Elf Shot in an Autumn Forest

Size: 50 x 40 cm

Materials: Acrylics on canvas

When I started this painting, I knew I wanted a night scene with some magic added to it. It shows the full moon over an autumn Beech forest, which I find rather fitting since I celebrate the Elves in November. The shot resembles ball lightning, shooting across into the distance.

Now, trollskott and elf shot don’t mean exactly the same thing, but both work for this painting. A trollskott, or troll shot, is a kind of magic attack done by a witch or other person working magic. You would draw an image of your enemy on paper and then shoot at the image.

An Elf Shot was a name used for sudden pain, that was believed to have been caused by the Elves. It was also the name used for Neolithic arrowheads, attributed to the elves and believed to be used by witches to cause injury. The one thing they do have in common is that they’ve been used to explain diseases and pain with no apparent cause.

Owning it, and displaying it in your home or work area could inspire you to be that light in the dark for someone (not the bad kind of course), to take a shot in the dark, take a chance, or provide a sudden insight for your clients.