This project was inspired William Blake's book* which showed two contrary states of the human soul: an Innocent state of naivety maturing into an Experienced state that comes from learning as we progress through life. This project is a short 16-page book, showing two pages at a time of an "Innocent" state then an "Experienced" state.
9x12" and 11x14" Mixed Media** on archival Bristol Paper
I hope you enjoy this series and that it speaks to you in some way. I've offered brief interpretations however these interpretations are not the only ones possible and you should let the art speak to you.
Dreams (Innocence) - 9x12
Awaken (Experience) - 9x12
Dreams / Awaken: A dream world can be bliss, but awakening is necessary to truly experience the world.
Trust (Innocence) - 9x12
Betrayal (Experience) - 9x12
Trust / Betrayal : Trust is difficult sometimes, and the experience of being betrayed is not easily forgotten.
Noise (Innocence) - 11x14
Silence (Experience) 11x14
Noise / Silence: A mind can be filled with the constant noise of life; however, learning to silence the noise through experience can bring serenity to a mind in chaos.
Doubt (Innocence) - 11x14
Hope (Experience) - 11x14
Doubt / Hope***: While it is easy to doubt one's self or the success of a particular situation, through experience we can recognize opportunities that are difficult to see and have hope for the future.
Adversity (Innocence) - 9x12
Determination (Experience) - 9x12
Adversity / Determination****: Adversity can lead to a feeling of being overwhelmed, however through experience we can find ways to work through it if we apply determination.
Lust (Innocence) - 11x14
Contentment (Experience) 11x14
Lust / Contentment: It's easy to lust over material possessions, other people and even power; however if we learn to experience contentment we may be able to realize greater happiness than if we had acquired those things.
Wonder (Innocence) - 9x12
Love (Experience) - 9x12
Wonder / Love: Sometimes a person can wonder what love is when they are innocent, however through experience a person may be able to realize what they truly love.
Birth (Innocence) - 9x12
The Road Ahead (Experience) - 9x12
Birth / The Road Ahead: As humans, we are born to this world; it is a milestone for the child as well as the parents. Beyond this, there is a road ahead that you will not travel alone, be it the birds in the air or a shadow that lingers behind you.
Road Ahead Prints - SOLD OUT
Footnotes
*Blake's book is available freely online at Project Gutenberg. It mixes poetry and artwork and was published in the late 1700's and started the Romantic literary movement. It's one of my favorite books.
**The process combines using xylene to partially transfer an image to the paper, then using charcoal to further enhance certain areas such as faces to provide more detail. UV protectant and (sometimes) acetone washes are also used. The process is much more involved than I can talk about here; after developing it I gave a 20-minute lecture at Oregon Society of Artists in 2018 detailing it for other artists.
***Hope's original piece has been custom framed with UV 99% glass. Because of the high end custom framing, the sale price is $175. Prints of this piece come with an extra amount of white border surrounding the piece to allow for easier framing.
****Adversity and Determination are 9x12" original but the prints are printed with extra white space, bringing them to 11x14" actual size. The pieces may be trimmed to a smaller size provided the artwork isn't cut, or framed as 11x14's.
