Art for Art’s Sake

I constructed these as part of my Greek panoply.

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:34:20 -0400

Ancient Greek greaves interior.

Ancient Greek greaves front.

Ancient Greek greaves inside view.

Ancient Greek greaves outside view.

I constructed these as part of my Greek panoply.

Outside of aspis or hoplite shield. This shield was handcrafted...

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:27:00 -0400

Outside of aspis or hoplite shield. This shield was handcrafted by me for my Ancient Greek panoply. It represents 80 hours from start to finish.

Inside of aspis or hoplite shield.

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:25:48 -0400

Inside of aspis or hoplite shield.

Photo

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:29:42 -0400

Photo

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:23:20 -0400

Photo

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:22:03 -0400

Photo

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:35:19 -0400

Into Hades

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:33:39 -0400

When did I pass into Hades?

When did the archer become lodged beneath my tongue,

to pay the ferryman?

I don’t recall.

Would Tyrtaeus have termed mine a “Beautiful Death?”

I think not.

Now I dwell amongst the many shades that are found here —

without purpose, knowing no peace.

The Battle Of Glass Tears

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:27:00 -0400

Night enfolds her cloak of holes
Around the river meadow.
Old moon-light stalks by broken ploughs
Hides spokeless wheels in shadows.

Sentries lean on thorn wood spears
Blow on their hands, stare eastwards.
Burnt with dream and taut with fear
Dawn’s misty shawl upon them.

Three hills apart great armies stir
Spit oath and curse as day breaks
Forming lines of horse and steel
By even yards march forward.

by King Crimson

Corinthian helmet

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:53:15 -0400

Corinthian helmet

Hoplites on 5th Avenue

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:44:01 -0400

Hoplites on 5th Avenue

Photo

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:57:29 -0400

Peace

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:56:46 -0400

easy is the breeze
calm water reflects the moon
reflection gives peace

Pencil sketch enhanced through Photoshop

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:58:00 -0400

Pencil sketch enhanced through Photoshop

Sirens Calling

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:54:14 -0400

waves crest upon rocks
sirens have sung for my soul
splintered and broken

Grim Determination

Sun, 25 May 2008 12:01:00 -0400

Herodotus tells us that in the last moments of the struggle at Thermopylae, the Greek defenders found themselves using anything at their disposal, to fight off the foe. Large rocks, shattered spear shafts, clawing hands and even their teeth. The last desperate moments called for everything they had. The Greeks would make the forces of Xerxes work to the last if they were to take possession of the pass. In the end, the Persian king would opt for missiles to do the final deed.

He had both men and missiles in plenty, but the morale of his men had taken an incredible beating. Arrows would finish the work and allow his troops to go and lick their wounds. They would not likely soon forget the struggle though, and they were only too aware of the fact that there were many more Greeks of this caliber to face in the future.

Grimm determination

Sun, 25 May 2008 11:43:52 -0400

Grimm determination

Molon Labe!

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:03:36 -0400

Plutarch tells us that this was the response of King Leonidas, when King Xerxes sent word to the Greek defenders, telling them to surrender their arms. For Xerxes, a struggle with his massive army would be pointless, in light of the fact that the Greek force was so small.

Leonidas had a very different view and conveyed it unequivocally in his retort, “Molon Labe!”

There has been a lot written on the correct English translation of the Greek (a certain irony there, in that it was a typically “Laconic” statement). Having little knowledge of ancient Greek, I have to go with the argument that seems to make sense to me. As a result, I’ve settled on “Come and get them!” Leonidas was simply saying; we won’t throw our weapons down, you will have to take them from us. We defy the odds, we’re not impressed with your numbers — show us why we need fear your people.

Of course, being a good Spartan, Leonidas had to say all of that in as few words as possible. So “Laconically” speaking, it was “Molon Labe!” Say it LOUDLY!

“Molon Labe!” Detail of Termopylae painting

Sun, 04 May 2008 10:41:00 -0400

“Molon Labe!”

Detail of Termopylae painting

tangled caressesshadows of a woven vineconfluence of souls

Sun, 04 May 2008 10:19:36 -0400

tangled caresses
shadows of a woven vine
confluence of souls