Symbolism & Technique

Today I finished a new watercolor painting titled, "Balance & Chaos." I implemented a lot of symbolism and a couple of techniques I've learned during my independent manuscript studies that I would like to share. I don't normally tend to explain the symbolism or backstories behind my paintings, but I made this one intending to reveal its secret meanings. I hope you enjoy this art piece and its secrets!

This is the full painting. The center is quite busy while I kept the bordering simple.

Under the archway in the center of the painting is a diapré background."Diapré" is the French term for variegated and it stands for this type of multicolored pattern which can especially be found in Gothic illumination. I love the way this looks in illuminated manuscripts so I decided to try and do it for myself.

The next element I borrowed from my studies is a depiction of a girdle book! A girdle book is a portable tome often attached to a belt. Historically, these were meant to be used for private devotion/use and most were copies of the Book of Hours. However, there are examples of secular/medical girdle books as well. I fashioned this one into the figure's personal Book of Shadows.(I really want a girdle book, myself!)

Focusing on the figure, I was inspired by Baphomet. Baphomet is a symbol/deity that I've had an interest in since I got into spirituality as a teenager. I believe a lot of people have a negative reaction when they see Baphomet due to some of their associations, but I see Baphomet more as a figure of balance and the beholder of powerful energy and wisdom. Though Baphomet is often depicted sitting, I made them stand while they actively try to control the elements in the center of the painting while the border symbols attempt to throw everything off kilter.

In the upper left corner is the wheel of Fortune.

In the upper right corner is the skull of Death.

In the lower right corner is the hand of Fate.

And in the lower left corner is the hourglass of Time.

Fortune, Death, Fate, and Time are all uncontrollable forces that threaten to take away Baphomet's balance.

Life is sometimes so chaotic and it's hard to find peace and serenity. In the pandemic and in our personal lives, so many forces are against our own balance which can be very stressful and scary. This painting is a reminder that although it's uncomfortable to be uncertain and thrown off course, it is a normal part of life. Chaos sometimes gets the upper hand but balance comes back to center it all. One cannot exist without the other.

~Nikolai Sergei Razumov