BEHOLD
48" x 72" Charcoal pastel and permanent marker on paper. 2024.
Self portrait created to scale. Within I imbued elements and symbols reflective of aspects of my individual identity. Firstly, my passion for hiking and adventure is represented by the outdoor flannel, backpack, staff, and hiking boots I am wearing. Rolled-up parchment, pencils, pens, and brushes hinting at my interest in art. Following my affinity for fantasy and fantasy creatures, I included a large Oni-inspired demon behind me and a small lamb with wings and a floating antler halo below me. The largest representation of my identity within this drawing is how it ties into my faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. The artistic representation of a demon represents an actual demon/Satan who is attempting to deceive me, pull me away from what’s good, and lead me to destruction and death. The angel wing on the demon is representative of how demons are fallen angles, while its gnarled dragon wing lower on its body is more representational of what it has become. In the piece however, I am leaning over focusing on a small lamb. This lamb represents purity, innocence, humility, and especially Jesus, who is often referenced within the Bible as “The Lamb of God.” Furthermore, this is shown with the lamb’s wings and its antler halo referencing holiness/angelic qualities. The position of myself in the drawing is meant to create a barrier (for my attention) between the demon and the lamb, showing how I am also looking towards the lamb (Jesus), while turning away from the demon (darkness, evil, Satan). Experimented with the interplay between realistic rendered imagery and flat line drawings. Created with charcoal pastel on eight different attached pieces of paper for my surface.
