Interference

This portrait was commissioned by Kyro, the depicted Character's name being Snowpine. There are as many different types of characters in the fandom as there are furries, but I will credit Kyro with first giving me the idea of using one's character similarly to an "other-self" in meditation. (Yes, I'm a freak who meditates. Wanna see me float?)

If it has ever occured to you that we often place ourselves in dualities such as extro-and introversion, left and right, above and below, conscious and unconscious, waking and sleeping, then the concept of an overlap or unification may be interesting.

In the way Kyro has spoken to me about his own self-development, he conceived of himself as connected to a different self. There are a few ways this concept can be talked about, though I would like to read more before I write on it directly. What matters for this image is that Kyro worked hard to integrate these two sides into one. The result is this character, signified by the vesica pisces behind her head; a mandorlaesque gate. Basically two circles overlapping. I was inspired by the Thoth Tarot Empress, a card which symbolizes a strong, loving creativity. That card is a bridge between fundamental, opposite forces, which is what Kyro's description of his experiences evoked in me.

The execution of the picture follows this idea, either circle rippling outward in blue or green. These two two hues were chosen to show their close relation - I’m not attempting to distinguish which sphere is higher or lower. Although they are light sources, they don’t work in a realistic way: what should be lit by the green circle is tinged blue, and vice versa. An example of the counterchange I like to play with. It is the overlap between the circles that creates an opposite colour. Said more poetically, the pattern of wave interference forms the psyche manifest. The Empress is dressed in what she issues forth. She is the Door. To step through her is to know formlessness. And if that sounds too vague, I would blame the esoteric foundation on which this picture is laid, and moreso my refusal to pose as someone who has mastered such a difficult concept. Not even the little I actually said I can guarantee to be 100% correct. I’d only like to point out her translucency, and leave it there.

Considering that Snowpine is white, I see this job as a step forward in colour use. It was pretty risky. Kyro approached me with the intent to commission an illustration-tier piece, but I convinced him to divide it into two phases. One, since there wasn’t a firm design sheet yet, for creating a reference we would shake hands on. Two, an artistic freedom portrait - meaning I could not allow myself to reveal my colour idea until it was done. It took courage on both our ends, but I can barely describe the exhilaration at implementing an explicit reference to a Tarot card for the first time. I do not take it lightly. Although Tarot-themed commissions are not uncommon, I remain cautious about offering them outright. On top of my own limited understanding, I am wary of them coming off as prescriptive. (Ironically, I’m  describing the content of my art without feeling the same.) Kyro opened up to me, otherwise this would not have happened. (Thank you so fucking much man.)

This artwork has been available for viewing for almost a month on my Discord Server. Unfortunately, Patreon posts take a while to write sometimes. If you would like an invite there, check your DMs or feel free to poke me anywhere :) Though of course not everyone has a Discord account, so I am considering a Telegram channel or Dropbox folder. More news on that when I make a move ASAP :) wishing everyone a cozy December until then!