Creation of the "Jungle Goddess" Oil Painting and Myth (Slideshow- Click on arrow on right) Stage 1 - I drew the plant in my studio on the canvas.

Creation of the "Jungle Goddess" Oil Painting and Myth (Slideshow- Click on arrow on right) Stage 1 - I drew the plant in my studio on the canvas.

Close-up of stalk and stems

Close-up of stalk and stems

Stage 2- I began defining the outlines of the leaves using oil paint washes.

Stage 2- I began defining the outlines of the leaves using oil paint washes.

Stage 3 - I continued defining leaf outlines.

Stage 3 - I continued defining leaf outlines.

Stage 4 - I added more leaves

Stage 4 - I added more leaves

Stage 5- I added colour, filing in the background, outlining the leaves with green , and adding green to the leaf stems and stalk. I had sketched her on paper, but I didn't want to copy the sketch on the canvas.

Stage 5- I added colour, filing in the background, outlining the leaves with green , and adding green to the leaf stems and stalk. I had sketched her on paper, but I didn't want to copy the sketch on the canvas.

Stage 6 - As I began filling in the leaves with shades of green, to my utter delight, Jungle goddess began appearing through the foliage.

Stage 6 - As I began filling in the leaves with shades of green, to my utter delight, Jungle goddess began appearing through the foliage.

Stage 6a - As I began cautiously working on her, Jungle Goddess started to reveal herself more and more.

Stage 6a - As I began cautiously working on her, Jungle Goddess started to reveal herself more and more.

Stage 7 - I continued creating forms and balancing the painting with colours. I wanted Jungle Goddess to be defined more and more, but to remain within the foliage, which has now become a "jungle" in which she lived. I noticed that a green snake was

Stage 7 - I continued creating forms and balancing the painting with colours. I wanted Jungle Goddess to be defined more and more, but to remain within the foliage, which has now become a "jungle" in which she lived. I noticed that a green snake was winding its way down to her. I saw it as her familiar.

Stage 7a - As I continued working on the "jungle" surrounding her Jungle Goddess was getting more and more defined. The green snake in its turn became illuminated.

Stage 7a - As I continued working on the "jungle" surrounding her Jungle Goddess was getting more and more defined. The green snake in its turn became illuminated.

Stage 8 - I wanted to lighten her face, but was concerned that she would emerge out of the foliage. I realized that in the myth the light on Jungle Goddess' face came from her illuminated familiar. I used bright coloursI around to keep lighting h

Stage 8 - I wanted to lighten her face, but was concerned that she would emerge out of the foliage. I realized that in the myth the light on Jungle Goddess' face came from her illuminated familiar. I used bright coloursI around to keep lighting her face without losing the mystical quality that her place within the "jungle" provided.

Stage 9 - By adding the brighter, lighter greens to the leaf stems and leaves and then brightening the stalk of the plant, I was able to brighten and lighten her skin without her advancing. In this way, within the foliage she still retains that air

Stage 9 - By adding the brighter, lighter greens to the leaf stems and leaves and then brightening the stalk of the plant, I was able to brighten and lighten her skin without her advancing. In this way, within the foliage she still retains that air of mystery and magic I wanted enveloping her.

Stage 10 - Final Stage - Further balancing the painting with advancing and receding shades and colours, I completed it as the Myth of "Jungle Goddess.".

Stage 10 - Final Stage - Further balancing the painting with advancing and receding shades and colours, I completed it as the Myth of "Jungle Goddess.".