The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
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*edit*
Lol. Just realized that I uploaded the wrong file. Submission is now the correct one with the girls hair complete. Sorry bout that guys. ^-^;

This is my entry for the Wacom Bring Your Vision to Life Contest. It's theme is Good vs evil. As you can see from the title and above verse, what inspired this is Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken.

When I first read the article about this contest I was really excited. Immediately visions of epic battles between gods and devils, beings made of the stuff of nightmares combating creatures of light in the ultimate struggle between good and evil with the fate of the world hanging in the balance popped into my head. I actually even started a piece that was scrapped later as I began to contemplate just what is good vs evil? Is it dark shadows and things of unknown origin hell bent on destruction that makes something evil? Is it light and kindness and what's pleasing to the eye that makes something good? I thought about this a lot and came to the realization that it's our perceptions about things that make them good or evil.

It seems to be generally accepted that at it's most basic when someone thinks of good they may think of things like light, angels, warmth, or that hot popular guy in your math class. Are these things really good?

When people think of evil they may think of Devils/demons, shadow and darkness, that kid wearing black clothes and make up that always sits alone. Are these truly evil?

While most people see these things as separate and clearly defined one should remember that it's not so simple. The line between good and evil is fudged and more often than not there's a lot of gray area one can become lost in.

For examples, angels are good no? But what about Satan? It is said that he was the was the most beautiful angel in heaven therefore, by the ideas of what defines good and evil stated above, Lucifer should be seen as good right? Yet he is mostly seen as being evil because of his choice to try and overthrow heaven. Or let's take the example of that guy in your math class and the goth. Mr. popular embodies all that is good; grades, looks, everything a person could want in a mate. The guy who sits alone kind of scares you and gives off bad vibes. But then you find out, Mr. Perfect is an abuser. He gets off on beating up his girlfriends. He's not as good as you thought right? In fact he's starting to look quite evil compared to your original assumptions. And that guy everyone is afraid of? Turns out he's quite the romantic lavishing kindness and affection on those brave enough to get past their preconceived notions and get to know him.

I guess the point I'm trying to make with this picture and long ass comment is that the struggle between good and evil cannot be so easily defined. Let go of your preconceptions about things and take another look. It's not light or shadow, money and looks or the lack thereof that makes someone good or evil. Ultimately it's the decisions they make on what to say or do that can make them good or evil. Finally to try and tie this all neatly together and explain a bit more about the picture itself here's little bit of insight as to what was going on in my head during the creation of this. I've had a vague, general concept of this piece for awhile now after reading Robert Frost's poem but could never really decide to proceed with it until now. At first glance the girl appears to be heading away from the safer path and towards a much darker and dangerous one. But then you notice the sign. Is it a trick by some mischievious prankster or is it right? Sometimes the well-trod, sunny path is not always the easiest or best. It can disguise just as many evils and pose just as many dangers as the shadowy path full of unknown can. Take from this piece what you will. It can be interpreted in many ways.

Sorry for the freakishly long comment. Didn't mean to get all philosophical on you and if you actually read the entire comment thanks. ^_^ A cookie is in the mail on it's way to you. I hope it makes you think about things you may have never considered before. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it.

Poem(C)Robert Frost
Stock Used:



Brushes:
Nathan Brown [link]
Nail Scratch Font:
misprintedtype [link]

(C) Ashley Speaks 2010
DO NOT in any way reproduce, distribute, claim as your own, modify, alter, sell, or anything else anything within my gallery without my permission!