The Roses of Aphrodite

The Roses of Aphrodite
Oil on Canvas
16" x 20"
Prints available on Fine Art America

Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was running through the forest in hot pursuit of one of her many lovers.  She pricked her finger on a thorny bush.  As her blood spilt onto the vines a bud formed to create the first rose.  This beauty sprung from her pain.

Romeo: Is love a tender thing? it is too rough,

Too rude, too boisterous, and it pricks like thorn.

Mercutio: If love be rough with you, be rough with love;

Prick love for pricking, and you beat love down.
-Shakespeare

And yet...

Gardeners are good at nurturing,

and they have a great quality of patience,

they're tender.

They have to be persistent.

-Ralph Fiennes