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Atalanta #2 "the Way of the Hunter"

Having been successfully rescued and nourished by the she-bear, one day the child, having been left alone, is come upon by a couple of Hunters tracking prey. Seeing the discovery as the will of their hunting patron god, Artemis, the men take the child and dutifully raise her into a skillful hunter, tracker and archer; ever in the service of Artemis.

Because Artemis was the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and wild animals, she was popular with hunters. And, although the goddess was associated with childbirth and fertility, she herself was celibate, vowing to forever remain a virgin. The hunters, stalking their prey through the forest, wear shawls like cloaks called a Chlamys.

In the background of my illustration we can see one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the “Temple of Artemis” at the city of Ephesus, (west coast of turkey). Here was a powerful and unique cult, with a more fertility centric Artemis Ephesia, a goddess rooted in Egyptian or Near east great mother goddesses; The site had annual festivals with games and theater performances, where young, single Greeks could seek out marriage partners.

The 2nd century B.C. Greek poet Antipater described it thus; “I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon  on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, "Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand".

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8: ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS

The ancient Greek Zodiakos, or Zodiac, is a division of the celestial sphere into twelve equal parts; each one containing a specific group of stars with a mythic association called a constellation. Ancient Greeks used the constellations for sailing navigation, time keeping for seasonal agricultural practices like planting and harvesting crops, mythic storytelling purposes, and astrology practices.

 Hellenistic Astrology, taking influence from the Babylonians and Egyptians, sought meaning in the zodiac signs and how they influenced a person’s character based on the position of the sun when they were born.  They also used this practice for divination, providing guidance and predictions for the future. Let’s take a look at the twelve Zodiac constellations and their mythic tales.

1.) Aries (March 21-April 19) represents the flying golden ram sent by the gods to save the royal children Phrixus and Helle from sacrifice, and whose fleece later becomes the quested prize for the Argonauts.

2.) Taurus (April 20-May 20) represents the bull which Zeus transformed into to seduce Europa, and is linked to the Cretan Bull and the myth of the Minotaur.

3.) Gemini (May 21-June 21) represents the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus and Leda, known for their inseparable bond and heroic deeds. 

4.) Cancer (June 22- July 22) represents the crab sent by Hera to distract Hercules during his battle with the Hydra, later placed in the sky by Hera as a constellation.

5.) Leo (July 23- Aug. 22) represents the lion, representing strength and kingship, associated with the Nemean Lion defeated by Hercules.

6.) Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22) represents the maiden, often linked to the goddess of agriculture and fertility, such as Demeter or Persephone.

7.) Libra (Sept 23- Oct 23) represents goddess of justice Astraea, daughter of Themis, who carries the scales of justice.

8.) Scorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21) represents the scorpion sent by Artemis or Gaia to kill Orion

9.) Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21) represents the centaur archer, often identified as the wise and skilled Chiron.

10.) Capricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19) represents the sea goat Aegipan, who aided Zeus in his fight against Typhon.

11.) Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18) represents the cupbearer of the gods, Ganymede, who was abducted by Zeus and placed among the stars.

12.) Pisces (Feb 19- March 20) represents the two fish, Aphrodite and Eros, who transformed to escape the monster Typhon.

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I really enjoyed splashing in the water in Chiang Mai 💦 💦 💦

