Aquarius: Airwaves and Sea Breeze
Digital, 2020
Part of a series of twelve images I plan to create relating to astrological signs, this piece is based on Aquarius. Through this series I want to explore astrological symbolism in ways that are different than how I have typically seen them being done.
Contrary to popular assumption, Aquarius falls under the ruling element of air—not of water. But perhaps certain assumptions are not always misguided. Sky and water are both blue and clear. Surely if birds can dive through air and fish can fly through water, then water can rise as gas and air can fall as moisture.
Aquarius is about currents and cycles. The universe revolves with rhythms, and our ocean tides and air streams are linked to them. Such sequences gather, and they dispense. Aquarians are dreamers, thinkers, and intellects—they are a sea of knowledge, and a sky of stars. The height of their ideas is formed through the depth of their knowledge. Always a proponent for equality, the water they bear, and pour, will always settle into a level surface, touching upon all of the high points, as well as the low ones.
The reading of a horoscope can be very similar to the interpretation of a work of visual art, or to religious scripture, myths, and legends; each of us brings to them what our life experiences deem relevant to their interpretation. Early in history, there was little or no difference between astronomy and astrology, science and belief. With this piece, I hope to blur the lines between astrology and astronomy, reality and perception, fact and fantasy. I have attempted to merge planets with people, chart orbital life cycles, connect stars to construct meaning, and illuminate beliefs through heaven-bound gazes.
ABOUT THE PROGRESSION IMAGES:
This image is created digitally utilizing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
This image is created digitally utilizing Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
After a lengthy process of conducting research, making sketches, and experimenting with composition I carefully draw and stylize the shapes which are then scanned into the computer and traced into paths using Illustrator.
In Photoshop, I use the templates I created in Illustrator as artwork in channels which I then manipulate in order to create complex selections. Leveraging layers and painting tools, I paint through the selections and carefully build up the layers to form the final image.
