The Black Rose, 2017

The Black Rose illustration started as a blind contour with a singular fluid stroke done while keeping my pencil down on the page. Halfway through I opened my eyes and liked the look of the drawing. Then with eyes wide open, I began to direct the ...

The Black Rose illustration started as a blind contour with a singular fluid stroke done while keeping my pencil down on the page. Halfway through I opened my eyes and liked the look of the drawing. Then with eyes wide open, I began to direct the illustration in a deliberate way. The final aspect of the image is the figure with its head tilted back and a rose protruding from its mouth. This is where this illustration gets its name from as this is the centre piece of the work. The rose in this illustration represents the concept of emerging stronger from chaos and struggle. Chaos here is represented by the overlapping line work in the middle of the figure. Just as a rose can grow from chaos the enduring spirit of humanity can emerge from strife.