8: ZODIAC CONSTELLATIONS The ancient Greek Zodiakos, or Zodiac, is a division of the celestial sphere into twelve equal parts; each one containing a specific group of stars with a mythic association called a constellation. Ancient Greeks used the constellations for sailing navigation, time keeping for seasonal agricultural practices like planting and harvesting crops, mythic storytelling purposes, and astrology practices. Hellenistic Astrology, taking influence from the Babylonians and Egyptians, sought meaning in the zodiac signs and how they influenced a person’s character based on the position of the sun when they were born. They also used this practice for divination, providing guidance and predictions for the future. Let’s take a look at the twelve Zodiac constellations and their mythic tales. 1.) Aries (March 21-April 19) represents the flying golden ram sent by the gods to save the royal children Phrixus and Helle from sacrifice, and whose fleece later becomes the quested prize for the Argonauts. 2.) Taurus (April 20-May 20) represents the bull which Zeus transformed into to seduce Europa, and is linked to the Cretan Bull and the myth of the Minotaur. 3.) Gemini (May 21-June 21) represents the twins Castor and Pollux, sons of Zeus and Leda, known for their inseparable bond and heroic deeds. 4.) Cancer (June 22- July 22) represents the crab sent by Hera to distract Hercules during his battle with the Hydra, later placed in the sky by Hera as a constellation. 5.) Leo (July 23- Aug. 22) represents the lion, representing strength and kingship, associated with the Nemean Lion defeated by Hercules. 6.) Virgo (Aug 23- Sept 22) represents the maiden, often linked to the goddess of agriculture and fertility, such as Demeter or Persephone. 7.) Libra (Sept 23- Oct 23) represents goddess of justice Astraea, daughter of Themis, who carries the scales of justice. 8.) Scorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21) represents the scorpion sent by Artemis or Gaia to kill Orion 9.) Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21) represents the centaur archer, often identified as the wise and skilled Chiron. 10.) Capricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19) represents the sea goat Aegipan, who aided Zeus in his fight against Typhon. 11.) Aquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18) represents the cupbearer of the gods, Ganymede, who was abducted by Zeus and placed among the stars. 12.) Pisces (Feb 19- March 20) represents the two fish, Aphrodite and Eros, who transformed to escape the monster Typhon.

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Subscribe to my free newsletter to receive 8 unseen hi res images Over the next 3 months, Please check my links in my linktree in my bio to join the kickstarter notification page. 🤟❤️🏛

Here is another reel with my process of my artwork 🎨✨

Atalanta #1 "The Mother Goddess and the she-bear"

In the kingdom of Arkadia, the King Lasion, preferring a boy, orders his newborn daughter to be taken into the forest and left to die from exposure. The attendant takes the baby into the hills of Mount Parthenium, leaving the child near a cave spring, sending up a prayer for the child. The wild hunter goddess, Artemis, ever the protector of children, sends her sacred she-bear, who, having recently lost her own cub, comes upon the child, offering the nourishment of her milk.

Although the Atalanta myth has its roots in Arkadia (south west Greece) and Boetia, with the themes of motherhood and protection, I have also included the more exotic statue of the Mother goddess of the “Artemis of Ephesus” (west coast of Turkey.) I have had the pleasure to see this statue in person, and it is truly breathtaking. The statue, representing a goddess who protects fertility, has spherical objects placed around her lower torso, once thought to be breasts, but now believed to be bull’s testicles or gourds, which were symbolic for fertility in ancient times in Asia.

Unwanted children being taken into nature to die from exposure is a reoccurring theme in Greek myths. The Trojan Prince Paris was abandoned to die in the wilderness, and was also suckled by a she-bear. Oedipus mother Jocasta, agreed to have the child pinned down with a stake through the ankles, and left to die upon the mountainside, but the attendant couldn’t go through with it, giving the child to a poor shepherd. Even Heracles mother, Alcmene left the child in a field, fearing Hera’s wrath.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in June to kickstarter.  to get unseen free hi-hes art subscribe to my email newsletter

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Atalanta #1 "The Mother Goddess and the she-bear"

In the kingdom of Arkadia, the King Lasion, preferring a boy, orders his newborn daughter to be taken into the forest and left to die from exposure. The attendant takes the baby into the hills of Mount Parthenium, leaving the child near a cave spring, sending up a prayer for the child. The wild hunter goddess, Artemis, ever the protector of children, sends her sacred she-bear, who, having recently lost her own cub, comes upon the child, offering the nourishment of her milk.

Although the Atalanta myth has its roots in Arkadia (south west Greece) and Boetia, with the themes of motherhood and protection, I have also included the more exotic statue of the Mother goddess of the “Artemis of Ephesus” (west coast of Turkey.) I have had the pleasure to see this statue in person, and it is truly breathtaking. The statue, representing a goddess who protects fertility, has spherical objects placed around her lower torso, once thought to be breasts, but now believed to be bull’s testicles or gourds, which were symbolic for fertility in ancient times in Asia.

