I'd like to take a moment to share this artwork—this masterpiece by Flack Quartermass. When I was a kid, my pillowcases had designs that really didn't fit me, like a scene from the Smurfs, or bland horizontal stripes. If I could go asleep back in time and see my childhood bed again, and if the timeline had changed, I would love this—on my pillowcase—to be one of the alterations.

To live, perchance to feel..

In the artist's own words:

"I argued with myself over whether to explain it.. You know, the whole argument over letting art be consumed by the beholder or described by the artist.

Well, my analytical non-artsy side usually wins, and this argument was no exception. So pardon my explanation.

I am (and some others may be) represented by the dark swirly clouds, an alternative perspective to what I'd normally consider to be 'grounded'. Below is Torley's colorful expression, parts of which coalesce with the storm to create something magical and unique; Living and flowing (ultimately represented by the sun of bliss). The pink is what is given to the world (and to myself as one small part of it). The green is Torley's own inner mystery which I dare not make assumptions of.

The juxtaposition in this rough art is important to me. I suppose it's partly due to life's travels that I've grown rather dark and cynical by nature. Never did I think I'd be doing oil painting on the computer, particularly not with pinks and lime greens.

I've found that the interactions of far-flung individuals can birth that solar bliss, which to me is an easy way to say: Happiness, new ideas and perspectives, creativity, etc..

This is my homage to that often-unspoken effect, of which Torley was both my catalyst and muse here."

-Flack Quartermass

It was made with ArtRage 2, with further adjustments done in Paint.NET. I like how the sun has these delicate little "licks" that almost look like solar veins. Flack, thank you graciously for sharing this with me, and for giving your blessing for it to be posted on my blog!