Goddess of the mountain Painting

'Goddessof the mountain' forms a series of paintings based on the stories of the high priestesses who lived in Delphi on the slopes of Mount Parnassus in Greece. Delphi was a famous ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of Pythia (named after the python Apollo killed), the oracle consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world (510-323 BC) and is written about by Plato, Socrates and Ovid. The 'Oracle' was a network of women who with their prophecies, guided Kings and leaders for decades. She would go into a trance-like state (largely caused by the vapours rising up from below the cave). Whilst she chewed bay-leaves that grew nearby, this combination made her go into a trance like state as she relayed her prophecies. My journey of discovery through the paintings is to find the essence of the power of these women, my questions are 'why have there not been wider choices for women in our contemporary world?' and why is it comparative myths, where there is a woman there is invariably a snake! My studio is full of taxidermy snakes, wings, skulls and masks. These objects continually intrigue me as I explore these forms through my practice. This painting is my imagined journey to find the Oracle of Delphi. Rich with colour that is built up with several layers, the painting has a meditative, trance like quality with intensely saturated hues of turquoise and burgundy.