Waiting With Love

“The fragility of the soul is like a fish in a glass jar. You must protect it at all times, nurture and care for it. You must also be aware that once your soul is out of the jar, it is vulnerable to the dangers of the world.” -Mackenzie Thorpe

In this limited edition print for sale, Mackenzie Thorpe illustrates a central figure sitting at the base of a large heart shaped flower. The child is drawn in Thorpe’s signature style, wearing a dark hooded duffle coat and sturdy shoes. Framing this image are the words, “I will live forever under the shelter of your love”, in Thorpe’s own cursive handwriting.

The child is drawn without a face or any other recognizable features so that the viewer can picture himself or someone he may know, like his own child, in this image. Thorpe wants the viewers to relate as much as possible to his work, regardless of their background or appearance. He wants to spread a universal message of love and hope that transcends across any cultural barriers.

The child is holding a small blue fish in a glass jar, a theme that recurs in Thorpe’s work just like the vibrant red hearts. It is meant to represent the child’s soul, as it is nurtured and protected by family and friends while he is still a child. However, once out of the jar and into the world, the child is vulnerable to the hardships and struggles of everyday life. It’s important to protect his vulnerable soul as long as possible.

Oftentimes, Thorpe paints these children with so little that they do not even have a shadow. Although he might think that he does not have much to give, he has everything because his heart is full of love. He has so much to offer if he is given the chance to show it. Thorpe wants to communicate the innocence of children and their ability to spread love and joy.

Thorpe utilizes the finest pure pigment pastels as seen in the vibrant reds, greens and blue in this image. They provide a lovely contrast to the plain whie background. He does not draw a landscape in some of his more graphic compositions as he wants the viewer to use their imagination to further relate to this image. This child could be in any and every environment as he is experiencing a universal truth.

Mackenzie Thorpe’s unique style and his unbridled passion for art and connecting with people is clear in this limited edition print for sale. His global language of emotion has the ability to communicate with people from many backgrounds and cultures. This iconic Mackenzie Thorpe artwork, along with several other artworks, is available for sale at the Marcus Ashley Gallery in South Lake Tahoe. The gallery invites you to visit and share your love of art with them, explore the great wilderness of the Sierras, and find yourself at a home away from home.