Physique Artist Karen Haub | Icarus | Mixed Media

One could say this piece is inspired by the idea of inspiration. Acting on inspiration can be a very courageous undertaking. In some ways one must be fearless; whether it is the relatively simple act of finding your creative voice, changing your life in a way that is unfamiliar to you, or if it is undertaking a potentially life threatening task in order to push the realms of possibility. While the story of Icarus is a cautionary tale about pride, I created this piece of artwork in order to focus on that victorious moment in which Icarus has conquered his fears and flown to heights that no else has ever dared.

In this piece, Icarus is taking his victorious breath, just as we all do when we are inspired enough to conquer our fears. The birds flying with him are both alarmed and joyful. The heat of the sun is above him, and the cool water in blues below symbolize what is to come. The closely cropped composition suggests he is breaking out of the confines and restrictions of his life and soaring to new possibilities. This quote by Theodore Roosevelt sums up the theme of my work: ” Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

I chose to work in mixed media, charcoal and pastel on an encaustic gesso ground, because I felt the rich blacks of the charcoal and bright whites of the conté were more dramatic on the slightly sticky ground.

Call For Artists

If you are passionate about art collecting and would like to buy this beautiful artwork, give our Los Angeles art galleries a call. Our art gallery is a wonderful place for art collectors.

Our owner and curator is portrait photographerLinnea Lenkus who has a passion for high quality art. Check out her latest art gallery in Southern California.