Swordwhale Walking: illustration, webcomic, stories, photojourneys, videos
  • launch here
    • what I do and how much I charge
    • tales of the Earth Life Foundation
    • American lotus
  • art & stories
    • black horses
    • Sea Ponies of Chincoteague
    • Just Animals
    • playing with water
    • Tradigital illustration
    • environmental education >
      • Christmas Magic Mural 2020
      • animal alphabet and counting murals
      • Assateague ponies
      • the salamander room
      • more touch room ocean
      • more: touch room forest
      • wetland
      • wetland art
      • greenleaf
      • reptile week murals: Nixon Park
    • just animals: photography
    • Tales of the E.L.F. >
      • That Darn Elf, a musing or two
      • cast and crew
      • I dreamed of black horses
      • fanfiction: If Wishes Were Elves...
      • Following Raven
      • The Merrow's Cap >
        • Merrows Cap credits
      • Manannan's Horses
      • fandom >
        • Radagast's Rabbit Ride
        • the Lone Ranger >
          • LOLs and Trolls
          • but wait, there's Moore, and Silverheels
          • Hi Yo Silver
        • black panthers and night furies
        • tales of Middle Earth >
          • Mirthwood
          • Loth-LOL-ien >
            • Im-LOL-dris
            • Smirkwood
            • well, that coulda' been worse
        • Sherlocked
        • catz and doges on fandom
        • Faithful Sidekicks
    • murals
    • scribblings
    • coloring pages
  • mermaid tales
    • Gramma Swordwhale's Mermaid Blog >
      • how to mermaid
      • merfolk on the Chesapeake
      • my life as a mermaid
    • privateers and pumpkins and ponies oh my!
    • stupid gravity (the adventures of a mermaid on Eastern Neck Is.) >
      • stupid gravity credits
    • stupid gravity: the search for sea glass >
      • stupid gravity: the search for sea glass: credits
    • Stupid Gravity: Misty Cloudy Windy Stormy Augh! >
      • Misty Stormy credits
    • Stupid Gravity: the search for mermaids
    • mermaids, Moana and Maui, beached on Christmas Eve
    • horseshoe crabs forever
    • stupid gravity: hot hot hot >
      • hot hot hot credits
  • Chincoteague
    • A Beginner's Guide to the islands
    • back to the islands 2021 >
      • Ponies 2021
    • identify that pony
    • chincoteague pony art
    • Fall Roundup Oct 2019
    • Chincoteague 2019
    • pookas pumpkins and swamp ponies
    • Chincoteague Carousel
    • Chincoteague November 2018
    • the 3rd Sea Voyage of Makenuk's Fin
    • wild horses and kayaks 2017
    • wild ponies in camp
    • North Beach
    • on island time
    • saltwater cowboys
    • Chincoteague
    • Christmas by the Sea
    • island ponies
    • Ace and Unci revolt
    • beached
    • running water in between
    • Assateague Light
    • the Haunted Lagoon
  • crafty stuff
    • customizing riders and other characters
    • Wonder Horse repaint
    • Rich Toy hobby horse rehab
    • photo your toys >
      • how to photograph Breyers in the wild
      • welcome to Hawk Circle: telling stories with model horse photography >
        • more Hawk Circle
        • take your models to the beach
      • Lokigator and Throg's Epic Adventure
      • Sam and Bucky's Excellent Adventure
      • Mando and Grogu
      • paint and wet snow pants
      • Legolas and Hwin, snow
      • derps (or how not to photograph Breyers and others)
      • wild Breyers >
        • printable prints and downloads
        • water horses
        • beach Breyers
        • Lotus Legolas and Arod
        • teeny tiny Breyers
        • backyard Breyers and Schleichs
        • vintage breyers
        • Hartland Horses
        • Black Horses
      • educational display
      • Schleich and Safari Faeries
      • North beached
      • more model horses
      • beach party
      • advenatureData
      • Finding Hank
      • Otterlock and Hedgejawn >
        • Hounded in Baskerville
      • how to photograph your dragon
    • ModPodge rules
    • paint pours
    • flour salt clay
    • chalk paint
    • rock it: paint rocks and use or lose them
    • faerie gardens >
      • more faerie gardens
      • faerie festival at Spoutwood Farm
    • sea this tutu (and make)
    • I found Dory
    • knit me a mermaid, or chicken, or Hei Hei
    • sea treasures
    • sea glass
    • sea horses
    • rehabbing horse epic fail >
      • do you wanna build a snow pony?
      • do you wanna build a sand pony?
      • Barbie horse gets a makeover
    • mermaid saddles
    • Yule Laugh, Yule Cry... >
      • a Brandywine Christmas
