NOTE: Please read this description. It will explain the meaning and purpose behind this painting. Just beware that the story behind this painting may be upsetting for emotionally sensitive viewers. Discretion advised.


“Fleeting Dreams”
Acrylic and Conté crayon on board (21 x 29.7 cm)
Completed on July 30th 2023 in 20 hours

---

The image above is my first fine art painting in two or three year: a psychedelic mixed media portrait dedicated to one of my closest online friends overseas whom I thought I tragically lost a few weeks ago.

This painting was originally going to be titled “Gone Too Soon” because I started working on it a few days after they shockingly announced trying to take their own life.

Immediately after reading their harrowing announcement, I desperately tried to reach out to them online, emotionally pleading them to let me know if they were still alive.

Alas, due to both of us living in separate countries, I was unable to contact their local emergency services to come to their rescue. Thus, with no way to confirm whether they were dead or alive, I spent the following fortnight sadly mourning their presumed death…

But, much to my relief, they were able to respond to my heartfelt online messages after being hospitalised for two weeks. And so, I’m truly overjoyed to know that they‘re still alive to this day.

In the meantime, if you and/or someone you know is feeling dangerously depressed, anxious and/or stressed out, please reach out to someone you can trust (e.g. family, friends, doctors, counsellors, etc.) and tell them how you and/or they have been feeling lately.

Having someone to share your feelings with can save lives, both yours and others. I know this to be true because doing so myself saved my life several times.

Thank you for reading. I love you all.