Out of Khaos Came Gaia

"Out of Khaos Came Gaia" charcoal on prepped 1/2 inch thick MDF board, 48 x 30"

This work was created for the "Voices From the Warehouse" exhibition in Dubuque, Iowa. I am very honored to be invited to be in this show which is the most exciting and anticipated annual art event in the area. My work is in what is being called the "Show Within a Show." The "Voices 9/11 Echo Exhibit" is a special tribute to the World Trade Center tragedy with memorial pieces by Voices guest artists and alumni. The show opens tonight and runs through October 7th.

My model for "Gaia" is a beautiful local Dubuque artist and talented singer, who just gave birth to her second lovely daughter, the perfect face and persona for the Earth Mother Goddess archetype.

Artist Statement: KHAOS (or Chaos) was the first primeval goddess to emerge at the creation of the universe. She was followed in quick succession by Gaia (Earth), Tartaros (the Underworld) and Eros (Love the life-bringer).

Khaos was the lower atmosphere which surrounded the earth – invisible air and gloomy mist. Her name, Khaos, literally means the gap, or chasm, the space between heaven and earth.

Gaia, the Mother Goddess, is born of Khaos, but this is not really birth; as Khaos receded, Gaia came into being. Fertile Gaia has many children.

“Earth, the beautiful, rose up,
Broad-bosomed, she that is the steadfast base
Of all things. And fair Earth first bore
The starry Heaven, equal to herself,
To cover her on all sides and to be
A home forever for the blessed gods.”

~The Greek poet Hesiod

Fear is the greatest obstacle to Peace. Fear is lack of love. Ten years after the chaos, fear, and division of 9/11, there is hope that the people of Gaia will move forward with unity, peace, love, understanding, and concern for our environment.



detail



detail (Bats have been visiting my new studio - could not resist the urge to add one to the piece.)