--- sketch based loosely on this text Dr. George Ritchie.

Dr. George Ritchie apparently went on quite an extensive tour of the afterlife, courtesy of a being of Light whom he identifies as Jesus.

He describes being taken to a realm in which people driven by self-righteousness, hatred, lust, and pure ego are attracted to each other, each one repeating narrow-minded, violent acts upon others that he or she thinks makes him or her superior. It was a place of Hell, for none of those present could see beyond his or her own self-righteousness and self-gratification.

There is a version of the description at www.near-death.com, but it lacks the mention of the "beings seemingly made of light" that were "bending over the little creatures on the plain." These bright beings were so immense, or perhaps on such a different wavelength, that Dr. Ritchie at first did not even notice them. Certainly, the battling and raging creatures could not see them. But, these angelic entities were clearly not only the most striking features of the landscape, but they were trying to help the wretched beings fighting below.

And so... even in darkness, there is Light, unwilling that any should perish.

For the full account, see Dr. George Ritchie's book Return from Tomorrow.

Granted the figures are not photorealistic (I haven't gotten around to fixing some of the more obvious errors yet), and certainly one cannot guarantee that emotions are conveyed in any medium, but perhaps you the viewer can sense the vast gap in attitude between those above and those below. I certainly could not bridge the gap from lower to higher without time out to rest and recover and break free of the clutches of rage that perhaps I know too well.

"Real Angels get their hands dirty!" (Cafepress goods) ... all of my profits will go to charity.

rei (at) art.net

or

rei (at) mit.edu