Sea Baby with Christmas Coral by Robert Kline

Sea Baby with Christmas Coral

Mermaid baby art and story by Robert Kline

This mermaid baby art print is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ and 11″ x 14″.

 This beautiful mermaid baby with the Christmas coral art print is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The lovely mermaid baby print has been derived from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of the H.M.S. Baci. The print is a lithograph reproduction of  Robert’s original pencil and watercolor painting. It has been hand labeled and hand signed by Robert in pencil. All of the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5×7′s, 8×10′s, 11×14′s are matted sizes so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each of the prints come with an excerpt from Robert Kline’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population.

Sea Maiden Ursala with Baby - Kiss your children now for soon they'll swim away.

Sea Maiden 22 Ursala and Sea Baby

Mermaid mother with baby art and story by Robert Kline

This print has the saying “Kiss your children now for soon they’ll swim away” printed on it.

This mermaid mother and her Sea Baby art print is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″ 11″ x 14″ and an unmatted 11″ x 17″ that comes on a 1/4″ piece of foam board.

This beautiful mermaid mother with her Sea Baby art print and story are from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida.  The print is a lithograph reproduction of Robert’s original watercolor and pencil painting. Hand labeled and signed by Robert in pencil, all the prints come with a 1/4″ foam backing and the 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ are matted so all you need is a frame and they are ready to hang on your wall! Each print also comes with an excerpt from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci. A fantastic saga in which multiple generations of the Roberts’ family explore the seven seas in search of the world’s mermaid and merman population. Thus, you receive the passage from Robert’s novel describing the particular event in which the character(s) in the print were sighted. The following is the excerpt written for the Sea Maiden 22 Ursala and Sea Baby print:

Trouble in paradise and not a lump of coal to be had! The wheels of the financial ruin planned for Edmund C. Roberts had at last begun to turn. Of the two undiscovered stowaways, the one planning monetary mischief (this would not be the stowaway bent on torture and murder with the aid of voodoo), had finally gained access to the ship’s wireless station and communicated with Roberts’ trust administrators, convincing them he was indeed Roberts, and that a breach of security had been discovered and consequently he (Roberts), would most definitely not wish for any further funds to advance him until he had dealt with the matter. In the meantime, the counterfeit Roberts advised, all messages from him would henceforth begin with the code word, “pilfer”, in that way altering his principals that it was the real Edmund C. Roberts making any requests.

The first problem arose when the Baci Finale steamed back to the coaling station in San Francisco. The good ship was in desperate need of coal, as they had run down past their reserves in recent weeks because Roberts’ Sea Turtle tangent. And so when they were asked to vacate the docks, Roberts was beyond anger. “Good Lord, man, what do you mean, ‘My credit is not good here?’ My credit, I will inform you, is good anywhere in the world. Anywhere. At any time. There must be some regrettable mistake. Please redo whatever it was that you did in the first place. There has obviously been an error. Perhaps if you would enlist a little competence we might proceed.” The station master would have none of it. “You have no credit and your ship, sir, is now trespassing. Have your captain vacate this dock immediately or I’ll have you arrested and your vessel impounded. Do I make myself clear?”

Roberts sputtered off, regained the Baci and was doubly vexed when once again he was unable to speak directly with his captain. (He had not seen him once since he has departed on his voyage, despite every effort he had made. The ship’s first officer had waylaid him at every turn). The long and short of it is, the ship was moved and Roberts had the turbine launch roused so that he might dissipate his anger. He roared out of the harbor and up the coast, fortune bringing him to a secluded bay where he chanced upon a Sea Maiden with her baby. He’d allowed the triplets and his naturalist, Dr. Marie Gebeaux to accompany him, and that proved to be unfortunate. All five of them gazed across the water at the Sea Maiden and her child, and all five thought of their own mothers and their respective abandonment. It was a very gloomy group that returned to the ship later that day.

