Folklore in Art

Mythology and folklore are subjects that really interest me and influence my art. It’s sometimes a topic that some people dismiss as being “just” stories for children but I think those people are missing the point. Mythology connects us with our ancestors and has themes that still resonate with us today. We may have technology and science but human life is much the same. We can still identify with the things that the characters in myth go through, share their experience. We can learn from stories and they offer a respite from modern life, taking us to another place. 

Folklore is full of wisdom that has been passed down through the generations. Stories are peppered with symbols and metaphors that help us understand life. Images of mythology can remind us of these themes, things that may be close to our hearts, reminding you about what’s important in life.

 “Whether or not they contain the encapsulated wisdom of ages past, what is certain is that myths, fairy tales and folklore offer us a world imbued with participation mystique – a world in which humans are fully enmeshed. In this world, animals always have something to teach us, trees and plants can save or cure us, wise old men and women are waiting in the dark woods to help us, and a well may be a doorway to another world. Myths and folklore can put us back in touch with the seasons and turnings of the year, and they can restore our acceptance of the necessary cycles of life. They can also remind us that we have a responsibility to future generations, and to the planet as a whole.” 

The Enchanted Life by Sharon Blackie.

They can also set our imaginations going, making us wonder what’s happening in the picture? What land are they in? Where does that path go? Stories are universal, yet personal too. I’ve heard stories about my grandparents from my mother and father, information that gets passed down through the family. In that way, we are all stories.

Stories and images can also help us remember the enchantment that can be found in life. In the midst of the difficulties we go through, we can find moments of magic and wonder. The gleam of sunlight on a raindrop on a leaf, for example (and if you’ve seen my social media posts, you’ll know I LOVE those!). A ring of mushrooms growing in the wood - maybe there are faeries about! A face in the bark of a tree. Holes in the ground – what kind of creature might live in it? 

I love seeing the magical side of life. Whatever terrible things are going on in the world, created by humans, the natural world is a beautiful place, full of mystery and marvels. Both stories and nature help us to maintain curiosity about the world we live in as well. Where did the inspiration come from? Who originally told the story? Where did it happen? 

“It is by such statements as, ‘Once upon a time there was a dragon,’ or ‘In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit’ – it is by such beautiful non-facts that we fantastic human beings may arrive, in our peculiar fashion, at the truth.” 

Ursula K. Le Guin, Why Are Americans Afraid of Dragons? 

Do you love myth, folklore or fantasy books? What is your favourite? How do they make you feel? Let me know in the comments or on social media (links below). 

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