    • Uncle Bob's Toys >
      • Uncle Bob's Toys 2016
      • more: Uncle Bob's Crafts
      • the Adventures of Mortimer
  • adventures
    • Go Play Outside
    • Nature Deficit Disorder
    • I heart Nature
    • autumn light
    • cats
    • mushing 101 >
      • dogs on wheels >
        • Autumn Run on Wheels
      • dogsled
      • dogsledding: running on snow! >
        • Groundhog Day
      • kids and dawgs: first sled run
      • Klondike Derby
      • Sled Dogs and Pirate Ships
      • Christmas Day Run: Rail Trail
      • Horses and Huskies: when predator and prey share the trail
      • Schipperke doo dah >
        • Runnin' with the Big Dogs
        • Hobbit Husky
      • women who run with the wolves
      • Play Time
      • wubba wubba
      • New Year's Dog Day
      • Team Swordwhale
    • trains, sleddogs, and horses oh my!
    • butterscotch and sprinkles
    • horses >
      • horse reference for art
      • ponies small but mighty
      • First Horse: Saraf
      • the Wild Black Mare
      • between thunder and lightning
      • Goliath, Nevada Mustang
      • Yataalii
    • Planet Water >
      • Planet fish tank
      • planet toadpool
      • Planet Pond
      • Under the Lake
      • Planet Stream
      • Planet River
      • Planet Marsh
      • Planet Ocean
      • Planet Water Bird >
        • Planet Water Bird: gulls
      • Planet turtle
      • Planet water snake
      • planet amphibian
    • kayak! >
      • blue boat home
      • kayaking 101
      • favorite good boats
      • some kayak videos
      • kayaking Assateague and Chincoteague
      • how to train your dragonfly
      • Chasing Raven
      • the Susquehanna River >
        • the Rock Garden >
          • return to the Rock Garden
        • Conewago Dreamin'
        • the Conejehola Flats
        • Thunderbird Island (petroglyphs on the Susquehanna)
        • to the White Lady and Beyond
      • Calvert Cliffs fossils
      • Sassafras River Lotus Paddle >
        • Return to the Sassafras
        • sassafras river 2015
        • sassafras paddle 20160814
        • Sassafras River 2017
        • Sassafras river 2018
      • Eastern Neck Island >
        • winter marsh, winter beach
        • Eastern Neck Island: under the supermoon
        • more Eastern Neck Island
      • Pinchot Park
      • Lake Marburg >
        • where are the manatees?
        • ...and the dolphins???
        • macros and SAVs
        • Lake Marburg 2018
        • how to be a kayaking Gramma
    • beached
    • dive in! (SCUBA) >
      • Gourd of the Rings
    • mid Atlantic seashells
    • longship company >
      • December sail
      • Sae Hrafn at Oakley
    • pirates and privateers >
      • Sailing 101
      • Schooner Sultana 1768
      • Capt John Smith Shallop
      • Pride of Baltimore II
      • Kalmar Nyckel
      • downrigging 2010 >
        • Chestertown autumn
        • Downrigging Weekend 2014
        • Downrigging 2015
        • Downrigging 2016
        • Downrigging 2017
        • downrigging 2018: pink tardis
        • Downrigging 2019
      • privateer weekend
    • horseshoe crabs and red knots >
      • horseshoe crab spawn 2021
      • slaughter beach
      • horseshoe crabs and semipalmated sandpipers 2019
    • surfboards and watchtowers: Cape Henlopen >
      • beached
      • Watching Whales >
        • Watching Whales...again
    • Seadogs: Newfoundland water trials
    • wind hounds
    • wild things! >
      • baltimore aquarium
      • there's a hummer in the garage...ceiling ...
      • critter cam
      • sky walking
      • leaf-fall
    • The Adventures of the Good Ship Fearaf
    • the incredibly dead blog page
  • art class
    • framing 101
    • watercolor: how to
    • sip n paints
    • acrylic painting 101
    • wildlife art class
    • Santa, You're Doomed
    • (drawing) horses 101 >
      • horse color 101
      • gaits
      • ponies in motion
      • tack
      • Draw: a horse
    • dogs and wolves
    • go ahead, draw a pirate ship
    • anthropomorphism (cartoon animals and stuff)
    • the Little Kids Page of Big Ideas
    • mural: how to >
      • Gabriel's Whale
      • stuff you need
      • drawing (mural)
      • drawing mural 2
      • painting
      • mural jungle
      • mural bat cave
      • mural cats
      • mural ocean
      • mural arctic
      • mural leaf smacking
      • watershed mural
    • crayons and colored pencils
    • palettes
  • wait wait! let me get the camera!
  • who perpetrated all this???
    • swordbroad
Characters from my illustrations and stories.

