Capricorn as my 3rd house takes on an aspect of understanding the endurance it takes to achieving something. The 3rd house has a lot of associations with it, short travel, peers, early schooling, and communication.
Symbolism
Frame with Crown, waves, and rain. I wanted this to capture some of the more somber moods of Capricorn, ruled by Saturn it represents discipline and where we are meant to learn lessons. The path to mastery represented by the crown often requires lessons to be learned in order to reach the end goal. The waves and rain help to point to the ebbs and flows that accompany this process.
The car represents the idea of travel and spreading of information. The aspect of motion as well and how all things that we want to achieve in life require us to take at least one small step forward.
The candle represents the subtle light that we try to keep lit when the going gets hard. It’s part of the foreground and an element that I wanted to be brought out.
The clock represents the passing of time and how all great things that are worth it in the long run take time and are accompanied by highs and lows.
Music Eb/C
Songs:
Hard Feelings: Lorde, Somebody That I Used to Know: Gothe, Take Me to Church: Hozier, Sign of the Times: Harry Styles
The songs revealed all of the different symbols while working on this piece. Often the music feels like it has certain shapes to it that I hear from the different effects or instruments used.
The music all shares themes of change, endurance, and emotional maturity. There is a sense of moving forward despite uncertainty.
Reflection
This process of creating these paintings has been during a low mood period which has made it hard at times to push through and stay on schedule. It has meant that I haven’t been able to put the energy that I may have wanted or expected myself into each of the paintings thus far. With this painting I can tell my energy and motivation is beginning to return and it can definitely be seen with the details that are part of this one.
It’s fitting that on the painting about a sign that embodies the practice of patient perseverance is when I start to become more motivated. It takes time to come out of a slump and it’ll come back, but I don’t want to fear the joy and excitement leaving while I’m in it.
How do you continue to work hard when things get difficult?
What is your biggest motivatator?