Abram - Jun 2020

The title is the traditional, Hebraic spelling. And I'm glad someone came to their senses. Absolute faith can have absolute consequences.

Joseph - Aug 2020

The Wrestler - Apr 2020

Many artists depict Jacob as an aged man in this oft-interpreted scene. For me, the thought such a person could wrestle an angel all night lacked credibility.

Archangel - Nov 2021

Many depictions of Michael sending Lucifer back to the Pit exist. Only a badass is capable of such a feat. I did not want to clothe him in flowing, billowing robes with an angelic expression.

Mary Magdelene - Before / Jan 2022

Sinner or First Disciple? Jesus’ lover and therefore threat to the Church? Or twist by modern feminists to fit an ideological agenda? Whatever the case, I chose, this, portrayal of an iconic and controversial woman only because I eschew the obvious. The overwhelming majority of images depicting her portray the ‘After’.

Gomorrah - Apr 2020

In researchng this scene, a pattern emerged such that the majority of depictions showed Lot and his family at a distance. When I zoomed in, it became clear why he was so anxious to get his daughters far from Sodom and Gommorah's depravity and wickedness. :-)

Sheherazade - Jul 2021

With a dismissive wave, the Sultan ended the day's business. Ministers and viceroys gathered their portfolios, casting sidelong, lascivious glances toward the Vizier's daughter. Evening's onset heralded Sheherazade's entrance and tonight the Sultan eagerly awaited hearing the ending to the Water Fowl and the Tortoise.

Delilah - May 2021

Salome - Apr 2022

Interesting that though often thought of as second-class citizens, lacking in rights, and politically powerless, a woman's look, whisper, or dance can have a man's head cut off.

Selene - Jun 2022

Despite the considerable competition one might expect on Olympus, even Zeus himself could not resist the charms and allure of Selene, goddess of the moon, who bore him four children. However, It seems Selene, ardent and passionate in her own right, needed something more than Zeus. She moved on to give Endymion, a mortal, fifty children

Selene - Jun 2022

A peek into the production process as decisions are made whether a particular variation is more suitable than another

Selene - Jun 2022

A third variation. Which would you select?

Young Leonidas - Aug 2020

A classic scene from a legendary movie

Agoge - Feb 2018

Spartan Youth Training (ah GOH gee, rhymes with doggie): You have been cast into the wild for one year. Given a burlap cloth, no food, no cell phone. Snow has begun to fall.

Size - Feb 2018

"Are you aware, Agis, of the force's size opposing you?"
"Mind yourself, Ephor. Spartans do not ask how many. Only where?"

Battle of Nemea - Feb 2018

Before dawn, in night's darkest hour, they broke camp with a meager breakfast and some water that for many might be their last meal. Their boots pounded a rhythm armies marched to, each soldier knowing where it would lead. Time would need two thousand more years to describe their fate: "Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die."

At some point they crossed an invisible boundary, marching boots carrying them from asylum to a danger that swelled as the sun's rays lanced the night. On they marched, deeper into Laconia. Nothing announced it, no one said it, but they knew, felt it in their bones, breathed it in the air. Laconia.

Only their rhythmic march disturbed the morning's stillness, as if the dawn held its breath, knowing what had entered. Knowing its fate.

They marched and reflected. Of home and hearth, wives and children, of hopes that needed a future. From front to rear, soldiers began gazing upward. Atop a high bluff astride the road, heads appeared, filling the height with spears, and armor, and helmets. On they marched, each step making clearer the symbols adorning their shields: the fearsome and legendary lambda. Like wild fire, one word flashed through the ranks: Spartans.

Captains spurred their horses, dashing up and down the lines, shouting orders, pointing where to form up, urging haste and hurry. Across a meadow bounded by farms and crop fields, organized chaos cohered into boxed phalanxes bristling with spears. Anxious soldiers fussed with last minute adjustments to straps and buckles, checking for anything missed, fighting against a futility that mocked their every effort.

From above, a sound rolled down the bluff, freezing spines and jellying knees. A clarion to battle, a harbinger of doom. A thousand warriors howled in unison.

