Phoenix-the fire bird

PHOENIX- THE FIRE BIRD

-This Painting is dedicated to E

According the Greek and Egyptian mythology, the phoenix bird represents the ideas of immortality, resurrection, and life after death. The story of the phoenix has captured the minds of artists for centuries in countless images and prose dedicated to its image, yet the premise behind this mythology bird is a simple one:

According to the Greeks, the bird lives in Arabia, near a cool well. Every morning at dawn, the sun god would stop his chariot to listen to the bird sing a beautiful song while it bathed in the well.

Only one phoenix exists at a time. When the bird felt its death was near, every 500 to 1,461 years, it would build a nest of aromatic wood and set it on fire. The bird then was consumed by the flames.

A new phoenix sprang forth from the pyre. It embalmed the ashes of its predecessor in an egg of myrrh and flew with it to Heliopolis, "city of the sun," where the egg was deposited on the altar of the sun god. In Egypt, it was usually depicted as a heron, but in the classic literature as a peacock or an eagle.

Once I had read this text and several others, I became inspired by this heavenly bird. I immediately searched the net for inspiration and a glimpse of other artists' interpretations of this majestic animal. After viewing some truly graphic, linear, and traditional representations of this winged splendor, I thought I would take a stab at this famed beast- Damon style.

My latest project is dedicated to "E" for her kitchen. She had commented that she had needed a piece to cover that circuit board, and I immediately had an answer. Being her fondness of this celestial creature has enabled me to become acquainted with yet another genre previously unknown to me. Thanks "E" for the new found inspiration and support! And let us hope she loves this painting for it was a real joy and pleasure to contribute another Damon painting to a familiar genre.

DAMON JASSO
12/12/02- 1:24PM

PHOENIX- THE FIRE BIRD (REDUX)

-Another painting dedicated to E
Unsatisfied with yesterday's bird, I thought I would take another stab at producing an image of this infamous bird. This time around, I chose a vector look reminiscent of ancient cave paintings in an effort to communicate how our folklore has had references to this creature for centuries. Thank you for everyone's support in my latest creative project.

DAMON JASSO
12/13/02- 2:24PM