Pegasus the Winged Horse

Click the image for a larger version.
This is an updated version of a previous image I posted entitled Dreaming of Pegasus. I’ve altered the colours substantially and introduced a swimmer who is struggling to reach the boat. I think it’s a big improvement – any comments?

The origins of Pegasus the Winged Horse lie in Greek mythology where Pegasus is a divine, winged creature, the offspring of Poseidon, god of the sea, and Medusa, a monster from underneath the earth whose gaze could turn onlookers to stone. Pegasus’ image can be found on ancient Greek pottery and sculptures and paintings from the time of the Renaissance.

For the psychologist Carl Jung, Pegasus was a symbol of spiritual energy that allowed access to the realm of the gods on Mount Olympus. Other legends of Pegasus include descriptions of Pegasus as a symbol of wisdom in the Middle Ages, and as a symbol of creativity, particularly poetry, in the 19th century.

Photomontage: Dreaming of Pegasus

Dreaming of Pegasus

The name Pegasus often refers to any winged horse but its origins lie in Greek mythology where Pegasus is a divine, winged horse, the offspring of Poseidon, god of the sea, and Medusa, a monster from underneath the earth whose gaze could turn onlookers to stone. Pegasus’ image can be found on ancient Greek pottery and sculptures and paintings from the time of the Renaissance.

For the psychologist Carl Jung, Pegasus was a symbol of spiritual energy that allowed access to the realm of the gods on Mount Olympus. Other interpretations include Pegasus as a symbol of wisdom in the Middle Ages, and as a symbol of creativity, particularly poetry, in the 19th century.

Limited edition prints of this photo montage are available. Click here for more information.

Resources:
wings
boat
horse
shrubs

Photo Montage: The Ruined Windmill

I was driving home at night and spotted an owl flying across the field to my left. I slowed the car thinking it might fly in front of me and on in to another field but it hit the car roof with a soft thud. I don’t know why it didn’t see me, I had my headlights on and after all, owls can see at night can’t they? I hope it lived but I will never know. This photomontage is for the owl.

Footnote: According to John Ruskin, the English art critic, a ruined windmill in a picture aesthetically connotes suffering

Photo Montage: Ganesha and the Donkey

To enlarge this image and to read more about the symbolism in it, click here.

Photo Montage: The Queen of Hearts

Photo Montage: The Queen of Hearts

As night approaches, a young boy stands with his back to the sun next to a large stone cross. He clutches a playing card in his right hand showing the Queen of Hearts. His other hand points to the birds in the sky. They are large birds, with wings that are blurred and indistinct and they look threatening against the approaching night sky but the boy seems unafraid. Perhaps he is pointing to the birds as a warning. Perhaps there is a deeper message. Perhaps the Queen of Hearts is saying that love conquers all fear. What do you think? Please leave a comment!

Prints of this image are available from Fine Art America starting at US$23.

Photo Montage: The Holy Grail

The title of this work is ‘The Holy Grail’ referring to the goblet the child is holding. The Holy Grail is usually a dish, plate or cup such as that used by Jesus in the Last Supper. It is said to be sacred and has miraculous powers.

In more recent literature, the Grail is said to be a symbol of God’s grace which is only available to those who are spiritually prepared for it. In my interpretation, the child symbolises purity and the lion symbolises the strength one needs in order to make the journey to spiritual maturity. There are several menacing elements within the room which the child has now overcome and he grasps the Golden Cup between his hands.

Prints are available from Fine Art America starting at $23.50. Click on the image for more information.

Photo Montage: Which Way Shall I Go?

Which Way Shall I Go?

Two paths lead away from the child. One goes up and over the hill by a set of stairs, the other is a chequered surface leading into the dark woods. She carries a candle to light the way but looks uncertain as to which way to go. The lion is not a threat, she looks to him for strength and to help her make a choice.
The stairs look like the more secure route but perhaps the mysterious depths of the forest might be the better way to go. Which way would you choose?

If you are interested in making your own photo montages, you might like to check out this page on my website which will get you started. You will also find a video which shows you how to isolate objects for use in your montages.

Child by Falln-Stock.
Lion by OverStocked
Stairs by Erendis-stock
Tiles by Sveinjo
Sky by Photostocks
Background by Mimose-stock

Photo Montage: East of Eden

The Tree of Life was the second tree in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from this tree too. Cherubim guarded the Tree, and a flaming sword turned in every direction to deter anyone who was presumptuous enough to approach the Tree. In my version, the cherub sleeps, the sword forgotten, and the child is free to take fruit from the Tree of Life.

Or if you are interested in making your own photo montages, you might like to check out this page on my website which will get you started. You will also find a video which shows you how to isolate objects for use in your montages.

Photograph of the child by kind permission of Falln-Stock.

Photo Montage: Entering Eden

This is my take on the story in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, where God forbids Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. The serpent persuades Eve to eat from it and she in turn offers Adam fruit from the tree and he eats also. The two are banished from the Garden in case they also eat from the other tree there, the Tree of Life. God places cherubim at the entrance to the Garden and a flaming sword as protection.The flaming sword can turn in all directions and keeps safe the way to the Tree of Life. In my photo montage, you can see the gates of Eden and the child about to run past the Flaming Sword.
If you are interested in making photo montages, you might like to check out this page on my website which will get you started. You will also find a video which shows you how to isolate objects for use in your montages.

Photograph of the child by kind permission of Falln-Stock.

Photo Montage: Katie’s Magic Mandala

The subtitle for this playful photo montage is “Leaving Earth’s Orbit”.

A mandala is an object to focus your attention on during meditation. Meditation can lead to deeper states of consciousness where spiritual truth is perceived. Spiritual truth is of a different order to physical truth, superior to it yet not in conflict with it.

For me, art is a form of meditation. It is extroverted meditation whereas ordinary meditation is introverted. When you combine the two way of meditating successfully, the inner world and the outer world become one.

Photograph of the child by kind permission of Falln-Stock.