(Untitled)

[mercury_realm]

When I was a kid, my Dad would tell me a chilling story about a character called Spring Heeled Jack, who was pruported to have leapt across Victorian rooftops, stealing children from their bedrooms after he had no doubt done unspeakable things to their Mothers. I couldn't tell you if it was an urban myth or not, indeed Jack was no figment of my

Comments

that's me, a collector of useless knowledge

[porphyre]

That's gorgeous. Springheel Jack is from Victorian England. He was a very popular story then, starting in 1837 with some rather gruesome murders and attacks on women. As far as I've ever read, there were no attacks on children, I'm suspecting that was our dad making the tale useful. The legend ended up being made up ealmost entirely of murders and assaults, telling of a man with iron fingers who could breathe blue fire. It was very well documented. He would hide in alleys and behind hedges and jump out to assault women and leap away, bounding ovr the rooftops, like you said. Your father's a neat guy for telling you about it. The attacks lasted about 75 years, but not hardly anyone knows about it. The last time it really made any news was, like, 1906. Pop it into Google these days. I heard once there's even a D&D charactor of Springheel Jack.

Re: that's me, a collector of useless knowledge

[mercury_realm]

Thank you, you're quite the font of knowledge on the subject, and its good to know that there is a Spring Heel Jack cult of two of us out there*lol
I was tempted to pop his name into the search engines, but I didn't want to let it to colour my perception. I daresay my Dad embellished a lot of his tale but I didn't know about the blue fire or iron grip-thats cool.

I would love to hear your fathers stories

[porphyre]

Iron fingers, claws, that he would rake across the chest of women, slicing clothes and flesh open. I think that detail was in newspapers, there's names and eye-witness accounts. I would like to think, myself, that if he was not an apparition, then there truely was a man for a brief stint, an actual mad scientist type, wandering around with metal gloves, assauilting women then running away. Perhaps he created a device to spark and flash.

Then my brain travels down Vidocq road though, and I want the power to write magnificent stories.

[ladyneptune]

I have heard that myth before not sure if it's the same name though, but none the less you have captured him beautifully!! This piece rocks! Perfect mood and just creepy enough that if you were lying in bed at night with this on your wall you would learn to sleep with one eye open. I am really loving the darker twist you are in right now, I don't think your wonderful vision and imagination has ever shone through so vividly!
xxoo

[mercury_realm]

Thanks Louise, I am feeling quite visionary bouyant at the moment, I was worried the faeries theme was going to get a little stale for me, but this new series has captivated my imagination.
xxx

[kaokame]

One of your best paintings ever!!! Very very nice!

[mercury_realm]

Thanks Matty-y very best wishes to you and Jasmine my freind.

[jasminetoad]

I'm with Matt - I love your ladies, but this is one of your best!

[pominoz]

Wow, he's wonderful David! So incredibly creepy, you've captured the mood of the tale so well :D xx

[mercury_realm]

Thank you sweetheart-I'm glad it touched you...xxx

[wretched_feline]

ooooo i like it :)