For those of you that didn't have to read any of Homer's epic Greek Novel the Odyssey in school, I did some research on-line on the area I was interested in, which was the sirens, and to decide what I wanted to create for this show. I became fascinated with the story of the sirens. In ancient times in Greek mythology the sirens were depicted as part bird, part human. In more modern times they were most often shown as sea nymphs or mermaids.

As the years go by, facts can become cloudy, stories get embellished, and myths and legends are born. Of course in Homer's epic "The Odyssey" sirens have been depicted in an endless variety of ways by artists, down through the many years since it was written. 

In my digital painting I depicted them as they might have actually been in the beginning. They were more human than not, living on a rocky island with strange animals, magical herbs, and plants to eat. This possibly gave them ghostly, glowing skin, hair, and eyes. Maybe they had sprouting wings under those dark macabre robes. Anyway, that's the story I'm telling.

Sirens were reported to be seductresses whose song was so mesmerizing and seductive, that they used their songs to lure unsuspecting sailors to the shores of their island where they were condemned to stay forever, and die.  Odysseus being warned ahead of time had his men plug their ears with wax so they would not be tempted. He had his men tie him to the mast where he was held fast, and his heart was filled with longing when he heard their songs. He begged for his men to loosen the ropes that bound him but they tied him even tighter, till they were past the island, and out of the temptresses hearing.

These characters fascinate me so much now I think it would be cool to do a series in different mediums. This one was created digitally with different layers, a variety of digital brushes and techniques.