“Air” East
Oil pastel, watercolor, graphite, gouache on vintage book page 4 x 6 inches
“Fire” South
Oil pastel, watercolor, graphite, gouache on vintage book page 4 x 6 inches
“Water” West
Oil pastel, watercolor, graphite, gouache on vintage book page 4 x 6 inches
“Earth” North
Oil pastel, watercolor, graphite, gouache on vintage book page 4 x 6 inches
The ancient Greeks theorized that the elements of air, fire, water, earth, was manifested by spirits called Elementals, which corresponded to east, south, west and north. Each element had a host of other Slyphs, divas, or sprites in charge of different aspects of the major element. I thought it would be fun to depict these major elements personified as beautiful women or goddesses, as I imagine the Greeks might have. These are very small portraits, only on a book page of 4 x 6 inches. Working this small has its challenges! Oil pastels do not have fine points, so its often difficult to work the eyes, and sometimes I use graphite to further enhance the eyes after the drawing is complete. Watercolor is used for eye color, and gouache is used for the whites of the eyes and as a layer over the oil pastel on the face.
4 Rooms and the Moon 
wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to simplify life to to the elements and have a host of charges to be your handmaidens! Would be so peaceful I think to just curse the gods when you are having a bad day. I think the size can be a challenge but it is also so personal, intimate, so there’s the trade off. the ladies are very fine…nicely rendered.
Thank you, Henrietta — wouldn’t it be lovely?!
Nice work.
You created these women on a small scale yet gave them a strength of goddesses…well done
Thank you, Rosemary! You have a wonderful way of looking at things, I appreciate that!
Thank you. Happy that you stopped by for a peek and left a comment!