The Goddesses represent universal feminine characteristics and experiences that all women share. They are archetypes: patterns of thought and behavior that endure over long periods of time and transcend cultures. They exist in what Carl Jung called the "Collective Unconscious," ancestral memories and experiences common to all humanity and stored in our unconscious minds. Archetypes influence our actions and reactions. Every woman carries the Goddess Archetypes inside her and may identify more strongly with one or two during the various phases of her life. Although all women are unique, we are all part of the Divine Feminine! All Women Are Goddesses!
For more information, I wrote a quiz to help you determine your Primary Goddess Archetype from the Seven Goddess Archetypes. It contains the characteristics and challenges of each Goddess. Once you take the quiz and receive your result, take a look at the Seven Goddess Archetypes Appendix, full of lots of information about all of the Goddesses within each archetype. Enjoy!!
For more information, I wrote a quiz to help you determine your Primary Goddess Archetype from the Seven Goddess Archetypes. It contains the characteristics and challenges of each Goddess. Once you take the quiz and receive your result, take a look at the Seven Goddess Archetypes Appendix, full of lots of information about all of the Goddesses within each archetype. Enjoy!!
Jamie: The Huntress
Graphite and Pan Pastel on Mixed Media Paper
31 X 42
June 2022
The Huntress is one of the seven important Goddess archetypes. Women who embody this archetype are self-reliant, courageous, and independent. They have a strong connection to nature and animals. They are protective, rescuers for those who need help, and concerned about equality, fairness and justice. The Huntress is committed to the causes about which she is passionate. She pursues a life of her own choosing.
From Greek Mythology, this archetype is represented by Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon. She is often depicted with a bow and arrow and with animals. In contemporary pop culture, we have numerous examples of the Huntress including Wonder Woman, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, and Merida from the Disney movie called Brave.
Thank you to my daughter, Jamie and my granddaughter, Olivia for the perfect Wonder Woman pose!
**source for the Wonder Woman symbol is DC Comics
Graphite and Pan Pastel on Mixed Media Paper
31 X 42
June 2022
The Huntress is one of the seven important Goddess archetypes. Women who embody this archetype are self-reliant, courageous, and independent. They have a strong connection to nature and animals. They are protective, rescuers for those who need help, and concerned about equality, fairness and justice. The Huntress is committed to the causes about which she is passionate. She pursues a life of her own choosing.
From Greek Mythology, this archetype is represented by Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon. She is often depicted with a bow and arrow and with animals. In contemporary pop culture, we have numerous examples of the Huntress including Wonder Woman, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, and Merida from the Disney movie called Brave.
Thank you to my daughter, Jamie and my granddaughter, Olivia for the perfect Wonder Woman pose!
**source for the Wonder Woman symbol is DC Comics
Danielle: Oshun, Goddess of the River, Love, Sensuality, Femininity, Fertility, and Beauty
Graphite and Pan Pastel on Mixed Media Paper
28 X 40
July 2022
Oshun is a Goddess of the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria. She is depicted as the protector, savior, or nurturer of humanity, and the maintainer of spiritual balance. Many myths and stories exist about Oshun and her experiences. Her traditional colors are gold and amber. Her favorite foods are honey, cinnamon, sunflowers, and oranges. Her sacred birds are peacocks and vultures. She took on some human qualities like vanity, which is why she is often depicted with a mirror.
Thank you to Danielle Smith for modeling as Oshun!
**The Phenomenal Woman poem is by Maya Angelou. Some lines from the poem are included in this piece.
Graphite and Pan Pastel on Mixed Media Paper
28 X 40
July 2022
Oshun is a Goddess of the Yoruba people in southwestern Nigeria. She is depicted as the protector, savior, or nurturer of humanity, and the maintainer of spiritual balance. Many myths and stories exist about Oshun and her experiences. Her traditional colors are gold and amber. Her favorite foods are honey, cinnamon, sunflowers, and oranges. Her sacred birds are peacocks and vultures. She took on some human qualities like vanity, which is why she is often depicted with a mirror.
Thank you to Danielle Smith for modeling as Oshun!
**The Phenomenal Woman poem is by Maya Angelou. Some lines from the poem are included in this piece.
Paula as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
May 2023
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty, also known as Venus to the Romans. Aphrodite is one of the core seven goddess archetypes. Women who display this archetype tend to be charismatic and magnetic, free-spirited and independent, sensual and with a lust for life. They place importance on relationships, are warm and attentive, and help others feel special.
For this painting, I depicted Aphrodite in a similar pose to Botticelli's Birth of Venus painting, except I chose roses, another symbol for Venus, instead of the sea.
Thank you to Paula Santos and her daughter, Beautiful for exemplifying the Goddess of Love and Beauty!
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
May 2023
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty, also known as Venus to the Romans. Aphrodite is one of the core seven goddess archetypes. Women who display this archetype tend to be charismatic and magnetic, free-spirited and independent, sensual and with a lust for life. They place importance on relationships, are warm and attentive, and help others feel special.
For this painting, I depicted Aphrodite in a similar pose to Botticelli's Birth of Venus painting, except I chose roses, another symbol for Venus, instead of the sea.
Thank you to Paula Santos and her daughter, Beautiful for exemplifying the Goddess of Love and Beauty!
Jennifer as Saraswati, Goddess of Knowledge, Music, Art, Speech, Wisdom, and Learning
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
May 2023
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is often depicted seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge, and truth. She is usually shown with four arms, holding a book, a mala, a water pot, and a musical instrument. The book symbolizes the Vedas, universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge and learning. The mala represents the power of meditation and inner reflection. The musical instrument symbolizes all creative arts and sciences. Saraswati is also often shown with a peacock for colorful splendor and the celebration of dance.
