Winter's Rose
Ayden L.
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This illustration was inspired by some of the experiences in my own life, but was mostly based off of the circumstance a relative of mine was going through. It represents the tragedy of loss and the reality of loneliness in many of our lives.
A man stands alone in the dark of a cold winter, representing a season of depression and loneliness. The light source is behind the man, dragging out his shadow before him. He is dressed in dull colors to symbolize the mundane, routine, everyday life that consumes most of us in our own lives. His surroundings are baron and void of warmth, the sky rubbed in gray pastel, the winter floor covered in tears of black charcoal streaks to represent the engulfing, yet unwelcoming and lonely world. He is covered in what only seems to be never-ending despair and monotony. He is drawn with harsh, dark shadowing, with the guideline sketches left on to represent the ruggedness of life.
However, in the midst of the darkness, the man holds a rose, brightly coated in red pedals. The rose is vibrant, full of life and rich in pastel color. In contrast to the dark mediums used in the rest of the painting, it seems as though the little rose serves to be the color in the dullness of the environment, the light in the darkness. This rose represents one’s love for something else; whether that be a person, a passion, or a thing. Much like the contrast in color, a true passion or love for something in the midst of the darkness a can seem to be like the only good thing we have, the only hope and escape from the world around us, and perhaps ourselves.
But as shown, the pedals begin to fade away, and the rose withers, falling into his shadow. Thus representing the harsh reality behind many of the people, places, things we loved and passions that we once had, the memories we once shared; that sometimes even what we loved most are taken from us, leaving us to face the abyss alone. Just like a rose, all things with life and beauty are bound to die, no matter how hard we try to hold on. However, not all of this illustration was meant to be melancholic or hopeless. The contrast of between the dark background and vibrant red of the rose is meant to highlight its color, and bring attention to its beauty. This is to make a statement: that even if only for a brief moment, the greater the darkness the brighter the light.
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In using primarily dark colors on my iPad in regards to digital art, or pencil, charcoal, and my hands alone when working with paper/canvas, my creativity allows me to release and express many of the negative thoughts and dark emotions that often consume mind onto a blank canvas to create beauty.
