Process

As my ladies have progressed from that initial pastel on black paper they have split out into four main styles. Each of these has a distinct look and feel.

Voltaic Valkyries

The Voltaic Valkyries are my simplest style. White chalk done on black paper. They make me think of flashes of electricity. A surge of power and then they are gone. These are created quickly once I have picked my subject. The idea is to give them a feeling of fleeting movement. Like the image created, the finished piece is very delicate.

Dusted Valkyries

The Dusted Valkyries are chalk over a pastel wash. These are the most difficult to do with the mixed media, but they create a lovely ghostly quality. As if they were made of dust. The pastel ground is not treated with fixative before I begin the chalk work, this allows the chalk to blend in to the pastel on the initial application. Each Valkyrie is given the name of a goddess (these are chosen from mythology across the globe), whose characteristics are best presented by the model's pose

Elding Valkyries

Elding is the Norse word for a lightening storm. The stark highlights contrasted with the deep shadowing over a stormy coloured base make this the perfect name for my newest style. I drew inspiration from artists like Van Hove and Degas. Focusing only on the highlights and shadows. Allowing the rest of the figure to form mostly in the mind's eye.

Gaeilge Valkyries

This is a little nod to my homeland, its Viking roots and the powerful warrior maidens who exist throughout our shared mythology. These are usually my largest pieces and the most labour intensive. As with my Dusted Valkyries, each subject is given the name of a goddess whose characteristics are best presented by the model's pose. I like to use a defined colour for each one, varying up and down hues. I find this lack of colour contrast more soothing to look at.