stories here: 
https://www.inkitt.com/teanna
Shaughnessy

 David Michael (Mike) Shaughnessy

 Swordwhale (walking on land): Marine biologist, underwater filmaker, educator... and orca shapeshifter. He won't say how old he is, but he did watch the first humans cross the Bering Land Bridge. He often deflects questions about his specific ethnic identity... since he isn't actually human. He is most familiar with peoples of the Pacific: he hung out with Polynesian navigators, lived on the various coasts of North America (northwest coast is a favorite, where in Kwakiutl, he was known as Mak-eh-nuk), and he swam to China more than once.  In orca form, he lives in a world of sound. On land, in human form, he lives in a world of vision: he's Deaf. Martial artist, immensely strong (what part of "orca" do you not understand?) and can use sound to stun opponents (as real orcas do). Loves kids, hates ceilings (you can't surface through them). Likes boats if he doesn't have to go belowdecks. When he shifts from orca to human form, the six foot dorsal fin becomes a surfboard, kayak, canoe, waka, skipjack or other non-powered small boat. To return to orca form, he must have sufficient water, and the fin. 

​For Maori (New Zealand/Aotearoa/Polynesian) and Kwakwala (coastal Canada) pronounciations of "orca" or "swordwhale" click the pics...
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Zan

Zan

Reeks to be a teenager for decades (at least he's not a vampire; he'd be stuck at 17 forever), Elven teen Zan looks like a 14 year old, but has been around a few decades longer than that (he remembers Leave it to Beaver, Gunsmoke, and the original Star Trek). Has random skills in swordplay, archery, and creating believable illusions. Fries computers and other electronics if he forgets to shield. Loves animals and, like most Elves, can communicate with them. Has read Lord of the Rings a gazillion times.
Morgan

Morgan the Merrow

Swordfish Clan, teen (about a century and a half old), sometime underwater filmaker. The swordfish tail does not shapeshift into legs when he's on land, so he must use a wheelchair. He also uses illusions to disguise his true appearance (fins and bluey-grey skin). The red hat, woven by his mother at his birth, is what allows a merrow to breathe undersea. Finds human food fascinating and sometimes gross (they burn what? crabs should be eaten raw...). Wants to journey in the tardis.
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Earla

Short, stout, immensely strong (like all Dwarves) teen aged Dwarf Earla helps her dad "Doc" fix and create new technology. She has advanced from the Age of Steam to the Age of Electronics. They've got some new stuff in the works that will solve many energy issues. She bakes killer brownies that will sustain you on the most arduous journey. She hates boats. Is having a Chrises (crisis spelled Chrises): Hemsworth, Pratt and Evans. Also has a thing for Martin Freeman.

