....words cannot describe. I shall have to get back to you when I finish being completely bowled over.

I could never have expected this from you Jamie. I am completely overwhelmed with amazement at this work. Such raw and intense passion and emotion portrayed with a talent the likes of which I have never seen from you. Not that I believed you were uncapable before, but it is such a shock to see this from you. It is truly an awesome artwork and is certainly deserving of being hung in a gallery. Like all great artwork it is the product of channelled emotional power. You've packaged all the sorrow surrounding the experience you've undergone into a work of a dark but exquisite beauty. There is so much in the image that it's impossible to comprehend all at once. The cracked, empty chest is immensely evokative creates the emotionally violent air of a soul in turmoil. It brings an unnerving and disturbing sensation along with so many other feelings; fear, love, sadness, pain. Turning the image over in ones mind and reading the poem brings some level of comprehension of your experience. The naked figure seems to represent an openness, and a wish to share the pain and in doing so, be brought comfort or reconciliation. One cannot help but share this pain. To look at the image is to experience at least some of the very hurt that created it, but it is difficult to look away, as one is innexorably drawn into that abyssal black hole. Indeed, it looks like a crack in the very fabric of the picture itself and it presents itself as a very real and severe entity in it's own right.

My dear friend, you have so brilliantly created a work of horrific beauty and I am totally awestruck.

Now I really just want to hug you and tell you it's all going to be alright. Which it will be. I promise you.

Ever so sincerely (despite the possible pretentious air),
Leo.

*Is slightly overwhelmed!* ...wow! Thanku soo much! This really means a lot to me Leo I did put a lot of time and emotion into this one, so I'm glad it shows, and that you connected to it on a deeper level... You know I always go on about how I can't listen to certain music anymore because it always hits me with whatever terrible emotion I was feeling when I first listened to it...? Well I just put on some Sigur Ros... and it seemed to do the trick (Actually I listen to them a lot nowadays )

This is an important piece for me I think, because it was the first time I really abandoned my fear of painting something 'wrong' (obviously there are no references for holes-in-the-chest!) So I just picked some colours and started just placing them where it felt right... and I guess it worked

It's interesting you see the nakedness as openness When I was painting it I was thinking more 'vulnerable' and 'delicate' (I haven't the most burley of bodies!) but I guess this whole thing is very emotionally and physically 'open' - I definately wouldn't have had the courage to do this a year ago So there we go. A milestone I suppose

Anywayz... Thanku again for taking the time to really think about this piece and to write such a wonderful comment
Hopefully my future work won't seem anti-climatic

Luv Jamie
xXx

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- i tried to change but i changed my mind -

wow man!!!! powerful stuff honey. if you need to talk?!... make sure you enjoy your xmas. looks like a red rose. i like the symbol also xxxxxxxxxxxxlove u lots

A great combination of a really strong poem and a fitting visualisation. There's an undeniable density to this. I love the flow and the depths of your poetry. Fascinating.

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My world exists only in storybooks, my life is a dream...only my love is real.

Well thanku very much for your kind words

For what it's worth, I wish your daughter the best of health and hope she's fit and well before long

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- i tried to change but i changed my mind -

Thank you so much for the good wishes. I hope they'll help.

--
My world exists only in storybooks, my life is a dream...only my love is real.

I, I, I....I dunno what to say, this is gorgeous!!!!

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I lock the door and lock my head, dream of butterflies instead.

Thanku very much, and thanks for the too!

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- i tried to change but i changed my mind -

I went Oh-My-God, then speechless.