At Last

“Together one day soon we will all meet again and god willing, embrace those we love. Together we will watch poppies blowing in the wind, Hear the sweet sound of birds singing, Bask openly in the warmth of the sun. This will happen and when it does, let’s pause, take a moment and appreciate the sheer wonder of it all.” -Mackenzie Thorpe

In this limited edition print for sale, Mackenzie Thorpe shows two figures, running towards each other with open arms as if they are getting ready for an embrace. The larger figure on the left is meant to represent a father and the smaller figure on the right is his child. The father is wearing the plain, dark clothing and sturdy shoes that Thorpe uses in his artworks to signify a working class man. Thorpe draws his figures with big shoes as a reminder for us to stay grounded and to never let our egos get too big. The child is wearing Thorpe’s signature hooded duffle coat and is presenting the father with a vibrant, red heart shaped flower. The pair may not have much else to give, but they have their love for eachother.

The figures do not have faces as the audience is meant to picture themselves in this image. Thorpe wants the pair to represent someone that the viewer knows, maybe a reflection of his own relationship with his father or child. They are not given any recognizable features as they are meant to be a metaphor for a loving relationship, regardless of age, race, or background. Each figure lifts one leg into the air as if they are dancing and about to run into each other’s arms. The image is filled with joy and their love is palpable. Perhaps the father just came home from a long day at work or a trip where he was absent for a more significant amount of time. This scene is their first meeting after being separated.

This artwork is fairly minimal and devoid of any color other than the red heart flower. Thorpe believes that adding color to a piece sometimes takes away from the deeper meaning. With this artwork, he wanted the message to be the strongest element. By leaving the background blank, the viewers can use their imaginations to further relate to the image. They can place these figures in an environment of their choosing. Thorpe wants to show that although someone’s situation may be bleak, they can always have hope and continue to give love to everyone they encounter.

This Mackenzie Thorpe artwork, along with several others, is available for purchase at Marcus Ashley Gallery in Lake Tahoe. With over 18 years of business and 40+ artists on exhibit, Marcus Ashley Gallery is one of Lake Tahoe’s premier fine art destinations. The gallery shares a deep love for the artists that they represent, as well as the Sierras. Marcus Ashley Gallery is one of the best destinations for art collectors and Tahoe visitors to browse, learn about, and shop for fine art.