The sea has shaped the way people live, work, create and tell stories for thousands of years.
It has supported communities, inspired myths and folklore, influenced artists and become part of how entire cultures understand themselves.
Morkernos explores our connection to water through original art, creative studies, sea stories and mythology.
From British and Mediterranean shores to rivers, lakes, wetlands, wildlife and mythology, water is the thread running through Morkernos and the ideas that inspire it.
That’s what Morkernos is here to explore.
The Connection to the Sea
I was born in Malta and spent much of my upbringing there before moving to the South West of England, where I still live today.
Growing up in Malta introduced me to warm limestone villages, coastal caves, historic architecture and the importance of the sea. For centuries, the Mediterranean shaped everyday life through fishing, trade, corsairs and the communities that depended on it.
Moving to the South West of England introduced me to a coastline that felt both familiar and completely different. The Atlantic brought rougher seas, dramatic weather and its own rich maritime history, shaped by fishing communities, smugglers, the Royal Navy, tin mining and, like Malta, stories of pirates who once sailed these waters.
Although separated by thousands of miles, both coastlines share something remarkable. The sea wasn’t simply part of the landscape. It shaped the people, their livelihoods, their beliefs, their folklore and the stories they passed from one generation to the next.
That shared connection is what inspired Morkernos. It’s where my fascination with the sea, its history, its mythology and the creativity it continues to inspire truly began.
The inspiration behind Morkernos can come from coastlines, rivers, lakes, wetlands, mythology, folklore and the people who have lived alongside water for generations. Sometimes that inspiration comes from a Cornish harbour at sunset.
Other times it comes from the limestone villages of Malta, Mediterranean courtyards, weathered fishing boats or the colours of the Atlantic after a storm. You might even find something inspired by the traditional Maltese fishing boats known as the luzzu. I loved them as a child, and I still do today.
Through art and storytelling, I want to encourage more curiosity about the wildlife found in and around water. From coral and manta rays to humpback whales, sharks and species that are often misunderstood or overlooked.
By bringing them into the stories and artwork I create, I hope to help people understand them better, see them beyond the stereotypes often attached to them, and care more about protecting them.
As I continue learning, creating and researching, I’ll share the artwork, stories and discoveries that grow from that fascination with water and the life around it.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Find Here…
Morkernos is centred around original art inspired by water, wildlife, folklore and fantasy, alongside sea stories and mythology. There is also one archive from an earlier chapter of the website.
Sea Stories & Mythology
Explore ancient myths, maritime folklore, novels, short stories and poetry inspired by the sea. Some stories are centuries old, while others are more recent, but each offers a different perspective on humanity’s relationship with the ocean.
Art
Explore original artwork and creative studies inspired by water and the wildlife found in and around it. Some pieces stay closer to nature, while others move into fantasy through my own imagination, stories, mythology and folklore.
The Horror Archives
Morkernos didn’t always look like this.
Before the website found its footing, it explored horror through books, films and games. Rather than remove that work, I’ve kept it together as The Horror Archives. It’s part of the story of how Morkernos came to be, and if you enjoy horror, you might find something worth reading there too.
Your Letter from Salacia
If you’d like a little more sea in your month, you can also join Letter from Salacia by visiting the Morkernos home page and signing up.
Each month I aim to bring you hopeful ocean and wildlife news, fascinating discoveries from sea mythology, maritime history, folklore and the arts, plus one recommendation worth your time and a little humour to finish.
Thank You
Whether you came here to discover new artwork, explore sea mythology, find creative inspiration or simply discover something new, I hope you found something that sparked your curiosity.
Morkernos is still growing, and so am I.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
— Cassie Moriarty