I started this painting off with a reference photo of a girl and painted her my way. Then I thought she needed a snake around her neck, not in a strangling way, more as an accomplice. She is at ease with her equal. They both have lessons to learn from each other.
 
Snakes seem to follow me in my life, they have appeared in my garden 4 times in 2 years. They pop up unintentionally in my paintings and frequently appear in my dreams.
For me, snakes are all about transformation, about shedding my skin and becoming a new version of myself. I look forward to these transformations, however tough and scary they may seem at the time.
 
How do you view transformation?
Are you someone who gets hung up on these challenges and asks “Why Me?”, or are you thankful for the lessons learnt and the growth you have been able to achieve? Or are you somewhere in between?
 
I am intrigued by ancient Goddesses as you may have seen with some of my other paintings.
I long to understand what it meant to worship the feminine in ancient times and the attributes people connected with.
 
I want to bring those attributes into our time and help people reconnect. I don’t believe the things these Goddesses stood for will ever expire.
 
I googled snake Goddesses and this is who I connected with most...
 
So, who is Goddess Wadjet?
She is an Egyptian Goddess revered as the goddess of childbirth, and protector of children, and in later years she became the protector of kings. Wadjet’s role was often seen as a forceful defender.
 
Wadjet heals, protects, and punishes via the power of snake venom. She has the powers of a goddess, not just a plain snake). 
 
My modern Goddess is a reminder that life isn't static. There is always change and it is up to you how you cope with it. Are you going to be a victim or are you going to prevail, a stronger, wiser woman? 
 
Click through all the photos and videos to see her evolution.
 
There is so much more to learn about Godddess Wadjet, she is worth googling.
 
She measures 41.5x29.5cm  on watercolour paper and ready to be framed.