A friend poses as a mermaid for the "Animal Postures" series which I began in 1996 and continually return to. Portraying people as their animal totem reveals mystery and unexpected results. An interview often accompanies each "portrait" whether as a finished painting on canvas or as a study on paper. Here is Cynthia Back as *The Mermaid.*The original piece, painted in 1997, is oil on canvas and measures 54 x 50". This smaller version, with double mermaidness, was painted 10 years later. I think merpeople might see their reflections as part of themselves.