Persephone, Goddess of the Underworld, is part of my ongoing series to paint Greek & Roman Gods. This painting in particular was created around the same time as my Emotions series, you can see some stylistic similarities.

I have always loved that Persephone was the personification of the bringer of life and death. Her role as a Goddess is still largely a secret as she a big part of the mystery cults in Greece. Also talking about death likely brought fear to those who believed in her.

I have lots of thoughts about death, but mostly I welcome it. It’s a natural part of existing. It’s the one thing we are promised in this life, and yet we are surprised every time it comes. I also see death as the reward for living. As I might of said before, the opposite of death isn’t life, but birth. Life itself is constant. It’s the form that it takes is what dies and births. However, to quote Helen Schucman, “Everything essential cannot die.”