This is my thirteenth year creating an original illustration for Attleboro’s Community Read, and the chosen novel, Circe, provided me with a ancient & mythical subject matter.

A triad depicted… on the far right we have Circe our female protagonist – an outsider of the gods with deep powers that they fear.  Opposite Circe is Scylla a 6-headed ravenous monster who not only torments seafarers that try to pass through her straight, but is a constant reminder of an impulsive decision that manifests guilt and regret. And finally, Helios the Titan personification of the sun peeking out from behind the rocky shore of Circe’s exile island, Aiaia, a looming presence of both the “golden gods” and cruelty of the father.  These otherworldly trifecta exist together in a fixed face off.  In addition to these epic encounters, viewers can glimpse a hint of Scylla’s mythical counterpart Charybdis bubbling up from the deep.

Gold was an important color choice for this illustration – a reminder of the gods everlasting existence, a symbol of the sun, the color of Circe’s eyes.  Yellow’s counterpart, purple, can be found in the cracks and crags and shadows – a complimentary balance.

Promotional illustration - with brand for 2020: