JOURNEY

JOURNEY, the first part of MARKEL's ODYSSEY series, is a monumental exploration of self-discovery, resilience, and transformation. This large-scale painting serves as a visual manifestation of an internal odyssey—a journey through the trials of life, society’s expectations, and the search for meaning. It is a profound statement on what it means to reclaim oneself after feeling used up and cast aside, confronting the vast possibilities of who we can become when we finally turn inward and give ourselves the attention, love, and patience we deserve.

Full Quote from MARKEL:

"After feeling used up, chewed up, and cast aside by life and society, I found myself asking, 'Who am I really? Do I really know who I am? Do I really know what I’m capable of?' I asked myself who would I be if I gave myself all the time, attention, presence, love, and patience I give to everyone else. What if I didn’t give myself the scraps that I had left? Who would I be? What would I look like? What could my life be? I decided to create a character that would represent that. Looking at the end of my journey from the beginning. And soon I had this being that had been through everything I have been through and more. A being who’s felt everything I’ve felt and more. Dreamed everything I’ve dreamt and more. Accomplished everything I’ve done and more. Suddenly I saw the entirety of the universe and the universe saw me. The great Carl Sagan once said, 'Suddenly the universe has the means in which it understands and explores itself.' I finally understood what it meant. The end lost all finality because the beginning never started. I saw the journey because I had already walked it."

A Monumental Exploration of the Self and the Universe

In JOURNEY, MARKEL brings to life the deeply personal yet universal struggle of self-realization. The painting is a visual narrative that speaks to the cyclical nature of existence, where the end and the beginning blur, and every step of the journey is a reflection of both past and future. With vivid colors, intricate textures, and an otherworldly figure that embodies this existential exploration, JOURNEY takes the viewer beyond the immediate and invites them to contemplate the vast potential of self-awareness and transformation.

The being at the heart of this piece is a representation of resilience—an entity that has lived through everything MARKEL has experienced, but elevated to a cosmic scale. The figure becomes a mirror of the artist's personal growth and the boundless possibilities of self-discovery, standing not at the beginning or end of the journey but embodying the entire odyssey in one form. Inspired by Carl Sagan's insight into the universe understanding itself, JOURNEY is not just a painting—it is a meditation on existence, purpose, and the infinite paths we walk.

JOURNEY (Part One of the ODYSSEY Series) is an awe-inspiring piece that captures the essence of what it means to embark on a personal odyssey. For collectors who seek artwork that goes beyond aesthetic beauty to touch upon the philosophical and existential, this painting is an essential addition. It speaks to the power of reflection, self-discovery, and the vast potential within each of us. A true statement piece, JOURNEY will command attention and invite deep contemplation, making it a striking centerpiece in any collection.

Acquire this monumental piece today and begin your own reflection on the infinite paths we walk, the lessons we learn, and the endless journey of becoming.