Val

Valerie Schwatrz, rhymes with wartz, aka Moose. The oversized dorky kid who finds herself in the middle of an adventure on a wild black mare. Knows her way around Narnia and Middle Earth, has journeyed in the tardis (at least, in fanfiction), and can tell you more than you wanted to know about all the Star Treks. Totally Sherlocked and wants to clone Bakedabatch Cookiecrumble. And that Dwarf, Kili. Might be able to beat Rey in a lightsaber duel.

the Guardians of Hawk Circle

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Three Sisters: Salvage...
(...Antiques, Recycled Wonders
 and Thrifty Necessities)

Not Corn, Beans and Squash, but the Three Grandmothers of Hawk Circle Farm; Delphi (Grandmother Possum), Aura (Grandmother Vulture), and Cora (Grandmother Crow). They are the recyclers of Nature, and of Hawk Circle. If they hand you the keys to their storage shed, you might find anything from a magic sword to a broken cup (...that becomes a battleship).

Dragon Woman

The Fourth Sister. In my fantasy film, I would cast either Crouching Tiger's Michelle Yeoh, or Agents of SHIELD's Ming-na Wen... and add golden eyes. One of the Guardians of Hawk Circle. 5'1". Shapeshifts into a rather large black dragon. Loves deep chocolate whoopie pies with buttercream icing. Has read more books in more languages than you can imagine. Doesn't need a tardis because dragons made the gates between worlds. Dreamworks fan. Don't let her toast your marshmallows. 
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"Where's my vintage Hulk collectible?!?!"

​Val and Earla borrowed Bran's mighty collection and went to the beach... 

​Chill Bran, like Nick Fury said in Avengers, Age of Ultron, "He probably swam to Fiji..."

​Mermaid by Safari, repainted.

Tas

"Tas" Wolf

Tas (Tashunka was the name she used back in the 19th century, walking among the Lakota) is a Pooka, a shapeshifter most often appearing as a horse or canine. Retrains "problem horses and dogs" by retraining problem humans. You want her on YOUR side in a fight. Loves chocolate, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, Tom Hiddleston, and Bakeabatch Cumbercookies and while while she'd like to see more films pass the Bechtel test, she's seen Avengers like 26487683 times... 
Raven and Wolf

Raven and Wolf

Brannan (Bran) Hrafenson ("Raven's son"), Elvish shapeshifter (Clan Ravenkin) and human buddy team member Ian Greenleaf; saving the world from the Hordes of Doom...or just educating the next generation about caring for the planet.

In biology, ravens and wolves have a partnership: ravens (keen vision, flight) lead wolves (speed, endurance, strength) to potential prey, then share the kill. In mythology, from Norse to Northwest Coast, they are also closely associated.

Bran: pilot, educator, skilled swordsman, collector of comics and action figures. Likes any kind of junk food except Cheetos. Can mimic any sound effect (does great imitation of Yoda, Chewie, and Captain Jack). Don't let him near your electronics (computers, cell phones...) like all Elves, he channels energy in weird ways and fries tech. He's lived quite a long time, so taking him to a film with a historical setting can be dangerous... get the extra large scavenger sized bucket of popcorn so you can stuff it over his head.

Ian: copilot, educator, skilled martial artist, musher (with two Malamutes: Keet and Skana), webcomic artist, hates junk food. Wanted to be a Jedi when he was a kid. Is now sidekick to ex-privateer Elven ranger who screeches to a halt at every yard sale looking for action figures he missed..
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Sea Wolves and Flyers

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Bran has sailed on a multitude of ships from Viking age to modern historic-reproduction sail training vessels. His favorites have been the "schooners, pilot boat built" or "sharp built schooners" of the War of 1812, known, years later, as Baltimore Clippers, for their port of origin, and their speed and agility. He's sailed on: The Silver Raven (a true Baltimore built clipper), The Black Mare (not a ship of wood and hemp, but a shapeshifter; one of Mannanan's Horses), and The Roane (a Celtic word meaning selkie, or seal shapeshifter, this ship incorporates technology from several centuries). "Sea wolves" had letters of marque and commandeered enemy ships and goods. "Flyers" ran blockades with their own goods to sell in friendly ports.
Faerie pool
watercolor illustration of the Pride of Baltimore II for their holiday card... yeah, wherethebleep does that line go?!?!?
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Kai and Company

He found his way through a Dragongate, seeking help to save his island from hordes of Unseelie leaking out of a rift crated by one of his own people. Kai and his band eventually return to Hawk Circle to stay, and teach the "Secondborn"... humans.