"Aroooooo."

I wrote the above as my imagined opening to the Battle of Nemea fought in 394BC. Aligned with regional allies, the Spartan phalanx occupied the right flank, facing their hated Athenian rivals. As the two lines marched toward one another, the Athenians and their allies charged, running full tilt, expending adrenaline and much energy. The disciplined Spartans held their formation, closed ranks, and let their spears absorb the suicidal charge. Like a meat grinder, the face-to-face killing began and the Athenian line disintegrated. Maintaining discipline, the Spartan phalanx wheeled into the enemy center slicing limbs and bodies in a methodical march toward the enemy's right flank.

The invaders broke and ran only to be chased down and butchered from behind by pursuing cavalry. At battle's end according to historian Xenophon, 1,100 invaders would never return home. Spartan losses: 8.

Synonyms - Feb 2018

"Are you going to fight for Sparta, Papa?"
"No, my child. I go to fight for you."

Accused - Oct 2018

"I counsel caution, Sire."
"Caution? They've accused me of debauchery. With my sister!"
"Indeed, brother. Such impudence cannot go unpunished."
"Sire. The army is in Solasti. All you have is the castle garrison and court guards."
"There's two of them!"
"They're Templars, Sire."

Bath House - Dec 2016

Athenian Decadence

Bath House - Dec 2016

Bath House Luxury

Bath House - Jan 2024

An update of a classic

Troy - Mar 2019

Dawn had begun to splinter the night but only crackling flames disturbed the stillness. He raised his face to once more greet the sunrise. In the pre-dawn light, he had briefed his commanders: Phoenix, Eudorus, Peisander, Menesthius, Alcimedon, good men all. Horns would sound the final assault as he charged the ramparts.

Many had fallen to the savage arc of his sword, but he remembered none of them. Except Hector. How many more would fall today? Achilles reached down to rub his heel. It ached.

Achilles - Jun 2020

For those whose hair just ignited, no. This is not a historically accurate portrayal.

Akylos - Feb 2019

It is left to us, the descendants of time immemorial, to imagine a moment in the world of history's greatest warrior birthed by the goddess, Thetis. Countless many who saw her son did not survive it.

Acquisition - Jan 2019

When prudish historians sat down to chronicle the legends of Arthur and the Lady o' the Lake, they left out a crucial detail

Sir Morien - Jun 2022

Percival and Gawaine, early to the Round Table gathering, turned at Lancelot's entrance. He walked slowly, easing himself into the chair, settling in with a loud exhale. "I feel like I battled a bull. My every muscle aches."

The day before no one had expected the Tournament to become such an astonishing spectacle. As usual, Lancelot had vanquished all who stood before him and by late afternoon, only one remained. No one knew his opponent who fought under no Coat of Arms and had not once removed his helmet. Those in the Gallery, because of his dark dress and armor, referred to him as the Black Knight and as the two prepared their steeds, knowing smiles and heavy wagering stacked the odds against the stranger.On the two charged toward one another, the heavy war horses thundering across the jousting lanes. To no one's surprise, the Black Knight came unhorsed. As one the crowd rose, roaring at a sight never before seen. Lancelot too had flown off his saddle. Leaping to their feet, unsheathing swords, the sounds of steel against shield clanged across the field. On they battled. Parry, thrust, block. Block, thrust, parry. Twisting, swerving, dodging, they battled on, neither giving quarter, neither seeking it. Shadows lengthened but the two warriors fought on like true champions with the crowd alternating between groans and cheers at the ebb and flow.

Finally, Arthur stood and raised his hand, signaling a halt. "There will be no decision between these two magnificent Knights. For the first time, I declare the Tournament ended with dual champions."

The entire Gallery, already on their feet, applauded with loud acclaim. Shouts of Lancelot and Black Knight called to the favorites. But before anyone could approach, the stranger bowed to Arthur, bowed to the assemblage, and mounted his ebon steed. As it pranced and danced in place, he gave a final wave and with a sharp pull of the reins, galloped away.

