Gilded Ghosts
In this series, it is my intent to visually express the unity of pattern and the anatomy of death. Each piece is oil on canvas and embellished with liquid and/or leaf gilding sheets/flakes. The imagery in each painting represents an individual fate with the inevitable while the title of each painting illuminates the mythological stories each are based upon. Each piece includes a geometric pattern/shape that depicts aspects within each piece of lore. Creating this collection fuses my love for both art & literature and I am currently expanding my portfolio with additions to this series with works in progress. A synopsis about each painting is provided below.
Drowning in Honey
Based on the Norse mythological legend of a fabled beverage with magical powers known as “Poetic Mead”. As the legend goes, two groups of gods created a man named Kvasir out of their saliva who was so wise he could answer any question. Kvasir traveled sharing his knowledge and wisdom until two dwarves murdered him. The dwarves then drained him of his blood and mixed it with honey which resulted in the creation of the mead of poetry. It was believed that anyone who drank this honey blood mead would then become a poet or scholar. The creation of the mead of poetry eventually resulted in the introduction of poetry to mankind.
Actaeon’s Fate
Based on the misfortune of the ancient Greek hero, Actaeon. While there are many different recounts of this myth, the most popular version boasts that while out hunting, Actaeon accidentally stumbled upon the goddess Artemis naked, while she was bathing in the vale of Gargaphia. Amazed by her beauty, Actaeon stopped & stared. Once Actaeon was spotted leering, Artemis punished him by forbidding him to speak; if he spoke or made a sound he would transform into a stag. Upon hearing his hunting party in the distance, Actaeon called out to them & immediately transformed. He then fled deep into the woods pursued by his three hounds. Unable to call off his well trained hunting dogs, Actaeon met his fate & was torn to pieces.
Siren’s Coda
Based on the dangerous mythological creatures, Sirens would lure nearby sailors to their deaths with their enchanting music & songs. According to legend, a Siren was fated to death if any passing mortal was able to resist their song. So it was believed that after Odysseus and his crew passed by the Siren’s island, not falling victim to the enchantresses songs, all the Siren’s then flung themselves into the ocean & perished.
Minotaur’s Last Feast
I gathered inspiration for this piece from multiple places, one being my favorite book 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 (this is a story for another time); and the more well known Greek myth based on the half man, half bull monster imprisoned by his step-father, King Minos. The Minotaur was banished deep inside a Labyrinth on the island of Crete. The Minotaur dined on human flesh,which was supplied by the city of Athens every nine years. As penance for Athenians killing one of Minos’ sons, the Cretan king demanded Athens send 14 young Athenians as tributes (7 maidens & seven youths) for the Minotaur to devour. This rite continued until a young prince named Theseus volunteers as one of the sacrificial victims, and slew the beast in the labyrinth.