I am utterly obsessed with songs and works of art that have an underwater theme. In regards to the artwork, I think the gradient of blue and turquoise blends so wonderfully with the vibrant colors of aquatic life. I’m one of those people who listen to ocean waves and flowing rivers to relax, so I admit that I may be a bit biased whenever I see a drawing with water as the backdrop. However, I don’t think anyone could fail to recognize the meditative beauty of the piece I have chosen to spotlight today.
In the more than 10 years that artist Snow-Bunniintendo, or “DaYo,” has been active in the online art community, she has developed a distinct style that pays homage to the charming toon world of The Wind Waker, while still making it entirely her own. Whether you’re looking for a colorful, energetic picture of Link and Tetra or a dark, experimental piece that explores trauma and self-hatred, her eclectic gallery is sure to amaze and inspire you. One of my personal favorites of hers would have to be “Nayru: Below Surface,” which features Nayru from Oracle of Ages floating gracefully beneath the waves of the ocean.
The most obvious thing to comment on here is the absolutely incredible composition of the picture’s setting. To me, painting water is like climbing Everest for an experienced artist, and it takes an exceptional artist to reach the summit of the mountain. The perfect transition from warm cyan to bone-chilling violet, the swirl of shimmering green amid the sunbeams that stretch through the darkness, and the kaleidoscope of light at the water’s surface all come together to bring us a breathtakingly expansive seascape. It is also distinctly empty, providing the perfect space for quiet reflection.
Searching for this tranquility seems to be exactly what Oracle Nayru, whose color palette blends in well with the underwater setting, intends to do. Her tranquil expression and clasped hands suggest that this is a meditative ritual, and the soft interplay of light and shadow across her body helps her become one with the serene environment she has chosen. While the bubbles eagerly dance towards the surface and her hair and clothes billow around her, Nayru is the picture of stillness and grace, the inner workings of her mind an enigma as the water cradles her in its grasp. Gazing at this picture almost makes one feel like an intruder on what is meant to be a moment of pure solitude.
Now, while Nayru the Oracle has never really been associated with water, her presence in an underwater scene actually makes sense on a symbolic level. When we swim beneath the surface, our perception of time completely changes: Our movements become slow and ethereal, our senses are muted, and we’re quickly entranced by the strange new world around us. Thus, a few seconds of real-time seem to stretch into several minutes of floating in a dream-like trance. Meanwhile, the Oracle of Ages has the power to manipulate the flow of time, stretching and squeezing it as necessary to overcome the obstacles that stand in her way. So it’s rather nice to imagine the water as a visual representation of Nayru’s own powers, as she locks herself in a time vacuum to briefly escape the energy and excitement of the world above.
If you love this picture as much as I do, I definitely recommend checking out Snow-Bunniintendo along with her other account, Snow-Bunnii. Besides offering a treasure trove of awesome Zelda pictures, she also has an ongoing comic series and a slew of fantastic original characters, so you’re bound to find something you like in there!
