– This painting reimagines the myth of Medusa not as a monster, but as a woman shaped by deep betrayal and injustice.

Her story has always been one of pain - and to me, that pain is not inherent, but a direct response to abuse. In this portrait, I tried to capture a more human side of her - the vulnerability and quiet strength that come from surviving.

There's an intensity in her gaze that I hope invites viewers to see her differently than the legend suggests.

– I was fascinated by the psychological complexity of Medusa's myth. Though she's often portrayed as a symbol of fear, I wanted to challenge that narrative and instead explore her as a figure of transformation, power, and vulnerability.

I don't see Medusa's pain as inherent to her character; rather, it is the result of trauma - being wronged and then punished for it. It is this injustice, not her monstrosity, that defines her tragedy.

The moment I chose to depict - her quietly engaging with one of her snakes
- suggests a deeper interior world, a form of self-recognition and acceptance.

– It's incredibly meaningful. When you approach mythological subjects through a personal lens, you hope others will connect with that reinterpretation.

Seeing that this painting resonated affirms that there's still room for nuanced, humanized depictions of figures we think we already understand.

– I'm currently working on a portrait of Artemis. As a goddess of independence, instinct, and protection, she offers rich symbolic ground. I'm interested in how these themes can be expressed through body language and gaze - subtle visual cues that invite viewers into her myth without overt storytelling.