Four Elements - Duir by @Jocarra (Jen Philpot)

I've been wanting to do an Elements series for a long time, despite it being a bit unoriginal or cliched, but by the time I actually began working on it, I realized that this wouldn't be a normal "Four Elements" series at all.

Rather than each image being based around one of the four classical elements of earth/water/air/fire, each image is instead based around four -characters-, each represented by one classical element, one Celtic plant, and one animal...

EARTH Earth represents practicality, stability, constancy, and realism, full of endurance and strength. Though often stubborn and resistant to change, dependability, diligence and a pragmatic, rational, no-nonsense approach to life are among its greatest strengths.

OAK The oak, as suggested by its impressive expanse, was considered by the Celts to represent life, strength, power, and endurance, honoured and admired for its regal presence. Oak also represents wisdom - there are accounts that trace the name "druid" to "duir," the Celtic term for the oak. More interestingly, the actual translation of duir is "door," and lore indicates the spiritually advanced Celts would access the ethereal planes of higher thought by "opening the oak door."

DRAGON The dragon, though varying in appearance and symbology across cultures, invariably represents strength and primordial power. Dragon is aloof and solitary by some accounts, and wise and helpful by others, but almost always steeped in magic and imagination.

The model for this element is my boyfriend, and by his request, a second animal was added.

STAG The stag represents watchfulness and man's pursuit of spiritual transcendence - the Celts saw the stag as an otherworldy messenger. Stag is also a powerful symbol of nature, fertility, and grace.

I, unfortunately, do not have a better photo than this blurry one here. The original itself almost did not survive - when I went to apply fixative to the graphite, it soaked into the ink portions and bled everywhere. Thankfully, the damage was limited and I touched it up with a little acyrlic. Moral of the story? Don't use fixative on ink!

~20 hours graphite, kneadable eraser, ink, and a little bit of acrylic on canvas