The Phoenix and the Volcano


The PhoenixThe Illustration Friday prompt for this week is Wings. Iโ€™ve tried all sorts of different ways to illustrate wings, using birds, butterflies, angels, hairstylesโ€ฆ but then accidentally settled on the idea of a Phoenix. One of my favourite mythical birds is the Phoenix, usually depicted rising from the ashes. Iโ€™ve gone for a volcano this time, at just the point of an immense eruption the bird is freed; but the question must be asked did the bird cause the eruption in the first place?

The volcano was actually an after-thought, pretty much similar to the Phoenix itself. Itโ€™s funny how things just come out of the blue like that at times, isnโ€™t it?

Incidentally, the prompt for last week, which I never got round to completing, was Myth. So, I may as well use this entry as one for both, even though Wings gets it.

I do like it when things come together!

24 responses to “The Phoenix and the Volcano”

  1. shreejacob avatar

    Oo hairstyles??? I’m still chewing on the Wings entry right now..not too sure what I want to draw…the Phoenix was definitely there on the list too. Love the drawing..it’s so bright and filled with vigour ! To me it looks like the volcano caused the bird to break free and fly! Sometimes that is what it takes in our live…so something to come along, shake us up and make us explode with our full potential! ๐Ÿ˜€

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Hi Shree!
      I’m in two minds as to how the Phoenix got free, but I like the idea of him being given a ‘gentle push’ in the right direction! ๐Ÿ˜‰
      I’m looking forward to see what you come up with!
      Oh, and I have no idea where the hairstyles idea came from… :S

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      1. shreejacob avatar

        I actually thought that the hairstyles was really brilliant and totally just like you to think out of the box!!! (which is a compliment!!!! :D)

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        1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

          And thank you very much! ๐Ÿ˜€
          My ‘hairstyle’ doesn’t have wings. Never. Just thought I’d mention it…

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  2. mairedubhtx avatar

    I love the illustration for both Wings and Myth. I’ve always loved the Phoenix. For me it represents hope from chaos and destruction, both of which I’ve experienced in my life. Fly, Phoenix! Fly!

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Hi Mary, yes, to me the Phoenix represents freedom and energy… and release!

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  3. Deb avatar

    You just keep getting better all the time. Love this! ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thanks, Deb. This one just ‘evolved’, but I enjoyed creating it!

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  4. Sue Dreamwalker avatar

    Very clever to combine the two.. and out of the ashes too ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      A moment of sheer inspiration, Sue! When those sparks fire, I’m away! ๐Ÿ˜€

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  5. Andra Watkins avatar

    I love the little look of surprise on its face, Tom.

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thanks, Andra – you’re right! He is surprised!
      That was unintentional, I’ll admit, but I suppose after being cooped up inside a volcano and you finally get free, there would be an element of surprise there!
      Quite a few of my characters have surprised looks on their faces, thinking about it… hmmm, I wonder what they’re trying to tell me…

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  6. prenin avatar

    Good picture Tom! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Yes, a bird rising from the flames of a volcano – very appropriate! ๐Ÿ™‚

    God Bless!

    Prenin.

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thanks, Prenin. I don’t know what ‘sparked’ the volcano idea, but it seems to work!

      Like

  7. lameadventures avatar

    So, from the volcano rise the phoenix, Tom? Hm. This brings to mind an old Harry Truman (a former US president during the early stages of the Cold War) quote, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Or, if applied to this drawing, “If you can’t take the heat get out of the volcano.”

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      I always knew that phrase as a line in a song, LA, but something in the back of my mind kept telling me I’d heard it before. So, it’s a Harry Truman quote! I’ll remember that for future reference!
      The thing is, if you can’t take the heat in the kitchen, a volcano is certainly the last place you’d want to be!

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  8. europasicewolf avatar

    Your ideas just rise like a phoenix out of the ashes!!! ๐Ÿ™‚

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    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Sometimes they do, Icewolf… and sometimes I have to drag them out, or dig them up, or ‘encourage’ them out another way. Sometimes they just don’t want to play… ๐Ÿ˜ฆ

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      1. europasicewolf avatar

        Bribery and corruption! Works everytime! Failing that threaten them with a serious dunking in your hair gel ๐Ÿ˜€ That should do the trick nicely ๐Ÿ™‚

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        1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

          Good tip – I shall try that the next time they refuse to budge!

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  9. Let's CUT the Crap! avatar

    The Pheonix. PERFECT! Love this.

    Like

    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thanks, Tess. I’m pleased that you like it! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  10. The Hook avatar
    1. Tom (Aquatom1968) avatar

      Thank you! ๐Ÿ˜€

      Like

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