Danish author Hans Christian Andersen wrote The Little Mermaid in 1836 and since then, it has been reworked many times. Probably the most popular version of the story is the 1989 Disney film. However, even this was 30 years ago, so German artist Stephanie Hermes (aka s0s2) decided to create a modern-day mermaid. Appropriately titled The Little Trashmaid, her series masterfully reimagines ocean pollution in a way that is as accurate as it’s depressing.
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“I’ve enjoyed drawing since I was little,” s0s2 told Bored Panda. “Luckily, my awesome parents supported and encouraged me from the very beginning. After school, I was able to study art for three years, following a job in the gaming industry. I’m currently becoming a freelance artist.”
“But regardless of your education, I believe that everyone can become an artist as long as they have the passion, motivation, and plenty of drawing inspiration to keep going!”
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“I would say that my style was mostly inspired by American cartoons from the ’90s with a touch of Japanese anime. I really love drawing funny expressions and cartoons are perfect for that.”
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“In May, a close friend suggested drawing a mermaid story, referring to the Mermay Challenge,” s0s2 said. “When I started sketching, I wondered what she should be wearing. To be honest, I found those classic seashell bras boring and thought to myself, ‘I need something more realistic. What would a mermaid wear these days? What would she find in the ocean?'”
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“That’s when the plastic bag came to my mind. It triggered lots of new ideas and I came up with more and more stuff to add. ‘The modern mermaid wouldn’t have a pretty lifelike Ariel,’ I thought. She’d have to deal with our plastic waste!'”
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“I think we all [had to deal with plastic pollution] at some point,” s0s2 said. “Not just in the ocean, but the streets as well. Seeing trash laying or floating around makes me sick to my stomach. I really don’t know what’s so hard about picking up your trash after yourself. After all, we aren’t the only species living on this planet. We need to pay more attention to our surroundings! Plastic doesn’t decay.”
“Also, I’ve had a really hard time looking up reference pictures for the Trashmaid comics. Seeing those photos of horribly polluted oceans always hit me hard. Something needs to be done about this problem.”
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“It’s important to be aware of the situation,” the artist continued. “There’s a lot we can do! Dispose of trash properly (even if it’s not yours), conserve water, be a part of plastic recycling, use less plastic and go on foot more often than by car. Use products that are environmentally safe. The resources on this planet are not limitless. Support green-oriented companies. Don’t cut trees, plant them!”
” The Earth doesn’t need us but we need it. So we have to respect and take care of it.”
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“I’ve just set up a Patreon account for The Little Trashmaid with 20% of the monthly donations going towards funding ocean conservation organizations.”
She's sooo cute. Also sad. But to be fair little mermaid was already based on a mermaid collecting trash in the ocean.
But Arial found shipwreck stuff which is an accident not ignorance of throwing garbage into the sea. Why are you not positive about this?
Load More Replies...This was both adorable and really poignant at the same time. Take care of your Mother Earth- we only have one!
So do we, with the trash our brains are fed with every day. ♥
Load More Replies...Forgive me.. about trashmaid, i only think about one thing except the mermaid..
Stephanie Hermes, you've done what Hans Christian Anderson and the hacks at Disney could never imagine...you've brought a classic tale into the messed up world of today with snarky humor and amazing skill, and just a touch of reality to slap us all in the face and make us recognize some of the problems we must deal with. Well done!
I've always wanted to read this comic! Seeing these just make me wonder what I'm missing, but also makes the wait that much sweeter because I know I'll eventually get the chance soon!
Screw Prince Eric...she needs to date Boyan Slaat! Now THAT is a real hero! And Greta and her Nazi population control BS can promptly f*k off!
Looks like the trashmaid is having fun with our garbage. Repurposing at it's best. This cartoon makes me want to throw more trash in the ocean, just to see what she does with it.
LOAN BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ONLINE FREE OF CHARGE A VERY DYNAMIC TEAM TO THE TASK. Need I say more a hand to quit a financial stalemate that has lasted for a while because of your bank's refusal for a loan or financing, no problem even if you are stuck in your country and do not have access to financing leave an email : greniernathalie1@yahoo.com * Financial * Real estate loans * Investment loans. Ps: Know that we work to your satisfaction, you can follow your file to know its evolution.
Looks like she is having a lot of fun with our garbage. Makes me want to throw more in to see what she does with it.
She's sooo cute. Also sad. But to be fair little mermaid was already based on a mermaid collecting trash in the ocean.
But Arial found shipwreck stuff which is an accident not ignorance of throwing garbage into the sea. Why are you not positive about this?
Load More Replies...This was both adorable and really poignant at the same time. Take care of your Mother Earth- we only have one!
So do we, with the trash our brains are fed with every day. ♥
Load More Replies...Forgive me.. about trashmaid, i only think about one thing except the mermaid..
Stephanie Hermes, you've done what Hans Christian Anderson and the hacks at Disney could never imagine...you've brought a classic tale into the messed up world of today with snarky humor and amazing skill, and just a touch of reality to slap us all in the face and make us recognize some of the problems we must deal with. Well done!
I've always wanted to read this comic! Seeing these just make me wonder what I'm missing, but also makes the wait that much sweeter because I know I'll eventually get the chance soon!
Screw Prince Eric...she needs to date Boyan Slaat! Now THAT is a real hero! And Greta and her Nazi population control BS can promptly f*k off!
Looks like the trashmaid is having fun with our garbage. Repurposing at it's best. This cartoon makes me want to throw more trash in the ocean, just to see what she does with it.
LOAN BETWEEN INDIVIDUALS ONLINE FREE OF CHARGE A VERY DYNAMIC TEAM TO THE TASK. Need I say more a hand to quit a financial stalemate that has lasted for a while because of your bank's refusal for a loan or financing, no problem even if you are stuck in your country and do not have access to financing leave an email : greniernathalie1@yahoo.com * Financial * Real estate loans * Investment loans. Ps: Know that we work to your satisfaction, you can follow your file to know its evolution.
Looks like she is having a lot of fun with our garbage. Makes me want to throw more in to see what she does with it.
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