Colete Martin’s captivating paintings challenge our perception of these mythical creatures. Forget the sugar-coated unicorns of fairy tales. Martin’s masterful brushstrokes bring forth unicorns bathed in the stark light of a flash camera, amidst the inky blackness of a forest night. These majestic beings shimmer with an otherworldly glow, their forms both ethereal and strangely realistic. Hints of blood add a surprising layer of mystery, hinting at a darker side to these fantastical creatures.
Martin’s unique style masterfully blends the magical with the unsettling. The flash illuminates the unicorns, highlighting their otherworldly beauty, while the surrounding darkness shrouds them in an air of mystery. The bloodstains, a recurring motif in her work, spark curiosity and challenge viewers to question their preconceptions about these mythical creatures. Perhaps unicorns aren’t the gentle, benevolent creatures of folklore, but something more complex and captivating.
I’m always going to be a little bit dark… I’m always going to try to make my work feel evocative and mysterious, but now, instead of abject sadness, I’m painting from a place of mischief. I think the viewer can feel the play and joy oozing from each pony.
Colete Martin
More info: Website, Instagram.
