“Growing Apart, Together"

I’ve been a huge fan of Pirate Life and the stuff (beers) that they put out for years and when they chose me to be included in their esteemed Artist Series line of beers I jumped at the chance.

When it comes to beers it doesn’t get much darker than a delicious, syrup-y Imperial Stout such as the one that was to accompany my piece. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about my art, and ironically the concept behind this piece has a darkness of it’s own.

I had this unfinished idea sitting in my sketchbook for quite some time of a hand with branches growing through it and tearing it apart from the inside-out. Sounds morbid already right?
well, then the global pandemic hit and this idea of growing apart became, for many people, the new reality. It all clicked together once I added the mirrored arm and the drawing became, for me, a symbol of this shared sate of being forced apart from the things we love and person we are.

2021