And so it is that I've been soaking up every episode of Coast I can lay my eyes on! Luckily, this programme is on television almost every day in the UK (for readers overseas, I wonder if you can view it online?), but of course that hasn't been enough for me! I've been scouring the internet looking for documentaries and films that pique my interest.
Undoubtedly my best discovery is the animated film, Song of the Sea, directed by Tomm Moore. I've watched it three times in two weeks, and I honestly can't believe I'd not heard of it before now! For those who, like me, have been unaware of its existence, or perhaps just haven't got around to watching it yet, I cannot recommend it enough. I was mesmerised from the very beginning, and reduced to tears of wonder by the end. Ocean myth brought to life in the most perfect way. If you like Tomm Moore's style, you may also enjoy The Secret of Kells.Craving more selkies (about which there seem to be disappointingly few films and documentaries), I also watched Ondine, directed by Neil Jordan, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and an old favourite, The Secret of Roan Inish, directed by John Sayles.
Already a fan of the music of Kevin Kendle, which I find particularly relaxing and inspiring when writing, I was delighted to discover that he had made an album with Llewellyn called Journey to Atlantis. An intriguing, relaxing and imagination-capturing journey of discovery under the sea.
The sea has inspired countless artists, all with their own take on the atmosphere, jagged coastline, crashing waves, wide horizons, wildlife and myth. My favourites are undoubtedly Annie Hudson, Josephine Wall, Victor Nizovtsev and John William Waterhouse, whose work is pictured throughout this blog post.
Finally, it's time for a trip to the coast my mind has been so occupied with!
Featured paintings: Call of the Sea by Josephine Wall; The Mermaid by John William Waterhouse; Sea Cave by Annie Hudson; Promise by Victor Nizovtsev
