It just warmed my heart to be cruising around Wikipedia one day and discover a deity from Celtic mythology named Secellus, “god of agriculture, forests and alcoholic drinks.” Such a God seemed like just what I needed out here so I created a series of works to honor the dude and bring renewed attention to his efforts. In addition, Secellus (sometimes spelled “Sucellus” or “Sucellos” — I think as long as you get the consonants right you can use any vowels you want) was apparently often depicted with a dog (or three-headed dog) and a giant hammer (and sometimes called “The Hammer God”). He used the hammer to make plants grow and to put the dying out of their misery. He often hung out with a girlfriend goddess named Nantosuelta who traveled around with something resembling a birdhouse on a stick.
This series represents some of the work that will be on display October 10-11 and 17-18 at Bourbon, Dogs and Art as part of the Alamance Studio Tour. Plus there’s the Grand Opening of our Woodland Banners Poetry Walk!
On the left we see Secellus with his hammer in one hand and a drink in the other, accompanied by his one-headed dog. On the right we see him again, this time joined by Nantosuelta with her birdhouse on a stick.
Secellus 1
32×25, digital image on canvas with scavenged wood frame
Secellus 2
32×23, digital image on canvas with scavenged wood frame
Secellus 3
32×22, digital image on canvas with scavenged wood frame
