One of the most beloved gods in India is Ganesha. He is depicted with the head of an elephant.
The god who removes obstacles
Ganesha is regarded as the god who removes the obstacles in front of you and brings success and good fortune. People pray to him especially "when starting something new." In India, there is a custom of first putting your hands together before Ganesha at the beginning of a ceremony or a business.
He is also a god of wisdom and learning. His large elephant head is said to represent a broad view and deep wisdom. He is often enshrined at the entrances of schools.
He is also worshipped by merchants as a god of wealth and prosperity. Removing obstacles, wisdom, beginnings, commerce: one god holds many roles.
The hurdle of "starting"
What is interesting about the faith in Ganesha is that its weight lies not on "please make it go well," but on "please remove the obstacles when I begin."
With anything new, the first step is the heaviest. Once you have begun, things start to move. I think it is well thought out that he is placed as a god who helps with that very first part.
A painting can also be a tool for beginnings
Many of the commission requests that come to me are at moments of beginning: "I am about to go independent," "I am moving to a new home," "I want to mark a turning point."
Sometimes a painting becomes the trigger that sets stalled feelings moving again. Painting, too, may have a role close to Ganesha's, supporting beginnings.
Mermaid nao's commissioned art aims to be a painting for taking your next step.
Sources
Wikipedia (Ganesha)
Shukyo Zukan (What is Ganesha? The story and worship of the elephant-headed god)
yokofree (What is Ganesha? The true nature of the most beloved god in Hinduism)
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