Wicked cool swordsman, archer, loves books, video games, movies. He doesn't fit well in theaters, even in disguise. Grumble grumble grumble. Annoyed that he couldn't catch Ant Man in theaters.

Y.A.W.A.
(You And Whose Army)

One of the Guardians of Hawk Circle: he appears most of the time, to be a cute, short, stout, fuzzy black and white tobiano pinto Shetland Pony. Looks are deceiving. Very deceiving.
The pony version is a small Schleich I repainted. the unicorn version is a Sculpey sculpture by Vicki Wyman. I traded some art for a unicorn, any Wyman unicorn. She made YAWA. The horn is either a turret or auger shell from the mid-Atlantic coast, the eyes are ruby glass.

 Other Fun Stuff: aka Play With Your Toys
not part of the ELF canon... maybe

Otterlock and Hedgejawn

Fans of the BBC Sherlock series began to post pics of Sherlock and Watson as an otter and a hedgehog. I happen to have some otters and hedgehogs... ​http://www.swordwhale.com/otterlock-and-hedgejawn.html
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Stupid Gravity: a mermaid's blog

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Mermaids explore land with seahorses...slippery seahorses with minds of their own. Several stories here under "Play With Your Toys", and some on my Inkitt page. ​http://www.swordwhale.com/stupid-gravity-the-adventures-of-a-mermaid-on-eastern-neck-is.html
Don't let your toyz...eh..collectibles sit on a shelf, take them out and have some adventures. The large horses are Our Generation horses (nicer than the same scale American Girl horses) found at yard sales and thrift shops, and rehabbed/repainted. The smaller ponies are Johnny West horses from the 60s, some repainted. The mermaids are Douglas, Aurora, and at least one mystery mermaid from the Baltimore Aquarium (I can't find her tags or model online). "Muir" is a fabulous cloth doll found in a bargain bin at a thrift shop, I have no idea who made her. The Hippo of Happiness belongs to a friend who does a local (York PA) cable access TV show called Knowledge is Power, which deals with various human rights and social issues. She also sometimes brings along two mermaids whose names I do not know (an Aurora and a Groovy Girls Melissa mermaid). Toothless is from the How To Train Your Dragon movies and TV series, the small figures fit in your hand, making it challenging to get good photos, but his expressions and poses are fabulous. Hank starred in Finding Dory. He's a septopus (he only has seven legs). He has a great expression and makes zen gardens on the beach, sometimes using rocks with mandalas or Hawaiian words. Occasionally Moana (and sometimes Maui) show up to hula on the beach. Or even Lilo and Stitch. Or Legolas (the two different scale action figures fit on Breyers and Johnny West horses). Otterlock and Hedgejawn were inspired by BBC Sherlock's fandom's memes in which Sherlock and Watson are an otter and a hedgehog, I already had the plushies. A blue scarf and sweater ("jumper" in British) make the characters recognizable. Surfer Dude is a famous Chincoteague stallion, the plush version of a descendant came form the Chincoteague Wildlfie Refuge's visitor's center. Misty and Stormy (of Chincoteague) are vintage Breyers bought on Chincoteague years ago. Bagheera is a plush panther someone gave to me. The sea turtle is a find from a thrift shop.There are also some seals, orcas, and a bunny sled.

​Yes, a bunny sled. Works for mermaids too.

All of the characters can be Photoshopped slightly to change expressions etc.

I have other sea creatures and laying everyone out on a blue sheet might make for some nice "underwater adventures"
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