This scene has been in my mind for ages…a young man looking at his future; an old man looking at his past. The connection between them is unmistakable, yet they are separated by the passage of time. I recently read this sentence and it describes the idea of this painting perfectly.
“Perhaps the you that is to come was reaching back to you now…You are his memory, and he is your vision.”
(by Jo Graham from “Black Ships”)
I had been sketching ideas and saving inspiration photos for a very long time. I knew this was going to be a large canvas and had most of the elements well thought out, but was missing the perfect photograph for the young man. Nothing I came across was right, though I couldn’t put into words what I was looking for. Then one day I had the good fortune to meet a young man, (who became a great friend), who had a photograph of himself that was exactly what I needed.
“Visions” has been evolving under my paintbrush for over 4 years. It is far more than what I had originally imagined. It took on a life and spirit of its own and I am a little amazed at the end result.
(24″ x 36″ acrylic on canvas)
Thanks to Chris for agreeing to be the model for the young man!