2. The Lotus Blossom. I am deeply moved by Buddhist tradition, and took immense pleasure in juxtaposing the Lotus and the Lily. The Lotus, in identical fashion, represents the female "cup" of sexual creation. The Lotus is a captivating flower: it contains bud, bloom and seed pod together, and is therefore an idyllic symbol of Creation in all stages. Most people are familiar with the mantra Om mani padme hum, which translates to "The Jewel in the Lotus." The jewel in the lotus does not merely reflect the concept of male and female in sexual union, but also fire and water; light and darkness; creation and destruction; life and death. It is a mystic phrase, which is why it bears repeating. Buddha and his Bodhisattvas are often depicted sitting in the divine lotus, which is the throne of the Universe and Creation. What better place for a woman about to hold the flesh-form of God in her womb?

3. The Messenger.  The cock is a timeless symbol of manhood and I included it more as a pun than anything else. I am most keenly referencing the Greek fertility god, Priapus.  To further the concept, I placed my angel in an Olympic stance and kept him nude- as in the traditional games. And truly, what Game is more epic?  He is also floating on a very stylized cloud, which stemmed from eastern tapestries. People have told me that they thought my "cloud" was intended to be water- I like that interpretation. The Sea, La Mer, the Mother Womb of Life on Earth. Works just as nicely, if not more so.

4. Tree of Life. I included the proverbial Tree, but gave it my own spin by incorporating swan heads on the branches. Swans have been used time and time again throughout history in folktales around the world. I am not going to list them. My main influence was that of the Greek myth referencing Zeus and his tryst with Leda- a union which created the Twins, Twilight and Dawn, as well as Helen, the Moon. Since my painting takes place floating in the Cosmos, I felt it appropriate. Moreover, if I can reference two gods impregnating mortal women, why not? I also encased the swans' heads in apples... It is therefore both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge, one and the same. Again, apple trees have an exhaustive history in folktale and legend. In pagan traditions, the sharing of an Apple between lovers was a blessed symbol: when cut transversely, the apple core reveals a pentacle- a symbol of Protection and Knowledge. Knowledge in religious context almost always refers to Sexual Knowledge, the catalyst of Creation.  I felt that most of my viewers would associate the apples with the common biblical concept, even if they were unfamiliar with the plethora of sexual apple associations that exist. Note that there is a seed sprouting in the Virgin's mind- no explanation necessary, I hope.
                                                                                                           

5. The Veil/Curtain. Curtains, especially red drapes, evoke mystery. They are concealing something, and do so elegantly. Veils have been used in a religious context almost exclusively to hide elements of sexuality. The covering of a woman's hair, for example. Interestingly, the actual word Hymen is Greek for Veil. The symbolic act of "lifting the bride's veil" in a marriage ceremony is, quite literally, the rending of her spiritual hymen. The pagans started it, the Christians just adopted it along with everything else. (Hymns, stemming from Hymnos, were songs sung at weddings celebrating the holy union of man and woman. The modern usage describes any sacred song.) Because of this rending, the Virgin's first act of intercourse, it cannot be forgotten, is a painful one. The pain that comes from sexual knowledge, the pain of Growth. In my painting, I have not only included a "hymen", but also a golden "tentacle," which beckons from within. Tentacles have a long history in Japanese shunga and hentai as a sexual vehicle and male extension. My goal was to add an element of the Fear of the Unknown, Sex as Devourer, Awakening the Beast. Call it what you like.

                                             
                    Everyone has seen Hokusai's The Great Wave.  They might not have seen his Fisherman's Wife's Dream. (c. 1820)

 

 

 

 

Last but not least, a personal bit of trivia. In the Catholic calendar, the Holy Feast Day for the Annunciation is March 25th (a good nine months before Dec. 25th). March 25th is my birthday.

As I stated earlier, I do not expect my viewers to have an all-access pass to my train of thought. When I paint, I never ever have a final image in mind. I have pieces, ideas, figments-  as with poetry, it begins with a mood. I start slowly, thinking about each choice and trying to understand its connection within the framework. With this painting, I started out with a need to explore my own sexuality; it evolved into universal terms. The subconscious is always at work. Some of the connections I listed above were realized only after the painting was completed. Similarly, I'm sure many people understand the majority of my images without realizing why, as they are so resolutely ingrained in our collective memories. But I do hope that those of you who now better understand these things will feel justifiably rewarded, and perhaps like looking at the painting all the more.