DARK GROWS THE SUN

There feeds he full | on the flesh of the dead,
And the home of the gods | he reddens with gore;
Dark grows the sun, | and in summer soon
Come mighty storms: | would you know yet more?

– Voluspa, Verse 41, Bellows Translation

This painting is deeply personal to me. Throughout 2017, I worked on my Norse Mythology book, "Illustrated Voluspa". The ink drawing for Verse 41 really struck me. The idea of a person's light being drained resonated. As I walked my own personal journey in 2017 I realized that I felt my own light was being drained. In response I lashed out, and hurt some of the most important people in my life. Though I felt like the victim, in truth I was the monster. I think if we pause a moment we can all relate to the tale of the goddess, Sól, and the wolf who chases her, Sköll.

Some days I am the sun.

Like the goddess Sól, the desires of others,

my obligations, their need;

has ripped me open.

All the light I have left in this world

drains from me, until I grow dark.

Other days I am the wolf.

Like the hungry Sköll, I desire others.

My thirst, my need;

it overpowers my ability to see her.

And nothing will sate my appetite,

Until I drain all she has to give, and she grows dark.

- Dark Grows the Sun, by Sam Flegal

The original fantasy painting was done in oil and measures 13" x 26".