"Mother" watercolor and ink, 5 hours. (12in x 12in)

This piece is part of the "Creation" section of my concentration, and it is the goddess Coatlicue of Aztec mythology. In her legend, she was impregnated by a ball of feathers, and gave birth to the moon, sun, and stars. She is considered the Aztec "Mother Earth." She is usually depicted with clawed hands and feet, a snake skirt, full breasts, and a necklace of hands, hearts and skulls. I chose to leave out the skulls, because even though she has some morbidity about her, I felt they drew the contrast too close to something macabre. In another part of the Aztec creation myth, her head is chopped off, and two snakes sprout in its place. What I enjoy about this piece is the contrast between the often fierce and dangerous Aztec spirit, but the beauty of birth.