The Storm Kelpie or Blue Man of the Minch

The Minch is a body of water that separates mainland Scotland from the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides (Lewis and Harris). Kelpie is a name given to a variety of water spirits and while some take the form of a horse, the Storm Kelpie resembles a blue man. It swims with its torso out of the water and can twist and dive like a porpoise. I have given my Blue Man a merman’s tail.

The Blue Men can generate storms and are always on the lookout for stricken ships and unfortunate sailors. When the water is calm, the Blue Men sleep or float just below its surface.

There are various theories surrounding the origins of the Blue Men. Some suggest that they could have been Picts with tatooed bodies. Sailing the waters in kayak-style boats only the upper torso would have been visible.

Others have suggested that the men were Moors from North Africa brought to Ireland and Scotland by the Vikings who used to winter near the Shiant Isles.

Whatever their origins, the Blue Men gained a reputation for raising storms and sinking ships.

My Storm Kelpie mixed media frame is created from upcycled items of jewellery, old tie fabrics and some blue glaze from a damaged flower planter. There are pebbles, tiny sea shells, decorative moss and even some watch parts. The ship is a player token from an old Monopoly set!

The chunkiness of the large pendant piece and the glass beads used for the Blue Man’s torso and arms give, I hope, an impression of strength. I used lobster claw jewellery clasps for the hands to emphasise their destructive capability. The featureless face is a glass nugget and small silver chains form the hair.

Below the water’s surface three more Blue Men can be seen in silhouette. I have also added a shark, a couple of other brown fish and the watch part silver fish has become an Anglerfish with its luminous lure (thanks to a suggestion from Alison, an Instagram friend whose own practical and useful creations you can find at BlueCatSewing ).

Whether these fish might all be found in the same stretch of water is a matter for the imagination and some artistic licence!

This Storm Kelpie is a unique artwork and is my interpretation of a piece of Scotland’s mythology.  You might also like to see my other Kelpie frame in its horse form. Click the links above to be taken to my shop.

Derrick