EVOLUTION / DESTINY

I wasn’t planning anything of any great importance when I set out to draw this one. It took me by surprise! All I wanted to do was see if I could draw something using steps as a foundational theme.

The natural path of Evolution and Destiny

So I drew a simple set of steps, played around with stripes and angles … and all of a sudden, all these silly people came crawling out of my pen!

The top ones appeared first, and I thought, ooohh, look! I wonder what they’re celebrating! The sun was out, and hundreds of birdies flew all around!

Then I saw the next ones down, dancing together, having a ball breaking the fun meter.

Then under that, the ones lower down began climbing up the steps! The bottomest climbing one didn’t have enough juice to get to the next step, so his friend tried to push him from behind. He’s very careful to avoid hurting the other one who is trying to get up from the side.

It didn’t hit me until later how this looks just like the way I’ve felt as I have evolved through problems and issues and obstacles in my own life. At first, no juice, worry, fear, and weakness, but as I grew through the problem, I could gather more energy and finally succeed and celebrate at the top.

I also like how it illustrates the fact that we are never really as alone as we think we are – seems like there’s always at least one kind person to support us at any juncture – and even dance with us as we grow.

And even the Universe has a party when we reach the summit – the sun glows and spins, the birdies whirl and sing, and the air is bright and yellow, like a fresh, sharp, beach breeze clearing the debris from the storm.

I kept it black and white because I liked the severity and humor of it so much as it was. I didn’t want to complicate it with color. Well, you know I like black and white anyway, right?

But then I thought it would be fun to see it like a Toile de Jouey piece, so I tried it in both aqua and light smoky blue, which is the one you see here.

What do you think?

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