Though many spirits in folklore are water-dwelling shapeshifters (and also horses), very few fascinate me more than the Kelpie. Hailing from and haunting the rivers and streams of Scotland, this creature has been spoken of in its homeland for centuries. But, like many spirits, it isn't kind, often said to lure children (or, in some tellings, young women) onto its back and into the water's depths, never to be seen again. However, there is one way to tame the beast: a very special bridle. Depictions of the Kelpie vary from place to place, but many regions in Scotland have some tale surrounding it.
For this depiction (and with all of them), I always want to respect and pay tribute to the culture the folklore originates. Its build and overall characteristics were inspired by an old Scottish breed called the Highland Pony, and the environment was based on native wetlands. Nods to the myths can be found as little Easter eggs throughout the piece; see if you can spot them all! I had the absolute best time working on this, and I hope you love it as much as I do.
