"The Alchemist"

11"x17"  

acrylic and Berol Prismacolor Pencils on Illustration board

This is my answer to the "typical" wizard, silvery grizzled beard, pointy hat, etc. He's not Merlin, (don't get me wrong, I love Merlin) but I wanted to explore the idea of a male magician that wasn't that over done stereotype. Wisdom can exist in youth as well as in age, and never forget, appearances can be deceiving. 

Alchemists believed they could positively transform both spirit and metals. They also applied spiritual aspects to different metals. This ancient art was both magick and science brought together towards one goal, spiritual and earthly perfection. Due to the secrecy of their practitioners, we don't know if they ever found the secret to turn lead into silver or gold, or created the legendary Philosophers Stone, but they did make many important contributions to both modern magickal practitioners and chemists alike. Many of the modern magickal traditions use the symbols such as the elements and planets, that were used in alchemy long ago. It was also an alchemist that discovered how to make phosphorus. 

They had a strong belief in ethical behavior, this excerpt from a 15th century poem by Thomas Norton called Ordinal of Alchemy explains the need for secrecy and the danger of releasing their mystical knowledge carelessly: "This art must ever secret be, The cause whereof is this, as ye may see: If one evil man had thereof all his will, All Christian peace he might easily spill, with all his pride he might pull down Rightful kings and princes renown."