"Piasa Bird" 2014. Colored pencil on black paper.
Little is known about the mythology behind the Piasa Bird. The first picture of it was drawn on a cliff side overlooking the Mississippi River. The original was removed and repainted upstream in Alton, Illinois. The purpose of the mural was probably to deter trespassers from tribal territory.
"Carbuncle" 2014. Colored pencil on black paper
The cat-like carbuncle hails from Latin American mythology. Several different descriptions of it exist, but many claim it to resemble a cat or rodent-like creature with a great red gem on its forehead. The carbuncle would unleash a light from this gem to startle anyone who wanted to kill it for its valuable feature.
"Bagiennik" 2014. Colored pencil on black paper
In Slavic folklore, the swamp-dwelling bagiennik is known for shooting caustic, black mucus out of the nostrils between its eyes in order to burn foes. The mucus was said to have healing properties. One can detect the presence of a bagiennik if they see dark, bubbling water rising to the swamp's surface.
"Headless Mule" 2015. Colored pencil on black paper
A creature from Brazilian folklore, the headless mule is the ghost of a woman who sinned. She is made to run across the country from Thursday night until Friday morning. The mule is often portrayed with fire coming out of its neck.
"Haietlik" 2015. Colored pencil on blue paper
A creature from Nootkan mythology, the haietlik is associated with the better-known thunderbird. With a long body and a snout as sharp as a knife, the haietlik would be hurled into the sea like a javelin by the legendary bird. It hunted orcas and shot lightning from its tongue.
"Tarasque" 2015. Colored pencils and white marker on black paper
The tarasque is a creature of French folklore that terrorized towns in southern France. It had a lion's head, a spiny shell, and six bear legs. A story says it was tamed by Saint Martha.
"Bai Ze" 2015. Colored pencil on black paper.
The story of the Bai Ze is known both in China (Its place of origin) and Japan as a white, ox-like creature with a man's face with a third eye, six additional eyes on its back, two horns on its head and four more on its back. While on patrol, a Yellow Emperor encountered the Bai Ze, which told him of all the supernatural beings in the world, as well as how to overcome their attacks. This information was recorded in a book called the Bai Ze Tu.
"Ammut" 2015. Colored pencil on black paper.
In Ancient Egyptian mythology, Ammut is a chimerical creature with the head of a crocodile, the ears and mane of a lion, the forelimbs of a leopard, and the hind of a hippo. She is often portrayed sitting at the heels of Anubis during the procession of the soul of the deceased, waiting to devour anyone whose heart was heavier than the feather of truth.
"Underwater Panthers" 2015. Colored pencil on black paper
Tales of the underwater panther were shared amongst tribes in the Great Lakes region. They are usually painted red, with scales, horns, and exceptionally long tails.
