Starting February with everything despite the S.A.D, I had a hard time getting out of bed, not so much now, but the lack of sun has made me fade in many ways such as physical, emotional, artistic, but it's nice to have my beloved cat Pibi to hug.
My energy was like a magnet wanting to reach the ground, my gaze, my skin I see them differently, but it is classic for me during February, the hardest month with the weather that does not help.
But what helped?
I had the honor of been a curator and judge for the ART & SOUL exhibition at the Webster Arts gallery in Webster Grooves, it helped enormously to recharge my battery, the show was national wide and it was very inspiring to be able to get to know the art of other artists. I received the invitation at the end of December 2024 and for me it was very uplifting, I admire the Webster Groves community for the artistic events even when I can't attend, in fact it is considered the City of the Arts here in Missouri.
I started the month with a new project, a new sketch, still working with snakes, which I don't like! But it's part of my art therapy, so I decided to paint a MEDUSA, I think it always caught my attention and a part of me knew I would paint one, after this I started to see many things related to snakes, even the pattern on the pavement!
MEDUSA, it was a bit complicated to land the idea and what I wanted, the truth is I didn't wanted something grotesque or very dark because it already has that on its own, I focused on a palette of monochromatic and cold colors, I think the weather and SAD were the cause, in addition to the fact that I was battling with lung pain because I had covid in January, can you imagine how I was coughing after my surgery? Ouch! Anyway, art was my best medicine in the end.
I have made her face as stone in cold colors as I made this during winter, I have added roses to the snakes to create a balance between a heavy symbol as is the Medusa, also because I gift her flower for her head as every women should wear, some snakes are represented with more real appearance and others turned into stone, on her eye there is a white wing that I wanted to add to enhance my composition, then after reading more about Medusa, I found she had wings which makes this painting even more special.
The white snake at the bottom represents her taken innocence, purity and transmutation.
Medusa brief story:
In Greek mythology, Medusa was a Gorgon with snakes for hair who could turn people to stone with her gaze. She was once a beautiful priestess of Athena who was punished by the goddess Athenea for being raped by Poseidon... Excuse moi? Yes, she was punished instead Poseidon!
How Medusa was cursed:
-Medusa was raped by Poseidon in Athena's temple.
-Athena punished Medusa by turning her into a monster with snakes for hair and a greenish skin tone.
-Medusa's gaze turned anyone who looked into it to stone.
How Perseus killed Medusa
-The Greek hero Perseus killed Medusa by beheading her after he show her a mirror making.
-Perseus used Medusa's head as a weapon to turn enemies to stone.
-Perseus gave Medusa's head to Athena to place on her shield.
Other Medusa-related facts:
Medusa was the only mortal Gorgon.
Her sisters, Euryale and Stheno, were immortal but were cursed with a monstrous appearance after supporting Medusa.
From the blood that flowed from Medusa's neck, her two sons by Poseidon, Chrysaor and Pegasus, were born.
Symbolism of Medusa:
In Greek mythology and art that symbolizes protection, chaos, and female power.
Protection
Medusa is often depicted as an apotropaic symbol, warding off evil and negative forces, similar to the modern evil eye.
Her head was placed on Athena's shield, and her blood was said to have the power of life and death.
Chaos
As a Gorgon, Medusa represents the unpredictable and destructive aspects of nature.
Her petrifying gaze is a reminder of the potential for devastation in the natural world.
Female power
Medusa's story is seen by some as a symbol of female strength and resilience.
She represents the capacity of women to overcome challenges and rise above societal expectations.
Danger
Medusa is a dangerous threat meant to deter other dangerous threats.
The myth of Medusa is a cautionary tale, urging humanity to respect and fear the forces of nature.
Beauty and monstrosity
Medusa is a conflation of femininity, erotic desire, violence, and death.
Female beauty was perceived to be both enchanting and dangerous, or even fatal.
I will make a video about Medusa story and my painting, have you subscribed to my Youtube? dont miss it.
SHARING WITH YOU...
TO SEE: I just saw Emilia Perez, I was prepared for the worst, in fact that's why I wanted to see it, to see why most Mexicans were outraged by the film regardless of the comments that "Emilia" made. Surprisingly I liked it. Why? Because it's not like all Hollywood movies or the formats we're used to seeing, IT'S DIFFERENT! It's creative, what for many was bad, comical, ridiculed, for me was challenging, daring, just like the story. I would never have thought of the idea of creating a drug-dealing character with that psychology that goes against all the stereotypes we're used to seeing on screens. It's clear to me that Mexicans are outraged because the eyes of other countries portray an idea of Mexico that others perceive, it's as if only Mexicans had the right to stone each other, build or destroy each other. I didn't find anything that was outrageous, or why I felt bad as a Mexican. It's not a film for everyone, just like art. The fact that people left the movie theaters only gives me the impression that they were sheep following more sheep just to feel fraternity with the Mexican nation. If you can separate the nationalist feeling, it would be one of many aspects that you could see differently, it's not about the country, or where the actors are from. It's like going to the museum to see a work, simply done in another technique, that went beyond the conventional, and that for me is very valid. For example, I saw Wicked, and it seemed to me more of the same, known formulas, an aesthetic thread that is already known, but that doesn't stop being remarkable and impeccable. Even so, I preferred Emilia Pérez.
