Thursday 8 May 2014

Fιghτer ιn Τrοy
(oil on cardboard, 2006)
And to them forthwith war became sweeter than to return in their hollow ships to their dear native land  
(Homer, Iliad [B,453]. English Translation by A.T. Murray)

This painting is not a tribute to the war.. if anything the opposite! 
I liked this phrase from the Iliad because it reveals the strength of a man who struggle in life and not even care to go back to the sweet comfort of home.

Saturday 3 May 2014

Το τhe gοοd fighτer 
(oil & gold leaf on jute 75x120cm 2000)

See my paintings also at:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/eraklidon/sets/72157642404201973/

Monday 28 April 2014

Για νά ’ρθουν - To call up the shades 

(oil on wood board 100x70cm 1999)

 Inspired by the poem: 


Για νά ’ρθουν

Ένα κερί αρκεί.     Το φως του το αμυδρό  
αρμόζει πιο καλά,     θα ’ναι πιο συμπαθές  
σαν έρθουν της Αγάπης,     σαν έρθουν οι Σκιές.
 
Ένα κερί αρκεί.     Η κάμαρη απόψι  
να μη έχει φως πολύ.    Μέσα στην ρέμβην όλως  
και την υποβολή,     και με το λίγο φως —  
μέσα στην ρέμβην έτσι     θα οραματισθώ  
για νά ’ρθουν της Αγάπης,     για νά ’ρθουν οι Σκιές.

Κ. Καβάφης [1920]


                  To Call Up the Shades
One candle is enough. Its gentle light
will be more suitable, will be more gracious
when the Shades arrive, the Shades of Love.

One candle is enough. Tonight the room
should not have too much light. In deep reverie,
all receptiveness, and with the gentle light—
in this deep reverie I will form visions
to call up the Shades, the Shades of Love.

C. Cavafy [1920]
Translated by Edmund Keeley/Philip Sherrard


 

Saturday 26 April 2014

 Naples National Archaeological Museum

Athens National Archaeological Museum

 London British Museum

More photos are posted on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/eraklidon/sets/

Particular by the work 
Amo ergo sum/Αγαπώ άρα υπάρχω/I love therefore I am
(egg tempera on wood board + gold leaf 92x145cm 2005)

Because Eros gives identity...

Friday 18 April 2014

Monday 14 April 2014

 Self Portrait
(oil on cardboard 20x20cm 2007)

Study - Almost a Portrait
(egg tempera on canvas 13x18cm 2014)

As I say in the titles, the first painting is more properly my self portrait instead of the other one that is a study I made starting from my face. 
What I was interested to reach in "Almos a Portrait" is a quite realistic painting where lines are easily recognizable but still consistent with the whole picture. Even more important for me is the fact that using egg-based tempera I tried to keep me as close as possible to the ancient Greek painting technique.

For more information about my techniques please visit my related blog at: http://paintingasalchemy.blogspot.co.uk/