(36” x 24”) Oil on canvas 2023

This painting draws from the Greek myth of Eros and Psyche and reflects the inner working of the human psyche. Psyche represents the inner self of mind, soul, and spirit. She is shown at the very top, awakened from a deep slumber by Eros.

The composition represents the process of individuation, a Jungian concept that describes the integration of the unconscious into conscious awareness. Just as Psyche comes to understand the true nature of her bond with Eros, this process mirrors a man's encounter with the unconscious feminine aspect of his inner world, known as the anima. This sacred union brings balance, inner unity, and spiritual awareness.

Eros is depicted playing a flute upon a lotus, a symbol of purity and spiritual birth. Irises and butterflies are spiraling upward from his flute and are both partially concealed for a unique aesthetic. The butterflies represent transformation and the soul’s journey of evolution, while the irises point to intuition, inner guidance, and higher wisdom.

The flute itself is a bridge between the conscious and unconscious, where the music gives form to what is unseen. Psyche, bearing butterfly wings, represents the culmination of this alchemical process, of total transformation born from love, self-awareness, and integration.

All of these details together portray the metamorphosis that occurs during a spiritual awakening. The painting is a visual allegory of inner harmony and the soul’s ascent toward wholeness, capturing the spirit of the ancient myth and the human experience.