"Wildcats shall meet with hyenas,
goat-demons shall call to each other;
there too Lilith shall repose,
and find a place to rest.
There shall the owl nest
and lay and hatch and brood in its shadow"
-Isaiah 34:14 (NRSV)
Lilith is a part of many traditions and folklore and myths. Some may know her as the "true" first woman, before Eve, created from the same dust as Adam, thus making her his equal. They had a lover's tiff, she spoke the true name of God, and flew off. She was cursed to be the mother of demons, and steals babies. That's the short version, at least.
She is also thought to be the subject of a Sumerian relief carving, which depicts a naked woman, flanked by owls, with clawed feet. That is purely speculation, though.
And in yet another definition, she is the consort or an aspect of Samael.
(You can read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilith)
I gave her a Screech Owl because there are many references to Lilith and owls, some specifically say Screech Owl.
I added the Deadly Nightshade because of her ties to Samael (Satan). Deadly Nightshade was once thought to be associated with Devilish things ("Stories claim that the devil has the exclusive rights to plant and harvest [deadly nightshade]. Hence, anyone eating it is visited and killed by the devil." -Wikipedia).
Lilith is associated with the night and darkness, and Nightshade tends to grow out of direct sunlight... so I imagine that, if Lilith thought the area was a good place to recline, Nightshade could also be involved.
The ram's horns are also a reference to the Lilith-Samael ties.
Her red hair is a reference to the paintings "Lilith" by John Collier and "Lady Lilith" by Dante Rosetti.
I painted her nude because of the Adam-Lilith-Eve connection. Lilith left Eden before the whole fruit and tree of knowledge fiasco (and is even thought to have been the serpent, by some). She wouldn't have gotten the concept of being ashamed of her nakedness like Adam and Eve did. (So no, I didn't just paint her naked for the boobs
)
This is another contest piece. I'm finding it harder and harder to be inspired out of the blue, so I'm doing some contests to get some creative movement going. I hope.
Techincal business :
Painter IX (Artist's Oils, some fine Detail Airbrush, and the Just Add Water Blender)
Wacom Intuos3 9x12
References :
For Lilith,
http://mjranum-stock.deviantart.com. He has some -superb- stock that I've been dying for an excuse to use. His non-stock work is at
http://mjranum.deviantart.com, which I HIGHLY recommend a look at.
For the Screech Owl, there isn't one particular reference, but I did scan some Google Images to find out what the little guy was supposed to look like, and size refs.
For the Deadly Nightshade (atropa belladona), no particular ref, but I used Wikipedia's article for information on it.
I modelled the owl-side-hand after my own, thanks to my handy dandy mirror.
Comments
Fitos Says:
Um... wouh. The anatomy, tones, shades and all are just brilliant.
Triple Q Says:
Why is this sooooo unnoticed?! You did a bloody excellent job, I'd expect this to at least be in the popular section.
DarkRubyEyz Says:
1st off you nailed proportions beautifully as well as executed the exact colors to bring this painted piece forward. I felt as if I was in a mueseum looking at this beautiful piece. Brilliant. I love it. Instant fave and a watch. =]
Z i N g Says:
Very, VERY nice...
Quite impressive.
Trackpad Says:
Wow. Amazing!
IMPURE soul Says:
That's a true work of art. Very antique looking and not the kind of thing you see on Sheezyart.
Faves. 
Sokoura Says:
Wow, I love the detail of the hair - how it's caught on the horn.
And the description was fascinating to read :3
Awesome job.
Hebi Says:
which translation did you get that scripture from? because all the research I've done has shown that it was in reference to Zion...
Isaiah 34:8-15"
"8 For Jehovah has a day of vengeance, a year of retributions for the legal case over Zion. 9 And her torrents must be changed into pitch, and her dust into sulphur; and her land must become as burning pitch. 10 By night or by day it will not be extinguished; to time indefinite its smoke will keep ascending. From generation to generation she will be parched; forever and ever no one will be passing across her. 11 And the pelican and the porcupine must take possession of her, and long-eared owls and ravens themselves will reside in her; and he must stretch out over her the measuring line of emptiness and the stones of wasteness. 12 Her nobles—there are none there whom they will call to the kingship itself, and her very princes will all become nothing. 13 On her dwelling towers thorns must come up, nettles and thorny weeds in her fortified places; and she must become an abiding place of jackals, the courtyard for the ostriches. 14 And haunters of waterless regions must meet up with howling animals, and even the goat-shaped demon will call to its companion. Yes, there the nightjar will certainly take its ease and find for itself a resting-place. 15 There the arrow snake has made its nest and lays [eggs], and it must hatch [them] and gather [them] together under its shadow. Yes, there the gledes must collect themselves together, each one with her mate."
Hebi Says:
ps - very lovely work if I might add ^^
Zoneh Says:
Wow, this is leaving me speechless.