Gallows Crow

Whom the gods would destroy…

The latest painting in my distinctively coffin-shaped Queens of Darkness series is the Lamia.

Once a great (if unnamed) queen, the Lamia made the very poor life choice of sleeping with Zeus – read Susie Donkin’s fun Zeus is a Dick for more toxic divinity – and Hera, in a massive snit, stole or murdered her kids, driving her insane. Though to be fair Zeus did give her the ability to remove her own eyes at will, so, er… thanks.

She then took on a career of haunting the nights, eating babies and seducing unwary travellers, so at least she kept herself busy.

This painting was done with various acrylics plus a touch of heavy gel medium for an impasto effect in places, on board.

You can see this painting, and some of my other work, at The Others, a fab exhibition of monsters at House of Serpents in Stoke Newington between 27^th and 30^th March.

Also, if you’d like the Lamia to haunt your own dreams, she’s for sale. Contact me for details.