In my artwork, I have decided to show the world in two lenses. Oftentimes, the world feels gray. Sadness bubbles up inside and you feel that you’re all alone. Therefore, the tree on top is represented by a black-and-white barren tree to show the emptiness we seem to witness each day.
Underneath that shade of sorrow lies a beauty often overlooked. It’s the same world we see, but through different eyes. There’s life, bursting from the sparks of colours contained within unfurled leaves and blooming flowers. Everything seems to glow; it’s a place where all is happy and bright. This is a hidden reality, proof that when all seems dull, there’s always some form of light to guide you, and if you dig down deep enough, you might be able to glimpse it. Then you’ll know you’re never alone. On this tumultuous boat-journey called life, there will always be someone with you, making sure that the waves don’t sweep you away.
As you will be able to tell, I decided to use black paper for my drawing. I wanted to create a mood with my art, a starry night over the ocean, and this was the best way to do it. I used pencil crayons for the main trees as well as some shading techniques in order to get a realistic appearance. For the leaves, flowers, and the golden glow, I used gel pens to make the little details pop and to bring some vibrance to my work. The most important thing for me to keep in mind when I was making this was the main message of my artwork. By imagining what I wanted to convey when putting pen to paper, I was able to keep to the point and add what was necessary to make the drawing the best it could be.
The Two-Faced Tree is a representation of the duality of life, to show that everything has two sides. This is a complex and confusing message of how the world can be miserable and delightful at the same time. The world is beautiful, if you’re willing to see it. I hope this inspires you to look at the world in a more positive light!
