"As she talks, her lips breathe spring roses: I was Chloris, who am now called Flora." (Ovid, Fasti)
Chloris was a nymph associated with spring, flowers and new growth. Her Roman equivalent was the goddess Flora. She was abducted by (and later married) Zephyr, the god of the west wind. Her festival, the Floralia, was held in April or early May and symbolized the renewal of the cycle of life, marked with dancing, drinking, and flowers. Flora achieved more prominence in the neo-pagan revival of Antiquity among Renaissance humanists than she had ever enjoyed in ancient Rome. Rembrandt, Botticelli and other major painters represented her in utmost enchanting poses. Enjoy her Belgian 21st century personification here.

You might think I'm always dwelling in the dark when shooting beauty, shaping bodies with as little light as possible, keeping strange creatures hidden in the shadows. But no, from now to then a radiant lady transfigures my universe in a splendid palace of light. This time, it was Anke, a young student flirting with the camera and shining like a star. After Bertien created the glamourous make-up and hairstyling, the camera just couldn't stop clicking with every move Anke made!

How could Red Riding Hood / Have been so very good
And still keep the wolf from the door ?
Why was she dressed up in her bright flaming red
Unless she expected to knock someone dead ?
Why did she ramble ? / She knew it was a gamble
She was out in the woods for no good.
(How Could Red Riding Hood?, A.P. Randolph,1925)
Red Riding Hood as a parable of sexual maturity, with Martine in the leading role, and Bertien Mauws as make up assistant. The Wolf: a Canon 5D MkII, devouring her with every click.

During my school years, I discovered the only fragment in the Bible that could fascinate me during religion lessons was the Song of Solomon or the "Hooglied". "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet,  thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee." (Excerpts from Song of Solomon, chapter 4).
Female beauty to the glory of God - discover Nathalie and praise the Lord!

It had been some time, so when I revisited the workshop of Dany Tulkens, my favorite sculptor and friend, I was happy to discover a completely new collection of statues. Some funny, some sarcastic of cynical, all of them jewels of craftmanship and authenticity. Dany has a long track record in monumental sculptures: he created the "Balloon of friendship" on the Hooverplein in Louvain, and the statue for the building of AB Inbev Corporate. You'll find the new works in the "Sculpting Dany" folder on the "Portraits" page!
www.danytulkens.com