Ashtoreth has always been drawn to aesthetics in many forms: the study of world myth, especially goddess culture, mysticism, the language of symbols, alchemy, and a plethora of other things.  Art is a calling, but also a way of living and seeing the world, and beauty in all forms, whether natural or created, is her pagan religion.  She was largely self-taught and inspired by a life-long interest in art and art history.  Ongoing studies into subjects such as psychology, alchemy, and archetypes feed her creative expressions that lean toward symbolism and surrealism.

She communicates her thoughts and experiences occulted through the poetry of images, making the personal transpersonal.  It is her hope that in the encounter of her art people will find soul medicine brought back from the underworld that makes them think and feel deeply, and which quickens something in themselves that inspires their own journeys of renewal and empowerment.

Ashtoreth’s work deals with themes of transformation through death and rebirth that are an ongoing part of the human experience.  The collection shown here were part of an exhibit called ‘The Heroine’s Journey’.  One moved through the placement of the paintings, meditating and participating in a virtual journey into the underworld to resurrection and life after.  The journey led within.  Visual riddles layered into the images: hieroglyphics, tarot cards, are mystery codes that unlock deeper meaning, even unconsciously.  The works express ideas that are ancient and modern, placed in the realm of dreams; the shadowland or the literal underworld, which speak in the language of symbols and archetype, and as such are universal and beyond time.