Fixed Wings

Full name: Liú (劉) Feng (凤)
Current age: 16
Eye/Hair colour: Bright brown/Black


“Some of the most important events in our lives are accidents. A children’s blanket carelessly tossed too close to a space heater and a resulting house fire is one of those things. Even more important events are sometimes miracles. A medic that was able to bring the same child back from death is one of those occurrences. My parents named me Feng (凤) in hopes that I would be as great as a phoenix some day. After that night when they nearly lost me because of an honest accident, my parents saw my name as another type of blessing… almost like the ability to be reborn in a way from the ashes of such a fire. I’ve had some trouble breathing occasionally since then, but I believe that it’s a small price to pay for life. My parents might not have a lot of money, but we all work together in order to keep me in school. My life may not be the most convenient, but I have fixed wings. Like my kite, I fly higher and better because I am sturdy and built to last. Carrying my kite whole instead of in pieces like many children do may be a burden sometimes, but in the long run it’s worth the effort. Like my kite, I am a phoenix.”

In this picture, an older Feng is surrounded by fire while holding her kite and facing a memory of herself. Her past looks up at her with frightened and unsure eyes and she looks down with a sort of smile or reassurance. The past is holding a charred blanket, which is the blanket responsible for the start of the fire. Space heaters can be dangerous and they’re one of the leading causes for house fires. Feng suffered from acute carbon monoxide poisoning and nearly died before being revived by 100% oxygen administration.

I really enjoyed doing this and working around a central theme. By itself, the phoenix represents death and resurrection and also fire energies and the four winds. It is considered the king of birds and is a symbol of unity in a marriage when paired with the dragon. (The phoenix being female and the dragon male.)

The kite and the two versions of Feng are done in marker and coloured pencil. The background is oil paints.

This is my entry for the Knite OC contest. The journal can be found here: [link]

Knite belongs to yuumei: [link]

Also, visit my essay ‘The Swallow’s Dilemma’ for an extended view on pollution in China and what it’s doing to its inhabitants here: [link]

PS: I apologize for my lack of a scanner. I had to take a photo, and it's hard to get a good photo of these things. =/