Incoming Knights, joined Percival and Gawaine in peppering Lancelot for details, all still astounded that anyone could unhorse him. Again the doors opened and in strode Arthur bearing a sword though all could see Excalibur hanging from his side. He smiled, laying it on the Round Table to send a wordless message that the thirteen had increased by one.

Behind him entered another. Arthur motioned with an arm. "Welcome, Sir Morien. Welcome to the Knights of the Round Table." Surprised looks accompanied raised brows as the man removed his helmet and saluted. He was indeed the Black Knight.

Restoration - Dec 2020

"Baron Malsen and his men are not long gone. Are you the only one to arrive?"
"A Templar has arrived m'Lady."

"Then if my and my family's honor would be restored, please good Sir, let it be by the sword my father used valiantly to establish it."

Greystoke - Jul 2021

Jane stopped. How could I have been so stupid? Enthralled by the lush beauty surrounding her, it now threatened to become her grave. Everywhere she looked, only more jungle stared back. It left her disoriented, disconnected. Lost. Think, Jane, think!

Darting eyes shifted her gaze to the impenetrable canopy overhead. She had left the mission with the sun behind her. Finding it would give direction. There! A tiny speck of blue. She pushed through the thick, dense foliage until a small clearing opened before her. Angled shadows pointed toward the sun. A breath filled with relief escaped.

From a mound scant yards away movement burst to life. Two sleeping lions popped their heads up, eyes locked onto her, gauging the distance. As if anticipating the inevitable, nothing moved, nothing stirred. The jungle quieted and stilled. Jane's heart sank. She had no chance. No chance at all.

Above, tree leaves rustled. Something whooshed and whirred through them.

Jane looked up to see a shadow descending. High up, a branch groaned from the suspended weight. A primordial, primitive being hung before her. Powerful muscles bulged, flexed, and rippled. A mere hand gesture froze the lions in place. Jane tried to remember what she had ever seen as beautiful. "Who are you?"

A lion growled at the sudden disturbance. The man's head snapped around. A sound erupted from his throat that swelled and echoed off the trees, a cross between a bark and a grunt. Savage, guttural. Jane had never heard anything like it and stood startled in place. The lion's ears flattened.

His gaze returned to her with eyes that penetrated her innermost core. She felt stripped and naked but curiously never more safe. His head turned, nostrils flaring at some detected scent.

Agile as a cat, he dropped to the ground, dashing into the forest. Only bobbing plant leaves hinted he had ever been there. The lions took off behind him.

Once more, the jungle came to life with the chitter of birds and insects. Jane turned toward the sun and home. She still felt lost.

Restoration - May 2023

Jane - Aug 2023

Jane's Hut - Feb 2025

Samson - Jul 2018

Circe - Oct 2020

"Come, Odysseus. Sit beside me. Taste my wine. Enjoy its pleasures."

Helen - Nov 2018

Helen saw a chance to escape an arranged marriage. Menelaus saw an ally against his enemies. Paris saw the face that would launch a thousand ships. None saw the coming horrors or heard the Fates cackling.

Gorgon - Jul 2022

ArchAngel Raphael - Jun 2023

Lost City - Feb 2024

Homage Frank Frazetta

First OTS - Mar 2024

Calm enveloped the Queen as she stood holding a blade out of sight. Her 1st Sword returned carrying the thief who had stolen jewelry off the Ladies-in-Waiting she always kept close. But that's another story.

More importantly, this capture occurred on April 16, 834 when the phrase 'over the shoulder' first entered the culture

Lakedaimon - Dec 2024

Sparta had left itself vulnerable by sending the army north to battle Corinth and its allies. Before sunrise, alarms sounded, awakening everyone to Messenia's approaching rebels, seething with vengeance for their defeat. From every door, mothers and elders rushed children to defensive positions. Young women, led by Spartiatis, raced to the western gate, arming themselves to form speared phalanxes. Before noon arrived, Messenian bodies would lie in piles roasting under the sun.

Excalibur - Mar 2025