Roberts’ notebook reads:
Is there no end to the taunting? Spied our 22nd Sea Maiden in the company of her child. A moving scene. Quite touching, really. That is, if one had not, as a child, been discarded by his own mother!
Sea Maiden 22 “Ursala” Sea Baby 2
April 2, 1913

That’s right, select Robert Kline mermaid, pirate, merman and Sea Baby images are now available on 2.25″ magnets. Made here in the USA using all metal components these wonderful magnets will stick to almost any metal surface.

Mermaid, Merman, Sea Baby Magnets by Robert Kline

Do you have a shop, restaurant or bar? We can customize these magnets with your companies name on them. Email info@RobertKlineArt.com for more information.

Current mermaid, merman, pirate and Sea Baby images available on the magnets: Sea Maiden 3 Becky, Sea Maiden 4 Cindy, Sea Maiden 5 Donna, Sea Maiden 6 Emily, Sea Maiden 7 Flora, Sea Maiden 11 Joy, Sea Maiden 13 with Neptune, Sea Maiden 22 with verbage “Kiss your children now for soon they’ll swim away”, Sea Maiden 31 Holly, Sea Baby 1, Sea Babies 2 & 3, Pirate 1 and Pirate 2.

Mermaid magnet back

Sea Maiden 22 Venus Pregnant mermaid by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 22 Venus – Pregnant mermaid

Art and story by Robert Kline

There is a moment in the life of every lucky man when all that can go well does, when the wind is abaft the beam and steady and warm and the ocean a bathe in sensuality. At such a time, with a good ship working beneath him the strength and sanctuary of true love may cradle his very soul and buoy him beyond that is tedious and common. Such was the case for Sir Edmund Roberts, gentleman naturalist and Sea Maiden questor when late in life he fell into a relationship with the beautiful captain Constance Daphne Fitzwillie. Old Gnarly Dan was moved to observe that “While she ain’t often enough much of a cruise we’s signed on for, onst in a while we gets a good leg. An’ when a gob does, he’d best enjoy ’er; they’s dregs what will follow soon enough.”

Sir Edmund thrived in a fog of glorious grace as he and captain Constance Daphne drifted from their respective wharves of self absorbed solitude. Every night her heart and body was his and every day they were captain and charterer once more. There was no familiarity on the hallowed quarterdeck; Sir Edmund dared to neither cross her stern nor bow until Constance Daphne was in her quarters where the heavy mantle of responsibility slipped from her shoulders, past her magnificent chest and onto the floor (followed immediately by less magisterial articles of clothing. And there, for a time, the two reveled in the privacy (if a skylight and an enraptured crew could be allowed to expand that definition) of their nocturnal adventures.

But as Gnarly Dan predicted, the dregs did follow: brought on by a damsel in distress. “Old Bubo” was the first to sight her, bobbing just at the horizon in a launch, a ragged sail flapping idly and she began chased around the small vessel by another castaway. By the time the Baci closed the distance a drama had unfolded. It appears she, semi clad, was chasing a uniformed gent, she armed with a belaying pin and he in a panic to avoid her wild swings. At last within hailing range he turned to the approaching ship and called out, “Prepare!” or “Beware!” or some such ejaculation, until she smote him squarely on the head. He staggered a step to the side and tumbled across the gunnel and into the drink.

Post traumatic interrogation was made academic when a triangular fin raced to the floating form and then cruised by the Baci’s bow, a protruding ankle and boot giving the fish the unsettling appearance of a man savoring his pipe following a good meal. The damsel was recovered and her story of abduction believed in reverse of the listener’s mastery of lust over logic, for her account was, top to bottom, bilge. The only question for the savvy was “if she be ‘Nasty’ or ‘Naughty’” for she was clearly either the pirate vixen Naughty Natalie or her lethal twin, Nasty Natalie, that distinction separating the amorously accomplished and insatiable from one similarly inclined but who proffered torture as an appetizer and homicide as an aperitif.

