Julia's unique collectors edition of the Seven Deadly Sins "The Toxic allure of Lust and its place in the Cardinal Sins."

Presenting my exploration of the Seven Deadly Sins and their paradoxical counterparts, the Seven Heavenly Virtues. A profound journey into the depths of human nature and morality. By meticulously planning and executing each piece, I delve into the raw essence of each sin and virtue, capturing their complexities and contradictions with raw honesty and insight.

The inclusion of the Heavenly Virtues alongside the Deadly Sins adds layers of depth and nuance to this work, highlighting the interconnectedness of these seemingly opposite forces. Through these paintings, I confront the ugly nature of both sin and virtue, challenging viewers to confront their own moral ambiguities and contradictions.

My exploration of these themes serves as a powerful reminder of the complexities of human existence and the eternal struggle between good and evil, virtue and vice. My art invites viewers to engage in introspection and reflection, prompting them to consider the ways in which these universal themes manifest in their own lives and experiences.

My journey into Sin

Reflections on Sin and Self

So here I am—over two years later—and my journey through the seven deadly sins is finally coming to an end. What started as a simple exploration through painting has evolved into something much deeper, both artistically and personally. These works have grown to reflect not just abstract ideas, but real aspects of life at the working-class level—where struggle, resilience, and emotion intertwine every day.

Throughout this process, I challenged myself to live each sin and virtue—to experience them, to sit with them, and to see where the rawest, most honest expressions would take me. It wasn’t always comfortable, but that discomfort was necessary. I wanted to push my mind to not only accept these darker parts of myself but to understand them. In doing so, I hoped to encourage others to reflect on their own levels of sin and virtue—to see that we’re all capable of both.

What I’ve come to realise is that nobody is above these sins. They live within all of us. But we do have the power to strengthen our emotional intelligence—to acknowledge, manage, and even transform those impulses into something constructive. Painting now feels natural, almost meditative. So does self-reflection. Oddly enough, when you learn to control your emotions rather than deny them, you discover a deep sense of inner calm.

I’ve learned that you have to accept your quirks—your little idiosyncrasies—before you can truly accept others. None of us are above blame or reproach, but what matters is how we respond. We have to own our mistakes, grow from them, and seek forgiveness—both from others and ourselves. Only then can we begin to reach a higher level of emotional awareness and peace.

Lust a Deadly Sinner

What is this toxic allure of Lust?

My exploration of lust's toxic allure and chastity in this painting delves into the profound complexities of human desire and self-control. I offer a compelling examination of the destructive nature of lust and the challenges of maintaining chastity in a world consumed by temptation.

Lust is portrayed as a primal force—a ravenous drive to want, desiring, and taking without restraint. Depicted in its most destructive form, Lust embodies a force that leaves its victims emotionally and physically shattered. This is the cost of domination, of possession, of succumbing to an insatiable hunger. Power, sex, money, and control are the pillars of this sin, each feeding the other in a vicious cycle of greed and destruction.

Those consumed by Lust become blind to the suffering they inflict, driven by depraved acts to assert their dominance. As lustful as a Roman sandal, it symbolises the excesses and moral decay of those who seek to control others, no matter the cost.

In stark contrast, Chastity is portrayed as the ability to master one’s desires, to control the fire of Lust before it burns out of control. Yet, even this virtue is not without shadows. Beneath the facade of purity, dark impulses can lurk, hidden behind a veil of righteousness. By framing Chastity within the context of the clergy, I challenge viewers to confront the hypocrisy often tied to outward displays of virtue. This is a raw and uncomfortable truth—a punchy, necessary critique of the ways in which supposed morality can mask deeper corruption.

The bell jars within the piece symbolise fragile worlds, delicate lives invaded and destroyed by Lust’s monstrous hunger. Lust becomes the beast at the door, relentless and boundless in its desire to consume. The Devil watches with glee, cupping brimstone in his hands to ignite the flames of Hell, where Lust’s insatiable cravings will finally meet their fiery end.

And yet, beyond this burning chaos lies the promise of redemption. The free world beckons, offering purity, simplicity, and peace. If only this freedom could entice the soul, offering a way to escape Lust’s grasp and purify the spirit. But for many, the allure of desire remains too great, pulling them ever deeper into the monster’s embrace.

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The toxic allure of lust