Chapter 2: 'The Keybearer's Destiny' - Dreaming Up Stories
Shaping the Artwork’s Narrative
Hi again, friend! Welcome back to our journey into the creation of "The Keybearer’s Destiny." In this chapter, I'll share how the initial interview with Eliza blossomed into a detailed concept for her unique artwork. This process involves blending elements from her story with my creative vision to craft a piece that truly resonates and inspires.
If you haven’t read the previous posts, you can start here to understand how my creative process works from start to finish.
From Conversation to Concept
Following our insightful conversation, I reflected deeply on the themes and elements Eliza shared with me. Her life is filled with unique experiences, values, and passions. The challenge was to weave these into a meaningful artwork.
Eliza's story stood out to me because of her deep connection with nature and her personal growth journey. She described her home as a cosy sanctuary filled with vintage treasures and unique crystals. Her love for Autumn’s vibrant colours and the calming influence of nature painted a vivid picture in my mind. The tranquillity she finds in her walks through the woods was a key element to include.
Eliza has a special connection with the doe, which she sees as a guardian appearing during significant life moments, sometimes quite literally, wandering through the woods. This creature symbolises her inner strength and spiritual connection. The wise owl and the transformative butterfly also play important roles in her narrative, representing wisdom and change.
Her husband’s qualities were also significant. His support, humour, and affinity with the wolf—symbolising strength and leadership—needed to be subtly integrated into the artwork.
Crafting the Concept
With these insights, I began to piece together the concept for Eliza's painting. The idea of creating a forest in Autumn felt perfect. The forest would be full of trees in vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds, with the ground covered in fallen leaves, capturing the essence of her favourite season. I could see it in my mind’s eye.
The central figure of the painting would be a beautiful doe, embodying Eliza's healing, creative spirit. Hinting at her Medical Sciences degree, this doe would be depicted as an Alchemist, Healer, or Sorcerer, blending a love for the natural world with the mystical. She would be facing a massive tree—the tree of life. This tree, unlike the others, would have a strong trunk and big roots, with shining, green leaves symbolising its magical, evergreen nature. (This would eventually be revisited)
The tree would feature a big, heavy ancient door adorned with intricate carvings, glowing with a golden light from within. This door, with its keyhole, represents the mysteries of the universe and the unknown outcomes that Eliza is learning to embrace, hinting that some outcomes and directions can elude us at times.
Through the cracks of the door and the keyhole, a bright, enchanting light would shine out, suggesting the promise and potential that lies beyond. A shallow staircase made of large, ancient books would lead to the door, symbolising the knowledge and experiences that have guided Eliza through her journey. Books have been beacons for her, shaping her thinking and guiding her steps, much like the staircase leading to the door.
Surrounding the doe would be objects that represent her scientific and creative pursuits: an open book, a lab beaker, and some plants and herbs, all floating around her as if animated by her magical presence.
The main idea for the concept would be focused on a mystical key, matching the door’s decorations, which would be emerging from the doe's chest. The key would be surrounded by a brilliant, magical life force, symbolising that the answers she seeks are already within her.
Perched on a branch of the tree would be an old owl, observing the scene. The owl symbolises wisdom and the cosmos, observing patiently for the right moment when the doe would be ready to unlock the door’s secrets and embrace a new, mysterious adventure.
Following close behind the doe, a cyber-wolf companion would represent her husband’s support and strength. This wolf, a blend of the natural and the technological, would be a protector, part furry and part cybernetic, symbolising his modern, forward-thinking nature.
Other small forest animals and birds would be scattered throughout the scene, watching the unfolding journey, adding to the sense of a vibrant, interconnected ecosystem.
Reflections
As I wrote down these ideas and emailed them to Eliza, I felt a deep sense of excitement and inspiration. Each element in the painting would be a reflection of her journey, her values, and her relationships. It was crucial to me that the artwork not only captured her story but also resonated on a deeper, almost spiritual level with her.
Additionally, my mission is to create art that speaks to many viewers, not just one. I hoped that this artwork would eventually transcend Eliza’s story, becoming a transformative force. I aimed for it to resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost, confused, or unsure about their next steps in life—feelings I have experienced myself and I am sure many others have too. Through this narrative, I wanted to create a scene that could inspire viewers to rekindle their own connection to the magic in our universe, finding the courage to trust themselves and their intuition when faced with uncertain times.
I was glad to hear back from Eliza soon after sending the email describing the concept, and she was as excited as I was about the idea! She mentioned that she would love a squirrel somewhere in the scene as she also loves their energy and curiosity. She also asked if I could integrate an acorn in the design, as she had always loved the symbolism of a tiny acorn containing the potential for a mighty oak tree - which would go PERFECTLY with the concept. I was happy to add these elements and make it even more special to her.
I explained to Eliza that to start the painting, I would require a 50% deposit, with the balance due upon completion and her approval before shipping. I also informed her that while she would own the original piece, I would retain the rights to offer prints of the design unless we agreed otherwise. I gave her a rough deadline projection and explained how the artwork might eventually become fine art prints to inspire others who also resonate with the narrative. As she happily agreed to all that, we were ready to start some actual art sketching!
Thank you for joining me on this exploration of art and personal narratives. In the next chapter, I will share more about the initial sketching phase, where I draft the artwork in my unique style. This stage is all about laying down the foundation with a black-and-white line drawing. The goal is to provide a glimpse of the completed artwork on canvas. This sketch is always loose and with minimal details, allowing the characters and elements to develop naturally on the canvas. We will discuss how these initial ideas were drafted and approved by Eliza to eventually transform into a vibrant, full-colour painting on linen.
If Eliza’s story has piqued your curiosity and you're wondering how your personality and life journey might inspire a commissioned artwork, I invite you to reach out. Begin this creative exploration by applying here, and let's discover the inspiration in your personal story. I look forward to helping you discover the unique beauty of your life’s journey.
Love and Light,
Manassés