Dream Boat

Dream BoatDream Boat By artist: Shelley McDonald Mixed media and beeswax on board. 22 x 23 x 23 cm Despite the fact that no one has actually ever seen a mermaid, they quite literally exist within our imaginations though folklore, symbolism and fantasy. The world is often a challenging place to reside, so spending time in dreamlike states and other worlds appeals to me as a form of escapism. This work symbolises an alternative world where all things are possible

Dream Boat

By artist: Shelley McDonald

Mixed media and beeswax on board. 22 x 23 x 23 cm

Despite the fact that no one has actually ever seen a mermaid, they quite literally exist within our imaginations though folklore, symbolism and fantasy. The world is often a challenging place to reside, so spending time in dreamlike states and other worlds appeals to me as a form of escapism. This work symbolises an alternative world where all things are possible and mermaids are real. One only has to choose which reality provides the richest of human experiences and I firmly choose to live just outside of most peoples' reality. I user beeswax as a way of slightly blurring and softening the work as a way of conveying "other worldliness". If it gets dull, it just needs a soft polish with a cloth to bring the lustre back. Happy day dreaming!

About the artist.

I'm a mixed media artist with a particular love of collage using vintage and scavenged ephemera. I like to create art that tells stories and weaves words and symbols into the layers of the artwork. I'm inspired by anything vintage, whimsical and slightly left of centre. I often create work that is situational with inspiration being heavily influenced through travel (both literal and metaphorical), drawing heavily from eras long gone, with a particular love of romanticised ideology. I'm drawn to art styles like Bricolage and Art Povera (literally "poor man's art") to create art using scavenged materials or what is found close by.

Collection or delivery.

This item is part of the Plant Empire Small Wonders Exhibition 2026, on display from 9 May - 7 June. Exhibition items are available for sale in person or online. In the unlikely event that a customer purchases the item in-store at the same time as it is sold online, we will refund the online purchase - thank you in advance for your understanding if this situation does occur. Exhibition pieces will be available for collection in-store or delivered from 11-14 June: to collect your item in person, please select the 'in-store pickup' option at checkout; or to have it delivered, please select either the Australia Post or courier option (Brisbane only) at checkout and your delivery fee will be calculated automatically.