 Mathurine Mathurine La Folle (Mathurine the Fool) was a French jestor in the courts of Henry III, Henry IV and Louis XIII. Mathurine lived from 1589 to 1627. Mathurine was the most well-known female jester in France. She is known for her appearance, always costumed as an Amazon warrior. In 1594, she stopped an assassination attempt on Henry IV and arrested the would-be assassin herself! Flower detail: Coreopsis or Tickseed = always cheerful. Early American Colonists used the seeds to repel bedbugs. "Mathurine" by Snow Mack Pen, pencil, acrylic, enamel, Acid-Free Archival 38 pt Postcard, 6" x 4", 2025 Research and Inspiration: https://www.jesterplanet.com/the-court-jester/who/male-female/famous-jesters/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathurine_de_Vallois  Melusine The legend of Melusine is documented as early as 963 CE, with varying versions existing in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg. In one version, dating back to 1393, her vengeful mother, Pressine, puts a curse on Melusine; every Saturday, she turns into a Mermaid. Melusine must keep this transformation a secret, or she will be banished. Melusine falls in love with a nobleman, marries him, and creates a magnificent castle for him with her magical art. For ten years, Melusine gives her husband wealth, land, and power, and bears ten sons. As the legend goes, one day her husband becomes suspicious of her Saturday ritual. When Melusine discovers he has witnessed her in her mermaid form, she flies away screaming, never to return to him. In Luxembourg, Melusine remains a part of pop culture to this day. It is said that she reappears every seven years to add a stitch to a linen chamise. Flower detail: Saint John's Wort = superstition. Medicinally, it is used to treat depression and menopause. "Melusine" by Snow Mack Pen, pencil, acrylic, enamel Acid-Free Archival 38 pt Postcard, 4" x 6", 2025 Research and Inspiration: https://justhistoryposts.com/2017/03/24/mythical-creatures-medieval-mermaids/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melusine  Baubo Baubo is a Goddess of joy, laughter, and mischief. References to Goddess Baubo date back to the 4th century BCE. Baubo brings divine laughter with her raunchy jokes and gestures, coaxing the Goddess of the Harvest, Demeter, to bring back the light so the crops will survive. Baubo appears in ancient sculptures as a vulva with a face, arms, and legs. Baubo's appearance and mischief shock the grieving Goddess Demeter into laughing, allowing the light to crack through her profound sadness. The ancient stories and edifices of Baubo persist in many countries, from Greece to India to Japan. The details evolve, but the various forms consistently feature female genitalia. The lasting, powerful message of Baubo is that no matter how heavy the world feels, laughter can bring lightheartedness. Flower detail: Chrysanthemum = cheerfulness under adversity. In China, it is used to cleanse negative energy from the house and the body "Baubo" by Snow Mack Acrylic, pen, enamel Acid-Free Archival 38 pt Postcard, 6" x 4", 2025 Research and Inspiration: https://goddessgift.com/goddesses/baubo/ https://medium.com/@riddickdm/baubo-laughter-in-the-face-of-grief-fc77322dbca6    Each card is embellished with gold or silver enamel accents. I created three paintings for the 3rd Annual Postcard show at Brassworks Gallery in Portland, Oregon. An interesting challenge: create artworks with the size limitations of 4" x 6" on postcards supplied by the gallery. I was inspired to research a few ideas that have been in my sketchbook. Working title for the series is Hysterical Females From Fact & Fiction. I am including the stories about each of the subjects. The myths and stories for Melusine and Baubo have evolved over generations; my versions are a mash-up from varying sources. The tale of Mathurine La Folle recounts the brief information I discovered from various sources. The works will be available for $100 each starting on December 13th at
Brassworks Gallery and online. Presales welcome! 🎨 Brassworks Gallery's 3rd Annual Postcard Show opens Dec 13th, 2025, online and in Portland. https://brassworksgallery.com/pages/event-calendar Flower inspirations: Flowers and Their Meanings: The Secret Language and History of Over 600 Blooms by Karen Azoulay, Published by Clarkson Potter, 2023 Snow Mack's Goddess Book List https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/G32U8ZLH0VCL?ref_=wl_share
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