one more from inside musical instruments series

snowflakes on wool, done with a microscope lens, focus stacking of 20 photos

oil on canvas, 50x70cm

oil on canvas, 50x60cm

Can see it as an interpretation of the Greek myth of Medusa, a beautiful girl who was cursed and transformed into a monster with snake hair, and who's look would turn everyone into stone. She could be defeated only after she was tricked to see her reflection into a mirror.
The primal fears of the reptilian brain turn our neocortex stupid, the IQ could drop even up to 30%, is obvious during exams when you forget all the answers. That can be overcome only with introspection, and self awareness.
Also in the mask can see the ego, persona means mask in Latin. Is a projection, an image that we use to fool others, and we trick ourselves to be that, is like Narcissus's fall into his own reflection, that is the death of our real self, the consciousness. Is like falling into a waking dream that we cannot wake up from. Most of the times is a nightmare... 
We love distracting our attention from the source of our problems. Most people would do anything to avoid self reflection, facing the fears, and the archetypal forces that govern our lives, but is the only way to evolve, to overcome our loops mental that make us repeat the same mistakes and turning again and again in the same old road that we know where it leads to.
Only we are alone, in the dark, really we face our thoughts, and might not be a pleasant encounter. But can lead to practices as meditation, that can be a real light in the darkness of our thoughts.

oil on canvas 50x70cm
Since ancient times, the serpent like gods were a symbol for the life energy. The Kundalini, the chinese dragon, the Mesoamerican feathered snake...have you ever wondered why Moses had to “lift up” the bronze snake in the wilderness in order for the Israelites to be healed? And the chemical correlation of the awakening of the energy and the opening of the third eye - the pineal gland, is fascinating...
Melatonin is largely known as a hormone that regulates our sleep patterns as well as exuding powerful anti-oxidant capabilities. DMT on the other hand is known as the #1 most powerful psychedelic compound known to man.
Synthesis and secretion of melatonin is dramatically affected by light exposure to the eyes. The precursor to melatonin is serotonin, a neurotransmitter that itself is derived from the amino acid tryptophan. Within the pineal gland, serotonin is acetylated and then methylated to yield melatonin. The difference in molecular structure between both compounds is one atom of Carbon and two atoms of Oxygen. This would equate to one molecule of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). In essence… DMT + CO2 = Melatonin. Melatonin is produced by the Pineal Gland which is located in the middle of the head. The question that arises is that if CO2 is the only substance that differentiates Melatonin and DMT, would inducing low CO2 levels in the blood cause DMT to be produced rather than Melatonin?
Most spiritual traditions involve a retreat, in total darkness, most in a cave - low oxygen environment, and after 3 days a rush of DMT takes the soul out of the body. Probably that's why Jesus was buried in a tomb for 3 days before he resurrected...an initiatic death...