New Art: Oya

I realise I haven't posted in while. But that's because things have been busy and I haven't had much time to  create art. I had this sketch hangin around my desk for weeks before I decded to sit down and make myself finish it. 

This is OYA... 

"Oya is the powerful Yorùbá Orisha of the winds and tempests. She is considered either the sister of the Orisha of storms Shango, or one of His three wives, with Oshun and Oba. She can manifest as winds ranging from the gentlest breeze to the raging hurricane or cyclone. She goes forth with Her husband during His thunderstorms, destroying buildings, ripping up trees, and blowing things down. Oya is known as a fierce warrior and strong protectress of women, who call on Her to settle disputes in their favor."

What do you think of the painting? Let me know in the comments below. 

Happy Halloween from Papa Bois and Suzy, The Socouyant

Celebrating Caribbean folklore characters, this Halloween!

Info on Papa Bois: http://numythology.blogspot.com/2014/10/papa-bois-superhero-guardian-of.html

Info on the Socouyant: http://numythology.blogspot.com/2014/10/papa-bois-superhero-guardian-of.html

Suzy, The Socouyant

Imagining the Soucouyant as a super villain or maybe an anti-hero. Perhaps she wants to be good, but is destined to be bad

"In Caribbean folklore, The Soucouyant (Sukuya), also called Old Hag, is a supernatural being who has made a pact with the devil to be able to change herself into all kinds of different forms. At night she sheds her human skin and changes into a ball of fire or any kind of animal and casts spells on people to turn them into animals also. She has to slip back into that skin before dawn breaks and the cock crows, otherwise she will not be able to get back into it" 
- From Tntisland.com

Papa Bois, Superhero, Guardian of the Rainforest

I've always been fascinated by Caribbean folklore. In these tales from days gone by, Papa Bois is the protector of the rainforest and guardian of all the flora and fauna in it. I liked the idea of imagining him as a modern day superhero.

Here is the progress of the Papa Bois illustration from finished piece back to the initial sketch