This drawing explores Alec DeMarco’s interpretation of the sky and wind through winged figures that embody movement, freedom, and the elemental forces of nature. The imagery draws upon a formative period in DeMarco’s artistic development, when he spent nearly three years training under a Japanese tattoo master, immersing himself in the traditional techniques and visual language of Irezumi.

During this intensive apprenticeship, DeMarco’s early training focused on the four fundamental elements—Wind, Earth, Water, and Fire—each carrying its own symbolic significance and artistic traditions. The study of these elements provided an essential foundation for his understanding of composition, movement, and the relationship between natural forces and visual expression.

In this work, the winged figures become a contemporary interpretation of the Wind or Sky element, translating the principles learned during his apprenticeship into his distinctive abstract language. Rather than adhering to traditional representations, DeMarco allows the forms to evolve through his own artistic sensibility, transforming the invisible energy of air and movement into a dynamic visual presence.

The drawing reflects the continuing influence of Japanese artistic traditions on DeMarco’s practice, where disciplined technical training and spontaneous abstraction coexist, creating a dialogue between inherited visual languages and personal expression.