Love & Life

“Flowers are a symbol of love. For me, love is the most important thing, nothing else comes close. All of the riches in the world cannot compare to the love I share with my family. However, like a delicate flower, love can be easily crushed through purpose or neglect. Yet still, in the hottest desert or the highest mountain, a flower will find a way to grow. No matter how you cover a seed, the flower will find a way to survive. And if you put it in a nice pot with sunshine and water, you’ll end up with a bush which will grow and blossom, leading to many flowers.” -Mackenzie Thorpe

In this limited edition Mackenzie Thorpe print for sale, a single, childlike figure sits on top of an enormous heart shaped flower that fills the entire image. The child is wearing a dark duffle coat and large sturdy shoes. Oftentimes, Thorpe draws his figures with so little that they do not even have a shadow. They seem to have nothing to give except their love and positivity, but for Thorpe, that’s everything they could need.

Thorpe expertly blends the pure color pigment that he uses in his work, often utilizing his hands and fingers as extensions of the pastels. The background of this image is a serene and calming blue sky without a single cloud. The lush green of the flower’s stem and vibrant red heart clearly stand out against the simple background. There’s an overwhelming sense of joy and positivity in this image, like the nostalgia of a summer day.

Thorpe often draws his figures without a face or any other distinguishable characteristics. This figure is meant to represent any and every child, regardless of race, age, gender, or economic status. He wants the viewers to be able to relate to the image, to see themselves in it or perhaps someone that they know. The child looks up into the sky with a sense of wonder as if he is dreaming of a bright future. We may not be able to see his face, but his body language tells us that he is hopeful, filled with wonder and excited about the possibilities that the future may hold. He’s playful and ready to share his love with anyone who may cross his path.

Mackenzie Thorpe’s iconic and unique style has the ability to communicate across cultures with people from any background because he draws on the raw emotions of life. His unbridled passion for the artworld brings joy to anyone who sees his artwork. This limited edition print, along with several other Mackenzie Thorpe artworks, is available for sale at Marcus Ashley Gallery in South Lake Tahoe. Marcus Ashley is a premier fine art destination, exhibiting 40+ of the world’s most renowned artists of our time. With a hundred years of combined experience in the art world, the owners, staff, custom framers, and art consultants all work hard to make their clients’ dreams come true.