I knew him as an artist. A friend. A mentor. A brother.

I knew him from my first steps into this digital world, inside of which this conversation is taking place.

In matters of spirit, he was a guide. In matters of art, he was a teacher.
I can tell you how he was kind, generous of heart, funny, flirty and silly.
I can tell you that it's thanks to him, I learned to draw, I learned to grow my skill and became the artist I am today.
I can tell you that because of him, I've met the following people, all of whom are friends to me as he was:

 altenia
 xenoth
 canucklehead
 shadrakahn
 ivorywing
 Dari
 Auspex
 pyrophin
 zoria
 agroantirrhopus
 calafin

Among others, I cannot name you all.

His influence on my artistic ability is substantial.
His influence on the shape of my social circle is profound.
His influence on the course of my life is incalculable.
He has touched dozens of other lives directly, and thousands more through his inspiration and creations.

I won't forget his voice, his quirks, his smile or his beliefs. Because I will continue to speak of him as the person he is - not the person he was. His spirit is with us, as it always will be. He is - in the present tense - one of our best.

Carry with you the best of what he was. We all knew him, and we'll all miss him.

Live every day without an ounce of malice in your hearts, because in his eyes, we're all better than we are.

With fond, loving memories: farewell, my copper-maned friend.

Until we meet again.

 athus

Keep an eye on us all, brother. I'll see you on the other side.


-Avilon