Greek mythology has always interested me.  The idea that a god could be so humanlike... So fallen is so different from what a Christian, like myself, believes.  But even in the dark twisted deity we as humans have created to worship, there is a glimmer of beauty. 

The god of the Sea

     Over Christmas I read the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  These five children's chapter books are about a current day demi-god named Percy Jackson.  He is the clumsy forbidden son of the god of the sea, Poseidon.  Adventure always seems to seek him out along with monsters, jealous gods, angry demi-gods and other equally terrifying mythological creatures.  It is quite entertaining, but what I found so beautiful about the story was not his daring deeds or brilliant decision making.  It was the relationship he shares with his father.  He grew up in New York City with his mother and lousy stepfather, not learning who his biological father truly was until he was threatened by monsters and hidden away at a secret camp full of his kind.  When finding out his father is the god of the sea he becomes angry at Poseidon for not caring for him enough to find him and love him as every child wishes to be loved.  The story goes on and he begins to see why his father left him, and why he could not claim him as a baby.  He begins to see how much his father does love him.  The little secret ways his father has been protecting him come to light, and he finally sees that his father has been there for him all along...  Watching over him... Caring for him... 
     I painted The god of the Sea because for whatever reason I had to.  I loved the story... Seeing a father being held back from the son he loves because of his great power was heart wrenching.  Had Poseidon been a mere human he could have been the father he longed to be.  He could have stayed and raised Percy to be the man every good man wishes his son to be, but because he had a duty to the sea and to the gods he had to leave his only remaining son to be raised by trusted followers.  Perhaps I have fallen too deeply in love with fairytales... but I must say it is a fault I do not regret.