ix - drive

number nine in the 100 theme challenge. moving it along...slowly, but surely.

anyway, i am particularly proud of this one. it started with a different vision, with the character in the clouds looking more angry than desperate. but i went to paint the eye (not super detailed, but just enough), and it turned out like this...and i was happy with it. and the character in the center was supposed to be a scared/desperate look, too, which i think came out alright.

so i guess the main concept is that a lost loved one is watching as the one they left behind struggles with a huge decision: give up, or keep trying. the center horse is in a rearing position, as if hesitating before a jump...but not quite into the jump yet, as the rear two hooves are firmly planted into the ground.

the dichotomy of it is that you can't see where this piece of outcrop leads. it is cut off mid-slope on the left side of the image, and it's impossible to tell if it's a cliff or just a scary decline. in the former situation, the center character is deciding whether of not to just take the leap into nothingness and give up, or to stop and continue with life. in the latter, he must decide whether he will take the descent with effort and dedication in mind, or if he'll turn around and keep to the safety (but apparent desolation/barrenness) of the site he's standing on. in both cases, he is afraid to continue because he is alone, and isn't sure if he's willing to fight for life anymore. but his loved one is begging him to continue - to not give up - and so he is conflicted, hence the pained and confused expression on his face.

meanwhile, the lyrics on the image (from lifehouse's "crash and burn"), are intended to predict his decision: that he'll keep fighting, though he's still not sure he'll be able to do it on his own.

i hope you were able to follow that. a bit of a jumbled back story from me. D:

so i changed the center horse's coloring (he was grey) and it looks a little surreal, but i like that - the whole concept is a little bit abnormal, anyway. i painted his mane and tail (>.<), and i painted the lightening bolt (meh). the clouds the grey horse is shrouded in i also painted, and blended into the rest of the sky...in a way i'm actually sort of pleased with.

thank you much to stock providers! your credits are on the image. -hugs-

please let me know what you think, and remember to respect this and all art by not stealing anything.

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