Blue Bayou Babe says Hello!

Hi There Viewer! Say Hello to 'Blue Bayou Babe', one of my fanciful figure studies created with oil and watercolour pencils on paper by Jude Cowell.

Mrs Cholmondeley of the Clematis Family drops by!

Today Secret Moon Art is happy to Welcome Mrs. Cholmondeley of the Clematis Family for tea! So the question must be, milk or lemon?

And perhaps you know that "Cholmondeley" is actually pronounced, "Chumley"! Well, this and other details concerning this lovely bloomer may be found on the International Clematis Society website!

Kassandra's Myth-Prophecy-Blessings

March 1, 2022

The Prophetic Daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba

by Jude Cowell

As Putin's war against Ukraine rages on, I want to publish something with a mythological theme here on Secret Moon Art.

So here are a few words concerning Kassandra (aka, Cassandra), a prophetess in Greek Mythology, plus, my drawing Kassandra's Blessings because everyone across the globe could use a few of those just now, even non-believers. How about you?

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Well, perhaps it isn't the best idea to imply by my drawing that the 'blessings' of Kassandra are a good thing even though it was drawn years ago (pencil on paper). For she is often considered in Greek Mythology to be a tragic figure whose gift of prophecy came from sun god Apollo yet he cursed her so that no one believed her prophecies. That she rebuffed the advances of Apollo is one explanation of Apollo's turn against her but there are other possibilities.

Anyway, Cassandra prophesied that her brother Paris would start a war against the city of Troy and this includes the very famous tale and archetype of the Trojan Horse. Additionally, Cassandra's death links to the fabled death of King Agamemnon of Mycenae.

So if you don't know where your natal asteroid Kassandra is, consider the following list of a few related asteroids and their numbers which can be plugged in (by number) on the Serennu website along with your birth date (or any date you choose) and the Astrological Ephemeris will disclose their Zodiacal positions to you:

Kassandra #114

Agamemnon #911

Apollo #1862

Hecuba #108

Priamus #884

Paris #3317

Troy: Troilus #1208; Troja #3912

Now from far distant days, here's an ancient Pompeii fresco:

Ajax in Troy drags Cassandra from Palladium before the eyes of Priam.

A Pencil Portrait of 'Nedra'

February 2, 2022

Another Fanciful Figure Study by Jude Cowell

Here's my latest effort, a rather colorful Pencil Portrait of 'Nedra' looking more than a little psychedelic!

You're cordially invited to browse more drawings, fanciful, botanical, and otherwise at Jude Cowll Art.

Here's 'Bella Backstage'!

by Jude Cowell

December 11, 2021

Is my pencil portrait of Bella Backstage too scandalous for Secret Moon Art? Well, Bella lost her home when my Cosmic Persona Designs collection had to be shuttered so here she is in the tradition of artists depicting behind the scenes figure studies!

Dear viewer, what's your opinion, is 'Bella' too scandalous? Leave your Yes or No in a comment below if you wish! jc

Botanical illustration of Creosote in Bloom

by Jude Cowell

Tuesday August 10, 2021: Now I know that folks who are familiar with desert climes must also be familiar with the Creosote bush which grows across the Southwestern United States. Knowledgeable sources inform me that cresote (Larrea tridentata) is an evergreen desert shrub that, because of photosynthesis, always faces southwest - and smells like rain!

But unfortunately, drought, lack of water, and massive fires now afflict large parts of the southwestern region of the US so true confession: I have no current information on how creosote bushes are managing such difficult conditions these days.

Therefore, I'm posting my botanical drawing Creosote in Bloom with a hope that the venerable evergreen will come through its trials and bloom freely once again!

And remember, you have a standing invitation to browse my Art Portfolio of drawings 24/7! jc