believed that these stories were fiction. So I am on this boat with this boat taxi dude who carries visitors from Mombasa to Lamu Island. I am on a photography assignment and I want to get to Lamu today so I can wake up early and take photos.
It is about 150 miles from Mombasa to Lamu so we get there when the light is not so good. As we get in I notice this huge fish at the shores swimming back to the sea… I quickly snap one quick one as it gets into the water. The Boat dude shouts out something like…”Huyo Nguva!” (There goes the Mermaid!)
Then I ask the guy whether he is joking… The guy says it was a mermaid as a matter of fact… Now I am a little confused so I believe him a little...you know like 50%. In those days you had to take the film to be developed before you could see the photos.
The assignment took two days… 5 films later I was back to Nairobi which again took two long days…from Lamu to Mombasa…. From Mombasa to Nairobi. By now I was 99% sure I had an award winning Mermaid photo. Then I took the film to be developed the following day…5 days gone. Then it took three days for the photos to be developed. On the 9th day I went to pick them. I searched like mad to see the photo I took of the Mermaid…… And there she was in all her glory… A DUGONG!
Nine days of waiting! Wow! I felt like asking the studio guy if he was sure there was no mistake. Later I read somewhere that “It might seem strange to confuse a slow-moving, blubbery sea cow with a beautiful, fish-tailed maiden. Yet it's a common enough mistake that the scientific name for manatees and dugongs is Sirenia, a name reminiscent of mythical mermaids. Even today there are false mermaid sightings.
Well, 25 years later I have eventually painted what me and my boat dude saw and what my camera saw. I think ours is much more dramatic! Meet the Mermaid of Lamu
Uploaded
April 19th, 2022
More from Anthony Mwangi
Comments (11)
Lyric Lucas
CONGRATULATIONS Anthony! I have chosen this excellent unique and creative image to be "SHOWCASED" at the top of the Home Page in the "Out Of The Ordinary 1 A Day" group! 5/2/22 - 5/15/22 L/F/PIN
Lyric Lucas
Congratulations, your beautiful artistic work is Featured on the home page of the "Bedroom Art Gallery" group. 4/24/22 l/f/pin.
Susan Brown Slizys art signature name
Yes Carolyn is right it was an adventure we got to share because of you . Thank you
Susan Brown Slizys art signature name
This is sooo amazing both in the story and in the delightful mermaid . Can’t wait to add it to my favorites . You outdid yourself Anthony !
Dr Debra Stewart's Gallery
Congratulations, your wonderful image has been featured in the Greatest of All Time group -- thanks for sharing it with us! Please feel free to add it to the 2021 Feature Archive in the Discussion section (using the "embed" link on your image page).
Robyn King
Congratulations Anthony your beautiful artwork is being featured in Images That Inspire Meditation:-) Please take a moment to add your wonderful art to our archives in the message area and have a fantastic day!
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