Artichokes were seen in ancient Egyptian writings as a symbol of fertility and sacrifice. Ancient Greeks and Romans used this plant as a digestive aid. Reportedly in 16th century Europe, the artichoke was favored as a food by royalty. It's not even considered a vegetable. It's part of the sunflower family. Who knew? The layers are most anatomically fascinating, as it is composed of many distinct layers.  I remember my mother teaching me the proper way to eat one.
 
Sometimes being alone and quiet is like peeling back the layers of an artichoke. You need to go deep inside to the core to find the answers. The delicious center and essence of who you really are. The part that is not defined by your job, function or role but by all the magnificent things that are uniquely yours and need expression. The quirky, the messy, the exuberant, the raw, the divine. The precious. The perfect. The imperfect. This is the real you.
 
This was created on canvas with professional grade acrylic paints; measuring 24" x 24".