To the ancients the great gods of Olympus represented the various expressions and forces of nature, or physis as the Greeks called it. These powerful deities not only ruled nature but were viewed as the very essence of the natural world itself. In the painting “Physis” we see the dramatic face of Zeus, the father of gods and mortals. Springing from the top of his head is his daughter Athena, the ancient symbol of gnosis, or wisdom, knowledge and education. Athena's long hair extends imaginatively onto the head of Zeus and then suddenly appears to take the form of a white bird, the symbol of might and peace through wisdom. Another bird, the symbol of longevity, begins to appear from within the head of Zeus, stretching downward to link itself with another head, that of Poseidon, Zeus' brother, lord of the seas, liquid substance of life. The sea to the right of Poseidon is imaginatively represented by a female body composed of delicate blue flowers. A sensual female head faces Poseidon on the opposite edge of the water, her sensual and erotic visage reminding us of Aphrodite, the ancient goddess of love. The exuberant, lush aquatic and terrestrial vegetation that surrounds these figures suggests a planet rich with flourishing life, free of pollution and waste. It is a world blessed by the gods of Olympus, blessed by Physis.