Ascension: Her Odyssey

The Ascension Series is based in ancient myth regarding the goddess concept.  These paintings were inspired by women who have been important influences in my life.  I grew up surrounded by accomplished women, including my mother, aunt and grandmother. My grandmother, Una Hanbury, was a bronze sculptor and was my mentor and hero when I was growing up.  Subtitled  “Her Odyssey”, the Ascension Series is my acknowledgement of the female beauty, strength and wisdom I had experienced in my youth and commemorates the goddess attributes present in every woman.

Ascension Series, various sizes up to 90" tall, Oil on Linen

Here is a selection of some of the Ascension series and a rather younger version of me. There were 24 paintings that were created during a brief window in time. Originally I had imagined them in full color and began with a traditional grisaille (gray) underpainting intending to glaze the color over top. I found the grisaille added an intriguing feeling and the skin tones remained monochromatic throughout the series.