The Adolescent and The Tiger

There is this triad of paintings I started, say...4 years ago. I finished the first one in June of 2006. The Girl Behind The Tiger.

At that time I was in a transitional place, finally admitting to myself that the arts are where I belong and transferring from the Chemistry Department to Graphic Design. Now, I'm self taught for the most part, and I'd only ever drawn for myself as a hobby and release. Before I had been afraid that passion would be lost when it became my job. I was newly shed of the fear and inhibitions and was starting out in a new life. That acceptance inspired and motivated several things. My giant paintings were done later that year.

This is a series based on ones self-confidence.

The first one, The Girl Behind The Tiger, was about beginnings and shyness:

"We've all had to deal with building self-confidence. Being confident in ourselves and in our art. This is the first picture in the series of 3: The Girl Behind The Tiger.

It is a picture depicting Shyness. She is a girl, despite how I have portrayed her. The girl has a small amount of confidence that you wouldn't see it unless you were her closest friends; thus the smirk and red shirt hinting at a boldness within. She hides herself from the world. A long sleeve shirt, pants, sunglasses… It’s all a disguise. She hasn’t opened up yet. She’s dependent on the people around her, hesitating because of what others might think or because of a fear of being rejected, embarrassed, sounding silly, or making a mistake. She is just starting out on the world, a little lost and at times confused, but making her way just the same."

So after I finished that picture I started working on the next, The Adolescent and The Tiger. But the project shortly died off. I got about half way through before I stopped working on it all together. Last night I dug up the old file and finished it. Changed the background, fixed some coloring, moved things about a bit.

The Adolescent and The Tiger is all about growth and the balance of things, a budding of confidence and self worth refining her into a strong person. She is no longer hiding behind, but is equal to the tiger. She may stumble at times and is still effected by events around her, but the way forward is lit.

When I was developing this the concept of confidence tied closely to clothing, as if what was outside reflected the vibrance within. And so, with growth we shed our protective layers and become truer to ourselves. That is why the girl becomes nude. Laid bare to the world in all ways. That is why in this second picture she is topless, and out in the open, but still covering herself.

She hasn't reached that moment where the world is hers and she exudes confidence. That will be the last picture of the triad, Woman with a Tiger. Or at least, it will be if I ever finish the set.


***because it's been so long since I started this I lost the reference links, so please let me know so I can credit you if you see your stock. The model is from lockstock.