Digital drawings and experiments I created on the theme of becoming, growth, transformation…
Playing with aspects of my self portrait and incorporating plants and natural forms as a symbol of growth from within, and the complex beauty that is inside every individuals mind. Inverting the illustration to create positive and negative versions conveys the idea of the balance of light and dark within every individual, and the necessity of this balance for sustainable growth.
Flipping this idea from growth to death- inspired by the concept of Vanitas, art symbolism that shows us the transience of life and the certainty of death; I used the basis of a skull to convey death and stillness, incorporating the growth of flowers from within, and the presence of butterflies perched upon the skull. Again, inverted to convey the balance positive and negative- a separate illustration complementing and contrasting my previous “self portrait”; but running along the same theme and idea of the rib cage illustrated sculpture- demonstrating the universal symbol of a body.
Playing with the symbolism of the number three- the triad- beginning, middle and end. The power of the number three is universal, representing the tripartide nature of the world combining heaven, earth and waters; as well as representing the tripartide nature of human, combining body, soul and spirit.
The above composition is a combination of the two illustrations- emphasising the contrast of life and death and the growth of the self in between stages.
Playing with different colours- seeing their various effects on the impact of the image- various emotional and psychological implications of the colours include royalty (purple), growth and positivity (green), emotional balance and stability (turquoise) and empathy and sensitive (pink).
Forming compositions that again incorporate the two designs. The placement of the skulls act as a border for the internal self portrait illustration- containing the overall image in a diamond like shape. This particular design reminds me of a tarot card, a complex incorporation of shapes and symbols conveying an overall meaning- in this case this is a tarot card for “becoming”.
Introducing calligraphy- playing with the “tarot card” composition and design idea.
Mandala- in its most basic form is a circle contained within a square composed into sections around a centre point. These designs represent wholeness in a cosmic diagram, and symbolise life energy. Circle patterns convey never ending energy and help people to focus on meditation and connection with oneself. I am particularly drawn to mandala designs for their mesmerising properties, encouraging you to lose yourself in the patterns and repetitions. This digital illustration represents life force and energy that drive us throughout our lives, essential to our “growth” and “transformations”.
Caitlin Noble 