Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.
Showing posts with label goddess Hera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goddess Hera. Show all posts

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Study



Study of Peacock Feathers

  6x6in     oil on canvas        not for sale

I checked to see if there was any information about peacock feather symbolism and found quite a few stories. My favorite goes all the way back to ancient Greece. The peacock was the patron bird of the goddess Hera. According to myth she paced "eyes" on its feathers, symbolizing all-seeing knowledge and the wisdom of the heavens.
I also read that most religions of the world include symbolic meanings to peacock feathers and they were all quite interesting.

As an artist I find them beautiful in color harmony and graceful fronds.


Artist Note:

Today I kept to transparent colors in thin washes where I could. I noticed significant color changes in the feathers themselves so I think an artist could just let loose with color and follow the shapes.
Of the two methods I think I prefer the more painterly application I did yesterday.