And while  it provided endless hours of speculation , Sir Edmund took advantage of the weatherly calm to continue his search for Sea Maidens. In the company of foretop man Berlinni and the old salt, Gnarly Dan, he sighted his 22nd Sea Maiden, she clearly pregnant and drifting silently by Halley’s patented diving apparatus. “It’d be the birth of Venus!” Berlinni exclaimed, and before Gnarly Dan could repeat his previous lecture on pregnancy under the sea, Sir Edmund interrupted. “Yes my good man, her hair has lost its color with her impregnation. Yes, it will return to its natural sate after she gives birth. And yes, she will spend the duration of her pregnancy savoring said state and looking beautiful for ‘they believes, under the sea what she be at her most beauteous’ etc, etc. Now be a good sort and shut up.” It was cruel but had the desired effect: All watched in silence.

Sir Edmund’s journal reads:
Saw our second pregnant Sea Maiden. She healthy and quite attractive. “Venus”
Maidenus pregnantis
July 10, 1833

Sea Maiden 36 Jane nursing Sea Baby by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 36 Jane nursing Sea Baby by Robert Kline

This beautiful Sea Maiden mother and Sea Baby illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The illustrations are from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes in his log, his various Sea Maiden, Sea Baby and Sea Master sightings. The following is a hint of what is written in the excerpt for this illustration:

Then it was February and Midway Island, Sir Edmund Roberts, the inveterate adventurer and Sea Maiden questor, spying at last his gooney birds; the world’s most accomplished fliers. They were, however, less adapt at rejoining terra firma. Again and again naturalist and crew laughed heartily when the big birds drifted to land, lowered their webbed feet and then tumbled topsail over copper.

And later there was a Sea Maiden, she with her child and it at her breast. Captain Constance Daphne Fitzwillie, Gnarly Dan and Sir Edmund were in Halley’s patented diving apparatus at the time, they enjoying a quiet afternoon and discussing repairs to the good old Baci. Gnarly Dan was the first to spy the Sea Maiden. “Warn’t that the most sweetest thing,” he whispered as he pointed out the pair to the others. The creatures drifted by, the mother cradling her baby and looking off, the most serene look on her face. The baby suckled, the picture of contentment, finally nestling closer and apparently falling asleep. Constance Daphne became wistful, a tiny smile and a teary look accompanying her as she brought her arms to her chest and rocked slowly from side to side as if holding a child of her own.

Gnarly Dan was also moved. “There ain’t no denyin’ the beauty of a cannon or a well-found ship, but yer sea mum an’ child…that’d be about the best they is.” Captain Constance Daphne turned away momentarily, dabbed at her eyes and then looked long and hard at Sir Edmund. He was watching the mother and child intently and when he finally looked back to Constance Daphne it was as if he were imagining a different scene. He thought a moment and then said, “While I’m an older gentleman, as you are well aware, we shall eventually return to England. There are only about thirty extra rooms in our ancestral home; I dare say at least one could be made into a proper nursery.”

Later they sat quietly on the beach until the sun set, Captain Constance Daphne leaning heavily onto Sir Edmund; Gnarly Dan a little in front of the two muttering without end about Sea Babies, babies proper, nursing mothers, sugar treats and assorted other bits of conventional wisdom. So perfect was the evening that at one point the naturalist entertained the thought of inviting the old salt to visit them once ashore for good. He actually even toyed with offering employment. Years in the future he would look back on that day and evening as one of the finest in his life.

