KaterinaMillerArtist

I just published a full breakdown of my painting Sardonic Smile on my website, and honestly, at the moment, it’s the most important piece for me. This painting marks my return to myself after a period where I was trying to create things that looked “right” but meant nothing to me. It didn’t work - and it almost made me lose interest in painting entirely. The idea behind this piece comes from tetanus and water hemlock - the “sardonic smile,” a forced expression that has nothing to do with happiness. But during the process, the painting became something much deeper than just a scientific curiosity. I go into everything there - concept, meaning, technique (grisaille + layered glazes), and how the development of the idea. If you’re interested in what really went into this piece, you can read the full post here: 👉 https://www.katerinamillerartist.com/post/sardonic-smile-oil-painting [DEVIATION]

Lately, I’ve noticed that even in a calm, routine life, some days hit differently—emotionally charged, strangely heavy, or filled with clarity for no obvious reason. That led me down a rabbit hole of lunar phases, astrology, and ancient myths. I started tracking moon days, syncing with my own energy shifts. It wasn’t long before these patterns sparked the idea for a new painting—Hecate, the triple goddess of transformation, thresholds, and mystery. In my version, she is the Moon itself—seen from space, stripped of illusion, glowing cold and eternal. This piece blends mythology, astrology, astronomy, and classical oil technique (30+ layers of glazes). I wanted her to feel cosmic, cyclical, feminine, and real. 🌓 Read more about the process, symbolism, and meaning behind this work on my blog: https://www.katerinamillerartist.com/post/creation-of-the-hecate-the-triple-goddess Let me know what the Moon means to you.