Unwanted children being taken into nature to die from exposure is a reoccurring theme in Greek myths. The Trojan Prince Paris was abandoned to die in the wilderness, and was also suckled by a she-bear. Oedipus mother Jocasta, agreed to have the child pinned down with a stake through the ankles, and left to die upon the mountainside, but the attendant couldn’t go through with it, giving the child to a poor shepherd. Even Heracles mother, Alcmene left the child in a field, fearing Hera’s wrath.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in June to kickstarter.  to get unseen free hi-hes art subscribe to my email newsletter

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"The only thing worse than starting something and failing … is not starting something." - Seth Godin

Argonautica #9 "Bronze bulls and the Spartoi"

Book 3 continues with Jason, Mopsus the seer, and Argos on their way to meet Medea at the temple of Hekate. Hera, (transformed as a crow in a poplar tree) tell Mopsus to let Jason meet Medea alone, so Mopsus and Argos stay behind.

Outside the temple of Hekate, Jason implores Medea for help yoking the fire breathing bulls and the Spartoi warriors which will sprout from the dragon’s teeth. Jason recounts how Ariadne helped Theseus in the Minotaur’s labyrinth and the honors given to the maiden by the gods for her assistance. Medea offers the drug with instructions on the sacred rites to use it; Jason should purify his body in river water and sacrifice a sheep to Hekate upon a flaming pyre. Then anoint his naked body, shield, sword, and spear in the Prometheus drug ointment, which will make him impervious to harm for one full day. Jason, overwhelmed by her generosity, commits his life to her, offering to bring her back to Iolcos as his bride

The following day, wearing Ares armor, Jason rides to face his challenge to plow the field on the “Plain of Ares.” Here he is charged by two fire breathing bulls with bronze hooves, but he repels them with his shield. Surrounded by flames and smoke, he strikes the oxen down into submission and binds the yokes to their necks. He forces the roaring beasts on, ploughing the field and dropping the magic dragon’s teeth into the soil.

From the planted dragon’s teeth sprout the Spartoi: fully armed “earth-born” warriors. Remembering Medeas advice, Jason heaves a giant stone into their midst and in the confusion they turn upon one other in violence. In the chaos, Jason cuts down the remaining warriors. He has succeeded in his labors. Book 3 ends with King Aites leaving the field in bitter grief.

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This is one of my sketch artworks.

This is one of my sketch artworks.

Subscribe to my free newsletter to receive 8 unseen hi res images Over the next 3 months, Please check my links in my linktree in my bio to join the kickstarter notification page. 🤟❤️🏛

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss

"Athena's Aegis" (#9 in my "Quest for the Gorgon Head" series)

Did you know Athena wore medusas head on top of her torso armor?

PART 10: With justice served and his mother saved, Perseus returned his Adamantine blade to Hermes, and the helmet of invisibility and winged sandals to the nymphs, and of Medusa’s head he offered it to grey-eyed Athena who placed the head upon her “Aegis” (armored breastplate) as a sacred weapon. Later in life, Perseus returns to his original homeland, fulfilling the original prophecy by accidently killing his grandfather with an accidental discus throw. Perseus and andromeda go on to found the great kingdom of Mycenae.

The original Aegis armor was described as a goat hide with golden tassels wrapped over a shield used by Zeus in the war against the Titans. In an alternative account, in the Olympians war against the titans, Athena strips a giant monster, Pallas, of his skin and wears the skin as armor. In ancient Greek vase paintings we can see a metal corselet worn by Athena upon her torso, with Medusas head positioned abreast. In Homer’s Iliad, Apollo borrows the Aegis, and joining in the war, provokes terror upon the battlefield with it, as it was said to produce “…a sound as from myriad roaring dragons.” (Iliad, 4.17)

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Our zine is officially available to purchase!!!!

Please check the linktree link in our bio over at @singomusezine to select your zine format.