His journal reads:
Most content of afternoons. Whilst in the company of my recent bride, the beautiful Constance Daphne, we spied a Sea Maiden mother with child. Endearing spectacle. Pleased to have viewed it in the presence of the captain.
Maidenus leche “Jane” Healthy mother. Long hair, still without color. Medium build.
Infantus contentus, Healthy child. A bit pudgy. Sighted off midway island
February 15, 1835

This illustration is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

Purchase prints here

Sea Maiden 22 Ursala and Sea baby by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 22 Ursala and Sea Baby by Robert Kline

This beautiful Sea Maiden mother and Sea Baby illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The illustrations are from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes in his log, his various Sea Maiden, Sea Baby and Sea Master sightings. The following is a hint of what is written in the excerpt for this illustration:

Trouble in paradise and not a lump of coal to be had! The wheels of the financial ruin planned for Edmund C. Roberts had at last begun to turn. Of the two undiscovered stowaways, the one planning monetary mischief (this would not be the stowaway bent on torture and murder with the aid of voodoo), had finally gained access to the ship’s wireless station and communicated with Roberts’ trust administrators, convincing them he was indeed Roberts, and that a breach of security had been discovered and consequently he (Roberts), would most definitely not wish for any further funds to advance him until he had dealt with the matter. In the meantime, the counterfeit Roberts advised, all messages from him would henceforth begin with the code word, “pilfer”, in that way altering his principals that it was the real Edmund C. Roberts making any requests.

The first problem arose when the Baci Finale steamed back to the coaling station in San Francisco. The good ship was in desperate need of coal, as they had run down past their reserves in recent weeks because Roberts’ Sea Turtle tangent. And so when they were asked to vacate the docks, Roberts was beyond anger. “Good Lord, man, what do you mean, ‘My credit is not good here?’ My credit, I will inform you, is good anywhere in the world. Anywhere. At any time. There must be some regrettable mistake. Please redo whatever it was that you did in the first place. There has obviously been an error. Perhaps if you would enlist a little competence we might proceed.”
The station master would have none of it. “You have no credit and your ship, sir, is now trespassing. Have your captain vacate this dock immediately or I’ll have you arrested and your vessel impounded. Do I make myself clear?”
Roberts sputtered off, regained the Baci and was doubly vexed when once again he was unable to speak directly with his captain. (He had not seen him once since he has departed on his voyage, despite every effort he had made. The ship’s first officer had waylaid him at every turn.)

The long and short of it is, the ship was moved and Roberts had the turbine launch roused so that he might dissipate his anger. He roared out of the harbor and up the coast, fortune bringing him to a secluded bay where he chanced upon a Sea Maiden with her baby. He’d allowed the triplets and his naturalist, Dr. Marie Gebeaux to accompany him, and that proved to be unfortunate. All five of them gazed across the water at the Sea Maiden and her child, and all five thought of their own mothers and their respective abandonment. It was a very gloomy group that returned to the ship later that day.

Roberts’ notebook reads:
Is there no end to the taunting? Spied our 22nd Sea Maiden in the company of her child. A moving scene. Quite touching, really. That is, if one had not, as a child, been discarded by his own mother!
Sea Maiden 22 Ursala and Sea Baby
April 2, 1913

This illustration is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

Purchase prints here

Sea Maiden 16 Pamela with Sea Baby by Robert Kline

Sea Maiden 16 Pamela with Sea Baby by Robert Kline

This beautiful Sea Maiden mother and Sea Baby illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates, lighthouses and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The illustrations are from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes in his log, his various Sea Maiden, Sea Baby and Sea Master sightings. The following is a hint of what is written in the excerpt for this illustration:

In the tepid waters off the western coast of South America, the extended ordeal in Hally’s patented diving apparatus ended with a whimper.
“Always knowed I’d die at sea,” Gnarly Dan lamented, “But I never figured it to be hot and boring.” “It is a bit anti-climactic,” Sir Edmund Roberts added looking with bald longing at their semi-clad and beautiful captain. “Pity.”
The two men lapsed into quiet parley, Gnarly Dan , the old salt with a titanic store of obscure wisdom, and Sir Edmund, the Sea Maiden questor and gentleman naturalist at last concluding it was their manly duty to rescue their captain, Constance Daphne from a watery and ignoble grave. With a show of aged and ineffectual bravado they lowered their feet to the soft sea bottom, braced their bare backs against the bell’s oaken walls and heaved upward, the embarrassing result being that while the diving apparatus did not budge, the men succeeded in forcing themselves knee deep into the warm Pacific ooze. Sir Edmund Roberts wiped his brow, caught his breath and observed, “What we need is a firm bottom,” to which Gnarly Dan apologetically nodded and said, “Beggin’ yer pardon, Cap, but the gentleman is right; we could use your help.”

