Three Feet from Gold (Version 1) was born from the timeless parable in Think and Grow Rich—the story of a miner who quit digging mere feet away from striking gold. Translating that metaphor visually, I depicted a hand reaching for a crown just out of reach, rendered in rich gold tones dripping down against a stark black background. The crown represents success, ambition, and fulfillment—glimmering but elusive—while the molten texture hints at the sacrifice and transformation that come with the pursuit of one’s dreams.
This piece was a milestone in my own creative evolution—it was my first full digital illustration created on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil. At the time, I was transitioning into new creative tools and workflows, refining both my craft and mindset. The design also draws subtle inspiration from The Huntsman: Winter’s War and Set It Off’s Uncontainable, both of which echo themes of resilience and inner fire.
Reflection:
2016 was a challenging but formative year for me, and this piece became a visual mantra—a reminder not to give up when progress feels slow or distant. Sometimes, success isn’t miles away—it’s just three feet from gold.
2016 was a challenging but formative year for me, and this piece became a visual mantra—a reminder not to give up when progress feels slow or distant. Sometimes, success isn’t miles away—it’s just three feet from gold.
If you like this check out the revamped Version 2 you can check that out Here
Tools: Sketchbook Pro | iPad Pro