Tag: Greek mythology

Kaysha Siemens: Fine Artist and Illustrator

Post author By Christine Meram
Post date October 13, 2020
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Kaysha Siemens was born and raised in Canada, and currently resides in the state of North Carolina, USA. She is a very talented artist and illustrator, whose main mediums are graphite and oil.

Her style is unique and full of exquisite detail. Kaysha’s figures are flowing and fluid, while her backgrounds are linear and structured. This style gives Kaysha’s art balance and pulls you into her work!

Kaysha’s main source of inspiration is Greek Mythology. Her MNEMOSYNE collection is a compilation of all of her works inspired by the Greek Mythologies. MNEMOSYNE is the Greek Goddess of memory and the Mother of the Greek Muses. The Greek Muses were connected to the arts and to knowledge.

Kaysha’s art and illustrations showcases an array of monsters, gods, goddess, NEREIDS (mermaids), and TRITONS (mermen).

According to Greek Mythology, the water nymphs were subcategorized into three kinds of species. The OCEANIDS resided in the sea, NEREIDS lived in freshwater and seawater, and the NAIADS lived in springs, lakes, and rivers.

Commissioned Mermaid Illustration by Kaysha Siemens

Kaysha’s mermaids are straight out of a fairy tale. In fact, none of her mermaids are identical. They’re unique and have their own personality in their own little under the sea havens. Each mermaid is full of elaborate details, such as their hair and intricate tails. Her work is as compelling as a mermaid luring a sailor out at sea, singing her euphoric song!

Kaysha Siemens is definitely an artist to follow and she’s currently open for commissions!

Myths and Legends

Poseidon

Poseidon was the son of Cronus (the youngest of the 12 Titans) and Rhea (Cronus sister). Cronus was the god of agriculture. Rhea was the goddess of fertility. Poseidon was the brother of Zeus, the King of the gods and of Hades, god of the underworld. Poseidon, like Zeus was one of the most revered gods in Greek Mythology.

Poseidon ruled over the oceans and was the god of the sea, earthquakes, flood, drought, and horses. Poseidon’s legendary trident was created by the Cyclopes, the same beings who created the thunderbolt for Zeus and Hades helmet. The trident is a fishermen’s spear.

Poseidon throwing this trident in an ancient coin dating between 282-306BC

Poseidon, like his brother, Zeus, had a weakness for human women and had many children with them. He had Pelias and Neleus with Tyro, who was the daughter of Salmoneus, who was part of the royal family. And many of Poseidon’s descendants would become rulers of Greece.

Poseidon had other children, that were giants and savage creatures. Most notably, Polyphemus, Orion, and Antaeus.

Poseidon was also known to have consorts. Progenitor, was one of them.

He was married to the Oceanid Amphitrite. Together, they had the sea creature, Triton. Triton became a powerful figure in Greek mythology, like his father Poseidon.

Hans Christian Andersen Myths and Legends

The Myth of Ondine

Undine illustration by Arthur Rackham. The illustration is featured in Baro Friedrich De La Motte Fouque romance novella “Undine” that was published in 1811.

The myth of Ondine or Undine has been around for centuries, as far back as the Ancient Greece. Unda is Latin for “wave” or “water”.

The story of Ondine has been adapted and changed throughout the centuries, yet, astonishingly, key elements of the story has remained the same.

The story is of a young water nymph named Ondine who is beautiful and has an enchanting singing voice. Ondine is immortal, but doesn’t have a soul. The only way for Ondine to obtain one, is to marry a human, which would then shorten her life, but she would gain a human soul.

Ondine falls in love with a human, and becomes human to be with him. If Ondine’s husband was to be unfaithful to her, he will die. She soon marries him, and bears him a mixed-breed child. Her child is born with a soul and has many aquatic attributes.

Ondine finds her husband with another woman and he soon dies.

This legendary story, would later inspire French author Baron Friedrich De La Motte Fouque and his novella of Undine that was published in 1811. Years later, his version of the story, would inspire the Danish author Hans Christian Andersen and his story, Den Lille Havfrue or The Little Mermaid and was published in 1837.

It’s truly incredible, that these mermaid myths and legends, never die. They adapt and change with the times. They are immortal and live on forever in our hearts and our minds.