Captain Fitzwillie, resplendent even in fatigue and perspiration, looked from man to man and then to the details of the bell’s interior. It was some time before she responded, “In some things you remind me of my departed husband, your captain, but in every thing your remind me of men. Breathes there one of you with more insight than insensitivity? You pride yourselves on walking erect though your only advantage lay with you supine!” She warmed to her disdain. “I am mortified to admit I have spent these many hours trapped in a cramped, odorous underwater machine because I accepted your pronouncements of our helplessness.” She too now stood up though she did not attempt lifting the bell. Instead she raised the base of her bench, exposing a rack of iron balls, which she began hefting out and dropping into the mire. Sir Edmund’s face fell to humiliation as she exposed the rack of ballast beneath his own bench and moved to empty it. (The bell was not normally raised by discarding ballast; the ball’s value sufficient to warrant using the crew’s muscle to raise the apparatus following each dive, so the oversight was somewhat reasonable.) As soon as an upward movement was apparent, the three returned to their benches, their weight slowing but not stopping the ascent.

In silence they drifted upward, and in silence they saw their sixteenth Sea Maiden – a beautiful mother with a child riding on her back. Anger and embarrassment melted as the endearing pair circled the bell. “I suppose the youth cannot swim,” Sir Edmund noted, cloaking himself once more in his mantle of science. “Lord above,” Gnarly Dan huffed, “that child could swim to Merry England if she chose. She’s just loving her mum. We tend to forget ‘em where we lives, but yer Sea Maiden gets her strength, and her love from her mother’s heart. And she never forgets. They’s like peas in a pod their whole life.”

Sir Edmund’s notebook recounts:
Intelligence will out: we analyzed our way out of Halley’s bell and saw a Sea Maiden and offspring.
Maidenus Mater
April 12, 1833, Protected harbor of San Carlos, (yet!) island of Chilo’e Average weight, beautiful appearance.
Maidenus infans
3-5 years approximately, slight build, beautiful appearance, scales higher.
The HMS Baci is gone!

This illustration is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

Purchase prints here

Sea Babies conference by Robert Kline

Sea Babies conference by Robert Kline

This beautiful Sea Babies illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The illustrations are from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes in his log, his various Sea Maiden, Sea Baby and Sea Master sightings. The following is a hint of what is written in the excerpt for this illustration:

Laughing Phillip was at the masthead chuckling to himself, when he spied a remarkable little spit of an island. “HA! HA! LAND HO! HARD ON THE STARBOARD BOW! HO! HO! AND AIN’T IT ‘A COVERED WITH SEA BABIES! HA!”

The news roared through the ship like a pistol ball through butter. “Get his honor!” “Find Sir Edmund! Tell him we gots Sea Babies on the horizon!”
The naturalist was besides himself when they finally reached the island, lowered a boat and rowed to explore. Hundreds of Sea Babies of every make and model cavorted on the broad sand. Old Gnarly Dan tugged at the thatch of hair escaping his ear and provided colorful commentary as Sir Edmund looked and listened, pointing here, there and everywhere at the wiggling, crawling and cooing assemblage.

