This piece was a gift for our son, Jonathan, and is based on a drawing he did several years ago in high school. He had always told me that he couldn’t do justice to the image he envisioned, and that I should paint it for him.

I tried to keep this painting true to Jonny’s teen-age drawing, but expanded on his ideas and concept of the memories swirling around the old Greek warrior. He is gazing at a fire and looking back on his life. Recalling his past pains and glories, while also contemplating what he knows is lying ahead.

He sees vestiges of his life in battle and we see the scars on his face and the strength in his hands. Memories of the love of a beautiful woman are prevalent …perhaps she waits for him in the mystery ahead. Charon, the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the river Styx, lingers nearby. It is just a matter of time…