Original painting by Melissa Shemanna
Title: 'Inanna StarFire Queen'
Medium: Oils, tempera, copper leaf, moonblood on canvas
Size: H150cm x W110cm x D3cm
Ready to hang, stretched canvas with hooks and wire.
The Starfire Queen: A Painting Dedicated to Inanna
In this original painting by Melissa Shemanna, the essence of Inanna, who is the ancient Sumerian Goddess of love, protection, fertility, and celestial mysteries, is brought to life with a symphony of mediums—oil paints, egg tempera, moonblood, and copper leaf. The work emanates an aura both divine and raw, capturing the multifaceted power of the Starfire Queen.
The centerpiece of the painting is Inanna herself, depicted as an otherworldly yet grounded figure, luminous and commanding. Her form is resplendent with iridescent tones of deep blood red crimson and radiant copper tones that shimmer like celestial flames, representing her connection to the heavens and her fiery sovereignty. Her eyes are pools of starfire—intense, knowing, and timeless—holding the mysteries of the cosmos within their gaze.
Her arms are outstretched, her palms open, revealing markings in moonblood that pulse with the sacred power of life and transformation. These marks symbolize her role as the life-giver and her descent into and return from the underworld—a story of death, rebirth, and empowerment. She holds in her hands the symbol of the sumerian ankh for her ability to hold the keys of wisdom that weave the fabric of cosmic law, regeneration and sacred sovereignty.
The lower half of the painting is dominated by her great lions, a traditional symbol of Inanna’s strength and majesty. They gaze outward with a fierce and protective stance, embodying her role as a warrior and guardian. The background shows flowing organic patterns of moonblood and copper leaf—raw yet potent, symbolizing the cycles of the moon, feminine power, and the eternal rhythm of life. The inscriptions, though subtle, pulse with an unspoken invocation, calling the viewer to step into the liminal space between the earthly and the divine.
The painting is not merely a visual representation but an active, living talisman. It invites the viewer to connect with Inanna's timeless energy, her embodiment of sovereignty, her mastery of dualities, and her eternal dance of descent and ascent. Melissa Shemanna’s use of sacred materials and vibrant imagery imbues the work with a visceral power, making it both a tribute and a portal to the Starfire Queen herself.
Copyrighted intelectual property of Melissa Shemanna. No part of this original artwork may be used in any way without written permission from the artist