"Locked"

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What strikes me first is the intensely contrasting black and white. My eye goes straight to the white glow just above the thumb of the upper hand, and then I find myself bouncing back and forth between the two hands centered on the page. The background is minimal as it fades from darkness to light, or light to darkness (depending how you look at it). The crosshatching of the ink creates distinct muscles and veins that give strength and ruggedness to the arms, stressing the mood of this drawing.

 

 

This was a MSOA assignment for my Worldview in Art class. The goal was to interpret all or part of the Bible verse Philippians 4:8.

 

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things and the God of peace will be with you.”

           

So my thought behind “Locked” is to think about whatever is noble and right. Let me try to explain… The first thing I thought of when I heard the word “noble” was strong. And with the word “right” (or honorable) I thought, “the act of saving somebody” (maybe from my lifeguard experience). Thus the image of 2 strong arms clasping each other’s wrists almost instantly came to mind. The stronger arm is coming from the light and is actively trying to save the one who has fallen. The arm at the top also has a tattoo of the key words from Philippians 4:8, so that he is constantly reminded to “think about such things.”

             I had some fun with this drawing; I love crosshatching so that’s the technique I mainly used. I also used a brush on the background to quickly lay down the ink and get that ombré effect.

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Details

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Medium: Pen & Ink

Original size:  11x16 inches

Original Paper:  Bristal

Paint Brand: Micron

Prints Available:  Yes

Year Finished:  3/2018

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