“They’d be happy right now!” Gnarly Dan instructed “ They mums come here but once a year. Sir Edmund was confused. “My good man, I see no mothers. Why, these babies are unattended. Perhaps disaster has struck!”Gnarly Dan scoffed at the naturalist’s ignorance. “Why ‘a course they ain’t right here!” He then turned and pointed to an area beyond the Baci. While the ocean was calm, the area the old salt indicated roiled gently, bubbles breaking the surface to and fro. “They mum’s ‘d be out there. They’s hobnobbin’ na’ cathin’ up on Sea Maiden news. They all meets here, then leaves the young ‘uns on the island an’ slips off for a watch or two at just be together an’ chat.” “Why would they do such a thing?” Sir Edmund inquired, obviously at a loss.
Gnarly Dan looked at the naturalist as if he’s been born that morning. “Has his honor ever been in close quarters with a little ‘un day after day?” Sir Edmund shook his head and answered, “My good man, I have no children.” The old salt squinted at the naturalist. “Well mark me word. Gov’ner; them mums need at get away or they’ll go daft. At last count I got ‘bout a dozen or so little nippers me self an’ a good three year voyage is a nice break. It’s why I goes ta sea.”

Sir Edmund’s journal reads:
Wondrous sightings! Sea Babies everywhere! The third group we studied was to all appearances holding some sort of Sea Baby conference! Gnarly Dan claims their distinct coloration assures nothing more than distant relationship. Says he, “They could be five mums what calls ‘em hers, or as few as one. All them tails tells a gob is that they comes from the same place on the chart. Could be they’s never laid eyes on one another ‘til this watch through. You can be sure they mums is fast friends by now. Nothin’ opens a Sea Maiden’s heart like a child. It’s like they ain’t had but half a life ‘til they gets a little nipper or two at round things out.” How droll.

Sea Babies 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16
Sex Indeterminate. Infantus Curious. Diminished height. Light weight. Short, curly hair. Tails of clown fish.
Sighted on an uncharted island. May6, 1834

This illustration is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

Purchase prints here

Sea Babies 18 and 19 Embrace by Robert Kline

Sea Babies 18 and 19 – Embrace by Robert Kline

This beautiful Sea Babies illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The illustrations are from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes in his log, his various Sea Maiden, Sea Baby and Sea Master sightings. The following is a hint of what is written in the excerpt for this illustration:

Beautiful Sea Babies were on the horizon, yet, the worst argument of Sir Edmund Roberts’ voyage was at hand. It occurred when the naturalist suggested to his very pregnant wife the wisdom of a side trip to the frigid waters near the south pole. “It would be a capital idea, dearest!” he proclaimed, “The cool air might improve your disposition!” Clutching her very swollen tummy, she responded in a trice, “Having no back ache would improve my disposition, you imbecile! Food that would remain claim in my stomach would help my disposition, you blithering idiot! Fewer kicks and prods from my interior would benefit my disposition you unthinking dolt! The company of an intelligent woman would enhance my disposition, you ham-handed, ignorant boor; and certainly, the presence of one sensitive man would buoy my disposition, you foolish nincompoop! An unmoving floor beneath my feet; and since you apparently do not understand such matters, a feather bed with down comforters and soft pillows would definitely aid my disposition, you nit-wit—though you would rather think of underwater machines and other women! And truth be known, a land with absolutely no men would probably allow my disposition to soar to heights unimagined, sir. If you are aware of such a place, please direct our helmsman!” She was still speaking as Sir Edmund backed away to the sanity of the hold, obsessively to supervise the finishing touches on his submarine. Gnarly Dan wisely accompanied him, whispering as they retreated, “This’d be a fine time at be a bit more quite, Yer honor; our Cap is close to mutiny if ya ain’t noticed.”

It was shortly after they were below decks that both men heard the helmsman alert and sails altered as the good H.M.S Baci did indeed turn her course southward toward the land of ice. Sir Edmund and Gnarly Dan exchanged glances without comment. They sailed to the icy waters, had a wonderful, if frustrating, adventure regarding a ghost ship, and later encountered an iceberg populated with penguins and Sea Babies.

