Acceptance

Last minute entry but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in this contest! I really was blown away by the movie and I'm really looking forward to owning it to appreciate its visuals over and over again

Was hard to title this piece. "Forgiveness" was my main pitch running through my head as I painted, but I realized through my own experience that the acceptance of forgiveness is a slow lingering process. Ultimately it's the most healing on both sides in the long run and I hope I portrayed that here.

Kubo has forgiven and accepted the Moon King as his grandfather as the only remaining family he has. After a grueling experience and many losses he totally had the power to do away with him but chose to forgive and accept. I wanted to show how incredibly healing the power of acceptance is by having his monstrous form 'melting' off his grandfather. His grandfather is leaving the cold, unfeeling loneliness of the dark and stepped into the warmth of light and love with his grandson. There was a lot of darkness to walk though but eventually they made it to then light. The lanterns are there to give respect to Kubo's parents, something I imagine he'll do with his grandfather every year together from now on.

It's a sappy story in my head but in reality I've lost many friends by simply not forgiving. It's an obstacle to overcome that I think many people today don't realize takes time and effort and would rather tune out people instead of trying to understand each other.

I never forgive and forget. But I try my hardest to forgive and accept. I think that's allowed me to keep the few but strong bonds I still have today. And I think that's pretty powerful.