PARVATI/ A Figurative Ceramic Goddess Sculpture Painted With Volcanic Pumice From Mt.Shasta

                   

                                    

                        

                            Parvati

                            1992

                            by Eric Whollem

                            pumice from Mt. Shasta on terracotta

                           Collection of the artist.

                           11"

                                    Photo copyright by the artist.

A GODDESS OF THE HIMALAYAS

Parvati is an important Hindu Goddess. She is the consort of Shiva.

Insofar as she is associated with the Himalayas, it seemed appropriate

to color her with earth pigments that I gathered at Mt. Shasta. She is

called the Daughter of the Mountain.

_______________________

BELOW IS A VIDEO

THAT SHOWS MORE OF MY

GODDESS SCULPTURES

FEATURED AS A PART OF SOME OF MY

FAUX POSTAGE STAMP CREATIONS

ERIC WHOLLEM                                 

MOTHER OF SERPENTS/ A Figurative Ceramic Goddess Sculpture Painted With Pumice From Mt. Shasta

                                    

            

                      

                          Mother of Serpents

                          1992

                          by Eric Whollem

                          pumice from Mt. Shasta on white clay with copper

                         Collection of Michael Stratton

                         10"

                                  Photo copyright by the artist.

The Metaphysical Symbolism of the Serpent

In the lore of the Goddess the serpent is very sacred. In ancient

times water snakes were released  when people were looking for

a site to establish a temple. When the snake found a spring, that

site was chosen for the temple. Temples were established for

healing and dreaming. Temples used to be the hospitals of the

ancient world.

Red Snake Goddess

1995

by Eric Whollem

red iron oxide in

acrylic emulsion with Vibhuti

on white earthenware clay

Private collection

5.5" x 4"

PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The healing gods Aesculapius and Hygeia were both associated

with the serpent. The two serpents entwined on a staff are today

still a symbol of the medical profession.

Marija Gimbutas said that the coiled serpent was a water symbol.

Water is often considered a primary attribute of the Goddess

insofar as water is powerful, yet soft and malleable. Water also

is a symbol of emotions and feeling.

The White Goddess

1995

by Eric Whollem

white granite earth pigment on

 white earthenware clay

Private collection

5" x 4"

PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Moses raised a brazen serpent in the wilderness to guide the

Israelites in their wanderings. In the New Testament it is said:

"Be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves."

In India, the serpent energy is called Kundalini Yoga, a basic

practice for illumination.

         A sculpture video by Eric Whollem, 2011

 

THIS VIDEO PRESENTS A VARIETY OF MY

CERAMIC GODDESS SCULPTURES IN THE

FORMAT OF FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS

____________

Readers interested in my Ceramic Sculpture may want to see these posts:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/ceramic%20sculpture

This sheet of Poster Stamps shows the variety of sculptures

that I have created; the multicolored pieces

 best reflect the use of my

earth paints.

My posts on the topic of the Goddess can be found here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/goddess

My articles that deal with Earth Paints can be found on these posts:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/earth%20paints

If attracted to the lore of Mt. Shasta you can find what I have to say here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/Mt.%20Shasta

ATARGATIS/ The Starwhale: Goddess of Dolphins/ A Figurative Ceramic Sculpture Painted With Natural Earth Paints

                

                                          

                                                      

                                                           Atargatis

                                                           1992

                                                           by Eric Whollem

                                                           earth paints on terracotta

                                                           Private collection.

                                                          14"

                                                              Photo copyright by the artist.

THE MOTHER OF THE ZODIAC

"The Mother of the Zodiac" was just one designation of Atargatis, the

ancient goddess of the Near East.

Her name means literally Star Whale. Derceto is her Babylonian

prototype. She also relates to Tara of Tibet and India.

The Greeks called the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Goats; these "goats"

were, in fact, the dolphins, the goats of the sea--playful beings.

The Babylonian god Ea, was anciently depicted with a goat's body

and a fish tail. He was a prototypical dolphin spirit. Interestingly

enough in Chinese astrology the sign Capricorn is the Dolphin.

I gave my sculpture of Atargatis goat's horns to symbolize her

connection to the Sea Ram, her husband, also known as Dagon,

the merman. This sculpture is painted with earth paints that I

gathered myself.

Atargatis was associated with the dolphins, and also was worshipped

at shrines with fish pools in the arid deserts of what became Palestine

in later times.

________________________

See my complete online image gallery of CERAMIC SCULPTURE:

https://picasaweb.google.com/earthpaint/FigurativeCeramicSculpture#

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

CERAMIC FIGURINES

by Eric Whollem

*

Mythology, anthropology, mermaids, Star Whale.

WINDOW OF THE GODDESS/ A Figurative Ceramic Wallpiece Painted With Natural Ash Paint

   

               Window of the Goddess

               2003
               by Eric Whollem
               filtered wood ash in acrylic emulsion on white clay
               Private collection.
                    Photo copyright by the artist.

Ceramic Wallpieces

Light and shadow are basic in appreciation of bas relief
sculpture. This wallpiece was colorized with some of my
own homemade paints.