Rise
No one is coming to save you
This echoes in my mind when I am up against challenges that push me to my limits.
It's a reminder that the only path to improving your life is taking responsibility for it.
Take the weight of your world on your shoulders and tie yourself to it.
I wasted many precious years pretending like I was a victim. I blamed circumstances and a rough upbringing for my problems.
I was too afraid to admit that I could fix the flaws within me. This changed once I hit rock bottom and couldnt hide from reality anymore.
I decided to get stronger so I can rise above these challenges. This way I will be able to carry an even heavier load, which makes life more fulfilling.
I am inspired by an essay written by Albert Camus about the Myth of Sisyphus in which he states.
“The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart, one must imagine Sisyphus happy”
To me this is the most profound and true statement about the human experience.
External results are fleeting while grappling with a worthy goal inspires the human heart.
Relaxation used to be the goal because I thought it was a symbol of wealth. Now I know that a wealthy life is about taking on challenges that push you to grow.
The spark of life ignites into an inferno when facing challenges.
So take the reins of your life and give it everything you have got, because what is the alternative?
This piece is a reinterpretation of the myth of Sisyphus who is eternally condemned to roll a boulder uphill, only to watch it roll back down.
It is thought of as a curse but it's a great metaphor for life, ultimately we all die and in the macro life might seem meaningless. But! In the micro you can find beauty and purpose.
In this illustration the character has chosen to tie the boulder or planet to their back and become one with it. The boulder is the symbol for the burdens and responsibilities that are cast upon us.
It was important to me that the drawing felt dynamic to capture how nimble you have to be to deal with the ever changing flow of life.
I decided to include some snakes in the corner as a reminder that sometimes danger and fear can be great motivators to improve your life, because sometimes finding passion is too difficult.
Thank you so much for letting me share my work with you!
