What started out as a random doodle on a page of a sketchbook, developed into a graphic symbol of which I even have tattooed on my left inner wrist. It’s a reminder for me of peace, love and empathy always. I may waver from these from time to time (nobody is perfect) but they are really my core values to live by and what I hold dear.
Here is the original doodle in amongst a page of other random stuff. During these doodle sessions I tend to just spew out onto the page whatever is going on in my brain. That day, some 7 years ago I think, out popped this.
Developing further, I produced this piece. In a similar vein it aims to show peace, love, equality and freedom.
Some time after this, I was thumbnailing some art print ideas to sell. The seed of the composition depicted a variety shapes and objects. However, in the end the original peace sign and heart was all I wanted to include. Drawn with thick Posca pens I kept things simple and graphic. The message was simple so the execution would need to be too. How did I feel though? I didn’t like it funnily enough. The print I intended to sell lived in my draw then for a few months. I had no idea what I would do with it.
After some time, after forgetting about it, I found it in a draw and fell in love with it again. I put online to sell and it was snapped up within half an hour! Great I thought. With a new found love for this symbol I created, and feeling inspired that someone wanted to buy it, I then began to produce other products.
Over the years, I have produced prints, jumpers, t-shirts and enamel pins with this mark on. The pins sell quite well tbf, which is nice. Around 2020 / 2021 I collaborated with the lovely Sue Lewry and together we produced an alternative version of my original design. It’s available for purchase here on Sue’s site.
The final iteration (so far) is the tattooed version I have on my left wrist. When I first doodled it I had no idea it would become the symbolic mark I needed in life. Living with various life long mental health issues, this symbol is a daily reminder of calm towards others and most importantly for myself.
Thanks for reading. Pete :)
