"The Drowning (2002)" by Maya R. Hirschman

I love all of your stuff, and I am so exstatic that you came to visit me so that I could know who you were and come see your stuff...This is great...I was going to say that I love this piece the most...it just popped out to me and I adore it. I love the depressing and dark composition, the fact that you did not fit the characters into the page, but actually zoomed into them...I love the technique, I am reminded a bit of Beardsley...this is excellent...you are truly a beautiful artist...cheers.

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "Thank you very much for your incredibly kind compliment. I am glad that this piece spoke to you the way it does me. Thanks again for the comment."

This picture is beautiful, so sad and emotional. I always thought mermaids (and men) had a dark secret, but mine was more on the lines of they were monsters not sad, lost souls wandering the sea, doomed to eternally drag others down to share their morbid fate. Anyway, what was I saying, oh yeah, umm I think this is the best pen and ink pictures I have come across in Elfwood, I might even venture to say it is the best picture, period. Something about their meloncolly(sp?) faces just moves me. Did anyone ever tell you, you are excellent at expressions. Oh, and also I think this version is better than the colored one, I don't know, more dramatic and the hair is better this way.

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "I really, really wish you had left an email so that you could read my response.

It isn't everyday that I get a comment like this, one where the viewer actually took the time to -look- at a work and then leave a thoughtful comment, as well. Many, many thanks. I have said it before, but it bears retelling, illustration tells a story and it is expression that speaks for the characters. Comics have thought/speach bubbles but illustration at its heart is image alone. When I am told that my work speaks through the expressions worn by the characters, I know that I have done my job as an illustrator. This does not mean that I am perfect, for I know I am far from it, but it means that I am doing something, so important, well. Thank you again, Anonymous, you made me truly proud tonight."

That really changes my views on mermaids. I'm so used to Disney cartoons... Though the ones in Peter Pan did seem to want to drowned Wendy. Anyways, they seem so sad and mournful, clearly they don't like doing what they do, but are unable to stop themselves. Tormented souls.

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "*nodnod* I totally understand. I think this image bothers people because of their misconceived ideas of merfolk. Of course, in many legends, mermaids lured seamen to their deaths, so I don't think I'm at all out of line."

I love this particular piece of yours! The lines and expressions are so expressive, giving you a sense of loss through the drawing. It's fun doing lose drawing where the lines take control and set the mood! Sorry I took so long long to reply to your comments(thanks by the way) Alot is going on. Keep it up!

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "I hope you weren't seriously hurt in that car accident, by the way. Thanks for returning the favour of a comment, especially with a comment as good as this one. Be well !"

This reminds me so much of hell in Michelangelo's Last Judgment, especially the human's expression. Wonderful.

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "Wow, what a compliment ! Thank you, thank you !"

Their fins are so fishy looking! They'd be complemented with webbing between their fingers!

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "I had thought of finger webbing, but now I can't remember why I decided not to. Thanks for the comment."

This picture is amazing. I think the expressions are brilliant, they are just perfect. They really show you how heartless and sad those creatures really are. Once again, awesome, moving picture. You are a fantastic artist.

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "Nuh ! Thanks very much ! What a great compliment."

Amazing. I didn't take this as a literal mercreature picture, as I saw you referred to it in a comment, but as a figurative action of drowning. The mercreatures represented the water taking life, suffocating (in the hugging action). I enjoyed thinking about this, and the blank expressions of the mer people were amazing. I think that was also something that made me think it was figurative. The expressions are flawless, you are a wonderful artist, and you should consider illustrating as a career. (watch you already be doing that, and I sound moronic. x.x )

Maya R. Hirschman replies: "THanks, Laura. I dabble in illustration without ever making a serious attempt at living from my art. I'm a mediocre fish in a vast sea and I don't know if I have what it takes, but comments like yours make me consider being more serious about illustration. Thanks very, very much."

I think what shocks people about the expressions is that there really is only one: hopelessness. They don't carry people down with them out of anger or jealousy . . . or any ardent feeling at all. It's as if they're presenting a paradox of desires, enticing apathy, masterful hopelessness, exquisite melancholy. And when they carry the drowning down with them, it's as if they're whispering, "Be still . . . be calm . . . do not struggle . . . breathe deeply . . ."