Listen to the deeds of the One who hears all cries, Who well responds to every quarter; Vast is the vow, as deep as the Sea. Age long and inconceivable Who hears her name and looks to her, Unremittingly remembering her, Will end the sorrows of existence. – Lotus Sutra
This piece was a long time in the making. I actually started drawing her out last February and just recently finished with the last touches.
Kwan Yin (also known as Guanyishin, Quan Yin and other spellings) is the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion and Mercy. I have drawn artwork dedicated to her before, on a much larger scale although not as abstract as this piece.
I found myself attached to Kwan Yin from a very early age when I was studying Wicca, Buddhism and other Eastern studies. There were times that I found myself in a hollow and dark place in my life where it felt as if somehow Kwan Yin was out there listening. Just remembering these moments of sorrow stirs up a lot of emotions within me.
I respect Kwan Yin as a manifestation of the energy we all seek when times are rough…a compassionate shoulder, a warm embrace, a soft whisper in your ear telling you that everything will be okay. In the end, everything turns out just fine.