Thoughts behind the artwork...

Help In The Midst of Nightmare. Having crossed over to the other side, a lost soul wanders in a dark and desolate dreamscape. This is not his home. This is not where he belongs. Lost. Naked and alone he wanders, numb to all sensation save fear and confusion. Time does not exist. At some point fear is replaced by sorrow. The footsteps falter and simply stop. Shoulders slump and head bows low. Hope is lost... why bother?

Time that does not exist passes. The lost soul is startled by a touch upon his shoulder. His eyes turn to see a skeletal hand. Slowly he looks up to its skeletal face. Rather than horror, the lost soul feels a deep sense of relief. The skeleton is not alone, for another stands calmly by its side. Both exude a deep sense of kindness. Words are not exchanged, for they are not needed in this place. This is a place of spirits... a place of souls. Physical forms are simply manifestations of a mind not yet ready to release the world of the living. Looking into the face of the wandering soul before him, the lost soul is made to understand.

"Take all the time you need. When you are ready... you will move on. There is nothing to fear... nothing can hurt you here. When you are ready... the light will return. For this place is like every other. It is you."

With that message, the lost soul found himself alone once again. Placing one foot in front of the other he began his journey towards the light.

As usual, this image was inspired by dreams I've had. More than one dream form the basis of this work. So much of what I do creatively begins and ends with dreams. Thank you for looking.

-John Alexander (aka SirJohn)