"Ouroboros" by Alison Smoot

Without beginning and without end.  This is the Ouroboros, an immortal serpent forever consuming its own tail; not really a myth, but a symbol representing that which is eternal and ever renewing.   I’ve given it arms so that it can hold the earth in its constant orbit and a compass so that it will always know its way. 

I wanted to use the starkness of black and white to give a factual sense to the piece, as colors tend to distract at times. Fancifully, creatures of the water hold down the oceans, while creatures of the air hold up the sky, and the little dragons on the clock face stick their pointed tongues out in contempt of the time that they are made to guard. 

This is one of the most difficult and time consuming pictures that I’ve made.  It’s done in brushed China ink, with the aid of a quill pen for the finer details, and a great deal of coffee. My ultimate tribute to circles, I can’t even count them all. 8x10ish