Artist: Kevin Wasden
Title: Two for Joy
Medium: Oil on chipboard
Size: 5" x 7" (~8" x 12" framed)
Price: $300.00
Artist Statement:
Since childhood, I’ve been drawn to the strange and wondrous—tales of fairies, dragons, and all that dwells at the frontiers of folklore and fable. As a professional illustrator, I’ve had the privilege of working on numerous high fantasy books and games, bringing to life warriors, wizards, and the occasional brooding elf. My personal work, however, tends to be quieter and more symbolic, shaped by the influence of writers like George MacDonald and Julio Cortázar.
 
This piece was inspired by the nursery rhyme One for Sorrow, which originated in 18th-century Britain. The rhyme is thought to be connected to ornithomancy—the practice of interpreting omens based on bird behavior—a tradition deeply rooted in many cultures. In British and European folklore, magpies in particular have long been associated with superstition and symbolism. The rhyme reflects the belief that the number of magpies one encounters can foretell different outcomes or fortunes.
 
In both my professional and personal work, I’m always searching for that space where myth meets meaning—where visual storytelling stirs something ancient and intimate. Whether through sweeping epic scenes or quiet, symbolic moments, my goal is to create images that resonate beyond the page—offering not just a glimpse of another world, but a deeper reflection of our own.