Mythology

Artist:  Gretchen Kirstel

Persephone:                    Medium: pen on paper                      Size: 10" X 8"             Date: 2010

Phyche:                           Medium: charcoal on paper               Size: 8" X 10"             Date: 1995

The artist studied literature in college, and was enamored by Greek mythology, so much so that she wrote her final paper, titled "Psyche in the Classroom", which exhibited how she was going to use mythology in her teaching career.  "The myths are so integrated into our own American culture, our dreams, our beliefs, because of the connections we feel with the Greeks and Romans who invented our own Democracy.  They are full of fantasy figures that inspire children to read."Each time Gretchen read the myths she could visualize the characters, the scenes, and the stories in her mind.  From these visualizations, she draws authentically original works of art.  Black and white, pencil or pen on paper give her freedom to explore the stories and add creative detail which is not only beautiful to view, but reveals the mood of the myth.