This is a very early drawing inspired by the Egyptian household god Bes (left), who was an ugly little fellow very much like an ancient Egyptian Brownie. He was a fierce defender against any occult threat to the peace and harmony of his adopted home and an enthusiastic promoter of domestic pleasures such as eating, drinking, art, music and making babies.

Bes also bears an uncanny resemblance to the legendary Irish Dagda - the Good God. This may not be a coincidence as the Sons of Mil (ancestors of the Irish Celts) are said to have passed through Egypt and North Africa on their way to Spain and thence Ireland. My theory is that Bes hitched a ride and his original name was forgotten in Ireland. Not only that but he grew from being a minor (no matter how popular) household god to becoming, for a while at least, the supreme god in Erin and father of many more - Brigid, Aengus, Aine and Midir among them. He also grew in stature, acquiring a mighty club that ten mortal men could barely lift, a bottomless feasting cauldron and a harp that could charm the weather itself. But curiously he grew no more handsome, having an enormous belly and backside and a penis that dragged along the ground. Isn't mythology wonderful?