Neon Light

This piece is being entered into the Apophysis Group's WTC #13 [link] , representing neon gas, which is the gas used to light neon signs.

This is the first of two color schemes I'm using on this piece, for two reasons. 1) I truly can't decide which looks better, and 2) This version carries a special meaning to me (read below).

More importantly, I present this piece in honor of my childhood friend and cousin, Brent Garrett...who died unexpectedly this past weekend.

Brent (along with his sister Tera, and our cousin Suzy) was a bright light in almost every happy childhood memory that I have. In a world where 95% of the kids in my area were white and picked on or shunned me, it's ironic that Brent and his sister, two black kids, accepted me as their friend so easily and spent so many wonderful times together with me.

Because of some private issues, we lost contact over the years, and many times I've thought of him and hoped that we would get together again one day, talk about the fun times, and be close again.

We got a call from family that he died this last weekend, and all those hopes died with him.

Turns out, though...that just recently he HAD been in contact with some family, found a nice woman and a job. What cruel irony life is, that he should be taken from us now, just when he was coming back into our lives.

I present this piece in honor of the Brent that I knew, and the Brent that he recently became. At his best, I've never known anyone more accepting and fun loving than Brent...and that is how I will remember him.

Thank you all for reading.

PS - I, ~Khan71 give =ImagersFractalDDs permission to upload this image to their gallery."