“They’s just makin’ friends a’ locals,” Gnarly Dan explained. “Yer Sea Baby’d be as open an’ friendly as any gob could wish.” They lowered Halley’s patented diving apparatus, from whose window Sir Edmund immediately spied a brace of Sea Babies embracing. Gnarly Dan explained “They mums is prob’ly around’ somewhere, hobnobbin like they does, an’ they pa’s is likely off wrestin’ sea lions or some such sport.” They’d allowed the aging seamen, Rodin, to accompany them. He studied the pair of sea creatures wistfully and finally added, “Ain’t nothin’ a man can create better’n babies.”

Sir Edmunds journal reads:
Phantom ships and frolicking Sea Babies. Ice birds (penguins!) and ice islands. My new bride is full with the bloom of life, though a bit piquant for my taste (this dangerous observation confided to the obscurity of my journal).

Sea Babies 18 and 19
Quite healthy. Apparently happy. Beautiful coloration.
May 5, 1836 – Queen Maud’s Land

This illustration is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

Purchase prints here

Sea babies 7 and 8 by Robert Kline

Sea babies 7 and 8 by Robert Kline

This beautiful Sea Babies illustration is from a collection of Sea Maidens (mermaids), Sea Babies (mermaid babies), Sea Masters (merman), pirates and fairies created by renowned artist and novelist Robert Kline of St. Augustine, Florida. The illustrations are from Robert’s novel The Forgotten Voyage of H.M.S. Baci in which Sir Edmund Roberts describes in his log, his various Sea Maiden, Sea Baby and Sea Master sightings. The following is a hint of what is written in the excerpt for this illustration:

Laughing Phillip was at the masthead chuckling to himself, when he spied a remarkable little spit of an island. “HA! HA! LAND HO! HARD ON THE STARBOARD BOW! HO! HO! AND AIN’T IT ‘A COVERED WITH SEA BABIES! HA!”

The news roared through the ship like a pistol ball through butter. “Get his honor!” “Find Sir Edmund! Tell him we gots Sea Babies on the horizon!”
The naturalist was besides himself when they finally reached the island, lowered a boat and rowed to explore. Hundreds of Sea Babies of every make and model cavorted on the broad sand. Old Gnarly Dan tugged at the thatch of hair escaping his ear and provided colorful commentary as Sir Edmund looked and listened, pointing here, there and everywhere at the wiggling, crawling and cooing assemblage. “They’d be happy right now!” Gnarly Dan instructed “ They mums come here but once a year. Sir Edmund was confused. “My good man, I see no mothers. Why, these babies are unattended. Perhaps disaster has struck!”Gnarly Dan scoffed at the naturalist’s ignorance. “Why ‘a course they ain’t right here!” He then turned and pointed to an area beyond the Baci. While the ocean was calm, the area the old salt indicated roiled gently, bubbles breaking the surface to and fro. “They mum’s ‘d be out there. They’s hobnobbin’ na’ cathin’ up on Sea Maiden news. They all meets here, then leaves the young ‘uns on the island an’ slips off for a watch or two at just be together an’ chat.” “Why would they do such a thing?” Sir Edmund inquired, obviously at a loss. Gnarly Dan looked at the naturalist as if he’s been born that morning. “Has his honor ever been in close quarters with a little ‘un day after day?” Sir Edmund shook his head and answered, “My good man, I have no children.” The old salt squinted at the naturalist. “Well mark me word. Gov’ner; them mums need at get away or they’ll go daft. At last count I got ‘bout a dozen or so little nippers me self an’ a good three year voyage is a nice break. It’s why I goes ta sea.”

Sir Edmund’s journal reads:
Wondrous sighting! Sea babies everywhere! The first two we studied were enraptured by a starfish!

This illustration is available for purchase in the following matted sizes: 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, 11″ x 14″ and an 11″ x 17″ that comes unmatted on a piece of 1/4″ foam board.

Purchase print here