injecting more emotion in my art... a start

in #art5 years ago (edited)

I've been inspired by other artists and by circumstance to inject more of my own emotions into my artwork. My background as an artist and performer tells me that when an idea frightens you, it's actually an exciting sign, and you should move toward it rather than avoiding it. A lot of my past work has been concerned with being "beautiful" and presenting something lasting that people can live with in their homes and enjoy over a long span, so this shift in approach seems a bit scary to me (which is why it feels important).

In these two drawings (I feel there will be a third that hasten't yet emerged) I am depicting fears and doubts about my ongoing struggle to find self-worth (and economic worth) in my work, and my quest to seek the right direction in life.

GoWhereYouFearToGo-web-lrg.jpg
Go Where You Fear to Go (2019), digital art by Kevin McLaughlin

Here a questing man-child leaves a visible trail of past selves/decisions as he confronts a towering figure (perhaps the angel Sandalphon), through whose legs appears a passage into the unknown. A carnival-type sign with a question mark spinner is posted nearby but it seems to offer little guidance, and it is unclear whether or not the smaller figure has used it.

Recovery-web-lrg.jpg
Recovery (2019), digital art by Kevin McLaughlin

In Recovery, above, a gaping chasm representing fear, debt, self-doubt, and loss threatens to swallow several figures who are scrambling to safety. The rules of gravity and solidity seem to behave differently for each as they struggle; one seems to have found purchase at the brink, one is climbing almost sideways into a different plane, and another's outstretched hand seems to be piercing reality, offering a momentary anchoring effect.

I hope you enjoy these raw, simple renderings... Your comments and reactions are most welcome!

Sort:  

Congratulations @kismetart! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

You made more than 50 upvotes. Your next target is to reach 100 upvotes.

You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

To support your work, I also upvoted your post!

You can upvote this notification to help all Steem users. Learn how here!


This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
@c-squared runs a community witness. Please consider using one of your witness votes on us here

These are very interesting and thoughtful pieces, Kevin :) I like both, the child facing the angel with the tunnel, with his past replicating itself into a myriad of shadow forms behind him, is really communicative on the journey of our lives, and how our decisions shaped where we have arrived at, in the present.

The second one also is wonderfully expressive. I can feel the struggle from each figure as they try to cope with their own portion of the chasm.

Very lovely pieces, @kismetart :)

Congratulations @kismetart! You received a personal award!

Happy Birthday! - You are on the Steem blockchain for 1 year!

You can view your badges on your Steem Board and compare to others on the Steem Ranking

You can upvote this notification to help all Steem users. Learn how here!