So as I've said when I first returned, I was glad to see many of the artists on my watch list transcend to a new level of skill and creativity. Upon looking down the list I noticed a lot of those great artists I watched no longer hang out at deviantart or have forsaken the world of art all together. Though, to an even greater disappointment, I went to visit the page of the amazing blutack ( [link] ) only to discover that he passed away and is no longer on this earth.

To me it was almost like a stab to the heart, even though I didn't really know him. Here I am complaining that I'll never reach a decent level of drawing while an artist who probably devoted his entire life to master this skill was robbed of his life at such a young age and will no longer be able to create fascinating works for us to see. To have such a promising future, it fills my heart with sadness that such a tragedy has befallen a young and talented artist such as himself.

What was really a kick to the face was the fact that he had passed about a year ago, here I was going to his page expecting some awesome stuff I missed while I was gone, only to find nothing had changed...I still remember when he submitted that Goth Arial deviation ([link]) just a few months after I took my break though I'd still occasionally browse the site. It is a cruel reminder of our mortality and the uncertainty that we have to face when looking ahead to the future. Let us make the best of our time on this earth while we still have the opportunity.

With that said I felt obligated to do something to commemorate John Waterson which is why I mentioned him in this journal entry. I want everyone to have the opportunity to visit his page and take a look at his stunning art, for there will be no more from him.

May your artwork live forever to amaze and inspire many. Rest in peace, John.