Thank you to my cousin, Jennifer Boyaj and her daughters, Penelope and Alex for portraying a goddess with four arms!
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
May 2023
Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. She is often depicted seated on a white lotus, which symbolizes light, knowledge, and truth. She is usually shown with four arms, holding a book, a mala, a water pot, and a musical instrument. The book symbolizes the Vedas, universal, divine, eternal, and true knowledge and learning. The mala represents the power of meditation and inner reflection. The musical instrument symbolizes all creative arts and sciences. Saraswati is also often shown with a peacock for colorful splendor and the celebration of dance.
Thank you to my cousin, Jennifer Boyaj and her daughters, Penelope and Alex for portraying a goddess with four arms!
Brenda as Meret, Goddess of Rejoicing, Singing, and Dancing
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
May 2023
Meret is the Egyptian goddess of rejoicing, singing, and dancing. The name Meret means beloved and she is often depicted as twins. She is the protectress of the harvest along the Nile River in Lower Egypt and is symbolized by the papyrus of Lower Egypt or the blue lotus of Upper Egypt. Meret embodies the performative aspect of ritual and plays an important role in all kinds of ceremonies. Meret goes beyond the strictly musical and represents all the harmonies and rhythms of the cosmos.
Thank you to my dear friend, Brenda Mason and her daughter Presley for being the modern embodiment of the twin goddess!
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
May 2023
Meret is the Egyptian goddess of rejoicing, singing, and dancing. The name Meret means beloved and she is often depicted as twins. She is the protectress of the harvest along the Nile River in Lower Egypt and is symbolized by the papyrus of Lower Egypt or the blue lotus of Upper Egypt. Meret embodies the performative aspect of ritual and plays an important role in all kinds of ceremonies. Meret goes beyond the strictly musical and represents all the harmonies and rhythms of the cosmos.
Thank you to my dear friend, Brenda Mason and her daughter Presley for being the modern embodiment of the twin goddess!
The Maiden, The Mother, and The Crone
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
December 2024
Hecate is a Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, and the moon and night. She is the guardian of crossroads. She is often depicted as a triple goddess, representing the maiden in white, the mother in red, and the crone in black. Included are some of the common symbols associated with Hecate:
* The serpent represents rebirth and renewal
* The candles represent the torches Hecate carries to guide through darkness and the underworld
* The key shows she has control over crossing boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds
* The dog often appears as Hecate's companion
* The dagger is symbolic of her protective nature and ability to choose a path, sometimes with dangerous consequences
The models for this painting are my daughter, Jamie as the mother, my granddaughter, Olivia as the maiden, and my self-portrait as the crone.
Oil on canvas
36 X 48
December 2024
Hecate is a Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, and the moon and night. She is the guardian of crossroads. She is often depicted as a triple goddess, representing the maiden in white, the mother in red, and the crone in black. Included are some of the common symbols associated with Hecate:
* The serpent represents rebirth and renewal
* The candles represent the torches Hecate carries to guide through darkness and the underworld
* The key shows she has control over crossing boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds
* The dog often appears as Hecate's companion
* The dagger is symbolic of her protective nature and ability to choose a path, sometimes with dangerous consequences
The models for this painting are my daughter, Jamie as the mother, my granddaughter, Olivia as the maiden, and my self-portrait as the crone.
Maria as the Earth Goddess Gaia, with the Gods of the Sea, the Sky, and the Mountains
36X48
Oil on canvas
April 2025
Gaia is the primordial Greek goddess of the Earth. She emerged from chaos and gave birth to the God of the Sky, the God of the Sea, and the God of the Mountains. She is closely associated with fertility, nature, and the cycles of life and death. Her main symbols include the Earth itself, trees, fruits, serpents, and flowers, all representing her deep connection to nature and creation. Gaia is also known as the Earth Mother or Mother Earth.
I have depicted Gaia wearing a dress of blooming flowers as she rises, surrounded by her sons: left, the God of the Sea is wearing the turquoise and blues of the oceans; right, the God of the Sky and Heaven is wearing light blue; and at the bottom, the earthly foundation, the God of the Mountains is wearing purple, gray, green, and white to symbolize majestic mountains.
My models for this painting are my beautiful cousin Maria Valentini and her three sons Matthew (left), Brandon (right), and Christian (bottom). They are the perfect embodiment of the Goddess Gaia and her sons, the Gods. I am extremely grateful for their participation in this project.
36X48
Oil on canvas
April 2025
Gaia is the primordial Greek goddess of the Earth. She emerged from chaos and gave birth to the God of the Sky, the God of the Sea, and the God of the Mountains. She is closely associated with fertility, nature, and the cycles of life and death. Her main symbols include the Earth itself, trees, fruits, serpents, and flowers, all representing her deep connection to nature and creation. Gaia is also known as the Earth Mother or Mother Earth.
I have depicted Gaia wearing a dress of blooming flowers as she rises, surrounded by her sons: left, the God of the Sea is wearing the turquoise and blues of the oceans; right, the God of the Sky and Heaven is wearing light blue; and at the bottom, the earthly foundation, the God of the Mountains is wearing purple, gray, green, and white to symbolize majestic mountains.
My models for this painting are my beautiful cousin Maria Valentini and her three sons Matthew (left), Brandon (right), and Christian (bottom). They are the perfect embodiment of the Goddess Gaia and her sons, the Gods. I am extremely grateful for their participation in this project.