It really is amazing the heights a single symbol can reach. I myself have never smoked any substance, yet the traditional cigarette is never far from my mind in various trains of thought. A symbol of cool, danger, disregard, calm, stress, thinking, relaxation, anticipation, recreation, exclusivity, last wishes, and death.
I think a lot about symbols when I draw, which I mentioned briefly in a previous post. Cartoon and comic stylings are caricatures, they rely on exaggeration to emphasize emotions, traits, and much more. There is a sentiment I frequently recall that goes something like, ‘Humans are extremely unimaginative creatures.’ Not stopping to think about how accurate that statement may be, I think this does well to explain why we so readily symbolize things.
Red tends to symbolize danger or a bullseye. Bows tend to symbolize accuracy. Bears tend to symbolize strength. Cartoons and comics tend to symbolize humor. I’m working on that last one.
It is interesting to me when symbols get confused or misread. The ‘blindfolded marksman’, whether it be an archer, gunman or knife-thrower, is a symbol of accuracy, confidence, showmanship; yet in my head, perhaps lacking confidence in my fellow man, a blindfolded marksman is certain doom.
I have tried for years to get myself to practice drawing and storytelling, but it would never stick. I tried to tell myself to improve before putting creative efforts out in the public eye, but I could not wait any longer, though I place a lot of stock in ‘putting one’s best foot forward.’ For the tiny handful of human and/or AI accounts currently following me (I love you all and cannot thank you enough!), the efforts of the last couple of weeks likely symbolize at least some small amount of effort and drive, but for me the last couple of weeks symbolize the potential for a future where I do not wake every day annoyed by the concept of work. That is a powerful symbol, and I will make use of every other symbol in my arsenal to get there.
AutumnalFoxFire 
Leave a comment