Last night some freshly composed witches songs were out, out for the first time on the edge of Dartmoor.

A friend, Sian Jamison, has, inspired by a book, written a collection of music inspired by stories of Welsh witches. Inspired by her music I have started to paint contemporary images of women who live amongst us and who would in previous times have been considered ‘other’. Non-conformist, clever, opinionated, feminists. Women who change, support, and shape their communites without the entitlement or bravado of the masculine style of community engagement. My witches, unlike Sian’s are not quite ready to be out,out. Since starting this project I realise that you cannot rush a contemporary witch. She or they will take their own sweet time to emege from the music.

I am not a natural figure painter but for the last couple of years I have painted storms as people, swimmers and mermaids, and now witches. Not particularly, or at all as mythical or historical figures, and not as they are traditionally portrayed. My witches don’t wear black, my mermaids can be fierce, my storm bringers are unpredictable. They live the same lives as anyone else in the first half of the 21st century. Three of the witch pictures are ready to appear in the blog. I believe they are finished but until this project is complete I can never be sure.

Bog Witch. You can’t burn a Bog Witch.

Bella Fawr with little Betty.

Shape Shifting witches. Cat to woman/woman to cat.

In part it is easier to reimagine Welsh witches because unlike other places Wales did not persecute witches. They were seen as a benign and essential part of the community. Only causing trouble if provoked or disrespected.

My witches live amongst us, doing the school run, shopping in supermarkets, going on nights out.

They will have been amongst us last night on the edge of the moor.