4. Graduation
A Personal Note from the Artist
As we progress through Life, from Act I to Act
II and so on, we are constantly graduating
from one stage to the next.  If we live—if we
truly live—graduation is a process, not a
ceremony.

In this drawing we see three buddies who
have co-starred together on the previous
Stages of Life. This picture depicts both their
shared past and their separate futures.  
Though their bodies have grown, they are still
small children inside, living life with an
abandon to the harsh realities of the world.

The guy in the middle is the “Fonz”, the
cool dude that legends are made of.  He
breezes through life without a care, nothing
really fazes him.  He doesn't think too deeply


about things, but rather pretty much accepts them as they are.  Never accused of being overly analytical, he
still seems to say all the right things and all his schoolmates look to him as the “Huckleberry Finn” of their
school.  It is fitting that he is in the center and both boys have their arms around him as if they want to attach
themselves to a piece of his legacy, much the same way people pose with celebrities or politicians.  He
could care less about what others think of him.  His sloppily attached hunting boots and baggy jeans are a
statement about his respect for the ceremony.  But it’s interesting to note the way he’s clutching that diploma
as if he knows…he knows that this is probably going to be the greatest achievement of his life.

The boy on the right is a follower, a tragic sort of character.  He emulates the “Fonz” in any way he can, notice
the boots.  He can never be like him, however, for he lacks the self-confidence.  He possibly was abused as
a young child, and finds identity and self-worth in this fellowship of three amigos.  From the way he holds his
diploma, you can tell it alone is not important to him.  His inclusion in the group is of far greater importance.

The boy on the left is the one who is destined to leave the alliance behind.  Everything in life seems to come
easily to him, and he has set his sights on the horizon.  His friends lack the ambition he has; they are content
with the moment.  But this young man has a thirst for more.  His shoes are a little more upscale, white, a
blank color that reflects his future—wide open like a canvas ready to be painted upon.  He holds his diploma
loosely, with confidence yet cradling it as just one accomplishment of many more to come.

The truck represents the linear journey of their life, disappearing off each side of the drawing to suggest the
boys see no end to it.  They only see the now.  It is also a reflection of what has been important to them up to
this point.  Note the rusted out spots on the truck, the semi-flat tire, the four-wheeler in the back, reflecting
good times, recreation, not too much attention to image, hard work or discipline.  Keeping up appearances
or worrying about maintenance—whether it be the vehicle of truck, body or soul—has just not been on their
priority list.  As they graduate from one Stage of Life to the next, however, one of their number will be
changing priorities and gradually drift away from the trio.  Such is Life.  We all graduate and move on to write
our own scripts and act on another Stage.
                                                                                                                                                                          
Actual Image Size: 16”x 20” surrounded by 1.5" border
Copyright Bruce Carnahan
All Rights Reserved
12 Stages of LifeTM
4. GRADUATION
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