In July I worked on the Delaware Fun-a-Day challenge to create artwork every day during the month of July. (You can check out my artist interview on their website.) I chose the theme Demon a Day, basing it around folklore and mythology around demons from around the world. The pieces were displayed in a group art show. For those who were interested in seeing my project Demon a Day, which was on display this weekend for the Delaware Fun–A-Day challenge, but didn’t have the time, weren’t local, or just missed it here is the space to view each piece virtually. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view the show via video.

Lilith

(Jewish Folklore)

Lilith is based in Jewish folklore. In biblical lore she was made from the same clay as Adam, and was his first wife before Eve. Lilith was cast out for demanding that she was equal to Adam. (The lore varies from cheating to disobeying Adam, but the general idea is the same.) Lilith/Lilit translates from Hebrew to “night hag” or “screech owl.” There are ties to a Mesopotamian Lilith (which may or may not be related) that grew from a tree, and relates to owls. I added screech owl feathers on her collar and a crown of branches. She is described in the Zohar, Leviticus 19A as “a hot fiery female who first cohabitated with man.”

Lucifer

(Classical Greek Mythology/ Christian Mythology)

(Latin: Lightbearer) Greek Phosphorus, or Eosphoros, in classical mythology, the morning star (i.e., the planet Venus at dawn); personified as a male figure bearing a torch, Lucifer had almost no legend, but in poetry he was often herald of the dawn. In Christian times Lucifer came to be regarded as the name of Satan before his fall. It was thus used by John Milton (1608–74) in Paradise Lost, and the idea underlies the proverbial phrase “as proud as Lucifer.” My depiction of Lucifer is more playful, with “Lucy” tattooed on her arm.

Oni

(Japanese Mythology)

Oni are evil spirits from Japanese mythology and folklore. Oni are typically large in size, possess superhuman strength, and are terrifying in appearance, and are associated with disease, calamity and misfortune. Oni are found in countless Japanese stories and myths, where they tend to be depicted as roguish villains. There are 2 versions of Oni I created for this project.

Adze

(African Folklore- Ghana/Togo Region)

They fly to the bodies of the sleeping, appearing as mosquitos, beetles, fireflies, or simply balls of light. The adze prey on men and women, but enjoy the blood of children most of all. There’s no record of when the lore of the adze first began. Archaeological evidence shows that the Ewe people settled the coast of West Africa, in the tropical region of what is now Ghana and Togo, around the 13th century. Historians believe the adze originated as an explanation of and warning against malaria and other insect-borne diseases that the Ewe people felt powerless against.

Paimon

(Christian/Occult Mythology)

Paimon is one of the Kings of Hell, more obedient to Lucifer than other kings are, and has two hundred legions of demons under his rule. Paimon teaches all arts, philosophy and sciences, and secret things; he can reveal all mysteries of the Earth, wind and water, what the mind is, and everything the conjurer wants to know, gives good familiars, dignities and confirms them, binds men to the conjurer’s will.

Asmodeus

(Jewish/Islamic Mythology)

Asmodeus is a prince of demons,[1] or in Judeo-Islamic lore their king (jinn, shedim, divs).[2][3] Asmodeus is mostly known from the deuterocanonical Book of Tobit, in which he is the primary antagonist,[4] or the Ars Goetia. In Peter Binsfeld’s classification of demons, Asmodeus represents lust. The demon is also mentioned in some Talmudic legends; for instance, in the story of the construction of the Temple of Solomon. I chose to represent lust in the form of a princess or queen goddess-like figure.

Strygza

(Polish Folklore)

A female demon from Slavic mythology. They are closely similar to Vampires. The Strzyga’s appearance resembles that of a normal human being, only with grey or blueish skin. The longer they live, the more they will physically change. Other features they will gain are bird-like features, mainly owl-like features such as claws, eyes, feathers, wings growing out of their backs.

Raktabija

(Indian/Hindu Mythology)

In Hinduism, Raktabīja was an asura (loosely translated as demon) who fought with Shumbha and Nishumbha against Goddess Kali and Goddess Chandi. Raktabīja had a boon that whenever a drop of his blood fell on the ground, a duplicate Raktabīja would be born at that spot.

Belphegor

(Christian Mythology/Jewish Mythology)

In Christian demonology, Belphegor is a demon, and one of the seven princes of Hell. In later Kabbalah Belphegor is a demon who helps people make discoveries. He seduces people by suggesting to them ingenious inventions that will make them rich, stagnating that which could not be accredited to it. Bishop and witch-hunter Peter Binsfeld believed that Belphegor tempts by means of laziness. Also, according to Peter Binsfeld’s Binsfeld’s Classification of Demons, Belphegor is the chief demon of the deadly sin known as Sloth in Christian tradition.

Corpse Flower

If any flower would be known as demonic, it would be the corpse flower. Amorphophallus Titanium produces the world’s largest unbranched cluster of flowers, with a bloom that can grow to more than eight feet in height and open to a width of four feet across. It is a rare tropical plant native to the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra, in Indonesia. When in flower, the plant releases a putrid smell, like rotting meat.

View the video of the show below.