The Otherworld and the origin of The Elixir of Love
“I paint all that I can’t see and a little of what I can”
The immortal line uttered by Kerry Darlington so perfectly sums up her approach to the portfolio of paintings and unique editions which have captivated a generation of art lovers. Focusing on The Otherworld, a concept originating in Gaelic mythology this realm of imagination is the stage for eternal youth, beauty, abundance, and joy. Creators of all avenues have explored this mythical place, inventing new guises for a land of possibility and fantasy to take shape.
Neverland, Oz, Down the Rabbit Hole – these dreamy lands can be ventured to by secret doors, tornadoes and beyond the stars. The natural setting for the new Valentines unique edition, The Otherworld is this time interpreted in pure Darlington iconography in incredible image ‘The Elixir of Love’. Magic is at the very heart of this enchanting work; where we are taken away from our day to day and enter Far Far Away; for this is a place where the make-believe is true and every day cares are left firmly behind. Building upon previous sell out works Moon Song and Celtic Twilight which are comprised within the Nature’s Faeries collection, Darlington’s own version of The Otherworld is expanding into epic new territory.
Through the thicket, the forest reveals a woodland bathed in light, trees grown to form a symbolic heart sheltering two woodland faeries from the oncoming twilight chill. It is time for refreshment, half acorns serve as perfect cups – perhaps holding tea, or a drop of the Elixir itself. A caldron softly bubbles under the roots of an ancient tree trunk, apothecary jars balancing delicately on reaching branches. Childlike wonder underpins Darlington’s ideas; romance here is sweet and charming, echoing the first wonderous days of falling in love. The three points of the hanging clock are fixed upon ‘Home’ and ‘Happiness’, and of course, ‘Tea’!
Little references such as this remind of more contemporary versions of The Otherworld, J.K. Rowling’s creation of Harry Potter, perhaps a little nod to a Hobbit Hole from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Uniting a generation of believers, Darlington is at the helm of a movement that harnesses the notion of daydreaming. A quote dear to the artist’s heart is this lovely description;
“All your time is spent in dreaming. Your sleeping and your waking dreams have different forms, and that is all. Their content is the same.”
To further bring her vision to life, the artist enlisted Wyecliffe’s Creative Brand Manager Anthony Lewis to animate ‘The Elixir of Love’. By working closely in collaboration, the pair selected small windows to focus on the extraordinary detail present in the composition. Anthony gave motion to the licking flames heating the boiling pot of potions first. Coloured smoke hisses, a new elixir soon to be ready to be put into the inventory amongst Essence of Dittany and Damson Blood. In the second short clip, an owl gently hoots waking a sleeping pixie from his slumber in the trees. In the third, the squirrel snuffles in his hole – nose twitching and eyes blinking in the daylight. Darlington was delighted with these teasers to share with collectors ahead of the full image being unveiled on Thursday 1st February.
An extra treat for collectors pre-ordering ‘The Elixir of Love’ is the wonderful complimentary heart charm, a little nod to the biscuits shared by the woodland faeries at teatime.
The perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your significant other (or a treat for yourself!) pre-order this incredible new edition here…
