Ashes Of Light

June 18'th, 2025

Named after the song by Lustre, this artwork was featured on the label design of one of my Hopsylvania beers. Inspired by ancient European mythology, this artwork features a barn owl, called “strigă” in Romanian from the Latin word “strix” for witch, who under the cover of night is said to have taken the form of this bird to wreak havoc across villages. Despite their ill reputation as bad omens in Slavic folklore, the Norse perceived these majestic beasts as guides to the spirit world, symbols of wisdom and enlightenment. To me they are the embodiment of grace and elegance, focus and strength, gliding silently into the dark unknown which we so fear in our need for perpetual light.