The whole time I was creating her, I could feel she was the manifestation of Mother Earth, so maternal and strong and bountiful just like nature. She also had a very strong feminine energy with the cloud blouse and the cat and the two soft eyes. When it came time to name these paintings, it was obvious what her name would be. The only piece with eyes, and both staring at the viewer, I also gently poke fun at "cat ladies," but with an affection, as she is very assured and the spirit of our planet.

Cyclopes is one of the giants who helped Zeus to craft a thunderbolt. I tried to bring some conflicting ideas into this one to show the complications of elegance. The butterfly rests on top, showing a symbol of life, and the owl signifies mystery. On the other hand, the single arresting eye and the man seemingly trapped in the blue ball hint at something deeper. I was particularly pleased with how the background of this one turned out. All the empty space gave me the freedom to craft the kind of field of light reflecting strokes that I love to execute. This piece gave me the most insight into directions I can take in the near future, and I'm so excited to work on new compositions like this soon!

She is the Goddess of Spring, and also of the Underworld. Spring here is characterized by the deeply layered yellows, the minutiae of life, blooming flowers, ferns, palms and fruits. Although all is bright the books are old and weathered. Time is pressing down, here represented by the empty space pushing down above. But Persephone, much like the deity in myths, has returned from the underworld, just like spring returns every year, and best of all, she bears the immense pressure with immeasurable style.

The Muses were Goddesses of the Arts, and I took the modern liberty of switching the genders in my case, to let the Muse be male. But being a muse has its burdens and some darkness. Fruits of knowledge and mystery are represented here to show that weight. Mystery is further represented by the hazy scene in the background, with the moon, a bridge and a mountain appearing out of a misty haze. Something I tried to achieve here and reasonably succeeded I think is in painting darker things but trying my best to make them light. I aimed to do this by being very sensitive with my touch and strokes. Feathery clouds, golden highlights and nature and trees painted with a freedom and abandon characteristic of early Modern Art lighten the mood and complement the gentleman's casually stylish nature. Moody and deep? Peaceful and calm? It's up to you to decide.

Eileithyia is the Goddess of Midwifery and Childbirth. The blooms float wildly. A bird pops its head out. The nature here is varied and suffused with deep emotions. She is a deity that people used to pray to in order to have protection for their children. She is humble and inviting with her tenderly colored suit of pinks and oranges, while the two tones of the background symbolize the spirit of childbirth - the terra cotta representing the soil of the earth, and the orange peach the pathos of childbirth and the miracle of human growth. I can tell you, behind the scenes she was the piece I struggled with the most, having the most varied tree and brush forms and also the lightest colored suit. When colors are bright and light, how to make it soft? This was how I challenged myself with this piece. How do you think?