Louisiana Mythology : Brown Pelican Alkonost

Previous Browse Next

Emma Fick

Louisiana Mythology : Brown Pelican Alkonost 2017

Alkonost is the Russian name for the half-bird, half-woman creatures that appear in Russia's vibrant and ancient folklore tradition. In this series, I play with both composite creatures (birds and humans) and composite cultures (Russian and Louisianan) to create a new mythology, a new kind of Alkonost, one that protects various elements of the Louisiana landscape. In the Louisiana Mythology series, I strive to create a visual language specific to the state in which each element can be read and parsed out almost like a book. Louisiana is already rich in its cultural icons, natural landscapes, and fables, and in much of my work I play with these extant cultural components, layering them atop other traditions and visual languages. Here, the Brown Pelican Alkonost is enthroned on a magnolia tree and watches over the verdant land and the mirliton. Her crown holds a river fish. She is a celestial being who guards the Louisiana landscape. Protection and guardianship-- specifically female guardianship-- appear frequently in my paintings. Much like a talisman you wear around your neck, I like the idea that a painting can be a protective object for your wall, can act as guardian of your space. The alkonosts have dominion over their static ecosystem in the particular world of the painting-- in this case, the magnolia tree, the mirliton, the fish-- but as an object on your wall, they also serve as guardians over your room, your space, whatever dynamic ecosystem they come to occupy. They protect two worlds: the world of the painting and the world they see from their perch on the wall. Though the Louisiana Mythologies themselves are figments of my imagination, the visual references (almost always from nature) are quite literal and real, and consistently specific to Louisiana. Similarly, the cultural references are rooted in history and fact: the alkonosts, for instance, appear in ancient Russian folklore in both word and image and can be studied and enjoyed apart from my work.

Buy $1,450.00

Watercolor and ink on paper
24" x 18"
Shipping cost: $50.00

Image Description: Louisiana Mythology : Brown Pelican Alkonost / Main Image

Artist + Emma Fick

Follow this artist

I was born in Covington, Louisiana. After college (I studied Literature and Art History, with plans to go into academia) I moved to Serbia for two years. I was inspired by the Byzantine icons-- a motif that still finds its way into my work regularly-- and, for the first time in my life, found I had the time to paint every day. I quickly realized this was how I wanted to spend the rest of my life and I returned to the United States determined to establish an art career. I've been painting full-time ever since.

I still spend a lot of time traveling, and when I'm not in New Orleans you can find me in some distant land (most recently, I took the Trans-Siberian railway from Beijing to Moscow), sketchbook in hand, gathering inspiration.

meet the artists

We are a community of New Orleans visual artists. We are painters, sculptors, fashion & jewelry designers.
We are craftsman and metal workers, illustrators and printmakers.
We make and create original & one of a kind artworks handcrafted right here in New Orleans.

Nancy Wolfe Kimberly Gator Girl Art
Painting

Drew Cooke Mixed Media / Painting

Meghan Methe Painting

Rise Delmar Ochsner Painting

Lyla Clayre Illustration / Painting

Rayne Bories Painting

Kris Muntan Painting

Debbie Boyd Painting

Lucille Anderson Lucille Blues
Painting

Lionel Milton Elleone
Painting / Street Art

Connor McManus Mixed Media / Painting

Stephanie Reed Painting

Mike Williamson Painting

Cheryl Anne Grace Painting

Shelby Little Painting

Saegan Swanson Painting

Leeaux . Illustration / Painting

Jeff Morgan Painting

Thomas Deaton Painting

Sean Randall Painting

Sean Clark Painting

Devin De Wulf Folk / Outsider Art / Painting / Photography

Nurhan Gokturk Illustration / Painting

Kevin Elder Painting

Ember Soberman Painting / Mixed Media

Alexandra Kilburn Illustration / Painting

Margaux Hymel Art by Gaux Gaux
Painting

Ella Albrecht Painting

Joshua Wingerter Painting

Brett Henderson Painting

Lee Morais Painting

Louise Guidry Encaustic / Monotype / Painting / Printmaking

Queen Hope Parker Queen Hope Poetic Art
Painting

Ellen Macomber Ellen Macomber Studio
Painting

Leroy Miranda Jr. Painting

Anne Blenker Painting

George Dolgy Painting

Gabriel Flores New Orleans Paint and Design
Painting / Street Art

Kristen Albrecht Mixed Media / Painting

Paige DeVries Painting

Sarah Nelson Sarah Nelson Fine Art
Painting

Kat Ryalls Painting

Ramiro Diaz Painting

Keith Oelschlager Painting

John Turner Painting

Lori Sperier Mixed Media / Painting

Darlene Langendonk Art Impressions
Painting

Maddie Stratton Painting

"The Peaches are Better Down the Road" Homage to Johnny Hodges

George McClements Painting

Okra Farms: Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans, LA

Miro Hoffmann Painting

Toné Lowe Painting

Nicole Ockmond Painting

Tony Hollums Painting

Rebecca Birtel Madura Painting

Mary Singleton Painting

Jessica Strahan JHand Paints
Painting

Patrick Henry Victory Arts
Painting

MILAGROS Collective Painting

Connie Kittok Painting

Kate Hanrahan Illustration / Mixed Media / Painting

Rachel Rice-Baham Painting / Mixed Media

Amzie Adams Painting

Blair Dupre Painting

Bryan Brown Art by Bryan Brown
Painting

Ceaux . Ceaux Artwork
Painting

Jeremy Paten Mixed Media / Painting

CREATORS OF ART

Where Y'Art is a curated community of New Orleans artists, craftsmen and designers seeking to connect with buyers and each other. At Where Y'Art, you'll have more sales opportunities and access to commercial opportunities to grow your creative business.

Email us for more information: hello@whereyart.net

LOVERS OF ART

Where Y’Art curates an online gallery where you can meet over 100 New Orleans artists — from painters to sculptors, craftsmen and jewelry designers — discover their passions and learn their stories. It’s a 24-hour meeting place where the artist is always present and the wall space knows no limits.

If you’re in New Orleans, pay us a visit, 1901 Royal Street in the historic Faubourg Marigny neighborhood.

Sign up here for updates:

Emma Fick

Artist + Emma Fick

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

meet the artists

Where Y'Art is a tool to discover, shop and experience the best of
New Orleans art online and in person.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

meet the artists

Where Y'Art is a tool to discover, shop and experience the best of New Orleans art online and in person.

DISCOVER, FOLLOW & SHOP THE BEST OF NEW ORLEANS ART, ALL IN ONE PLACE.

Create your account

I am an artist

Login Now

Where Y'Art is a tool to discover, shop and experience the best of
New Orleans art online and in person.

DISCOVER, FOLLOW & SHOP
THE BEST OF NEW ORLEANS ART,
ALL IN ONE PLACE.