Like the Gates of Hell

Like the Gates of Hell is a digital art piece initially inspired by lyrics from Mitski’s “Stay Soft”—specifically, the image contained in the words, “Open(ing) up your heart / Like the gates of hell.” 

The creative process began with a simple sketch of flames over a solemn-looking face. However, as the process continued, I took more inspiration from Lucifer’s story in Paradise Lost by John Milton and The Fallen Angel by Alexandre Cabanel. Additionally, Devilman Crybaby, a web anime, inspired the use of color; the show's use of contrast informed some of the color and value choices for this piece.

Because I grew up in Catholic traditions, I took some lessons from the church with me into my art, though I slightly contorted their original messages. I was first introduced to ideas of demonology within a Christian context, and I could not help but feel bad for the fallen angels, seeing them as quite tragic figures. So, then, while the horned subject presents as mysterious in the dark, the fire illuminates the “fallen angel,” giving the viewer a glimpse of the subject’s nature from long ago—or perhaps a hidden truth and sensitivity within the subject.

Cabanel’sThe Fallen Angelis iconic for the hardened expression Lucifer has, but when the viewer looks a little closer, there's a single tear of vulnerability on his face. For this piece, I wanted to lean into that sense of tragedy and depict the subject in a state of regret rather than rage. Rather than his face being covered and his body cradled inward, the subject is completely open, revealing part of his past through the flames.

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Marie McCrory (any pronouns) is a Creative Writing student and casual drag performer at Agnes Scott college in Atlanta, Georgia. They have contributed comics to Blood+Honey Literature Magazine, Agnes Scott’s AURORA lit mag, and cover/page art for the fanzine Memento Mori. All of their artwork can be found on Bluesky and Tumblr under the username @spicyspell