Tribute

birthday present is a little more grand and elaborate this year ^-^* ( Posting this now, because I'll totally forget to tomorrow XD)

For years I've been meaning to shape the perfect series to describe how much ShiroiiShitsuji means to me. I've tried to say it in just words, but the meaning has always fallen short a bit.
Before I met ShiroiiShitsuji I was a cruel, aggressive, and all around terrible adolescent. When I met her I was extremely sullen and conscious of the sort of person I was and I took it out on myself constantly. I wouldn't let myself talk or even look at anyone in hopes of not hurting them. In short I was really withdrawn and miserable - I started getting pretty severe panic attacks and couldn't stand to be in large crowds for more than 10 minutes.

I actually knew of ShiroiiShitsuji ages before I properly introduced myself, but somebody had told me she lived in a family setting similar to mine, same interests, and about my age. But she was sweeter, more interesting, and just incredible. I wasn't ever rwar jealous at her, but she was just what I could be if I cared enough. Every time I sat next to her she encouraged me to open up and drew something for me. I tried to do anything that made me remotely like her, I tried to cook, sew, sing, everything she did; and when she said she liked one of my drawings - that's what I stuck with. By the time I started college I made a habit of drawing anytime I was stressed or nervous, and I had gotten good enough for art to be something I wanted to pursue. And that's where we are now. Even though we may be miles apart and aren't able to talk much, in the six years I've known her she has never stopped inspiring to be a better artist and a better person.


"Eww, mushy realism, let's talk about the series!" -.-* very well
Technically this is schoolwork (surprise, surprise) for a portfolio building class at my school. The requirements were pretty wiggly and it was essentially a self-paced class, although at midterms half of our artwork that was completed shown publicly. The narrative starts at the smallest piece (the top middle) and splits to meet at the bottom.
The story follows two winged adolescents as the grow and meet with similar difficulties. They are born into a world where their wings are physical manifestations of their strength of will. The girl (Gira) is seeing excelling at flying and is accepted into society, while the boy (Kai) falters and is rejected. In the final picture (which is not that easily seen) Kai is on the edge of the building about to take flight, his wings are obviously not in the right proportion to take his weight, needless to say he means to kill himself. Gira is caught in a moment of surprise as she sights him - but with her larger wing span it will be difficult to maneuver to him before he jumps.

My class peeps were very excited about the idea of this being a children's illustrated short story. However, I decided against it simply because I think if I were to do it, the concept itself is lost.
The idea, as I meant it, revolves around perception, that things may not be as seen. The things we feel interact with how things are. What if Kai's wings grew to an average size and he refused to see it? What if Gira's confidence led her to see her wings as mightier than they really were? What if, for the sake of argument, the wings are simply a metaphor?

So that's that. I had a bit of difficulty with all the different media I used, but really you don't care because that was quite a bit of reading to get through. So I'll just stop while I'm ahead.

I hope you like your birthday present Ed!

Media: Watercolor, chalk pastel, oil pastel, micron pens and brush

p.s. And yes, that is me.