Showing posts with label goddess. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goddess. Show all posts

February 03, 2009

Bright Plumes



"Ostare"

I had a blissful day to paint today, I've been carrying this sketch with me for a few weeks and was strangely hesitant about her colors. I also wasn't quite sure who she was. When she first appeared in my sketchbook I called her harpy. Her face however seemed a bit to sweet for that. (although I'm quite certain even harpies have their good days). As you might have noticed I lean toward soft colors in spite of myself. Pale however wouldn't due, the bird woman called for bright plumes and turned out so regal I realized she must be a spring goddess. So Ostare she is, I found so many spellings for her I hope I selected the proper one.
I found an account of her having a rabbits head and woman's body. I'd love to paint her in that form as well. I believe the same article called rabbits her minions which made me grin. Don't you love the idea of rabbit minions?

Remember to sign up for my One World One Heart give away in the post below!

June 21, 2008

Happy Summer Solstice!



Happy Summer Solstice everyone!

I went out and bought some new flowers to celebrate (I will post pictures of the dahlia when it opens :)

Thought I'd share my painting of the Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu. I'm smitten by her story and the relationship between her and the goddess Uzume, This story of laughter and joy bringing Amaterasu out of the darkness after all the other gods had failed is so inspiring. Laughter is the best medicine it seems, even for the the gods :)

from pantheon.org

When the sun goddess Amaterasu had hidden herself in a cave, thus covering the earth in darkness and infertility, it was Uzume (Shinto goddess of joy) who brought her back. With her provoking and curlew dances she managed to make the gods laugh so hard, that Amaterasu left the cave intrigued. Her emerging brought light and life back to earth. Her brother Ninigi married Uzume to the deity who guards the Floating Bridge to Heaven.