Hera, Protectress of Women

Bit of glare. Not to dispair. No need to repair. Must work on the hair.

Hera, Protectress of Women

The third symbol for Hera is the pomegranate which she shares with Persephone. She is often depicted holding the pomegranate but there is no reference in her myths to its significant. Ripening late in the year, the leathery-skinned pomegranate, so full of juicy seeds, is a marvelous image for a woman in her late years, her crone years. The deep red juice of this fruit was often likened to blood and in some areas of Greece, was designated as food for the dead, heightening this connection to her crone phase.Hera is the goddess of marriage, women, and birth, and the pomegranate is a symbol of marriage, marital love, and fruitfulness.
Hera's crown is either a diadem - a cloth headband signifying royalty; or a polos - a representation of the starry vault of heaven. I have put a white fleur-de-lis, but may change to or add stars since Hera is credited with forming the milky way from her breast milk.

Hera, Protectress of Women

I've decided to use a Greek style dress but render it gauze-like. I put in an indication of the drapery. I also refined some more of the lilies.

Hera, Protectress of Women

in Greek religion and mythology, queen of the Olympian gods, daughter of Kronos and Rhea. She was the wife and sister of Zeus and the mother of Ares and Hephaestus. A jealous wife, she fought constantly with Zeus and plagued his mistresses and children. She was the protectress of women, presiding over marriage and childbirth, and frequently punished offending husbands. A powerful divinity, Hera was worshiped in all parts of Greece, especially at Argos and Salmos, where she had splendid temples. She is usually represented as a majestic figure, fully draped, crowned with a wreath or diadem, and carrying a scepter. Frequently she is associated with the pomegranate, symbol of marital love and fruitfulness. The peacock was sacred to her. The Romans identified Hera with Juno.
I spent most of the day working skin tones. I'm going to drape the figure and add pomegranate and peacock eyes on the arch. I may or may not include a white veil.

Hera

My Muse has at last revealed herself, Hera. She is the Queen of Heaven, Queen of the Olympian dieties, and goddess of love and marriage. This seems the perfect subject to represent woman.
As you can see, I've added the gold leaf. This will serve well as Hera's crown. I plan to paint into the large arch with white, which will repeat from the lilies. I will use an Art Nouveau design. I think I will try to paint a gauze type cloth over the nude torso in some sort of Greek design. I will need to add a veil, lotus staff, pomegranate and cuckoo. Or at least some indications of such.

Muse

The face was dry enough today to work. Also, worked the chest area. Still trying to determine if the proportions are correct. I thought if the bottom right area behind the lilies was darkened it might lend some depth and create a movement toward the face. But eh color is too warm.

I've decided to just let the arm hang behind the lilies. I'm not sure the body is the correct proportion to the head, yet, either.