mixed media alchemical art
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Deep in some arid desert is a cool cave, an abundance of life within finding refuge from the brutal noontime heat beyond. Small luminescent creatures dwell on the walls of the black interior, making unintentional constellations to delight the eye.
Size: 6″ x 6″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, and varnish on canvas.
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In alchemy, the mercurial red dragon personifies the chaotic nature of the Prima Materia, which transforms in the Philosopher’s Stone of the Great Work. This dragon sits astride a globe which may symbolize the electromagnetic energies of the planet. Invisible, fluid, yet potent, they are sometimes known as ley lines or dragon lines. These energies show themselves as auroras.
Clicking on the photograph brings up a larger lightbox image.
Size: 3.5″ x 2.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold pigment, resin on canvas.
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In addition to the well-known “ouroboros” of the alchemist (a single serpent devouring its own tail), another important symbol is that of two serpents devouring each other. A crowned and winged serpent, representing the universal or cosmic spirit holds a common snake by the tail. This latter snake, representing base matter or the virgin earth, is eating the tail of the crowned serpent. They signify the volatile and the fixed, the sulfur and the salt, the elements of fire and earth, and distillation and condensation. They negate each other and become one (an ouroboros) and in doing so complete the work.
Size: 3.5″ x 2.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold pigment, resin on canvas.
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The image of a serpent entwined around an egg is found in the symbolism of such widely-flung ancient belief systems as India, Egypt, European Druids, and Gnostics of the Near and Middle East. It is also known as the Orphic Egg.
“The ancient symbol of the Orphic Mysteries was the serpent-entwined egg, which signified Cosmos as encircled by the fiery Creative Spirit. The egg also represents the soul of the philosopher; the serpent, the Mysteries. At the time of initiation the shell is broke. and man emerges from the embryonic state of physical existence wherein he had remained through the fetal period of philosophic regeneration.” (Manly P. Hall)
Size: 3.5″ x 2.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold pigment, resin on canvas.
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Dragonflies in flight are a wonderful sight to behold. Large, iridescent bi-winged creatures zooming and weaving as if playfully. They begin their lives as nymphs, aggressive aquatic predators that can remain in that stage as long as five years. By contrast, the adult stage we all know as the dragonfly proper is only the briefest part of its lifespan, at most a few months.
In much European folklore the dragonfly usually has sinister significance, associating them with devils or fairy mischief, an example of which is the English nickname of “the Devil’s darning needle.” By contrast they are held to be auspicious by many Native American tribes, symbolizing swiftness, renewal, purity. In some other parts of the world it is held to be a sign of good luck if a dragonfly lands on you. The japanese hold the dragonfly as a symbol of courage and happiness and often feature then in haikus.
Size: 2.25″ x 2.5:
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold pigment, resin on canvas.
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And there the lion’s ruddy eyes
Shall flow with tears of gold:
And pitying the tender cries,
And walking round the fold:
Saying: “Wrath by His meekness,
And, by His health, sickness,
Are driven away
From our immortal day.
“And now beside thee, bleating lamb,
I can lie down and sleep,
Or think on Him who bore thy name,
Graze after thee, and weep.
For, washed in life’s river,
My bright mane for ever
Shall shine like the gold,
As I guard o’er the fold.”
- William Blake, from “Night”
Size: 2.5″ x 3.75″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, and varnish on canvas.
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In all fables we are told that the Salamander is born in fire. It dwells in a great mountain which is encompassed by many flames. And as one of these is ever smaller than another, herein the Salamander bathes. The third is greater, the fourth brighter than the rest. In all these the Salamander washes, and is purified. Then he ties him to his cave, but on the way is caught and pierced so that it dies, and yields up its life with its blood. But this, too, happens for its good: For from its blood it wins immortal life, and then death has no more power over it. Its blood is the most precious Medicine upon earth, the same has not its like in the world. For this blood drives away all disease. From it the Sages derive their science, and through it they attain the Heavenly Gift, which is called the Philosopher’s Stone . – The Book of Lambspring
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, and gold pigment on canvas.
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Radha accompanies Krishna on a stroll through the countryside. He serenades her with his enchanting flute. At Radha’s feet there is a peacock, which is symbolic of courtship.
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, and gold pigment on canvas.
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The self-devouring serpent, symbolizing the universe (without beginning or end) rests atop an inverted pyramid representing the hierarchy of planets. The golden key if acquired grants access to the mysteries of the heavens.
Size: 2.5″ x 3.5″
Mixed media: oil, paper, ink, varnish, gold leaf, and gold pigment on canvas.
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