The cool blues in this restful and peaceful painting are not dull but clear and focused … the color harmony is perfect and every inch is balanced and yet quietly energetic and forceful. I like the soft moon focus providing soft light and interest … I do not know what the oriental characters say but I like the shapes and placement of where they are. This lovely portrait is not a fish tail mermaid … yet she is of the water and to me, mermaids are all about water so I have chosen to put her in the mermaid category. Blue is a cool color and gives a lot of depth in this painting … water … mist … the pink ribbon sash, trimmings and greens are very striking in their quiet being and rounds out the circular motion for me to keep me moving around and through the scene.

The Spirit of the Lake by Emma Salamanca

I’m not sure if a Fire Sprite should be in the Elf or Faery category [pointed ears but no wings] so I am choosing both ;P … this lovely portrait of a sprite is very well done and the color harmony is wonderful. A variety of orange tones is not the easiest to do well and I really admire how Monica has made it look effortless with this glamorous rendering. This would be a lovely addition to anyone’s collection of fantasy art or if someone just loves portraits or needs a gorgeous orange to finish their color scheme with flair.

I love the expression on her face … mysterious yet sad, lonely and gentle … being a fire sprite does not appear to make her happy … perhaps it separates her from the world more than she likes and maybe the isolation and loneliness is nearly impossible to bear.

[Fire Sprite] Ignis Ninfea by Mónica Navarrete Galván