#digitalartgallery

"The gifts of the gods" (image #5 in my "Quest for the Gorgon Head" series)

Part 5:

Perseus is guided to the coast where the “Nereids” (sea nymphs) offer sacred objects to assist the boy in his quest; winged sandals for flight, Hades’ helmet (or cap) of invisibility, and a knapsack called a “Kibisis” to hold the severed head of the Gorgon.

In ancient Greek art the Nereids are typically portrayed as long dressed maidens riding dolphins or Hippocampi (half-horse half-fish creatures) or even having lower fish bodies (aka the mythic precursors to mermaids). The Nereids were known to help sailors in distress, and some mortals on mythic quests, such as Thetis, Achilles mother, who delivered Hephaestus’ sacred armor to her son, Achilles at Troy. The Nereids also famously assisted Jason in his search for the Golden Fleece. The sea nymphs had a darker side as well, when they and Poseidon send a sea monster to ravage the coast of a kingdom, which will intertwine with Perseus’ Myth soon. 

Above right, Hermes, to behead Medusa, offers a sickle sword of “Adamantine” which was said to be an indestructible, diamond like metal. Athena offers a shimmering, bronze shield, so that Perseus might use it as a mirror and avoid looking directly into the Gorgon’s eyes. So, now with his sacred boons attained, Perseus is now ready to fly to the land beyond Oceanus, to the cursed land of the gorgons to take the head of Medusa.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in June to kickstarter.  to get unseen free hi-hes art subscribe to my email newsletter

Follow my backerkit kickstarter notification page.

I made another digital artwork once again. It had been a while since my last piece, but this time, I was inspired by a beloved cartoon character—Star Butterfly from "Star vs. The Forces of Evil." Something about her vibrant energy, her wild and carefree nature, and her ability to bring joy wherever she went made her the perfect subject for my latest creation. As I worked on the piece, I focused on capturing her essence through bold colours and dynamic lines, aiming to convey her spirited personality in every brushstroke.

As I sat in front of my tablet, stylus in hand, I knew exactly how I wanted to portray her. I envisioned Star standing confidently, her bright blue eyes shining excitedly, her signature blonde hair cascading down her back like a golden waterfall. She would be in one of her iconic outfits, the one she called her "Edgar dress." This dress was a teal sleeveless garment that flared out at the bottom, featuring four colourful stripes on the chest—pink, purple, and two shades of orange. A small, smiling bear face sat towards the hem, a playful detail that made it uniquely hers.

I paid extra attention to the small details, making sure every part of her design stayed true to her personality. Her light sea-green and pale-green striped leggings stretched down to her knees, giving her that quirky, mismatched aesthetic that fit her so well. On her feet, she wore her bright pink boots with white bunny faces on the toes and dark pink soles, a touch of whimsy that made her look as if she had just stepped out of her magical adventures. To complete the look, she had her signature red devil-horned headband, a mischievous yet endearing accessory that added to her playful persona.

Drawing Star's face was the most enjoyable yet challenging part. She had such distinctive features—her enormous blue eyes, always brimming with curiosity and excitement, and her signature pink heart emblems on her cheeks. Those hearts weren’t just decorations; they often changed shape depending on her emotions. Sometimes they morphed into hourglasses, light bulbs or even blooming roses. In my artwork, I wanted to capture her at her happiest, her cheeks adorned with those perfectly symmetrical hearts, her lips curled into a bright, confident grin.

Star was never one to sit still or pose demurely. She was bold, lively, and full of energy, so I positioned her in a way that reflected that. One hand rested on her hip, exuding confidence, while the other playfully lifted in a slight gesture as if she were about to cast a spell or break into one of her wild, impromptu adventures. Her body language screamed excitement, mischief, and pure joy, the essence of what made Star, well, Star.

As I worked on the shading, I imagined the kind of world she belonged to—a place of swirling colours, magical portals, and creatures from another dimension. I set her against a dreamy backdrop, a beautifully lit garden with arches covered in delicate pink flowers, a soft, pastel wonderland that complemented her whimsical nature. The light filtering through the arches added an ethereal glow to the scene, making it feel like a moment frozen in time, a fairy tale come to life.

But Star wasn’t just about appearances. She was one of the most endearing characters I had ever encountered. She was bubbly, optimistic, and fiercely loyal. Strangers, in her eyes, were just friends she hadn’t met yet. She had this incredible ability to bring people together, to turn even the most mundane moments into magical experiences. Whether she was casting a spell that turned things into kittens or just goofing around with her best friend Marco, she always found a way to make life exciting.

Of course, her optimism often bordered on recklessness. Growing up as a princess in the royal kingdom of Mewni, she had lived a rather sheltered life before being sent to Earth. Her first instinct was always to have fun, sometimes at the expense of common sense. She would rush headfirst into situations without thinking them through, sometimes putting herself and others in danger. But that was part of her charm—her boundless enthusiasm, her belief that anything was possible if she just tried hard enough.

While she was mostly cheerful, there were times when she struggled. She hated being ignored or not taken seriously. Deep down, she wanted to prove that she was more than just a fun-loving troublemaker, that she had the strength and wisdom to be a leader. She might not have had the strategic mind of a seasoned ruler, but she had heart, and sometimes, that was more important than anything else. Despite her occasional struggles, she always found a way to bounce back with even more determination.

Her journey was one of growth, learning, and self-discovery. She started as a carefree princess who saw life as one big adventure, but as time passed, she faced real challenges—friendship struggles, family conflicts, and even the burden of responsibility as the future queen of Mewni. She realised that leadership wasn’t just about having fun; it was about making difficult choices, about putting others before herself. Through it all, she never lost sight of who she was and what she believed in. Her resilience and inner strength inspired those around her, showing that true leadership comes from the heart.

As I added the final details to my artwork, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. Star Butterfly wasn’t just a character; she was a symbol of joy, adventure, and resilience. She reminded me that it was okay to be different, to embrace the chaos of life, to be unapologetically myself. I leaned back and looked at my completed piece. There she was—standing tall, radiating confidence, her vibrant outfit and mischievous grin capturing everything that made her special. She was a force of nature, a whirlwind of energy and excitement, a reminder that even in the toughest times, a little bit of magic could make all the difference.

Some throwback/reposts of art i did around a year ago in the #fableary2022 challenge. It was around the time I got more confident in digital art and I'm kind of paying a homage to the vibes i developed throughout that month.

.