King David

"King David"
36" x 36",oil

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:3-7).

Hidden Time

 

"Hidden Time"

14" x 20",egg tempera

Symbolic Meanings of Fish

 There are numerous species of fish, but the creature in general holds some prime symbolic meanings:

• fertility
• eternity
• creativity
• femininity
• good luck
• happiness
• knowledge
• transformation

The fish was sacred to the Greco-Roman mythology, where it held symbolic meaning of change and transformation. We see this in the myth of Aphrodite and Heros when they turned themselves into fish in order to escape from the ferocious Typhon.

As an ancient Celtic symbol, the symbolic meaning of fish dealt with knowledge, wisdom, inspiration and prophecy.

In Buddhism, the fish symbolizes happiness and freedom. Also the fish makes an appearance as one of the eight sacred symbols of the Buddha: 1) Conch, 2) Lotus, 3) Parasol, 4) Wheel, 5) Knot, 6) Pair of Golden Fish, 7) Banner of Victory, 8) Vase

In Christianity, the fish is a symbol of abundance and faith . The Greek word for fish is "ixthus" or "icthus." The Christian fish symbol that many Christians place on their cars is known as the “ixthus.” Five Greek letters form the word “ixthus,” and those letters inside the fish form an acrostic which is a message that Christians clearly identified with. The first letter represented the word Jesus. The second letter represented the word Christ, the next two, God Son, and the final letter represented the word Savior. This adds up to “Jesus Christ is God’s Son, the Savior.”

During the early days of Christianity, Christians were often put to death for practicing their faith, so they worshiped in secret places. A fish painted on the outside door of a house let other Christians know that they would be safe and welcome inside.

Igor Stravinsky

"Igor Stravinsky" 18" x 24",coal, paper

"Harpists spend 90 percent of their lives tuning their harps and 10 percent playing out of tune."
Igor Stravinsky

"A good composer does not imitate; he steals."

Igor Stravinsky

"My music is best understood by children and animals."

Igor Stravinsky

The Owl

 

"The Owl 9"x10", pencil

In ancient Egyptian, Celtic, and Hindu cultures the symbolic meaning of owl revolved around guardianship of the underworlds, and a protection of the dead.

A quick-list of owl symbolic meanings in different cultures:

• Wisdom
• Mystery
• Transition
• Messages
• Intelligence
• Mysticism
• Protection
• Secrets

 

The Idol of the Tribe

"The Idols of The Tribe" 24" x 48",oil

"The Idols of the Tribe have their foundation in human nature itself.... And the human understanding is like a false mirror, which receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolours the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it..." -Francis Bacon, Novum Organum, 1620

Idols of the Tribe are mental characteristics common to all men such as the tendency to find order and regularity where it is lacking (as in the instance of the Greek who thought he saw a centaur), the proneness of men to allow their desire, pride, prejudice, hopes, and prepossessions to blind them to realities; and men's inclination to trust their five senses, despite their fallibility, without enlisting the help of experiments.

Dionysus and two Maenads

 

"Dionysus and two Maenads" 24" x 30",acrylic

Here, on my painting is a beautiful black figure vase painting by the Amasis Painter depicts Dionysus with a pair of attendant maenads. The image appears on a type of vessel that the ancient Greeks called an amphora. Amphorae (the plural form of the word amphora) were used to store such treasures as wine and oil.

The body of the vase is adorned with a gorgeous group of figures. Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and the theatre, stands on the left. The god is bearded and holds a kantharos (this kind of wine cup is often used as a symbol of Dionysus) in one of his hands. The right side of the vase features two women, who are often identified as maenads (female followers of Dionysus). These women are intertwined and clad in dark, intricately detailed garments. One of the maenads is holding a hare, while the other is carrying a deer. Each of the female figures is also grasping a sprig of stylized ivy. Notice how the skin of the male figure - Dionysus - is dark, while the female figures - the maenads - both have pale, buff colored skin.

 
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The Rape of Europa

 

"The Rape of Europa" 9"x10", pencil

In Greek mythology, Europa was the daughter of the King Agenor of Sidon. She had the continent of Europe named for her.

The earliest reference to Europa is in Homer’s ‘Iliad’ (8th century BC) according to which she was the legendary queen of Crete. Another early reference to her is in Hesiod’s Catalogue of Women as one of the daughters of Oceanus and Tethys.

It was early morning. Europa summoned her companions, who were all daughters of nobility and of her age. It was a beautiful day and they went off gathering flowers by the sea. Zeus noticed this charming group, particularly Europa, who was the prettiest of the maidens. Some say that Eros, induced him into action with one of his darts. Although, Zeus often made due with self motivation. In any case, Zeus appeared to the group as a white bull. A white bull more beautiful then any other. A bull that smelled of flowers, and lowed musically. A bull so obviously gentle that all the maidens rushed to stroke and pet it.

The bull laid down in front of Europa. She slid on to its back. Instantly, the bull charged off, plunging into the sea, and began to swim rapidly from the shore. Europa saw that a procession had joined them, Nereids riding dolphins, Triton blowing his horn, even Poseidon. From this she realized that the bull must be a god. She pleaded with him to pity her. Zeus spoke to her and explained his love. He took her to Create, where he had been raised. He promised that she would bear him many famous sons.

Punica Fides

 

"Punica Fides" 14" x 20",egg tempera

Punica fides, that is treachery according to the Romans. For the Romans, FIDES was an essential element in the character of a man of public affairs, and a necessary constituent element of all social and political transactions (perhaps = 'good faith'). FIDES meant 'reliablilty', a sense of trust between two parties if a relationship between them was to exist. FIDES was always reciprocal and mutual, and implied both privileges and responsibilities on both sides. In both public and private life the violation of FIDES was considered a serious matter, with both legal and religious consequences. FIDES, in fact, was one of the first of the 'virtues' to be considered an actual divinity at Rome. The Romans had a saying, "Punica fides" (the reliability of a Carthaginian) which for them represented the highest degree of treachery: the word of a Carthaginian (like Hannibal) was not to be trusted, nor could a Carthaginian be relied on to maintain his political elationships.