Soma is a Vedic Sanskrit word that translates literally to “extract; distill; or sprinkle”. Often it refers to a healing elixir based in plant medicine and spirituality, a balm or tonic that creates harmony and life-force. I remember a specific moment in which soma was used to describe the rays of the moon, and the soft way that they nourish the earth, a gentling mirror for the bright heat of the sun. This painting is a cultivation of softness, with layers of symbology that represent the lunar and solar energies, and the connection between them.

soma
18” x 24”
acrylic ink + acrylic paint on canvas
2024