It was pleasure for me to delve into April Fontaine's mind for this year's Ripped Off show!

I started with her beautiful piece: Gaia: When Peace Came... (you can find it here: http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_45_profile_portfolio__1_3_G.htm)

and I tried to extract my version of her Gaea using her imagery. I know that symbolism is a big part of April's art.. so I tried to stay true to the symbols she used... the earth, the winged dove, (what I saw as) the symbols of motherhood or ova... and I put them all together but in my own style...

But, I also wanted to add something to her... something to show the hope that I felt came across in April's piece... the sense of lightness that I could not convey in features but instead in another way... you can see her illuminated in this first pic.

And this way you can see her beautiful pregnant belly... full of earth...

When she was done I sat with her and thought "she's a little intense". And her face is very real and knowing in person. That's a strange thing to say, but there it is.

Hopefully, I have conveyed a sense of wisdom to her and I have tried my best to bring out in her photographs...

I wrote a short poem for her... intentionally utilizing language and imagery that belongs to the triple goddesses, the virgin Mary, Venus, and many other goddesses that help us as a culture to understand the beauty of women.

Gaea

virgin and mother

punishing and nurturing

vocal and watchful

silent and restful

mother of earth

daughter of light

bringer of peace

guardian of hope

Thank you, April, for partnering with me this year!