This image was created for no one in particular, but simply because I needed something to occupy my hands with. My husband, Randy suggested that this iconic image  would be recognizable and appealing to everyone anywhere in the world. Since the original is a pen and ink sketch, I decided to add my interpretation of the flesh tones and muscle shading, and to fill the background with color. As I was working on fleshing out the first pose, trying to decide how to differentiate the two poses, my husband suggested that there should be some reference to the original pen and ink on parchment. So the pose that contains the proportion lines is true to the original. I made the proportion lines blue as if they were a blueprint for the human form, much as da Vinci intended in his graphic representation of the ideas of the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius. Read more here about thethe ">Vitruvian Man . I had been picturing some sort of pastel rainbow pattern in the background, and as it turned out, Randy and I were in synch on that idea, though he envisioned it as a spiral rather than a radiating blend. Because the head, hands and feet of the spread-eagle position divide the circle into fifths, it seemed fitting to add the occult symbol of the pentacle subtly worked into the rainbow, defined only by the direction of the stitches and visible when the light hits it at just the right angle. I finally read the Da Vinci Code only after the piece was completed, and if you are familiar with the story, you are probably feeling the same chill of realization that I did when you recall the symbol that was inscribed around the navel of the curator of the Louvre when he was found murdered in the Grand Gallery. See if you can find the Goddess behind the Man.
About halfway into its creation, my Uncle Fred informed me that the Tech Museum in San Jose would be presenting an exhibit of “Leonardo: 500 Years Into the Future” from Sept 26th 2008 through January 4th 2009, and suggested that I approach them to see if they would consider displaying my homage to da Vinci during the exhibit. I did, and they were. In fact, the Senior Manager of Guest Services at the Tech was extremely supportive and enthusiastic, and I am very honored to have my work placed in the company of the creations of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest creative minds in all of human history.

Begun 5-28-08   Finished 9-22-08
135 hours
Level of complexity: medium
Value per square inch: $60.00
Dimensions: 9.125”x 9.125” = 83.3 sq. in.
Commission value: $5000.00