Dark Grows the Sun
The original painting was done in oil and measures 13″ x 26″.
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 the “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
Original Tone Drawing – 11.5″ x 23″
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